2021 Toyota Tundra Review

Name: 2021 Toyota Tundra Review
Brand: Toyota
Price: 29888 USD

Toyota Tundra 1794 Crew Cab Pickup Exterior

Toyota Tundra Limited Crew Cab Pickup Exterior Shown

Toyota Tundra SR5 Crew Cab Pickup Exterior. TRD Sport Package Shown.

Toyota Tundra TRD PRO Crew Cab Pickup Exterior

+107

Used solely as a work truck, the Tundra has a lot to offer, including impressive standard towing capability and interior utility. But modern trucks are expected to be family transportation too. From a refinement and feature standpoint, the Tundra falls behind almost all its major rivals.

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Toyota Tundra model years

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Toyota Tundra types

CrewMax
Double Cab

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2021 Toyota Tundra Review

byReese Counts^{Vehicle Test Editor
Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.}

Pros

Standard V8 power
Roomy rear seating
Standard Toyota Safety Sense driver safety and assist system
Highly capable off-road TRD models

Cons

Below-average fuel economy
Stiffer ride than other trucks
Feels especially large when driven on tight, congested roads
Not as many customization possibilities compared to rivals

What's new

Trail and Nightshade special editions debut
Part of the second Tundra generation introduced for 2007

Overview

Despite a handful of updates over the years, the Toyota Tundra is one of the oldest vehicles on sale in America today. When the current Tundra debuted in 2007, it was a compelling alternative to the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500. And while we still like some things about the Tundra — the standard V8 engine, roomy interior and decent list of driver aids — there isn't much else to separate it from the crowd. And all of its competitors have seen at least one full redesign since 2007.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Toyota Tundra SR 4dr Double Cab SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$296/mo

$257/mo

Avg. Large Truck

Calculate my fuel costs

Toyota has made only minor changes to the Tundra for 2021, with a pair of new special edition models that focus on changes to the truck's styling rather than improvements to features. Overall, we think it's worth taking a closer look at the competition from Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan and Ram.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Below Average

6.7

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

6.5/10

How does the Tundra drive? The 5.7-liter V8 has plenty of thrust, but that's about the best thing we can say about the Tundra's performance. The brake pedal is numb and provides little driver confidence during emergency braking. Around corners, the steering is vague and the large steering wheel doesn't return to center well. Handling feels unsettled at times too, especially on tight roads.

We do like that Toyota offers the off-road-ready TRD Pro version. But for routine driving, nearly every full-size truck is more agile, maneuverable and modern.

Comfort

6.0/10

How comfortable is the Tundra? Comfort is below average in the Tundra. The seats are stiffly padded and aren't very supportive — most drivers will have issues getting comfortable. The Tundra rides OK over small ruts, but you'll definitely feel larger bumps and potholes because of the stiff and unforgiving suspension. We imagine a significant payload would settle things down a bit, but it's hard to live with every day. Wind and road noise is present most of the time.

Our SR5 test vehicle didn't have many creature comforts, but the single-zone climate control is easy to master because of its logical layout and big, easy-to-grasp knobs. The small vents mean you have to crank up the A/C to cool down the cabin in a hurry.

Interior

7.0/10

How’s the interior? The Tundra's interior is functional but dated. The controls are large and well labeled, and the redundant buttons next to the touchscreen are useful. It's spacious inside too, with enough room for adults in all the major seating positions.

Forward visibility is good. However, there's a huge blind spot over both shoulders, and the blind-spot monitoring system doesn't always detect what's back there. The lack of visibility also makes maneuvering into a parking spot a challenge.

Technology

6.5/10

How’s the tech? Technology is a weak point for the Tundra. The base stereo is an underpowered six-speaker unit that doesn't get very loud. And when you turn it up, it distorts easily. At least Bluetooth and USB audio connect relatively quickly on a consistent basis.

