Used 2021 Toyota Tacoma for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma cost?

Prices have softened 1.08% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,641 listings available, which suggests you should have a workable range of choices.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma a good car?

Yes — it earns a 4.9/5 user rating and a 6.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Look and feel at 8/10.

Owners consistently praise its value, reliability, resale potential, and durability, and many also like the truck’s features and off-road capability. The Tacoma’s appeal is especially strong if you want a midsize pickup with a traditional truck feel and lots of configuration choices. The trade-offs are clear, though: performance is sluggish, handling is poor, and the base engine is underwhelming. For you, that means the Tacoma makes the most sense if capability and long-term appeal matter more than refinement. Good and great deals account for 32.0% of listings, so there is still some 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 trouble-free ownership as major strengths, along with strong long-term appeal. The expert notes also emphasize the Tacoma’s excellent reputation for reliability and its durable, non-nonsense truck character. ToyotaCare adds two years or 25,000 miles of free factory-scheduled maintenance and two years of roadside assistance, which helps lower early ownership hassle. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about reputation and more about finding a truck that has been maintained well and not worked too hard.

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

At 72% 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 considering a truck with off-road use, towing history, or higher mileage. Focus on overall condition, signs of hard use, and whether the equipment level matches what you expect for the price. If you’re comparing multiple listings, the cleanest example is often worth paying a little more for.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SR trim gets a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims get an 8-inch screen. Higher trims add more styling and equipment, and the TRD Pro is the most off-road-focused version.
• Powertrain: You can choose a 2.7-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6. The V6 is available with a manual transmission, and the Tacoma’s setup leans toward durability and off-road use more than quick acceleration.
• Safety package: Standard driver-assist features include forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The feature set is solid, but it trails some rivals in breadth.
• Infotainment: The base SR gets a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims get an 8-inch touchscreen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM are standard, but the system is more functional than flashy.
• Fuel efficiency: The base four-cylinder returns 21 mpg combined, with 20 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. The V6 can return 21 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive, while the manual V6 drops to 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:

• SR: This is the entry point, and it gives you the Tacoma basics with the smaller 7-inch touchscreen. It makes sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the lineup and don’t need extra equipment.
• SR5: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the 8-inch touchscreen and keeps the Tacoma’s core strengths intact without pushing you into pricier specialty models.
• TRD Off Road: This is the better pick if you want the Tacoma’s off-road hardware and capability to be a bigger part of the ownership experience.
• TRD Sport: Choose this if you want a more road-oriented flavor while still staying within the Tacoma’s rugged lineup.
• Limited: This is the comfort-leaning choice, and it suits you best if you want a more upscale daily driver.
• TRD Pro: This is the top off-road-focused trim, with the most specialized hardware and the strongest trail intent.

The safety package is broad across the lineup, but the Tacoma’s feature mix still varies by trim, so check equipment carefully before you buy.

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

This is a moderate market, so you can shop selectively without expecting deep discounts everywhere.

• Deal availability: 32.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,641 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.08% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $30,944, 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 $32,052 sits slightly below last year's $32,402.

That small decline suggests the Tacoma has held value fairly well, even as the market has softened a bit. For a future seller, that means you’re starting from a relatively strong price position, especially if your truck is clean, well maintained, and lightly used. The Tacoma’s broad buyer appeal and strong owner satisfaction should help support demand when it’s time to sell.

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 Good IIHS crash-test scores in all tests except the passenger-side small overlap front test, where it received an Acceptable score. It earns four-star ratings in frontal crash and rollover, and five-star ratings in all other NHTSA 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’s a solid safety package for a truck, though some rivals offer more advanced coverage. The main caveat is the mixed IIHS result on the passenger-side small overlap front test, plus headlights that vary by trim level between Good and Marginal ratings.

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:

• 32.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.08% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds two special editions and standard dual-zone automatic climate control on all V6 models.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $30,312, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $32,052 average.
• It stays true to the Tacoma’s rugged character while adding useful updates.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $32,829, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $32,052 average.
• It remains a strong choice for commuting and weekend adventures.

The bottom line: If you want the best mix of current-year pricing, strong owner satisfaction, and broad availability, the 2021 is the primary target. If you’re especially price-sensitive, 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 most about off-road capability and the availability of a manual transmission. The Ranger looks stronger on paper for space and body-style variety, and its stronger engine helps it feel more modern. If you want the more rugged, traditional truck experience, the Tacoma fits better; if you want a more versatile daily driver, the Ranger has the edge.

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

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