Used 2021 Toyota Tacoma for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma cost?

Prices have softened 2.09% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,609 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of trucks to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma a good car?

Yes — 4.88/5 from owners and 6.5/10 from our experts. The standout strength is Look and feel at 8/10.

Drivers consistently praise its value, reliability, and resale potential, and many also like its features, performance, and durability. The truck’s breadth of configurations and off-road focus make it especially appealing if you want a midsize pickup that can handle work, weekend use, and trail duty. Trade-offs include sluggish performance and underwhelming base-engine response, along with poor handling.

With its rugged, capability-first setup, the Tacoma fits you best if you care more about durability and versatility than refinement. Good and great deals account for 30.2% of listings, so there’s still some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

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

User feedback points to reliability, durability, and a truck that owners feel good about keeping for the long haul. The expert evaluation also describes the Tacoma’s reputation for reliability as excellent, and notes that ToyotaCare includes two years or 25,000 miles of free factory-scheduled maintenance plus two years of roadside assistance. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is that a truck with this reputation can still hide wear from hard use, so condition matters a lot.

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

At 73.7% 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 off-road or for towing. Focus on signs of frame, suspension, tire, and underbody wear, since those areas can reveal how the truck was actually driven. It also helps to compare trim equipment carefully so you know whether the truck has the features you want or if you’re paying for a higher badge without the equipment you expected.

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 equipment, and the TRD Pro stands out with model-specific styling, off-road hardware, and a more rugged focus than the base truck.
• Powertrain: You can choose a 2.7-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6. The V6 is the stronger engine, and it can be paired with either an automatic or a six-speed manual transmission.
• 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. Feature coverage is solid, but some rivals offer more advanced systems.
• Infotainment: The Tacoma gets Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM standard. The base SR uses a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims get an 8-inch screen, and wireless smartphone integration is not mentioned.
• Fuel efficiency: The base four-cylinder returns 21 mpg combined with RWD and 20 mpg combined with 4WD. The V6 returns 21 mpg combined with RWD and 20 mpg combined with 4WD with the automatic, while the manual V6 drops to 18 mpg combined. The TRD Pro is rated at 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 sense if you want the Tacoma’s core capability at the lowest price. You get the smaller 7-inch touchscreen, but it’s the trim most likely to feel stripped down compared with the rest of the lineup.
• SR5: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the 8-inch touchscreen and keeps the Tacoma’s broad utility without pushing you into specialty territory.
• TRD Off Road: Choose this if you want the strongest off-road hardware for the money, including the locking rear differential, upgraded suspension, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control.
• TRD Sport: This is the better pick if you want a more road-oriented feel than the TRD Off Road while still moving up from the basics.
• Limited: This is the comfort-leaning choice in the lineup, and it suits you if you want a more upscale Tacoma without going all the way to the TRD Pro.
• TRD Pro: This is the one to buy if off-road capability is your top priority. It adds Fox internal-bypass shocks, a front lift, skid plate, wider wheels, and standard 4WD.

Standard safety equipment is strong across the lineup, but the feature set is still worth checking trim by trim if you want the full driver-assistance package.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right truck.

• Deal availability: 30.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,609 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.09% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $30,997, 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 $32,383 sits slightly below last year's $33,073.

That modest decline suggests the market has cooled a bit, which can help you as a buyer today but may also mean future resale gains are more gradual. If you plan to sell later, the Tacoma’s broad demand and reputation for owner satisfaction should help support value better than average. Trucks with strong loyalty tend to stay easier to move, especially when they’re well maintained and accident-free.

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 2021 Toyota Tacoma earns Good IIHS crash-test results in all tests except the passenger-side small overlap front test, where it received an Acceptable score, and 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.

The standard driver-assistance suite includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. That’s a useful set of standard features for a truck, though some rivals offer more advanced coverage. Headlight performance varies by trim, with some versions rated Marginal, so it’s worth checking the exact truck you’re considering.

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:

• 30.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.09% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model adds two special editions and standard dual-zone automatic climate control on all V6 models.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $31,024, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $32,383 average.
• It adds important design and tech updates while keeping the Tacoma’s proven formula.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $33,411, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $32,383 average.
• It keeps the Tacoma appealing for commuting and weekend adventures with easy-to-use tech and strong off-road ability.

The bottom line: If you want the current-year Tacoma with a decent mix of inventory and softer pricing, the 2021 is the smart default. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while staying close in character. If you’re willing to pay more for a newer model-year listing, the 2022 is the next step up.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.