The factory voice controls for music and phone calls work well but only under a very specific menu structure — the system doesn't respond well to casual language. On the plus side, the Tundra comes standard with features such as adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking and lane departure monitoring. On the minus side, some of these systems are overly sensitive to neighboring vehicles.

Towing and Storage

7.0/10

How are the towing and storage? The max payload rating for the Tundra is competitive, but the bed's load-in height is high. You can't get a fancy tailgate like you can on some of the newer trucks either. Thankfully, the 5.7-liter V8 and standard 4.30 axle ratio give most Tundras a tow rating around 10,000 pounds. Plus, the Tundra comes standard with an integrated electronic trailer brake controller.

The back seat is massive, so you can fit most child seats without a problem. But it's poorly laid out for hauling large cargo items because of a sizable hump in the center of the floor. Small-item storage is lacking because many of the spaces are small by segment standards.

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Tundra's EPA ratings are well below average. The six-speed automatic holds it back, as does the standard high axle ratio. Other truckmakers hide the negative effects of towing axle ratios by making them optional, but at least with them, you get the choice. As a silver lining, we've found the EPA estimates to be achievable in real-world testing.

Value

7.0/10

Is the Tundra a good value? For a bare-bones work truck, the Tundra has some appeal. But when you start adding options, the pricing becomes less competitive. Almost every rival packs better bang for the buck. The cabin materials feel cheap and dated, even if the tolerances are tight.

The standard three-year/36,000-mile warranty and five years/60,000 miles for powertrain coverage are about average for the segment. Scheduled maintenance and roadside assistance for two years/25,000 miles are on the house, which is nice.

Wildcard

7.0/10

What the Tundra lacks in objective performance metrics, it makes up for with a bit of personality. The 5.7-liter V8 gives you a great soundtrack, and any of the off-road packages will make you feel like a hero in the dirt. Plus, no matter where you go or what you do, this big Toyota won't let you forget that you're driving a brute-force pickup, not some compromised daily driver.

Which Tundra does Edmunds recommend?

The midlevel SR5 trim is the way to go. It has a handful of upgrades over the base model and is available with a number of options including the off-road-focused TRD Sport package.

2021 Toyota Tundra models

The Toyota Tundra is available in six trim levels: SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition and TRD Pro. The new Nightshade Special Edition and Trail Edition packages are optional on certain trims. The Tundra is available in double-cab, crew-cab and the larger CrewMax configurations with three available bed lengths. All Tundras are powered by a 5.7-liter V8 (381 hp, 401 lb-ft) paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is optional.

SR
The base SR model comes equipped with:

Integrated trailer brake controller
7-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Six-speaker audio system
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Automatic high beams
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Tundra and the car in front)

SR5
Stepping up to the SR5 gets you everything included on the SR, adding:

8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
Foglights

Options on the SR5 include:

SR5 Upgrade package

Larger 38-gallon fuel tank
Front bucket seats
Power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar

Premium Audio with Navigation

Seven-speaker (Double Cab) or nine-speaker (CrewMax) audio system
USB media port and fwo USB charging ports
Navigation

Convenience package

Front and rear parking sensors
Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)

TRD Sport package

20-inch wheels
Bilstein shock absorbers
TRD front and rear sway bars
LED headlights and foglights
Keyless entry with push-button start
TRD floor mats, shift knob and decals
Color changes to grille, bumpers and mirror caps

Trail Edition

Unique 18-inch wheels
All-terrain tires
Lockable bed storage box
Grille from the 1794 trim
Spray-in bedliner
Black seats with tan stitching

Limited
The Limited trim builds off the SR5 with features including:

20-inch wheels
Silver grille with a chrome surround
Standard LED lighting
Standard 38-gallon fuel tank
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Leather-trimmed seats
Heated front seats
Power-sliding rear window

Options include:

TRD Off-Road package

TRD Sport features
18-inch wheels
Skid plates
Tow hooks

Nightshade Special Edition

Black 20-inch wheels
Dark chrome grille
Black mirror caps, exhaust tip, door handles and badging
Black leather-trimmed seats

Moonroof

Platinum
The Platinum only available in CrewMax/short-bed configuration and is loaded with more creature comforts, including:

Full leather seating
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Heated and ventilated front seats
Upgraded navigation and JBL audio system
Black honeycomb-style grille
Heated exterior mirrors

1794
The 1794 Edition is equipped the same as the Platinum model, replacing most of the exterior trim with chrome accents.

