2021 Toyota Tacoma
Overview
Ever since it was introduced to the US automotive market back in the mid-90s, the Toyota Tacoma has represented the brand’s vision for a pickup truck for every driver every day. It’s always been the alternative for drivers who want a truck that can be a truck when they need it and a practical vehicle for the rest of the week. In 2021, the Toyota Tacoma still answers that call for all of us with a total package that checks all the boxes on any driver’s must-have list.
The Perfect Ride for...
Some trucks are designed to be as big as possible to move the biggest and heaviest things or as strong as possible to survive every apocalyptic scenario. The Toyota Tacoma is and always has been designed to be able to do a little bit of everything. It's designed for the modern driver who needs a truck to meet all of the daily demands, like hauling the gear as well as the groceries as well as driving through rocky rivers as well as rush-hour traffic.
It offers all the comfort, safety, and entertainment features you would want to enjoy your daily commute, as well as performance options to get you through the weekend challenges. Plus, Toyota keeps the average driver's budget in mind with fuel efficiency that can get as high as an EPA-estimated 18 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.*
Drive & Handling
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma is a platform for utility. Its wide variety of powertrain variations offer many options for many needs. Drivers can choose from six different models, each with multiple trim levels and basic variations. First, drivers can choose between two different engines: either the 2.7-liter 16-valve 4-cylinder with VVT-i, producing 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque and capable of towing up to 3500 lbs, or the 3.5-liter 24-valve V6 direct-injection Atkinson-cycle engine with VVT-iW, producing 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque and capable of towing up to 6400 lbs. Drivers can also choose between two-door Access cab or four-door Double cab, 4-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, and 73-inch long bed or 60-inch short bed.
Key Features
Off-Road Capability
Whether you call it capability, versatility, or unstoppability, the Tacoma is built to go anywhere. All versions of the Tacoma feature design aspects made for difficult terrain, including ten inches of ground clearance, automatic limited-slip differential, and one-piece frame rails with 8-inch cross members and fully boxed front sub-frame, as well as coil-spring double-wishbone suspension and stabilizer bar in the front and a leaf spring suspension with staggered outboard-mounted gas shock absorbers and stabilizer bar in the rear. Premium TRD Off-road and TRD Pro models include even more upgrades for off-road driving, like TRD-tuned off-road suspension with either Bilstein® shocks or 2.5-inch FOX Internal Bypass coil-overs and rear remote reservoir shocks, which means you can slog through all the mud and rocks and still enjoy a comfortable ride.
Top-of-the-Line Safety
Toyota knows that when you’re not having fun in the mud, you might be using your Tacoma to haul the most precious cargo, so they loaded this year’s model with some of the most advanced safety features available. Standard features include Toyota Safety Sense™ P Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beams, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Star Safety System™ with Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-lock Brake System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, and Smart Stop Technology®, plus airbags strategically placed throughout the cabin to protect every passenger from all directions.
Cutting-Edge Comfort
Toyota also includes the latest in cutting-edge creature comforts available for Tacoma-buyers. Passengers can stay comfortable with front dual-zone automatic climate control with air filter and individual temperature settings for the driver and front passenger. Road trips and work days are also more enjoyable with Toyota’s Entune™ Audio Package, which includes a 6.1-inch touch-screen display, six speakers, auxiliary audio jack, USB 2.0 port with iPod® connectivity and control, advanced voice recognition, hands-free phone capability, phone book access and music streaming via Bluetooth®, Siri® Eyes Free, and integrated backup camera display.
In addition, you can be really high-speed with the available Qi-compatible wireless smartphone and mobile device charger (pictured above). Simply place your compatible smartphone on top of the power transmission pad, and the pad charges it via resonant inductive coupling, no wires required.
Alternative Options
If you need fuel efficiency more than unstoppable versatility, look no further than the car that started it all. The Toyota Prius has everything you need with a mind-blowing EPA-estimated 58 mpg city.* If you need room for more passengers, the Toyota Sienna makes moving the whole crew easier and safer with the latest in innovative design and technology.
* 2021 EPA-estimated mileage. Actual mileage will vary.
Image Credit: Toyota