2021 Toyota Tacoma vs 2021 Toyota Tundra

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma looked like the ideal representation of a traditional truck. It had all the essential styling elements such as boxy fender flares, a tall hood, a shield-like grille, and ruler-straight lines. This approach contrasted well against the more streamlined Ford Ranger and GM's midsize twins, while avoiding the overly exaggerated features of larger trucks, including Toyota's own Tundra.

Certain Tacoma models showcased unique styling traits. The newly introduced 2021 Trail Edition sported 16-inch TRD Off-Road alloy wheels, the grille from the Tacoma Limited, and exclusive color options. The Nightshade Edition featured blacked-out trim, while the Tacoma TRD Pro included a distinctive grille with “Toyota” block lettering, a blacked-out hood and fender flares, Rigid Industries LED fog lights, and for 2021, a unique Lunar Rock color.

Sticking to the prevalent body-on-frame construction typical of most pickups—with the Honda Ridgeline as an exception—the Tacoma benefitted towing and off-road capabilities, although at the expense of ride comfort and handling. Unlike its earlier versions, Toyota discontinued the basic two-door cab options, exclusively offering Access Cab and Double Cab formats. The Access Cab came with rear half doors, while the Double Cab had four full-sized doors. The Double Cab models had a choice of two configurations: 127.4-inch wheelbase with either a 60.5-inch or 73.7-inch bed or a longer 140.6-inch wheelbase with a 73.7-inch bed.

Inside, the Tacoma mirrored its rugged exterior with a dashboard built from chunky plastic elements. While materials seemed apt for a base model Tacoma, they were less justifiable on the pricier TRD Pro model, even with the optional leather upholstery. Despite this, the TRD Pro's price accounted for a range of features focused on off-roading rather than luxury.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Tundra had a somewhat awkward look compared to other trucks. Developed in the mid-2000s and launched for the 2007 model year, the design language of the Tundra reflected the transitional phase of vehicles then. It had a massive grille but relatively small headlights, resulting in an oversized yet peculiar appearance. With the "Cement" paint coupled with blacked-out wheels and badging, the Tundra adopted a modern look, despite its older underpinnings.

The Tundra cabin, dated yet bearing contemporary elements, was dominated by hard plastics and monotone large panels—a styling reminiscent of mid-2010s trucks. Despite this, all the controls and dials were within easy reach, ensuring usability without the complexity found in modern rivals like the Ram 1500. Though not a luxury cabin, it included a 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa as standard in its recent updates.

The Tundra had a variety of trims, ranging from the base SR to the rich 1794 Edition, adding numerous features for varying needs. For instance, the SR5 CrewMax offered larger infotainment and off-road enhancements, while the TRD Pro added off-road-specific features like a 2-inch lift and Fox shocks. The Platinum and 1794 Editions were more about luxury, offering enhanced comfort and unique styling touches. The 2021 Nightshade Edition brought in dark chrome elements, adding a contemporary touch.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma presented two powertrains. Base models were equipped with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine producing 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. The optional 3.5-liter V6 engine generated 278 hp and 265 lb-ft. Notably, the V6 employed an Atkinson cycle and Toyota's D4S fuel-injection for improved efficiency. The four-cylinder was paired with a six-speed automatic, whereas the V6 offered a choice of manual or automatic six-speed transmissions. The optional part-time 4WD included low range and an electronic rear limited-slip differential, with a fully locking rear diff also available.

The Tacoma's TRD models accentuated its off-road capabilities. The TRD Off-Road model featured an upgraded suspension with Bilstein shocks, a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select drive modes, and Crawl Control for low-speed cruising. The TRD Pro took it a step further with Fox internal-bypass shocks, a 1-inch front lift, retuned rear suspension, front skid plate, and exclusive wider wheels. Off-road tires enhanced its capability, although the suspension limited the on-road ride quality, leading to a rougher experience. The V6 engine's performance, hindered slightly by the transmission's slow shifts, resulted in sluggish acceleration.

Maximum towing capacity for the Tacoma was 6,800 pounds, while its payload peaked at 1,685 pounds. Achieving these figures depended on specific configurations, an Access Cab V6 RWD for towing, and a four-cylinder RWD for payload. These figures were competitive but didn’t lead the segment, falling behind vehicles like the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado.

For the 2021 Toyota Tundra, a singular engine option was offered—the I-Force 5.7-liter V8. This engine produced 391 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission featuring a manual tap-shift function. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with an optional four-wheel drive available. With up to 10,200 pounds towing capacity and a payload capacity of 1,730 pounds, the Tundra’s abilities were notable but slightly fell short compared to rivals. Despite the fewer gears in its transmission compared to competitors, the Tundra's six-speed gearbox performed responsively, facilitating strong acceleration.

The Tundra excelled in ride comfort, adeptly navigating various terrains, maintaining composure and balance. The steering felt vague at low speeds but settled well on highways, where the Tundra felt at home, offering a comfortable cruise experience without being overly aggressive.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma’s Double Cab struggled with interior space. Rear headroom and legroom were the worst in its segment, and front room also lagged. The short windshields and side windows contributed to a bunker-like feel, while a tall hood limited forward visibility. Rear seats folded to reveal storage cubbies, providing secure storage space, although other in-cab storage was restricted. Tacoma's bed featured a standard rail system with tie-down cleats and a 120-volt outlet. However, it lacked ingenious storage options like the Honda Ridgeline's in-bed bins or bed steps.

Conversely, the 2021 Toyota Tundra provided ample interior space, particularly in the CrewMax configuration, which was massive. It offered a spacious rear seat area even with the front seats pushed fully back, resembling first-class airline legroom. Rear seats folded to yield additional storage, highlighting practicality. Optional in-bed storage lockers were present but weren't as versatile as the RamBox offered by competitors. The Tundra featured generous front seat space, a significant center console with multiple holders and storage areas, and doors with adequate trays and holders. It also offered a unique full-pane power rear window, a standout feature enhancing visibility and ventilation.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma's technology package included a 7-inch touchscreen on the base SR trim and an 8-inch touchscreen on other models. Standard features were Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trim levels additionally offered a six-speaker JBL audio system with a subwoofer. Despite being functional and user-friendly, the Tacoma's system lagged in terms of advanced features and aesthetic appeal. The optional Multi-Terrain Monitor surround-view camera system proved helpful in off-road scenarios and tight parking spaces.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra was updated in 2020 with a modern infotainment system, continued into 2021. It featured standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, integrated via a 7-inch touchscreen or an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and Amazon Alexa. The layout and functionality of the touchscreen were straightforward and complemented by redundant hard buttons.

Standard connectivity features included multiple USB ports, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot trial. The Tundra's basic audio system had six speakers, with the SR5 trim adding up to nine speakers, and an optional JBL premium system offering 12 speakers for a richer audio experience.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma was rated by the IIHS with top scores in crash tests, except for a slightly lower rating in the passenger-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA gave it an overall four-star rating. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. However, competitors like the Ford Ranger offered additional safety aids such as lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring for both the truck and its trailer.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came equipped with Toyota's Safety Sense P suite as standard, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features extended to parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. It also included eight airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, trailer sway control, and an integrated trailer brake controller, making it one of the better-equipped trucks for safety in its segment.