Used 2021 Toyota Tacoma for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma cost?

Prices have softened 1.06% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,414 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Toyota Tacoma earns a 4.9/5 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 highlight its durability and capability. The truck’s broad lineup and off-road focus are recurring positives, especially for shoppers who want a rugged pickup with real utility. At the same time, some owners want more advanced technology and note that it can feel underpowered compared with rivals.

That lines up with the expert view: the Tacoma is a strong fit if you want a midsize pickup with variety, off-road ability, and a straightforward setup, but you should expect sluggish performance and poor handling. It also makes sense if you value a truck that stays true to traditional pickup strengths rather than chasing car-like refinement.

Good and great deals account for 33.9% of listings, so there is still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

Owners rate it 4.9/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to reliability, dependability, and durability as major strengths, with many drivers describing the Tacoma as a truck they can count on over time. The expert review also reinforces that reputation by calling out the Tacoma’s excellent reliability reputation and its practical, long-term ownership appeal. ToyotaCare adds two years or 25,000 miles of free factory-scheduled maintenance and roadside assistance, which helps reduce early ownership costs.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a truck with this much capability may have been worked hard, so condition and maintenance history matter a lot.

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

At 70.1% 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, especially if the truck has been used off-road or for towing. Pay close attention to signs of wear in the suspension, tires, brakes, and underbody, since those areas can reveal how hard the truck has been used. It also makes sense to focus on trim-specific equipment so you know whether the truck has the features you want.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SR trim gets a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims get an 8-inch screen, and higher trims can add a JBL audio system and more distinctive styling. The TRD Pro sits at the top of the lineup with the most off-road-focused setup, while the Trail Edition and Nightshade Edition add their own appearance and equipment touches.
• Powertrain: You can choose between a 2.7-liter four-cylinder with 159 horsepower and an optional 3.5-liter V6 with 278 horsepower. The four-cylinder is automatic-only, while the V6 can be paired with either an automatic or a six-speed manual.
• 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. The Tacoma also earns a Superior rating for front-crash prevention tech, though headlight ratings vary by trim.
• Infotainment: The Tacoma includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The base SR gets a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims get an 8-inch screen, and the system is easy to use even if it is not especially advanced.
• Fuel efficiency: The base four-cylinder returns 21 mpg combined, with 20 mpg city and 23 mpg highway in RWD form. The V6 can return 21 mpg combined with RWD and the automatic, while the manual drops to 18 mpg combined; the TRD Pro is rated at 18 mpg combined and averaged 16.7 mpg in testing.

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 and standard tech without paying for extras. It gets the 7-inch touchscreen, while the rest of the lineup moves to an 8-inch unit.
• SR5: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more everyday usability while staying below the more specialized off-road and luxury-oriented versions.
• TRD Off Road: This is the right pick if you want the Tacoma’s off-road hardware to be a bigger part of the package, including the locking rear differential, upgraded suspension, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control.
• TRD Sport: Choose this if you want a more road-oriented trim with a different personality than the off-road models, while still keeping the Tacoma’s core utility and available tech.
• Limited: This is the comfort-leaning choice in the lineup, and it suits you if you want a more upscale Tacoma without going all the way to the most specialized model.
• TRD Pro: This is the most off-road-focused Tacoma, with standard 4WD, Fox shocks, a front lift, skid plate, and wider wheels. It is the trim to buy if off-road capability matters most.

Standard safety equipment includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control.

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: 33.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,414 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.06% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 70.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $30,910, 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 $31,756 sits slightly below last year's $32,096.

That modest decline suggests the Tacoma has softened a bit, but not dramatically. For a future seller, that means the truck is still holding value reasonably well, especially compared with vehicles that lose demand more quickly. The Tacoma’s broad appeal, strong reputation, and steady shopper interest should help support resale strength over time.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.9/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma safe?

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma earns a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS, and the NHTSA gave both cab configurations a four-star overall rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash testing, and five stars 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 is a solid safety suite for a midsize truck, though headlight ratings vary by trim level and the passenger-side small overlap front test received an Acceptable score on the Double Cab.

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:

• 33.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 70.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.06% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds two new special editions and standard dual-zone automatic climate control on all V6 models.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $30,090, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $31,756 average.
• It remains popular for capability, size, and dependable off-road features.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $32,634, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $31,756 average.
• It keeps the Tacoma’s easy-to-use tech and off-road appeal while remaining a practical small pickup.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the right default if you want the updated special editions and a broad used-market selection. If price matters most, the 2020 can save you money while keeping much of the same core appeal.

How does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma compare to the 2021 Ford Ranger?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Toyota Tacoma:

• Pros: Manual transmission available, Easy-to-use technology, Excellent off-road capability.
• Cons: Sluggish performance, Poor handling, Underwhelming base engine.

2021 Ford Ranger:

• Pros: Spacious, Easy-to-use technology, Multiple body styles.
• Cons: Uninspired styling, Interior materials feel cheap, Outdated technology.

Our experts score the 2021 Toyota Tacoma 6.5/10 and the 2021 Ford Ranger 7/10. The Tacoma is the better pick if you care more about off-road ability and the availability of a manual transmission. The Ranger has the edge if you want more power, a roomier feel, and a slightly higher expert score. Both are easy to use, but the Tacoma leans harder into rugged capability while the Ranger is the more versatile all-around choice.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.