Used 2021 Toyota Tundra CrewMax

Winner: Best Resale Value Award
#6 in Best Full-Size Pickups for 2021

The 2021 Toyota Tundra full-size pickup has a fine reputation for quality, reliability, and durability. Over the many years it has been on sale, the Tundra has indeed proved itself as a stayer. But that becomes something of a downside — the Tundra has not seen a new generation since 2007. An aging platform and fierce competition from newer, better-equipped and more capable rivals have put the Tundra on the defensive.

To keep the Tundra in contention, Toyota equips it with a number of standard safety features (adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams), as well as tech must-haves like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration.

The standard 5.7-liter V8 has plenty of power for towing or hauling, although the Tundra doesn’t enjoy best-in-class figures in either area (those belong to the Chevrolet Silverado and Ford F-150). There’s also the off-road TRD Pro that splashes around with the F-150 Raptor and Silverado Trailboss.

Packing a V8 engine as standard is unusual for a half-ton pickup truck these days. Toyota’s 5.7-liter unit makes 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque.

The Tundra’s maximum towing ability is an acceptable 10,200 pounds. That’s probably sufficient for the majority of buyers, but the new Silverado can handle 13,400 pounds and the Ford F-150 13,200 pounds. The new Ram 1500 diesel gets a reported 32 mpg on the highway and can tow 12,600 pounds.

For off-roaders, the 4-wheel-drive TRD Pro can tackle challenging off-road conditions like steep hills, fast-moving creeks, and generally rough terrain, despite the lack of a mechanical locking rear differential.

As a daily driver, however, the Tundra can feel rough. The ride is stiff, the handling sloppy and noise levels in the cabin are higher than in comparable rivals from Ram and Ford.

There are luxury touches on higher trims that make the Tundra feel less like a work truck. Still, it lacks some of the more advanced features found in its domestic rivals, such as the Ram’s infotainment setup with a massive touchscreen, or the advanced trailering aids in the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra.

RELATED: Best Full-Size Pickups for 2021

Pickup cabins tend to run from bare-bones utility to lavish, leather-wrapped family accommodation. This applies just as much to the 2021 Tundra range.

Both the Double and CrewMax cabs seat up to six with a 3-person bench up front, or five with the pair of more comfortable front bucket seats. The entry-level SR trim has that front bench covered with fabric (some manufacturers use vinyl, which is available here in the Work Truck package), while also featuring a 6.1-inch touch screen for the infotainment system.

Speaking of touch, all the main controls can be manipulated easily by a gloved hand. Speaking of leather, the 1794 Edition has really nice perforated upholstery.

The Double cab version of the 2021 Tundra has four doors, but the rears are slightly disguised. This cab can be paired with a 6.5-foot bed or an 8-foot bed. The larger CrewMax cab comes only with a 5.5-foot bed.

The SR5 and 1794 Edition models have their own particular front-end stylings that are variations on the “big grille” theme. The TRD Pro is available with either a CrewMax or Double cab.

One cool feature only in the CrewMax versions is a power vertical-sliding rear window. Just like the power rear windows on the big station wagons of the past, this feature allows the entire rear glass window to lower, opening up the cab to maximum fresh air. At the rear end, the lockable tailgate is damped to stop it from slamming down.

REPLACEABLE BUMPER PANELS
Using a pickup the way it was intended will probably result in bumping into something. No worries, as the 2021 Toyota Tundra has a 3-piece bumper that allows easy replacement of individual sections. This design saves money, as the panels are less expensive than an entire single-piece cover.

APPLE CARPLAY/ANDROID AUTO INTEGRATION
Standard in all trims. Tundra owners can integrate their smartphones into the truck’s head unit, allowing access to apps, emails, and text messages, as well as music and navigation features.

The base SR Tundra has a 5.7-liter V8, powered windows and locks, heated side mirrors, 18-inch steel wheels, fabric-covered front bench seat (that splits and folds in a 40/20/40 arrangement), lockable/damped tailgate, rearview camera, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, 7-inch infotainment touch screen, Bluetooth, USB port, auxiliary audio input, and 6-speaker sound system.

Standard safety equipment includes Toyota’s Safety Sense P system, bringing pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams.

With the exception of the TRD Pro version, which quite naturally has it as standard, 4-wheel drive is optional in every other 2021 Tundra variant.

At the SR5 level comes a sliding rear window and storage beneath the rear seats. An SR5 upgrade package adds leather bucket seats and a power-adjustable driver’s seat.

Navigation comes standard in Limited and TRD Pro, along with keyless entry/ignition (also in the SR5 with the TRD package).

The Limited trim brings an upgraded audio system, 20-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated/power-adjustable front seats, plus chromed mirror caps and door handles. The TRD Pro has its specialized off-road equipment. The Platinum and 1794 Edition models have heated/ventilated front seats, moonroof, blind-spot monitoring, and a JBL premium audio system.

An excellent 5.7-liter V8 is standard in every 2021 Toyota Tundra. With 381 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque, this V8 has no issues with pulling, hauling and accelerating. Although its fuel consumption is only bearable as long as gasoline remains around $3 a gallon.

A 6-speed automatic is also standard. More gears would improve fuel economy, but this unit works perfectly well and has an excellent reputation for durability.

The Tundra uses regular gasoline and can also accommodate E85. Two-wheel-drive (2WD) Tundras include an automatic limited-slip rear differential for better traction in snow and sand. Unlike a conventional limited-slip axle, this setup uses the vehicle’s brakes to limit wheelspin. Four-wheel-drive models use an on-demand system with a high/low range. While both 2WD and 4WD models are rated by the EPA at 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway, the 2WD version gets 15 mpg combined, one mpg better than the 4WD model.

5.7-liter V8
381 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
401 lb-ft of torque @ 3,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/17 mpg (2WD & 4WD)