Used 2021 Toyota Tacoma for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma cost?

Prices have softened 2.64% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,677 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $31,008.10, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Toyota Tacoma earns a 4.88/5 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, and resale potential, and many also like its features, performance, and durability. That lines up with the Tacoma’s use case as a rugged pickup that prioritizes capability and long-term appeal over polish.

The trade-offs are clear: the expert notes call out sluggish performance, poor handling, and an underwhelming base engine. In practical terms, you should expect a truck that fits buyers who want toughness, off-road ability, and a straightforward ownership experience rather than the smoothest daily driver.

Only 27.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the market has some value opportunities but still rewards patience.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

Owners rate it 4.88/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The user feedback highlights reliability, durability, and dependable ownership, with many drivers describing it as a truck they can count on over time. The expert notes also point to an excellent reputation for reliability, and ToyotaCare adds two years or 25,000 miles of free factory-scheduled maintenance plus roadside assistance on new vehicles.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the Tacoma’s core durability and more about how hard previous owners used it, especially in off-road or towing duty.

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

At 74.2% 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 the truck has been used for towing, off-roading, or heavy commuting. Focus on overall condition, signs of wear in the suspension and tires, and whether the truck’s equipment matches the trim you want.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SR trim gets a 7-inch touchscreen, while all other trims get an 8-inch touchscreen; higher trims also add more distinctive styling and available equipment, and the TRD Pro is the most off-road focused model.
• Powertrain: You can choose a 2.7-liter four-cylinder with 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, or a 3.5-liter V6 with 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque; the V6 is also available with 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.
• Infotainment: The Tacoma gets Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM standard, with a 7-inch screen on SR and an 8-inch screen on other trims.
• Fuel efficiency: The base four-cylinder returns 21 mpg combined with RWD and 20 mpg combined with 4WD; the V6 automatic returns 21 mpg combined with RWD and 20 mpg combined with 4WD, while the V6 manual 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 makes the most sense if you want the Tacoma’s core toughness and standard tech without paying for extras.
• 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: Choose this if you want the Tacoma’s off-road hardware and capability to be the main reason you buy the truck.
• TRD Sport: This is the better fit if you want a more road-focused Tacoma with a sportier feel than the off-road trims.
• Limited: Pick this if you want the most comfort-oriented Tacoma in the lineup and care more about convenience than trail hardware.
• TRD Pro: This is the top choice if you want the most off-road-focused Tacoma, with standard 4WD and the most aggressive hardware.

The safety package is strong across the lineup, with standard forward-collision warning, 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 is a moderate market for selective buyers, with some deal opportunities if you shop carefully.

• Deal availability: 27.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,677 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.64% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $31,008.10, 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 $32,441 sits slightly below last year's $33,321.

That softer pricing suggests the Tacoma is still holding value reasonably well, but buyers have a bit more leverage than they did a year ago. If you buy carefully and keep the truck in strong condition, you should have a decent shot at preserving value when it’s time to sell.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.88/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma safe?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2021 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab top “Good” scores in all crash tests except the passenger-side small overlap front test, where the truck received an “Acceptable” score. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave both the Access Cab and Double Cab configurations four-star overall ratings, with four-star ratings in frontal and rollover crash testing, and five-star ratings 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’s a solid safety suite for a midsize truck, though the Tacoma does not match every rival’s broader driver-assistance coverage.

The main caveat is the IIHS passenger-side small overlap result, which is weaker than the truck’s otherwise strong crash-test performance.

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:

• 27.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.64% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds two special editions and standard dual-zone automatic climate control on V6 models.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $31,224, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $32,441 average.
• It blends rugged capability with easier-to-use tech and standard advanced safety features.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $33,446, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $32,441 average.
• It remains appealing for buyers who want a smaller pickup with strong off-road ability and practical utility.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of current pricing, broad inventory, and strong owner satisfaction, the 2021 is the primary year to target. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 is the smarter value play; if you want to spend more for a newer adjacent year, the 2022 is worth a look, but you’ll pay a premium for it.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.