Used 2021 Toyota Tacoma for Sale nearNew Brunswick, NJ

How much does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma cost?

Prices have softened 1.91% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 4,614 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of trucks to compare on price, trim, and condition.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Toyota Tacoma earns a 4.88/5 user rating and a 6.5/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Look and feel at 8/10.

Owners consistently praise its value, reliability, and resale potential, and many also like its durability and feature set. The truck’s breadth of configurations and off-road focus make it appealing if you want a midsize pickup that can handle work, weekend use, and trail duty. The trade-offs are clear: performance is sluggish, handling is poor, and the base engine is underwhelming. For you, that means the Tacoma makes the most sense if capability and ruggedness matter more than refinement. Good and great deals account for 30.8% of listings, so there are still some attractive opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

Owners rate it 4.88/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Drivers describe it as reliable, durable, and a truck they can count on, with strong praise for its long-term value and trouble-free ownership appeal. The expert evaluation also points to Toyota’s excellent reputation for reliability and notes that the Tacoma is built around a dependable, no-nonsense truck formula. ToyotaCare adds two years or 25,000 miles of free factory-scheduled maintenance, which helps reduce early ownership costs. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a truck with this reputation may still have seen hard use, so condition and maintenance history matter a lot.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Toyota Tacoma?

At 72.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially if the truck has been used off-road or for towing. Focus on signs of frame, suspension, tire, and underbody wear, since those areas can reveal how hard the truck has been driven. It also makes sense to compare trim equipment carefully, because the Tacoma’s value changes a lot depending on how much capability and tech you want.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The SR trim gets a 7-inch touchscreen, while all other trims get an 8-inch screen. Higher trims add more equipment, and the TRD Pro stands out with model-specific styling, off-road hardware, and a more rugged setup than the base truck.
• Powertrain: You can choose a 2.7-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6. The V6 is available with a manual transmission, and the Tacoma’s off-road-oriented trims add hardware such as a locking rear differential, upgraded suspension, and crawl-focused drive modes.
• Safety package: Standard driver-assistance features include forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. That’s a strong standard list, though some rivals offer more advanced extras.
• Infotainment: The Tacoma includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The system is easy to use, and higher trims can add a JBL audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The base four-cylinder returns 21 mpg combined with RWD and 20 mpg combined with 4WD. The V6 automatic matches that 21 mpg combined figure with RWD and returns 20 mpg combined with 4WD, while the V6 manual drops to 18 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Toyota Tacoma trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma is offered in 6 trim levels: SR, SR5, TRD Off Road, TRD Sport, Limited, and TRD Pro.

Here's the short version:

• SR: This is the entry point, and it makes the most sense if you want the lowest-cost way into the Tacoma lineup and are comfortable with the smaller 7-inch touchscreen and fewer extras.
• SR5: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds more everyday usability while staying below the more specialized off-road and luxury-oriented versions.
• TRD Off Road: This is the trim to target if you want the Tacoma’s off-road hardware without jumping all the way to the top of the range. It adds the kind of capability that suits trail use and rough terrain.
• TRD Sport: Choose this if you want a more road-focused setup with a sportier feel and appearance than the off-road trims.
• Limited: This is the comfort-oriented choice, and it suits you best if you care more about convenience and a more upscale feel than trail capability.
• TRD Pro: This is the most off-road-focused Tacoma, with standard 4WD and the most serious hardware in the lineup. It’s the right pick if off-road performance matters more than price.

Standard safety equipment is strong across the lineup, but the Tacoma’s safety tech still varies by trim in some areas, especially headlights.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Toyota Tacoma?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without expecting deep discounts everywhere.

• Deal availability: 30.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 4,614 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.91% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $30,969, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma's resale value?

The current average of $32,224 sits slightly below last year's $32,850.

That modest decline suggests the Tacoma has softened a bit, but not enough to signal weak demand. If you buy now and keep the truck in good condition, you’re still starting from a position of relative strength because the Tacoma’s reputation and broad appeal help support used-market interest. The current pricing also suggests there is room for future sellers to benefit from steady demand rather than sharp depreciation. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.88/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma safe?

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma earns top “Good” IIHS scores in all crash tests except the passenger-side small overlap front test, where it received an “Acceptable” score. It also earns a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with four-star ratings in frontal crash and rollover, and five-star ratings in all other NHTSA tests.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

The standard driver-assistance suite includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. That’s a solid standard package for a truck, though some rivals offer more advanced features such as lane-keep assist and trailer-capable blind-spot monitoring. The main caveat is the Tacoma’s mixed IIHS headlight results, which vary by trim level.

Should I buy a 2021 Toyota Tacoma or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 30.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.91% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.88/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds new special editions and standard dual-zone climate control on V6 models.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $30,768, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $32,224 average.
• It remains the best-selling midsize truck and adds important tech updates.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $33,140, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $32,224 average.
• It stays appealing for commuting and outdoor adventures with easy-to-use tech.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of current pricing, broad availability, and Tacoma strengths, the 2021 is the sensible pick. If your priority is saving money, the 2020 is the better value path; if you want to spend a bit more for a newer model-year alternative, the 2022 is worth comparing.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.