TRD Pro
This rough-and-tumble model is meant for off-road enthusiasts. Features include:

Toyota-branded grille
Rigid Industries foglights
TRD front skid plate
Fox shocks with remote reservoirs
Revised suspension with a 2-inch lift
Black leather seating
18-inch BBS forged aluminum wheels
TRD Pro decals and badges

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3.5/5Above Average

#6 out of 19 among Fullsize Trucks

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Toyota Tundra from 2008-2022.}

$608/yr

vs. $752/yr
for Average Fullsize Truck

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.79x/yr

vs. 0.98x/yr
for Average Fullsize Truck

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

19.5%

vs. 19.9%
for Average Fullsize Truck

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Toyota Tundra.

5 (73%)

4 (15%)

3 (6%)

2 (2%)

1 (4%)

4.5

34 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 34 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Bulletproof

Builderman, 11/25/2020

2021 Toyota Tundra SR5 4dr Double Cab SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A)

I am on my second Tundra. My 2013 went just under 100K miles, without a single problem. Sure, it is an old design, but it is built like a tank. I pulls and hauls without effort. If you want a solid, trouble free truck to drive, this is the one to buy.

Great truck, horrible mileage

Earthsurfer63 , 12/18/2020

2021 Toyota Tundra Limited 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A)

Love this beast, but 13 mpg does suck. But I bought it for the longevity and reliability. Wish it had an inverter for 110

Engines routinely go 300,000 miles

Motoron, 11/14/2020

2021 Toyota Tundra Limited 4dr CrewMax SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A)

1 Lousy gas mileage, 2 Seats not to be considered comfortable, The rest is all good. Low maintenance, Powerful, Towing and load capacity of a 3/4 ton, Wont fall apart, no annoying body or interior noises, Built to last.

