The 2021 Toyota Tundra is the oldest truck in its class, but it's still a dutiful hauler and plenty capable when taken off the beaten path. Every model is powered by a 381-hp V-8 that can tow up to 10,200 pounds. However, its powertrain suffers from a lazy transmission and poor fuel-economy ratings. The Toyota pickup feels clumsy at highway speeds and its ride quality is choppy, but its off-road-ready options—including the lifted TRD Pro model—are bright spots that fulfill their mission. Inside, the Tundra suffers from outdated styling and mediocre materials, but the crew cab offers apartment-like room. Although the 2021 Tundra looks and feels obsolete, it does come standard with a suite of driver assists that help offset its aging design.
What's New for 2021?
For 2021, Toyota supplies the Tundra lineup with a new appearance package called Nightshade. It's only available on the Limited, and it includes black 20-inch rims, black exterior accents, and black leather upholstery. The new Trail Special Edition, of which only 5000 will be made, is based on the SR5 crew cab (called CrewMax) and comes with all-weather floor mats, black exterior badging, and black upholstery with tan contrast stitching. The Trail Special Edition also features the same body-color grille as the top-tier Tundra 1794 Edition, a lockable storage unit in the cargo bed, and unique 18-inch wheels fitted with all-terrain tires.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Compared with newer and more advanced powertrains, the Tundra's engine and transmission are prehistoric. The standard 5.7-liter V-8 is good for 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard and four-wheel drive is optional for both setups, but not for all cab-and-bed configurations. The Tundra's engine is reasonably peppy but emits an unsatisfyingly weak exhaust note, and its six-speed automatic shifts rather slowly. While it isn't terrible to drive, the last Tundra we tested felt archaic and a bit off the pace compared with lighter and more powerful competitors. Due to the Tundra's firm suspension, every bump is transmitted into the cabin, which makes for a lumpy ride when driving over rough surfaces. The upgraded shocks on the TRD Pro and models with the TRD Off-Road package marginally improve the ride quality, as well as help to better manage body motions in corners. The Tundra's light, numb steering isolates the driver from the road and requires constant corrections at highway speeds. The Tundra's brakes are adequate and can haul the truck down from 70 mph in a so-so 190 feet, but the brake pedal returns little feedback and has inconsistent travel.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Tundra's interior is spacious and dotted with oversized features, but it's an outdated presentation and the materials in most models feel cheap and rubbery. Although its rear-seat legroom is among the best for crew cabs, the quality and layout of the Tundra's cabin are unimpressive, as well as short on amenities found in the fresher competition. The only salvation is the 1794 Edition, which has luscious saddle-brown leather-trimmed seating and ultrasuede accents. The Tundra's front roof pillars are wide at the base and create a sizable blind spot, but the large rear windows of the crew cab do offer adequate visibility. An abundance of cargo and storage space is expected with a pickup. While the Toyota is merely adequate in most areas, our testing revealed that the cavernous crew cab is able to hold 21 carry-on suitcases with its rear seat folded, two more than any other pickup. Deep but narrow door pockets prevent storing larger items, but the extended cab—called Double Cab—does have a storage compartment under the rear seat that's not available in other cabs. The Tundra has three cargo-bed lengths. The shortest is 5.5 feet and is only available with the crew cab. The extended cab can pair with a 6.5- or an 8.1-foot bed.
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