Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma a Good Truck? 5 Execs and 5 Cons | Information

The Toyota Tacoma mid-size pickup truck has a decidedly retro feel and appear, which can be a part of the appeal that retains it so common with patrons. However not like nostalgia-inducing designs just like the Ford Bronco Sport that mix retro styling cues with trendy underpinnings, the Tacoma seems to be and feels outdated just because it is — it’s been seven mannequin years for the reason that Tacoma’s final vital replace, and the final full redesign occurred greater than 10 years earlier than that. Lots can occur in twenty years of automotive improvement, one thing vividly demonstrated by spending time behind the wheel of a 2021 Tacoma.

Associated: 2021 Toyota Tacoma Evaluate: Over the Hill We Go

Regardless of its age, the Tacoma shouldn’t be with out attraction. It stays a dependable and succesful selection, with stable towing functionality and powerful resale worth. It additionally has stable off-road cred. Past that, as Automobiles.com reviewer Brian Normile particulars within the associated hyperlink above, the Tacoma just about trails its opponents in most key standards.

Toyota made nice enhancements to its full-size Tundra pickup for 2022, making it each a extra aggressive and succesful selection. The Tacoma is overdue for the same replace, which received’t be a second too quickly; within the meantime, listed below are 5 issues we like concerning the 2021 Toyota Tacoma and 5 we don’t:

Issues We Like

1. Security Options Aplenty

The Tacoma comes with Toyota’s Security Sense suite of superior security options, together with ahead collision warning with computerized emergency braking and pedestrian detection, together with adaptive cruise management, lane departure warning and computerized excessive beams. The Tacoma additionally scored properly sufficient in Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security crash exams and has a four-star total score from the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration.

2. Robust Resale Worth

2021 Toyota Tacoma | Automobiles.com picture by Christian Lantry

Many Toyota fashions have robust resale worth, and used Tacomas could be particularly good on this regard. Patrons are a loyal bunch and have a tendency to carry on to theirs for a very long time, which helps make used examples even more durable to search out, additional driving up costs. None of that is prone to change anytime quickly, making the Tacoma a stable funding for the lengthy haul.

3. Off-Street Functionality With out Monster Tires

The off-road-oriented TRD trims add suspension upgrades and different gear to make the Tacoma extra succesful off-road, however Toyota stops wanting together with large tires with an aggressive off-road tread sample. It is a good factor, because it leads to a quieter trip and elevated steering really feel on pavement (even when the trip isn’t any extra comfy). It additionally makes it simpler for patrons to make their very own tire and wheel upgrades, one thing many will in all probability do anyway.

4. Snug Seats

2021 Toyota Tacoma | Automobiles.com picture by Christian Lantry

The Tacoma’s seating place isn’t preferrred, however the leather-based entrance bucket seats in our TRD Off-Street take a look at truck proved comfy and supportive sufficient total. Consolation apart, the leather-based seating surfaces felt considerably skinny and fewer substantial than some opponents.

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Issues We Don’t Like

1. Unrefined Powertrain

2021 Toyota Tacoma | Automobiles.com picture by Christian Lantry

The non-obligatory 278-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 in our take a look at Tacoma proved succesful sufficient, with enough energy for passing and merging, but it surely by no means appeared very joyful about it — the engine sounded strained and struggled to stand up to hurry. We observed there wasn’t a lot energy left in reserve at increased speeds, too, and the six-speed computerized was gradual to downshift for extra. The excellent news: Gas financial system isn’t a lot worse than with the bottom four-cylinder.

2. Clumsy Trip and Dealing with

On pavement, the Tacoma’s trip is stiff and bouncy, particularly with nothing within the mattress. Issues don’t enhance a lot with a load: Steering is obscure and we observed an alarming quantity of play within the wheel. The TRD Off-Street suspension solely provides to the punishment, with elevated trip stiffness on pavement. Some competing vans with off-road packages add suspension journey and added absorption, however that’s not the case right here.

3. Powerful Brakes

2021 Toyota Tacoma | Automobiles.com picture by Christian Lantry

The Tacoma’s brakes are one other sore spot, with an preliminary grabbiness so noticeable, we feared getting rear-ended in site visitors. However bringing the truck to a cease required much more pedal stress. The short preliminary pedal response is likely to be useful off-road, however we discovered the brake response to be annoying and inconsistent on pavement.

4. Awkward Driving Place

For a comparatively massive car that requires an enormous step as much as get behind the wheel, the Tacoma’s cab shouldn’t be all that roomy when you’re inside. The driving force’s seat is comfy sufficient, however the cushion is low to the ground and requires drivers to take a seat with their legs stretched out. Neither the seat nor the steering wheel supply loads of adjustment, and our 6-foot-1-inch tester struggled to discover a comfy seating place all through his time with the Tacoma. We additionally discovered rear seat headroom and legroom missing.

5. Dated Inside Design

2021 Toyota Tacoma | Automobiles.com picture by Christian Lantry

The Tacoma’s inside seems to be and feels fundamental, but it surely’s additionally stable and properly put collectively, although not as trendy or upscale as some opponents. There’s numerous onerous plastic, and never loads of frills. To Toyota’s credit score, even base fashions include a typical 7-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay together with three USB ports. Our take a look at truck had a bigger 8-inch touchscreen, however the show design regarded outdated and was gradual to reply to inputs.

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