How much does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma cost?

Prices have softened 2.30% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,698 listings available, which suggests solid inventory availability.

If you find a listing below $31,014.32, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Toyota Tacoma earns a 4.88/5 user rating and a 6.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Look and feel at 8/10.

Drivers consistently praise its value, reliability, and resale potential, and many also like its features, performance, and durability. The truck’s appeal is strongest if you want a rugged pickup with broad configuration choices and off-road capability.

The trade-offs are clear: the expert notes call out sluggish performance and poor handling, along with an underwhelming base engine. That makes it a better fit if you prioritize toughness and utility over refinement or quick acceleration.

For shoppers who want a midsize pickup for towing, hauling, or weekend trail use, the Tacoma’s formula still makes sense. It also shows 31.7% good or great deals in the market, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

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

Drivers describe it as reliable, durable, and a truck they can count on, with praise for its long-term value and dependable ownership experience. The expert notes also reinforce that reputation by calling out Toyota’s excellent reliability standing and the Tacoma’s rugged, built-to-last character.

ToyotaCare adds two years or 25,000 miles of free factory-scheduled maintenance and two years of roadside assistance, which helps reduce early ownership costs. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a hard-used truck may hide wear from towing, off-roading, or neglected maintenance.

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

At 73.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. A pre-purchase inspection matters here, especially if the truck has been used off-road or for towing. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and signs of abuse rather than mileage alone.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base SR trim gets a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims get an 8-inch screen. Higher trims add more styling and equipment, but the base truck is the most stripped-down.
• Powertrain: You can choose a 2.7-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6. The four-cylinder is the efficiency play, while the V6 adds more power and can be paired with a manual transmission.
• Safety package: Standard driver aids 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 some rivals offer more advanced features.
• Infotainment: The Tacoma gets Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM standard. The base trim uses a 7-inch touchscreen; other trims get an 8-inch screen.
• Fuel efficiency: The base four-cylinder returns 21 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive and 20 mpg combined with four-wheel drive. The V6 returns 21 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive and 20 mpg combined with four-wheel drive, 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:

• Base trim: The SR is the most basic choice, with the smaller 7-inch touchscreen and fewer comfort or appearance upgrades than the rest of the lineup.
• Sweet-spot trim: The SR5 is the best value for many shoppers because it adds more everyday usability without pushing you into the pricier off-road or luxury-focused models.
• Premium/top trim: The Limited is the better pick if you want the most comfort-oriented Tacoma, while the TRD Pro is the most off-road focused and sits at the top of the lineup.
• Off-road trim: The TRD Pro is the one to choose if trail use matters most, but it brings a higher price and a firmer, more specialized setup than most daily drivers need.

The safety package is standard across the lineup, so your trim decision mostly comes down to how much comfort, tech, or off-road hardware you want.

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 carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 31.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,698 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.30% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $31,014.32, 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 $32,493 sits slightly below last year's $33,257.

That modest decline suggests the Tacoma is holding value reasonably well, even as prices have eased. If you buy at the right number, you may have a better chance of limiting depreciation later. Strong demand for rugged trucks and the Tacoma’s reputation for durability should continue to support resale interest.

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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2021 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab top “Good” scores in all crash tests except the passenger-side small overlap front test, where it received an “Acceptable” score. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave both the Access Cab and Double Cab configurations four-star overall ratings, with four-star ratings in frontal and rollover crash testing and five-star ratings in side crash 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 respectable safety package for a midsize truck.

The main caveat is that some headlights earned only marginal marks depending on trim level, and the Tacoma does not match some rivals on advanced driver-assistance breadth.

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:

• 31.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.30% 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 $31,247, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $32,493 average.
• It keeps the Tacoma’s rugged, dependable formula while adding useful updates.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $33,500, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $32,493 average.
• It remains appealing for buyers who want easy-to-use tech and strong off-road ability.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the right pick if you want the Tacoma’s familiar ruggedness with a broad trim and powertrain lineup. If you’re price-sensitive, the 2020 can save you money while staying close to the same formula. If you want to spend more for a newer model year, the 2022 is the next step up, but the 2021 still offers the best balance of price and capability here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.