2021 Toyota Tundra Review

The 2021 Toyota Tundra is the oldest truck in its class, but it’s still a dutiful hauler
and more than capable when taken off-road. Each model has a 381-hp V-8
that can tow up to 10,200 pounds. However, its powertrain suffers from sluggish transmission and poor fuel economy ratings. The Toyota pickup feels
awkward at highway speeds. Its ride quality is cut. Its off-road-ready
options—including the lifted TRD Pro model—are bright spots that serve its
mission.

 Inside, the Tundra suffers from outdated styling and sparse materials,
but the crew cab offers an apartment-like room. Although the 2021 Tundra looks and
feels older, it comes standard with a suite of driver assists that help make up
for its aging design.

What is new in the
2021 Toyota Tundra?

For 2021, Toyota equips the Tundra lineup with a new
appearance package called Nightshade. It’s available only on the Limited and
features black 20-inch rims, black exterior accents, and black leather
upholstery. The new Trail Special Edition, of which only 5,000 will be made, is
based on the SR5 Crew Cab (called the Crew Max) and comes with all-season floor
mats, black exterior badging, and black upholstery with tan contrast stitching.
Is.

 The Trail Special Edition also features the same body-color grille as the
top-tier Tundra 1794 Edition, a lockable storage unit in the cargo bed, and
unique 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. Toyota has also teased the
next-generation Tundra, which could debut for the 2022 model year, with a
glimpse of its bold-looking front-end design.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

Even the fancy 2021 Toyota Tundra can’t match the luxury of mid-level Ram 1500 models. However, Toyota’s biggest strength is its off-roading capabilities, which are fully
realized on the TRD Pro variant. Although this model has the most capable
suspension and a more pronounced appearance, they are not enough to warrant investment in the Ford F-150 Raptor. We’d choose the Tundra SR5 with the
optional four-wheel drive system. Since the crew-cab body style only pairs with
the shortest cargo bed of 5.5 feet, we’ll stick with the extended cab and
standard 6.1-foot box. Our example will also be equipped with the base TRD
Off-Road Package to improve the truck’s ability to play in dirt, mud, or sand.
Better off-road chops come courtesy of trail-tuned dampers, increased underbody
protection, front tow hooks, and 18-inch wheels. In addition to these
mechanical enhancements, the kit adds a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen. It also
gets a larger fuel tank for the longer driving range. The standard front bench seat
is replaced with a pair of bucket seats and a center console.

Engine,
transmission, and performance

Compared to newer
and more advanced powertrains, the  2021 Toyota Tundra engine and transmission are
prehistoric. Standard 5.7-liter V-8 with 381 hp. Good for 401 lb-ft torque.
Rear-wheel drive is standard. Four-wheel drive is optional for both setups. Not
for all cab and bed configurations. The Tundra’s engine is reasonably quick but
emits an unsatisfyingly weak exhaust note, and its six-speed automatic shifts
rather slowly. While it’s not terrible to drive, the Tundra feels primitive and
a bit off the pace compared to lighter and more powerful rivals. Because of the
Tundra’s firmer suspension, every bump is transmitted into the cabin, leading
to a lumpy ride when driving over rough surfaces.

 Still, those traits are more
forgivable on the sturdy TRD Pro we tested, which has a unique charm. Its
upgraded models with the TRD Off-Road package improve ride quality
marginally as well as help manage body movements better in corners. The
Tundra’s light, numb steering disengages the driver from the road and requires
constant correction at highway speeds. The Tundra’s brakes are adequate and can
bring the truck down from 70 mph to 190 feet, but the brake pedal offers little
feedback and its travel is inconsistent.

Towing
and Payload Capacity

The Tundra’s maximum
tow rating of 10,200 pounds will be more than most people will need, and even
its least capable configuration can tow at least 8800 pounds.

Fuel Economy and
Real-World MPG

The  2021 Toyota Tundra has some
of the worst fuel economy in its class. While its rivals don’t exactly sip the
fuel either, the Government rates its V-8 with four-wheel drive at 13 mpg city
and 17 mpg highway. The last one we tested matched its highway rating on our
200-mile real-world route, but that figure still falls short of all other
pickups we’ve tested.

Interior,
Comfort, and Cargo

The 2021 Toyota Tundra interior is roomy and features a generous size, but it’s an older offering and
materials in most models feel cheap and rubbery. While its rear-seat legroom is
excellent for a crew cab, the Tundra’s cabin quality and layout are
unimpressive and lack the amenities found in the latest competition. The only
salvation is the 1794 Edition, which has beautiful saddle brown leather-trimmed
seats and ultra-soaked accents. The Tundra’s front roof pillars are wide at the
base and create a large blind spot, but the crew cab’s large rear windows offer
ample visibility. An abundance of cargo and storage space is expected with the
pickup.

 While the Toyota is merely adequate in most areas, our testing revealed
that the Caverns Crew Cab is able to hold 21 carry-on suitcases with its rear
seats folded, two more than any other pickup. Deep but narrow door pockets
prevent storage of large items, but the Extended Cab — called a Double Cab —
has a storage bin under the rear seat that’s not available in other cabs. The
Tundra has a cargo bed length of three. The smallest is 5.5 feet and is only
available with the Crew Cab. Extended cabs can be combined with either a 6.5-
or 8.1-foot bed.