The 2021 Toyota Tacoma: A Versatile Pickup For Every Lifestyle

The pickup truck category has exploded in popularity in recent years. Buyers with wish lists more traditionally suited to a luxury SUV or a fuel-efficient commuter are discovering that today’s pickups offer similar features plus all the utility of a pickup body style. Visit a Toyota Tacoma dealer today and discover how the Tacoma has evolved to suit a broader audience of buyers.

Pickup trucks are extremely useful in daily life. They make a weekend trip to the local big box store a lot simpler, take the hassle out of moving furniture, and open up a ton of lifestyle-enhancing possibilities, like towing a boat or RV or safely transporting a longboard to the beach. It’s a fact of life – the best tools are those that make the job easier.

Unfortunately, even with all the benefits that come along with a pickup truck body style, would-be buyers don’t want to sacrifice comfort, fuel efficiency, and ride handling. The good news is, trucks like the 2021 Toyota Tacoma don’t require any compromises. You truly can find all the luxury, practicality, and comfort you want within the Tacoma’s six different available trims.

Serious off-roading enthusiasts aren’t left out of the mix, either. The Tacoma’s TRD trims – particularly the TRD Off-Road and the TRD Pro – are designed to take you anywhere, with rugged features like locking rear differentials and crawl control capabilities. Even a well-equipped 4×4 Tacoma starts at well under $40,000, making it a great choice for budget-minded off-roaders.

We take a closer look at the 2021 Toyota Tacoma, including a deep dive into each of the six available trims, to see which version is best for commuters, those seeking high-end luxury, and mud-loving trail riders. Toyota designed the Tacoma lineup to work for a variety of lifestyles, and it’s paving the way for buyers who wouldn’t normally consider a pickup truck to take a closer look.

Trims and Special Equipment

It’s almost as much fun to shop for a 2021 Toyota Tacoma as it is to drive off the lot in one. The Tacoma trim lineup is diverse in both price and available features, so buyers can dial in the level of luxury and capability they need. From the under $30,000 SR to the fully-loaded and luxurious Limited, there’s a trim for every buyer.

Budget and Luxury Trims

The base SR is the best option for budget buyers looking for an affordable commuter. Available in either 4×2 or 4×4 with a 5 or 6-foot bed, the SR5 is a value-priced trim that’s offered in two-door or four-door cab style with comfortable seating for four. On the interior, the SR includes a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto and Apply CarPlay connectivity and fabric-trimmed 4-way adjustable driver and passenger seats.

Upgrade to the mid-range SR5, and you’ll get fog lights and heated power outside mirrors on the exterior, as well as an upgraded charcoal grille with chrome accents. On the interior, an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen is standard. You’ll also get a leather-trimmed steering wheel with tilt/telescoping and remote keyless entry. The SR5 also adds a 10-way power driver’s seat and an auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror.

The Limited is a fully-loaded luxury trim designed for buyers looking for all the creature comforts. LED headlights and fog lights are standard, as is a power moonroof, an exterior 120-volt power outlet, and 18-inch wheels. Inside, the cabin is transformed, with heated leather-trimmed seats, a wireless smartphone charger, and dual-zone climate control. The Limited trim also includes a premium six-speaker JBL audio system and standard navigation.

Off-Roading TRD Trims

All Tacomas equipped with 4×4 powertrains are trail-ready, but the infamous TRD trim series takes off-roading to the next level. These are the only Tacoma trims in the lineup offered with an optional 6-speed manual transmission. All TRD trim levels come standard with the larger 3.5-liter V6 engine, a gray grille, and a TRD-exclusive hood scoop.

The TRD Sport is what we’d consider off-roading “lite,” incorporating more rugged features like an electronic locking rear differential and A-TRAC active traction control, but it’s equipped with a sport-tuned suspension that’s more at home on the road than off. Most of the luxury features that come standard on the Limited are also available on the TRD Sport within a selection of add-on packages.

More serious off-roaders should take a hard look at the gritty TRD Off-Road or the TRD Pro. The TRD Off-Road includes special engine and front suspension skid plates for underbody protection over rocky, uneven terrain and an off-road tuned suspension with upgraded Bilstein shocks. A unique smoked gray grille and black overfenders give the TRD off-road a grittier curb profile.

The TRD Pro marries 4×4 prowess with luxury, incorporating the best of the Limited trim plus additional off-roading equipment, including a TRD branded skid plate, LED headlights with a clever integrated TRD Pro logo and special Rigid Industries LED fog lights with a wide-angle beam. Custom-tuned FOX shocks contribute to better ground clearance and smooth out roughest bumps and 16-inch branded black wheels with all-terrain tires.

Add-Ons and Feature Highlights

The Tacoma Trail Special Edition joins the lineup for 2021. Opt for this add-on package, and you’ll get special black badging, black interior seating with contrasting tan stitching, and 16-inch dark gray TRD Off-Road wheels fortified with Kevlar. Spread throughout the cabin and bed are a series of lockable storage compartments, including an insulated cubby that can be used as a cooler.

All Toyota Tacoma trims come standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), a suite of intelligent driver-assist systems designed to keep occupants safe and alert while on the road. The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection alerts the driver if a collision is imminent and can apply the brakes automatically to minimize the impact of a crash. TSS also includes Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beams, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

Additional driver-assist features are standard on some higher trims or available as part of a series of optional technology packages. These include a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Rear Parking Assist sonar. Some trims equipped with the V6 engine also offer standard Trailer Sway Control and a class-IV towing hitch receiver.

Tacoma buyers will appreciate the ToyotaCare plan, included on all Tacoma trims, that provides complimentary scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles. 24-hour roadside assistance is also part of the two-year coverage with no mileage limit. Toyota’s standard warranty coverage includes a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 60-month/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

A Trim for Every Driver

With six very different trims in the lineup, the 2021 Toyota Tacoma takes freedom of choice to a whole new level. The prospect of owning a pickup truck – and all the utility it offers – is just a little sweeter knowing you can dial in your particular level of luxury, off-roading capability, or affordability. Everyone from daily commuters to weekend adventure seekers will find a Tacoma model that works.

The versatile mid-size 2021 Toyota Tacoma is the go anywhere, do anything lifestyle pickup you’ve been waiting for. Once you discover all the ways this mid-size pickup can meet the demands of your busy lifestyle, you’ll never buy anything else. Backed by Toyota’s legendary quality standards and built for serious performance both on and off the road, this 2021 Tacoma will make you say, SU-what? Ditch the boring SUV or crossover and put a brand new, highly capable Tacoma from Romeoville Toyota in your driveway today.