2021 Toyota Tacoma Review

Not everybody needs the size and capabilities of a full-size pickup. That's where midsize trucks come in, and the 2021 Toyota Tacoma is one of the better choices in the class. It trails behind the more city-friendly Honda Ridgeline and all-terrain Jeep Gladiator in our rankings, but we think the Tacoma is a sensible middle ground between the two. It also feels a little more refined than rivals from Chevrolet, Ford and GMC.

After last year's significant refresh, there are no changes to the core Tacoma offerings. There are, however, a pair of new limited-edition trims for buyers looking for something a little different. The Trail Special Edition is based on the near entry-level SR5 trim with the double-cab body style. Limited to 7,000 units, it comes with all-terrain tires and lockable bed storage bins. The driver's side bin is even insulated so it can function as a built-in cooler. There's also a Nightshade Special Edition based on the more expensive Limited trim, but changes are only aesthetic, with blacked-out badging and trim throughout. Just 5,000 are planned for production.

Is the Tacoma the right midsize truck for you? Check out our Expert Rating to get our in-depth take on the 2021Tacoma.

What's it like to live with?

When the Tacoma was redesigned in 2016, we wanted to know what it was like to live with, so we bought one. Specifically, we purchased the 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road and lived with it in our long-term fleet for nearly two years, putting over 40,000 miles on the odometer. The Tacoma has received some updates since its redesign in 2016, but it's the same generation truck so most of our observations apply. To learn about everything from seat comfort to reliability, check out all the details in our long-term Tacoma test.