LOOKS

With a decade-plus on its resume, this iteration of the 2021 Tundra is not going to be as physically striking as its more-updated competition.

I will say this: While not as modern, the exterior of the Tundra holds up well, with a tall, bold and rugged look like a truck should have. 18-inch wheels are standard, and halogen lights with LED daytime running lights are included, along with halogen fog lights. Running boards on the side of the vehicle are very helpful to help people get in and out. They only cost a few hundred dollars to add, and are worth the expense.

Inside, the materials are pretty basic, but the vehicle is quite versatile. The rear seating can be folded down in various configurations (40/20/40) to fit your storage and passenger needs.

The rear seating is also very roomy in terms of legroom and headroom, among the most space you'll find inside any truck. So all passengers will be very comfortable.

Overall though, the styling is clearly outdated in the Tundra compared to its competition, so it makes sense that a new look is coming for 2022.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

One positive about the Tundra is that it boasts standard V8 power … and not all trucks can claim that. This 5.7-liter, V8 engine really gets you moving, no matter the situation.

Numbers on the engine are 381 horsepower and 401 lb.-ft. of torque, and it is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

There’s decent towing ability, as well as off-roading capability if you choose the lifted TRD Pro model. Towing numbers max out at 10,200 pounds, and payload tops out at 1,730 pounds.

The off-road friendly TRD model of the Tundra is also many thousands of dollars more affordable than comparable vehicles from rivals, including the Ford Raptor.

The bad part about the Tundra being so powerful is weak fuel mileage … but more on that later. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the Tundra, and four-wheel drive is optional.

With such a large vehicle, the ride in the Tundra will not be completely smooth, especially on the highway. It can get a bit bouncy.  But the experience is not terrible and when you do need its power and capabilities, you'll easily forgive this inconvenience.

Of course, as with any large truck, you need to be careful where you are driving. It’s not a good fit for tight paths or driving between pillars to go to the ATM.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

The infotainment system in the Tundra, like the overall design, is a bit dated with dials and controls that have not been changed in years. They are, however, very easy to use by both voice and touch controls, so if it's not a major issue to me (though I am curious what the new look will be in 2022).

The voice recognition system is extremely reliable. Whether you are trying to call somebody from your phone connected via Bluetooth, tune to radio stations by name or genre, get directions to where you need to go, or find a place of interest such as a certain type of restaurant, it understands you on the first attempt almost every single time. This limits your need to use the physical buttons.

On the tech front, all Tundras feature: an 8-inch Audio Plus touch screen, hands-free Bluetooth for phone and music streaming, USB media and charge ports, three months free trial of satellite radio, compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for phone mirroring, and more. A Wi-Fi connection is also offered.

Moving on to the safety features of the Tundra, it’s a contender for best in class in this area.

First, the integrated backup camera is very helpful for maneuvering in tight situations, especially with a large vehicle like this. Government safety ratings are very high (all four or five stars), so you and your passengers can feel safe.

The Tundra’s standard safety features include: Adaptive cruise control, lane departure
warning, and automatic high-beam headlights, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. The Tundra also features brake assist, traction control and vehicle stability control, as well as trailer brake control and trailer sway control.

Another optional package is called the convenience package, and for less than $1,000 you get: Front and rear parking assist sonar, blind spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert.

MPG

The official numbers for fuel mileage on the Tundra are 13 city/17 highway/14 combined; My real-life numbers were closer to 10 mpg. So not very good, to be kind. Expect that number to grow with the 2022 model, but if you pick up the 2021 option you can expect to fill up more often than with other trucks.

PRICE

The 2021 Tundra i tested was priced just under $49,000; and its base price starts about $34K. No truck can be called inexpensive these days, but it’s clear that a decked-out Tundra will run you significantly less than a decked-out F-150, Silverado or Ram.

And even when prices align with some of the competition, you’re usually getting more features for the money with the Tundra option.

Factor in that Toyota longevity and reliability, and price is really on the Tundra’s side.

BOTTOM LINE

It’s safe to say the Tundra will never top the U.S. truck sales charts (its 100K+ sales count for 2020 compared to a 780K count for the F-150, as a reference).

But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its place in the ecosystem of trucks. The arrival of a new model presents Toyota loyalists a choice: Grab a 2021 Tundra at a discount, or wait for the new 2022 model. Either way, you’re going to have a strong vehicle sitting in your driveway that offers plenty of power and capability.

Off-road enthusiasts who don’t wish to splurge on a Raptor may also find a more wallet-friendly alternative with the Tundra TRD Pro model.

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Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.