Yahoo Autos 2021 Toyota Tacoma Review | What's new, prices, pictures, where it's made
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma isn’t the best midsize truck on paper. In fact, it came in dead last when we compared four different midsize pickups a couple of years ago. Its interior is middling at best in both quality and size. You can’t haul or carry as much as most other midsizers. Optimistically speaking, ride and handling is merely average. Trick tech isn’t saving it, either. And yet, despite this litany of complaints, the Tacoma continues to demolish the entire midsize truck segment in sales.
Toyota’s long-running reputation of making trucks that last forever is surely contributing strongly to the Tacoma’s sales success. But also, take a look at this muscular little truck. From an entry-level SR5 to the TRD Pro, there’s no obvious miss in design and styling. Toyota nailed this truck’s look, and that automatically gives it a leg up on less attractive competitors. It has the go-anywhere demeanor that (if current design trends are any indication) is what truck buyers are looking for today. Add a couple different engine and transmission options — hurrah for the manual — to the fold, and you have a Tacoma for just about every midsize truck buyer one could dream up. See, now the Tacoma’s sales superiority is starting to make a bit more sense.
What’s new for 2021?
The tradition of adding a new special color every year for the TRD Pro continues with the addition of Lunar Rock (in top gallery) to the color palette. This replaces Army Green, but unlike previous you, this special color lives on as it's now available on some non-TRD Pro models.
There are also two new special edition versions for 2021. The first is the Trail Edition (above left), which is based on the SR5 trim and comes with extra equipment catering to folks who camp, fish and hike frequently. The second special edition is the Nightshade Edition (above right). This one is based on the more luxury-oriented Limited grade and adds fully blacked-out exterior trim and interior accoutrements.
What are the Tacoma interior and in-car technology like?
Midsize trucks are not known for being luxury cruisers, and the Tacoma, perhaps more than most in the segment, has a cabin that sticks to its functional, somewhat spartan roots.
While higher-trim Tacomas offer plenty of features, they’re packaged into an interior that leans hard into the truck's rugged, off-road focus. There are some soft-touch materials; everything is screwed together well and the power-adjustable driver seat corrects the awkwardly low driving position that still remains in Tacoma trims without it. Nevertheless, there’s no mistaking the back-to-basics feel. This is especially true when compared to its rivals from Ford, Jeep, and Chevrolet — though neither the Ranger nor Colorado could ever be described as premium either.
This is perhaps most noticeable when you look at the steering wheel, which boasts large buttons reminiscent of an off-brand video game controller. This theme extends to other interior switchgear, all of which looks and feels robust, but does not impress when it comes to material choices or design sophistication. It’s chunky, blocky and simple, perhaps exactly what truck buyers in this segment want.
The infotainment system is good enough, but doesn’t do much beyond provide the fundamentals. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were much-needed additions that were added to the suite last year, and they dress up an otherwise drab — but functional — multimedia interface. Toyota’s graphics remain pretty tired, but the functionality beneath them is better than ever.
How big is the Tacoma?
The Tacoma follows the basic footprint of the midsize truck segment. Access Cab models are fitted with a 6-foot bed, but the Double Cabs can be paired to either a 5-footer or the 6-foot one that's known as the long bed. A pair of key rivals, the Ford Ranger SuperCrew and Jeep Gladiator, don't have a long-bed option. Both beds are just 41.5 inches wide at the wheel wells, so they won’t fit a 4’ x 6’ piece of plywood lying flat. The Tacoma's overall length is similar to that of its rivals.
Inside, you'll find unusually low-mounted seats. Specifically, the driver seat doesn't have standard height-adjustment and the resulting splayed legged seating position drew constant complaints during our midsize truck comparison. At least higher-trim models now get the "luxury" of a power-adjustable driver seat, but headroom and visibility in the short cab can still be an issue.
The Tacoma Access Cab model doesn't realistically offer enough space in the back seat for adults to travel in any semblance of comfort (and you really shouldn't put children back there, either). However, that's typical for the segment. The real point of comparison, then, is the Double Cab. Though it adds a whopping 8 inches of legroom compared to the Access Cab, it's considerably less spacious and comfortable back there than the Ranger, Gladiator, Colorado/Canyon twins and the Honda Ridgeline. If you're looking for the most family friendly midsize truck, this isn't it.
What are the Tacoma fuel economy, performance, towing and payload specs?
Toyota offers two engines in the Tacoma. The base engine is a 2.7-liter inline-four producing 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. While torquey, it is outshined by GM’s 200-horsepower 2.5-liter unit – other competitors don't offer such a low-power base four-cylinder. Fuel economy is rated at 20 mpg city, 23 mpg highway and 21 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive (4x2) and 19/22/20 with four-wheel drive (4x4). A six-speed automatic is standard here.
The upgrade is a 3.5L V6 that makes a much healthier 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. The six is also one of the weaker offerings in the segment, but not by much. Despite the wide gap in power, there’s not much difference in fuel economy between the upgrade V6 and base inline-four. When equipped with the standard six-speed automatic, the V6 returns 19/24/21 with 4x2 and 18/22/20 with 4x4. The TRD Off Road and TRD Pro can be equipped with an optional six-speed manual that returns 17/20/18.
In its most towing-friendly configuration (V6, 4x2, Towing Prep package), the Tacoma maxes out at 6,800 pounds of trailering. Its GM, Ford and Jeep competition typically offers around 7,500 pounds or more, but the Honda Ridgeline lags behind the Tacoma at 5,000 pounds. Nissan’s new 2022 Frontier is just barely outpaced by the Tacoma at 6,720 pounds.
Maximum payload capacity is achieved with the four-cylinder 4x2, which can haul 1,685 pounds, and with this, it compares more favorably to the segment. The popular configuration of Double Cab V6 4x4 with an automatic can haul 1,155 pounds with the regular bed. Going with the 4x2 adds a couple hundred pounds of capacity up to 1,285 pounds.
