The 2021 Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup truck with a powerful V-8 engine and several choices for bed sizes and body styles.New for 2021 it gets two additional trims, in Nightshade and Trail Special Editions. You can choose an extended cab or crew cab, and it’s available with three bed lengths. All Tundras have automatic emergency braking, which is something not many trucks offer as standard equipment.
The Tundra’s 381-hp 5.7-liter V-8 has some power and the engine roars when you step on the gas. The acceleration is surprisingly smooth considering the large V-8 engine. The 6-speed automatic a good pair for the V-8 engine but gas mileage could be a little better. That combination enables the Tundra to tow 10,200 pounds or carry 1,730 pounds in its bed.
I test drove the Limited Crewmax in Nightshade Special Edition
Driver Experience
Driving the Toyota Tundra is just plain fun and it can take you anywhere you want to go. Gas mileage isn’t the greatest but that’s not why you buy this truck. It handles great and the steering is quite responsive despite its size. It is easy to navigate rough terrain. When you floor the gas the engine has a nice roar and this is the type of truck that gets stuff done.
Interior
The interior of the truck is quite spacious for passengers. One of the most noticeable features is the cup holders, which are ten in total. A little more storage space would be a nice future addition but it is adequate for most drivers.
The JBL Premium sound system with 12 speakers is the way to go, this way you can jam out on whatever adventure you decide. The cab has good acoustics and most audiophiles will be happy with this set up.
The interior has an old school truck feeling to it with its massive dashboard. It is broad and square, and there are hardly any curved surfaces. The gauge cluster is quite standard, and the center console features a basic button set that is aligned vertically. A noticeable feature is the shift lever, which is huge. In the Tundra TRD, the focus is on function over form.
Exterior
Nightshade Special Editon—black 20-in. wheels, darkened chrome grille, black mirror caps, black exhaust tip, black door handles, black badging, Black leather-trimmed seats. The exterior color choices are Midnight Black Metallic or Magnetic Gray Metallic. For more customization, the Special Edition will also be available in Windchill Pearl and Super White for an additional cost.
From the outside, the Tundra looks imposing and definitely has masculine features . It comes with a massive grille, great ride height, and huge headlights and taillights. Its Black 20-inch wheels give the exterior a proper finish. The back doors are full size and they open wide. The truck has an impressive exterior, you will be noticed driving this around town. The Nightshade Special Editon comes with black 20-in. wheels, darkened chrome grille, black mirror caps, black exhaust tip, black door handles, black badging, Black leather-trimmed seats
Engine / Powertrain
For such a massive truck, a strong engine is needed. Under the hood, it comes with a 5.7-liter V8 engine with variable valve timing. It can deliver 381 HP and up to 401 lb/ft of torque. The massive engine is mated to a six-speed auto and mechanical locking differential. With this much power, the Tundra can tow 10,200 pounds and haul over 1,730 pounds with ease. This is a great work truck and can meet the needs of someone in the construction or home improvement biz. .
Safety
The award winning Toyota suite of safety features is a huge value and All Tundra versions are fitted with the standard safety equipment by Toyota. It features adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high beam headlights.
Conclusion
The Toyota Tundra is a great truck that inspires confidence. It feels rugged in all the right spots, and you know when you are in the driver’s seat that you can get through any terrain. It’s fun to drive and if you are looking for a tough truck that can get the job done off road and on road, it should be up for consideration. In my opinion the value exceeds the MSRP with all things considered.
You can start your research here for all the official info on the Tundra
https://www.toyota.com/tundra/
MSRP Starting at $34,025
$53,354 as tested
