Why Would Anyone Buy the 2021 Toyota Tundra?
If you want the 2021 Toyota Tundra, you might be better off with a used option. Or you can wait for the new and improved 2022 Toyota Tundra to roll out soon. But for now, the 2021 model seems to be a little overpriced and underachieving compared to rivals.
Reasons to avoid the 2021 Toyota Tundra
You can get started in the 2021 Toyota Tundra for about $33,675, which isn’t exactly a bargain. The Ford F-150 begins around $28,940, and the Ram 1500 starts around $32,245, so the Tundra is on the pricier end of things.
Plus, the Toyota Tundra is old. It last had a full redesign in 2007. That means the styling, interior, and more are pretty ancient compared to the Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, and Ram 1500. It’s the oldest pickup in its class!
What’s new for the 2021 Toyota Tundra doesn’t exactly offset its age, but it gets a new Nightshade edition that goes all black. Plus, the new Trail Special Edition will come out with only 5,000 models available. Other than that, it’s the same old Tundra.
The 2021 Toyota Tundra has a poor performance
The 2021 Toyota Tundra comes with a standard 5.7-liter V8 engine, which sounds pretty good. However, it only offers 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. This truck that’s supposed to be a beast can only tow up to 10,200 lb. Meanwhile, the Ford F-150 can tow up to 14,000 lb, and the Chevy Silverado can tow up to 13,400 lb. Why is the Tundra so far behind?
According to CarandDriver, the powertrain feels lazy. It feels clumsy at highway speeds, which doesn’t boast a lot of confidence. Plus, the ride quality is choppy, meaning you can feel bumps in the pavement. But the Toyota Tundra TRD Pro model does feel more agile.
Plus, we have to point out the fact that the Toyota Tundra has the worst fuel economy. It only gets an EPA estimated 13 mpg in the city and up to 17 mpg on the highway. So, while constantly correcting the steering at highway speeds, keep an eye on your fuel level.
The Toyota Tundra isn’t comfortable
CarandDriver reviewed the 2021 Toyota Tundra and noted that the interior feels cheap and outdated. The features are oversized, and the dash materials are full of plastic and feel rubbery. That’s disappointing for the truck’s high price tag.
According to Edmunds, there are large blind spots over the shoulders, and the blind-spot monitoring system doesn’t always detect obstacles. The lack of visibility makes maneuvering this large truck difficult.
But on a positive note, the back seat is pretty large for passengers and cargo. It can fit two extra suitcases compared to rivals. However, storage bins are lacking, and the extended cab is the only model with a storage compartment under the rear seat.
The infotainment center is tiny, with buttons that can be hard to read. It seems adequate, and it at least comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to feel modern. But the six-speaker unit doesn’t get very loud to drown out road noise.
