Written by Marco Carvajal
2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Double Cab
Toyota Tacoma
Tacoma is one of the greatest multi-purpose vehicles on the market, is the mid-size pickup truck leader, 16 years and running, the Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma is proudly designed in the United States. It is manufactured in Mexico and the USA since 1995. The first Tacoma generation, from 1995 to 2004, was classified as a compact truck. The second generation was classified into a larger size segment as a medium size truck.
The Tacoma has an appealing front look similar to the design of vintage pickup trucks, inspired by iconic Toyota trucks. The front of the Tacoma is very wide from side to side, it has a mix design with sporty and vintage elements.
The Tacoma is designed for travel, better ground clearance, maximal damping and wonderful fade-free performance. The cargo area of the Tacoma, the bed, has more than enough space you probably ever need and there are different bed size options available.
Tacoma, whose name appeared in 1995, is inspired by its prior name Hilux used worldwide. The Hilux was marketed in the United States until 1995.
This truck is designed for travel, better ground clearance, maximal damping and wonderful fade-free performance. It has a very convenient size, not too big and not too small, perfect for city or country and for any type of road.
When purchasing a Tacoma there is an impressive set of comfort features such as heated front seats, dual zone climate control and improved features that come standard on every model.
The Toyota Tacoma has been America’s best-selling midsize pickup truck for 18 straight years. In 2020, the Tacoma outperformed its closest two competitors by more than double.
TRD Toyota Racing Development
Some Tacoma models are supercharged with TRD features, performance oriented, faster and ready for more difficult road conditions. TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development, which means TRD models are more performance based. Toyota’s TRD in-house racing specialty division makes every TRD trim model superior, working developing performance-oriented parts and cars.
Racing is a very important part of the automotive industry and Toyota keeps working on fine-tuning and developing service and racing performance on its different TRD models like the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road.
Tacoma TRD Off-Road
The Tacoma can ride with confidence on any type of road. The six-speed automatic transmission changes smoothly. It is easy to handle with a smooth and progressive effort as it guides you through the curves. This truck feels stable and responds well to the driver.
The Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road enhances Tacoma’s ruggedness and durability. It comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, a dual-zone climate-control system, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, and an upgraded suspension system. A thick leather-wrapped steering wheel feels solid in the hands of the driver.
The Tacoma is build with robust quality, excellent reliability, good style, and modern electronic features.
The Tacoma TRD includes an improved V6 engine and can be built in configurations of extended cabin or double cabin. I am test driving the double cab.
The Tacoma TRD Off Road is available as a 2×4 or 4×4 wheel drive.
Fuel consumption for the Tacoma TRD OFF ROAD 2×4 is 19 MPG city and 24 highway. The 4×4 version gets 18 MPG city and 22 highway.
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma is a fun, robust and good looking truck to drive with good power with 278 hp @ 6000 rpm and 265 lb.-ft. @ 4600 rpm.
Trims and Pricing for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD
In general the Toyota Tacoma has a good price range from 26K up to $47K. The powerful classic Tacoma pickup truck can be yours for only $26K when selecting the base model Tacoma SR, as trim model features escalate, the price can go up to $47K with the Tacoma TRD Pro. The TRD Off-road I am test driving is priced starting at $34K.
Selecting the right trim model according to your budget and needs is not a difficult task when purchasing a Tacoma, for car year model 2021 you have 6 models to select and you also can order additional features and packages.
The Tacoma is available on different cabin and be configurations. It can be ordered with an extended cab, called Access Cab with a 6.1-foot bed, or as a crew cab, called Double Cab, with a 5-foot bed, and you can choose between two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
- SR
$26,400 Starting MSRP
- SR5
$28,190 Starting MSRP
- TRD SPORT
$33,310 Starting MSRP
- TRD OFF-ROAD (the one I am test driving)
$34,565 Starting MSRP
- LIMITED
$39,155 Starting MSRP
- TRD PRO
$47,030 Starting MSRP
According to Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com, the 2021 Toyota Tacoma is the Best Buy of the Year Among Midsize Pickup Trucks
Engine and Transmission
The Tacoma TRD is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a strong 278 horsepower and 265 pound feet of torque.
