2021 RAM 1500 vs 2021 Toyota Tacoma
Overview | |
MSRP$29,490 | MSRP$26,400 |
Average price$35,956 | Average price$33,086 |
Listings6443 | Listings3214 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.8 out of 10 | Expert reviews6.5 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
|
2021 RAM 1500 Reviews SummaryAlways the bridesmaid but never the bride, the Ram 1500 enters the fray of high-performance off-road vehicles with cocksure confidence. Second place in truck sales last year, Ram earns the first-place podium in superpowers with its new SRT Hellcat-powered TRX trim level as it looks to make moves to climb the sales charts. Or, maybe, just literally drive over its competition. | |
2021 Toyota Tacoma Reviews SummaryLast redesigned for the 2016 model year, The Tacoma once dominated midsize-truck sales. In recent years, though, it’s faced stronger competition from the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon twins, the Ford Ranger, and the Jeep Gladiator. A redesigned Nissan Frontier and heavily-updated Honda Ridgeline are also on the way. Meanwhile, the Tacoma enters the 2021 model year largely unchanged. The only updates are two new special editions—the Nightshade Edition and Trail Special Edition—and standard dual-zone automatic climate control on all V6 models. Pickup truck buyers tend to want choices, and Toyota delivers. The Tacoma is available with four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines, Access Cab and four-door Double Cab body styles, rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), and six trim levels— SR, SR5, TRD Off Road, TRD Sport, Limited, and TRD Pro—plus the two special editions. Our test vehicle was a Tacoma TRD Pro Double Cab. The TRD Pro is the most off-road focused of the Tacoma models, so naturally, it gets standard 4WD drive. While Toyota does offer a more comfort-oriented Tacoma Limited model, the TRD Pro is also positioned at the top of the lineup. | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine3.6L 305 hp V6 | Engine2.7L 159 hp I4 |
Drive Train4X2 | Drive Train4X2 |
Seating Capacity3 | Seating Capacity4 |
Horsepower305 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower159 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City17 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway25 | MPG Highway23 |
Engine | |
Engine Name3.6L 305 hp V6 | Engine Name2.7L 159 hp I4 |
Torque269 lb-ft @ 4175 rpm | Torque180 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm |
Horsepower305 hp @ 6400 rpm | Horsepower159 hp @ 5200 rpm |
Drivetrain4X2 | Drivetrain4X2 |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City17 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway25 | MPG Highway23 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity3 | Seating Capacity4 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Bed Length98.3 in | Bed Length73.7 in |
Curb Weight4693 lbs | Curb Weight3915 lbs |
Height74.4 in | Height70.6 in |
Length231.0 in | Length212.3 in |
Width79.4 in | Width74.4 in |
Wheelbase140.5 in | Wheelbase127.4 in |
Maximum Payload1910 lbs | Maximum Payload1685 lbs |
Number of doors2 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity10610 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity3500 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity4720 lbs | Standard Towing Capacity |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $29,490 | $26,400 |
Average price | $35,956 | $33,086 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 7.8 out of 10Read full review | 6.5 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | Always the bridesmaid but never the bride, the Ram 1500 enters the fray of high-performance off-road vehicles with cocksure confidence. Second place in truck sales last year, Ram earns the first-place podium in superpowers with its new SRT Hellcat-powered TRX trim level as it looks to make moves to climb the sales charts. Or, maybe, just literally drive over its competition. | Last redesigned for the 2016 model year, The Tacoma once dominated midsize-truck sales. In recent years, though, it’s faced stronger competition from the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon twins, the Ford Ranger, and the Jeep Gladiator. A redesigned Nissan Frontier and heavily-updated Honda Ridgeline are also on the way. Meanwhile, the Tacoma enters the 2021 model year largely unchanged. The only updates are two new special editions—the Nightshade Edition and Trail Special Edition—and standard dual-zone automatic climate control on all V6 models. Pickup truck buyers tend to want choices, and Toyota delivers. The Tacoma is available with four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines, Access Cab and four-door Double Cab body styles, rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD), and six trim levels— SR, SR5, TRD Off Road, TRD Sport, Limited, and TRD Pro—plus the two special editions. Our test vehicle was a Tacoma TRD Pro Double Cab. The TRD Pro is the most off-road focused of the Tacoma models, so naturally, it gets standard 4WD drive. While Toyota does offer a more comfort-oriented Tacoma Limited model, the TRD Pro is also positioned at the top of the lineup. |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 3.6L 305 hp V6 | 2.7L 159 hp I4 |
Drive Train | 4X2 | 4X2 |
Seating Capacity | 3 | 4 |
Horsepower | 305 hp @ 6400 rpm | 159 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City | 17 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 25 | 23 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 3.6L 305 hp V6 | 2.7L 159 hp I4 |
Torque | 269 lb-ft @ 4175 rpm | 180 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm |
Horsepower | 305 hp @ 6400 rpm | 159 hp @ 5200 rpm |
Drivetrain | 4X2 | 4X2 |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 17 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 25 | 23 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 3 | 4 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Bed Length | 98.3 in | 73.7 in |
Curb Weight | 4693 lbs | 3915 lbs |
Height | 74.4 in | 70.6 in |
Length | 231.0 in | 212.3 in |
Width | 79.4 in | 74.4 in |
Wheelbase | 140.5 in | 127.4 in |
Maximum Payload | 1910 lbs | 1685 lbs |
Number of doors | 2 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 10610 lbs | 3500 lbs |
Standard Towing Capacity | 4720 lbs | |
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 RAM 1500 is 7.8 out of 10, while the 2021 Toyota Tacoma scores 6.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, we recommend choosing the 2021 RAM 1500 for its superior performance, technology, and safety features.
Choose the 2021 RAM 1500 if:
- You prioritize high-performance driving and off-road capability
- You appreciate advanced technology features and a luxurious interior
- You are willing to invest in a premium truck with top-notch safety features
Choose the 2021 Toyota Tacoma if:
- You are looking for a reliable and budget-friendly midsize truck
- You prefer a classic truck design with solid off-road capabilities
- You value practicality and functionality over luxury features and high performance
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 RAM 1500 is 7.8 out of 10, while the 2021 Toyota Tacoma scores 6.5 out of 10. Based on these ratings, we recommend choosing the 2021 RAM 1500 for its superior performance, technology, and safety features.
Choose the 2021 RAM 1500 if:
Shop Now- You prioritize high-performance driving and off-road capability
- You appreciate advanced technology features and a luxurious interior
- You are willing to invest in a premium truck with top-notch safety features
Choose the 2021 Toyota Tacoma if:
Shop Now- You are looking for a reliable and budget-friendly midsize truck
- You prefer a classic truck design with solid off-road capabilities
- You value practicality and functionality over luxury features and high performance
By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.