Used 2021 Toyota Tundra for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Toyota Tundra cost?

Prices have held steady compared to this time last year, signaling a stable and predictable market for this model year.

There are 1,906 listings available, which suggests you have a meaningful amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tundra a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Toyota Tundra earns a 4.5/5 user rating and a 7.3/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its spacious cabin, powerful performance, reliability, smooth ride, comfort, and solid construction. That lines up well with the Tundra’s straightforward, work-ready personality and its appeal if you want a truck that feels durable and easy to live with.

The trade-offs are clear: limited bed and cab configurations, poor fuel economy, and technology that can feel outdated compared with newer rivals. Even so, the Tundra’s mix of practicality and long-running formula still fits you well if you value comfort and durability as much as capability.

The market shows 35.3% good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tundra reliable?

Owners rate it 4.5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The user feedback repeatedly points to reliability, dependability, and a trouble-free ownership experience, with many owners emphasizing the truck’s solid construction and long-term confidence. The expert evaluation also reinforces that theme by describing the Tundra as durable and a truck that can take some abuse while still feeling like a proven, long-running formula.

Toyota’s standard safety and technology updates help the truck feel more current, and that can support confidence in daily use. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that age-related wear and outdated efficiency can matter more than outright mechanical reputation.

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

At 72.3% 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 pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re comparing trucks with similar prices. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior bodywork, and whether the truck’s equipment and wear match the mileage and asking price.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SR comes with halogen headlights with LED accents, 18-inch steel wheels, heated power side mirrors, an easy lift-and-lower tailgate, manual climate control, cloth seating, 60/40 split/fold-up rear seats, and power windows and locks. The SR5 adds power-adjustable front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, and an 8-inch touchscreen, while the Limited adds 20-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
• Powertrain: The Tundra uses a 5.7-liter V8 with 391 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive with low range is available. It delivers strong acceleration and confident towing, with a maximum towing capacity of 10,200 pounds when properly equipped.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense P is standard and includes forward-collision warning and avoidance, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Standard safety equipment also includes eight airbags, tire pressure monitoring, trailer sway control, and an integrated trailer brake controller.
• Infotainment: The Tundra comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, multiple USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and a three-month trial of WiFi hotspot capability. An available 8-inch touchscreen adds navigation, and the SR5 upgrades the audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The rear-wheel-drive Tundra returns 13 mpg city and 17 highway, while the four-wheel-drive version returns 13 mpg city and 17 highway.

Which 2021 Toyota Tundra trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota Tundra is offered in 6 trim levels: SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Pro, Platinum, and 1794 Edition.

Here's the short version:

• SR: This is the entry point, and it gives you the essentials without much extra equipment. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost path into the Tundra and are comfortable keeping things simple.
• SR5: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds power-adjustable front seats, alloy wheels, and the larger 8-inch touchscreen. If you want a more livable daily driver without jumping too far up the price ladder, this is the trim to focus on.
• Limited: This is the trim to choose if you want the Tundra to feel more complete from the start. It adds leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and 20-inch wheels, so you may not need to add many extras.
• TRD Pro: This is the off-road-focused choice, with a 2-inch lift, Fox off-road shock absorbers, all-terrain tires, beefed-up skid plates, and a TRD exhaust. It suits you best if you want the most rugged version of the truck.
• Platinum: This trim leans into comfort and appearance upgrades, including heated-and-ventilated front seats, a leather-and-woodgrain-trimmed steering wheel, and more upscale exterior details. It fits you if you want a more premium-feeling Tundra.
• 1794 Edition: This shares much of the Platinum’s content but adds unique visual and interior touches. It’s the pick if you want the upscale equipment with a more distinctive look.

Toyota Safety Sense P is standard across the lineup, so you get the core driver-assistance suite even on lower trims.

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

This is a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you can shop patiently but should move quickly on strong listings.

• Deal availability: 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,906 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $36,555, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Toyota Tundra's resale value?

The current average of $38,090 sits slightly below last year's $38,344.

That small decline suggests the Tundra’s value has been fairly stable rather than volatile. For you as a future seller, that kind of pricing pattern can be helpful because it points to a market that is still familiar with the truck’s strengths and willing to pay for them.

The Tundra’s reputation for reliability and durability should continue to support demand among used-truck shoppers. At the same time, its age and fuel economy can limit upside compared with newer alternatives, so condition and trim will matter a lot when you go to sell.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tundra safe?

The 2021 Toyota Tundra earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Toyota Safety Sense P is standard, and it includes forward-collision warning and avoidance, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Standard safety equipment also includes eight airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, trailer sway control, and an integrated trailer brake controller.

Optional safety features include front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. That means you may need to move up or add equipment if you want the most advanced convenience-focused driver aids.

Should I buy a 2021 Toyota Tundra 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:

• 35.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72.3% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It keeps the old-school V8 formula while adding modern infotainment and safety tech.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $36,389, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $38,090 average.
• It emphasizes bulletproof reliability and long-term dependability.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $37,942, the 2022 costs less than the current year's $38,090 average.
• It brings a full redesign with broader cab and trim flexibility.

The bottom line: If you want the familiar V8 Tundra formula with modernized tech and a stable used market, the 2021 is the safer all-around pick. If price matters most, the 2020 can save you money, while the 2022 is the better path if you want the newer redesign and broader configuration choices.

How does the 2021 Toyota Tundra compare to the 2021 Ford F-150?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Toyota Tundra:

• Pros: Powerful engine, Spacious, Good towing capacity.
• Cons: Limited bed and cab configurations, Poor fuel economy, Outdated technology.

2021 Ford F-150:

• Pros: Multiple body styles, Multiple powertrain options, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Underwhelming base engine, Interior materials feel cheap, Advanced safety features are not standard.

Our experts score the 2021 Toyota Tundra 7.3/10 and the 2021 Ford F-150 7.8/10. The F-150 is the more flexible truck overall, especially if you want more body styles and powertrain choices. The Tundra counters with a stronger standard engine, good towing ability, and a roomier feel, but it gives up ground on efficiency and tech. If you want the more modern and configurable pickup, the F-150 has the edge; if you prefer a simpler, proven truck, the Tundra still makes sense.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.