The 3.5-liter V6 engine DOHC 24-Valve direct-injection Atkinson-cycle engine includes VVT-iW, Variable Valve Timing-intelligent Wide, intake and VVT-i, Variable Valve Timing with intelligence exhaust. This is a long lasting robust engine that can take you everywhere.
The Tacoma TRD Off Road is equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The Tacoma an be a good alternative instead of an SUV, especially if you need a large rear open space and more towing power.
Impressive Towing Power 6,800 pounds
For those who need strong towing power, the Tacoma is a great choice.
The Tacoma V6 engine with rear-wheel drive can tow up to an impressive power of 6,800 pounds. The trailer package includes hitch, wiring, additional cooling, a larger alternator and trailer roll control.
Interior Design
The interior design of the Tacoma is well created with user friendly and effective controls. It looks and feel like a modern truck.
The cabin has a lot of space ahead but very tall drivers might want more space. The head room in the front seat is reasonable.
The new Tacoma feels smoother with better noise insulation than the previous model and better than its competitors.
The bed of the Tacoma has many intelligent cargo management features, and there is a good amount of space inside the cabin.
Wireless charging, three USB ports, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio control and call answering via Bluetooth® wireless technology, 10-way electric seat adjustment, quick start from a button.
An advanced 8-inch Entune 3.0 media center includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, 4, 2-inch virtual instrument cluster,
JBL premium audio system in the Tacoma includes 6 speakers with amplifier and subwoofer, dual-zone climate control and leather seats are available.
2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Highlights
- 3.5-liter V6 direct-injection engine
- 6800-lb. towing capacity
- Trailer-Sway Control
- Part-time 4WD
- Rigid Industries LED fog lights
- TRD-tuned FOX Internal Bypass shocks
- TRD Pro skid plate
- Multi-Terrain Select
- Crawl Control
- Hill Start Assist Control
- Composite bed with 120V outlet
- Deck rail system
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Amazon Alexa
- Audio Multimedia
- 5-ft. Short Bed
- Variable intermittent and mist windshield wiper
- Power windows and door locks
- Star Safety System
- Toyota Safety Sense
- Driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System
- Driver and front passenger active headrests
- Child-protector rear door locks
- Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
- Rear parking assist sonar
- Engine immobilizer
- Low Emission Vehicle III (LEV-III)
- 6-speed Electronically Controlled automatic Transmission
- Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)
- Variable-assist power rack-and-pinion steering
TSS-P Toyota Safety Sense P
Tacoma Tacoma TRD Off-Road includes added off-road performance, advanced standard safety features, like the complete set of Star Safety System and Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), and parking assistant.
TRD trim cars include the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) features are all standard.
TSS-P includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, and Automatic High Beams.
Every Tacoma is also equipped with the Star Safety System, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop brake override technology (SST).
Tacoma also features the driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver, and front passenger knee airbags, and front and rear Roll-sensing Side Curtain Airbags. Active head restraints for Tacoma’s front seats are designed to move up and slightly forward during a rear-end collision to help reduce the risk of whiplash. Additional standard safety features include a Tire Pressure Monitor System.
The Tacoma is one of the Best Choices in the Midsize Pickup Truck Segment
The Tacoma TRD si very attractive with a vintage exterior design that gets a lot of attention on the road. The midsize pickup truck segment continues to grow and the Tacoma continues improving as one of the best choices on this segment.
The Tacoma has plenty of cargo space, a great 278 horsepower, good space for passengers so it can serve as a family car or as a cargo truck.
Toyota is on of the vehicles that retains most of its value among all the cars on the market, making the Tacoma a good long term investment with high potential resell value.
The Toyota Tacoma TRD Double Cab I am driving has a very good mid-range price around 35K for a very cool truck like this.
Recently the new car year model 2022 Tacoma is also available for purchase, you can buy a 2021 Tacoma or a 2022 Tacoma. Pricing for the 2021 is a little bit lower than the new 2022 but in general both models are very similar. Warranty will be the same on either one, both are brand new car models available.
In terms of resell value is usually recommended to have the newest possible car year model and just for this reason I would buy the 2022 instead of the 2021 Tacoma.
