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The 2021 Toyota Tundra is one of the most powerful kings of the pickup truck world. They are cool, strong, and as tough as old boots. However, the Tundra is also woefully outdated and still fairly pricey.

2021 Toyota Tundra parked in front of a mountain
2021 Toyota Tundra | Toyota

I’m not in the business of dunking on Toyota 4x4s, but the Tundra has fallen from the lofty heights it once sat, judging the mere mortals of the truck world. Even though the Tundra is a great truck, there are some strong alternatives that are worth checking out. 

Is the 2021 Toyota Tundra a good truck? 

The Tundra has won so many awards and accolades over the years that the trophy case’s doors won’t close. However, the 2021 Tundra is still fundamentally the same truck it was 10 years ago. Yes, Toyota has changed the bodywork here and there, but overall the engine, transmission, and chassis have gone largely unchanged. 

Consumer Reports gave the 2021 Toyota Tundra a 63/100, which really isn’t that bad, but you wouldn’t know that by reading the review. Consumer Reports basically hated everything about the Tundra except the fact that it is very reliable and strong. Other than those two aspects, the reviewers at CR were displeased. 

The problem here is that technology is moving at breakneck speeds, and Toyota has gotten far behind its competitors in fuel efficiency, comfort, and braking. 

What is the best pickup truck? 

I will suggest two alternatives to the 2021 Toyota Tundra. I won’t lie; it’s tough to go to bat against the Tundra. Thanks to its built-in power generator, the 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid is probably the most useful truck ever made. 

The Ford F-150 features an available tailgate work surface.
The Ford F-150 features an available Tailgate Work Surface. | Ford

Unlike the 2021 Toyota Tundra, the F-150 is using technology to change the truck game forever. This thing has four 120-volt outlets below the 30-amp outlet. Each of the two pairs of 120-volt outlets is on a 20-amp circuit rated at 2,400 watts.

Because this thing puts out so much power, you’ll need thick-gauge extension cords to use this high wattage power safely. The 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid can handle most normal power needs from the construction site to the driveway. 

The generator might make you forget you are driving a truck, but it still has to work as a pickup truck first and foremost. The 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid version is powered by a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 EcoBoost engine with a ten-speed automatic transmission.

Paired with the V6 is a 44-hp, 221-lb-ft electric motor that makes 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid F-150 can hit 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds. The 2021 Ford F-150 hybrid is serious in every aspect.

Is the 2021 Ram 1500 a good pickup truck? 

The 2021 Ram 1500 is tied with the 2021 Toyota Tundra on Consumer Reports with an overall score of 63/100. The Ram is the total opposite of the Tundra. According to Consumer Reports, it is not quite as tough and reliable as the Tundra, yet it is miles ahead as far as comfort and driving experience are concerned. 

The 2021 Ram 1500 got killer scores across the board for the ride, comfort, noise, and interior fit and finish. These are all areas that the Tundra really struggled with. The Ram 1500 is the most expensive truck on this list, but the interior quality and engine performance add some justification to the price range of $32,795 – $70,195. 

2021 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock | Ram
2021 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock | Ram

Most truck buyers aren’t looking for comfort and fancy interiors, but the Ram is also packing a variety of serious power plants. The standard 3.6-liter V6 is not all that impressive with 305 hp, but the top-of-the-line Ram TRX gets a 702-hp 6.2-liter supercharged V8. 

The Ram’s superpower is offering a buyer a wide variety of configurations. If you are a farmer and need something with some grunt, there are turbo-diesel options that can pull down the house. Meanwhile, the Ram TRX is a dune-jumping, performance monster truck for those seeking something more thrilling from their truck. 

The 2021 Toyota Tundra is still a prospect

Ok. This is clearly not true, but I wanted to make that play on words. However, there is some truth to it. For many customers, the 2021 Toyota Tundra is the perfect truck for the job. Still, trucks are utilitarian vehicles, and the customer needs to understand what they need from a truck before making a wise purchase.

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Staff Writer

Peter Corn

Peter Corn joined MotorBiscuit as an Autos Writer in 2020 and brings his quippiest Southern drawl to our table. Having, in his words, “helped” rebuild his dad’s 1959 MGA as a small child, Peter grew up loving vintage cars and trucks, adding motorcycles and all things 4×4 as he went.

Peter earned a Bachelor of Archeology and Creative Writing from the University of Alabama and has since melded his love of driving with storytelling. His voice, full of pleasantries and witticisms, can be enjoyed in The Gentleman Racer, The Vintagent, Gear Patrol, Iron & Air Magazine, and Classic Car Club Magazine.

Peter is a co-founder of both The Colloquial Magazine and The Fire Escape, the official podcast of The Colloquial. In an effort to increase his abilities in “ramping anything with wheels,” Peter has taken track training from Classic Car Club Manhattan and attended Rally School at Monticello Motor Club, where he was coached by eight-time Performance Rally motorsport champion Chris Duplessis.

On a lucky day, we get to hear Peter tell the story of his first car, a jewel of a 1958 Ford Fairlane, into which he dumped more time and money than made sense, but he has no regrets.