2021 Toyota Tundra Review

Blair B. , 12/09/2022

2021 Toyota Tundra TRD PRO 4dr Double Cab 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A)

I keep my cars, as my 1998 Chevy Pickup...up to 25 years. Back then Chevy made a good truck. I would not touch one today. I don't chase MPG as i note the multi speed transmission and very small turbo engines are false economics for long term owners. Those who lease, do what you want. Ethanol gas is here to stay. If you don't know the downside of ethanol in gas, by now, then you … are someone who is clueless as to carbon build up and repairs down the road that will be far more fixing those tiny turbo charged engines and multi speed s transmissions that literally shift themselves to death as they hunt for the gear that increases efficiency for peanuts or a small % gain in MPG. A 10 speed tranny rebuild can be up to $10,000. I don't need an overly complicated transmissions and who builds a 10 speed that holds up? Maybe Allison can, but I'll give them 7 years to get it right. I went with the old school 2021 Tundra from the school of ' if you want more power - get a bigger engine versus over heating it with twin turbos. The 2022 Tundra (all new truck to roll out) had to conform to EPA mandates . Tiny V-6 twin Turbo engine and 10 speed engine. Good luck with that. I don't blame Toyota, it's just EPA mandates if you want to sell a car in this country. I know little about clean air, so I won't comment other than the all new Tundra was not all a Toyota decision to think large pickups hauling heavy loads should do it with a tiny V-6 straining away under 2 turbo chargers. Sound sexy, but do you really think it will hold up better than a large V-8 with no turbo? I do think the math says there won't be same luck you get with a V-8 mated to a 6 speed. i sprinted to the dealership when I saw what was the last of the V-8 , 6 speed Tundras. I did not even bother to test drive the all new tiny V-6 , twin turbo , 10 speed. I'm sure while new owners will love them, but i keep vehicles for a long time. The 2021 has had updates for many years as all new editions of a new generation have bugs to be discovered over the years. I note my edition of a Tundra went from 2001 to 2021. Many years of getting bugs out. 2014 to make major upgrades. It is a fact of life with every auto maker when he comes out with the all new model. So yes, I get slightly less MPG with the big V-8 and 6 speed, but many years of improvements and upgrades from 2007 to 2021. The mapping of shift points on the 6 speed ATM to the ECM seem to read my mind. I think that was changed in 2020. There have been only 2 occasions where this truck shifted where I probably would have not. The other 99.9% of the time shift points seem to read my mind versus a 10 speed which leaves that driver wondering if the 10 speed tranny is confused or not. In short, the V-8 and 6 speed are as close to bullet proof one gets today. I'm good with filling the tank 10 more times over a year if it keeps me out of the shop. How many times do you get a repair done for under $1000 these days? How nuts has chasing MPG gotten? Price a rebuild on your 10 speed transmission before you buy. Some , like the CVT are not rebuilt. Too complicated. My friend got a used one from a junk yard when his new CVT tranny broke under warranty and for that vehicle a new CVT was $10,000. So he drove home in his relatively new car with a junk yard transmission with how many miles on it? That information was not available. Warranties are more complicated than the transmission. Oh yes, ' Control Modules' are next. New cars can have anywhere from 70 to 90 of them. Think of them as circuit boards hidden all over a new car . Those boards control many things - right on down to your lights dimming and then going out after you lock the car. On a German car the Transmission Control Module can cost $5,000. The one for your brakes....$800. $800 is actually cheap compared to other ones. These little nightmares are everywhere now. some under your floor mats. So when your Sun roof ' rain drainage channels' clog up over the years...the water goes down your A-pillar to under your floor mats. You won't know until things start to going wrong. One person bought a Tundra from an auction fairly cheap. Why? Previous owner left it on the beech. The tide rolled in while he was asleep or drunk. Salt water just above the rear tail lights. So if you were sitting in the Tundra the salt water would almost reach your chest. This would be a disaster for most cars and their control modules. This Tundra still drives today. Why or how could this be? Well Toyota knows its \trucks will probably be taken off road and in less than ideal situations. The way they ' enclose ' and water proof their expensive control modules ...even from salt water.....works. So yes, make fun of my MPG, as I drive past the repair shop less frequently than others. I'm not saying the Tundra is perfect. I'm just saying Toyoto has its flaws, but far less than others. If you think about it, the Tundra from 2007 to 2021 is way up there as the biggest and toughest beast they make and compared to a Prius .....well, who do you think wins in a collision? I'll let you figure that one out. Blair

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2021 Tundra Highlights

Type:

CrewMax

Trim:

SR5

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$38,420
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	15 MPG
Cost to Drive	$296/month
Seating	6 seats
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Max Towing Capacity	10,100 lbs.
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Tundra models:

Park Assist Sonar: Warns if you're about to hit a car or object near your car. Extremely helpful for parking a large vehicle in tight spaces.
Blind-Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: Lets you know if there is traffic in your blind spot before you change lanes and if there's oncoming side traffic when you're reversing.
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Uses radar to automatically help keep the Tundra a set distance from the car ahead.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover3 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover21.9%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Acceptable
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Toyota Tundra Review

2021 Toyota Tundra Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Toyota Tundra SR 4dr Double Cab SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Towing and Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Tundra does Edmunds recommend?

2021 Toyota Tundra models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Bulletproof

Great truck, horrible mileage

Engines routinely go 300,000 miles

2021 Toyota Tundra Review

2021 Tundra Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2021 Toyota Tundra SR 4dr Double Cab SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}