Used 2021 Toyota Tacoma for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

How much does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma cost?

Prices have softened 1.96% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,576 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma a good car?

Yes — you’re looking at a 4.88/5 user-rated truck with an expert score of 6.5/10. The standout strength is Look and feel at 8/10.

Owners consistently praise its value, reliability, and resale potential, and they also like its durability and feature set. The truck’s breadth of configurations and off-road focus are major reasons it appeals to shoppers who want capability and variety.

The trade-offs are clear: performance is sluggish, handling is poor, and the base engine is underwhelming. That makes it a better fit if you care more about durability, capability, and setup choices than refinement or quick acceleration.

For buyers who want a midsize pickup that can be configured for work, commuting, or trail use, the Tacoma makes a strong case. The market also shows 31.4% good or great deals, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

Owners rate it 4.88/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The user feedback points to reliability, durability, and a truck you can count on over time. The expert evaluation also describes the Tacoma as having an excellent reputation for reliability, and ToyotaCare adds two years or 25,000 miles of free factory-scheduled maintenance plus roadside assistance for new-car buyers.

That combination suggests the Tacoma is a sensible used buy if you want something built for long-term ownership, though you should still watch for wear on higher-mileage trucks and verify maintenance history carefully.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Toyota Tacoma?

At 73.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a thorough inspection of bodywork, frame condition, and signs of off-road use. Because this truck is often bought for capability, it’s smart to focus on how it was used, not just how it looks in photos.

Pay close attention to maintenance records, tire wear, suspension condition, and any evidence of hard towing or trail driving. If a listing looks especially clean and well maintained, that matters more here than on a typical commuter vehicle.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SR trim gets a 7-inch touchscreen, while all other trims get an 8-inch screen. Higher trims add more equipment, and the TRD Pro stands out with model-specific styling, off-road hardware, and a more rugged focus than the base truck.
• Powertrain: You can choose a 2.7-liter four-cylinder with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, or a 3.5-liter V6 with 278 hp and 265 lb-ft. The V6 is available with an automatic or a six-speed manual, and the manual is part of the Tacoma’s appeal for some shoppers.
• Safety package: Standard driver-assistance features include forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. That’s a solid standard list, though it trails some rivals in available extras.
• Infotainment: The Tacoma gets Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM standard. The base SR uses a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims get an 8-inch screen.
• Fuel efficiency: The base four-cylinder returns 21 mpg combined with RWD and 20 mpg combined with 4WD. The V6 with automatic transmission returns 21 mpg combined with RWD and 20 mpg combined with 4WD, while the manual V6 drops to 18 mpg combined. The TRD Pro returns 18 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Toyota Tacoma trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma is offered in 6 trim levels: SR, SR5, TRD Off Road, TRD Sport, Limited, and TRD Pro.

Here's the short version:

• SR: This is the entry point, and it makes sense if you want the Tacoma’s core toughness at the lowest price. You still get standard smartphone integration and the basic truck formula, but it’s the trim where you feel the most feature gaps.
• SR5: This is the best-value choice for many shoppers because it adds more everyday usability without pushing you into specialty-trim pricing. If you want a balanced Tacoma for commuting, hauling, and occasional adventure, this is the trim to start with.
• TRD Off Road: Choose this if you want the Tacoma’s off-road hardware to be a real part of the package. It adds the locking rear differential, upgraded suspension with Bilstein shocks, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control.
• TRD Sport: This trim is for you if you want a more road-oriented Tacoma with a sportier feel than the base models. It keeps the Tacoma’s utility while leaning more toward style and on-road use.
• Limited: This is the comfort-leaning trim if you want a more upscale Tacoma experience. It suits buyers who care more about convenience and refinement than trail hardware.
• TRD Pro: This is the top off-road choice, with Fox internal-bypass shocks, a 1-inch front lift, retuned rear suspension, a front skid plate, and wider wheels. It’s the right pick if you want the most capable Tacoma for serious trail use.

Standard driver-assistance features are strong across the lineup, but the Tacoma still misses some rival features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Toyota Tacoma?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 31.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,576 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.96% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $30,972, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma's resale value?

The current average of $32,234 sits slightly below last year's $32,879.

That modest decline suggests the Tacoma is holding value reasonably well rather than sliding sharply. For a future seller, that’s a good sign: you’re not dealing with a truck that’s losing appeal quickly.

The Tacoma’s strong reputation for durability and buyer demand should help support resale strength over time. Well-kept examples, especially those with desirable trims or clean histories, are likely to remain easier to sell than average midsize trucks.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.88/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma safe?

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab earns Good IIHS crash-test scores in most tests, with an Acceptable result in the passenger-side small overlap front test, and it earns four-star ratings in frontal crash and rollover, and five-star ratings in all other NHTSA tests.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard driver-assistance features include forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. That gives you a solid safety baseline for a midsize truck.

The main caveat is that headlight performance varies by trim, with Good and Marginal ratings depending on configuration. If safety is a top priority, you should pay close attention to the exact trim and equipment on the listing you’re considering.

Should I buy a 2021 Toyota Tacoma or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 31.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.96% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds two special editions and standard dual-zone automatic climate control on all V6 models.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $30,902, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $32,234 average.
• It adds useful design and technology updates.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $33,246, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $32,234 average.
• It remains a strong choice for commuting and weekend adventures.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of current-year pricing, broad configuration choices, and strong owner satisfaction, the 2021 is the primary year to target. If you’re price-sensitive, the 2020 is the smarter value play, while the 2022 makes sense only if you find a cleaner or better-equipped example worth the extra money.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.