2021 Toyota Tundra — Full Specifications
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The 2021 Toyota Tundra is a pickup powered by a 5.7L 8-cyl regular gasoline engine. Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 18 mpg (UK) / 15 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 17–18 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Toyota Tundra workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2020 Toyota Tundra: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 18 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It carries the same 4★ overall NHTSA rating.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 5.7L 8-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Pickup |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 18 combined / 16 urban / 20 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 15 combined / 13 city / 17 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 373 g/km |
| EPA Greenhouse Gas Score | 2 / 10 (10 = lowest emissions) |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,450 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2021 Toyota Tundra, all with the 5.7L 8-cyl engine. Combined fuel economy ranges from 14 to 15 mpg (US), or 17 to 18 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 14 (13/17) | 395 | $4,800 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 15 (13/17) | 373 | $4,450 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2021 Toyota Tundra
Running Costs: 2021 Toyota Tundra
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2021 Toyota Tundra at 18 mpg combined, expect roughly 2,020 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $4,450 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2021 Toyota Tundra Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2021 Toyota Tundra (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Steering (2), Exterior lighting (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Steering — campaign 21E103000, reported 23 December 2021. Risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Steering — campaign 21V920000, reported 23 November 2021. Risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Exterior lighting — campaign 21V688000, reported 2 September 2021. Risk: An overheated electrical connector can increase the risk of a fire.
Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota Tundra. The most-reported areas are Unspecified (6), Electrical system (4), Seats (4). Complaints include 1 reported crash, 1 reported fire, 1 reported injury. That is well below the median of 110 complaints across the 16 Toyota Tundra model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2021 Toyota Tundra
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Steering (2 recall campaigns) — Check for play, noise or heavy steering, and ask whether any steering recall work was done.
- Lighting (1 recall campaign) — Check every exterior light works and look for moisture inside the lamp housings.
- Electrical system (4 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Seats (4 owner complaints) — Check seat adjusters, head restraints and seat-mounted sensors work, and confirm seat recalls were completed.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Toyota Tundra compare to similar pickups? For context, pickups in our database average around 25 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 18 mpg figure is 7 mpg below that average. Its 373 g/km CO₂ figure is 90 g/km higher than the 283 g/km average for pickups on this site. This comparison is based on 264 pickups in our dataset.
Toyota models in our database average about 34 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2021 Toyota Tundra's 18 mpg is 16 mpg below that make average. Its 373 g/km CO₂ figure is 157 g/km higher than the 216 g/km Toyota average.
Of the 17 Toyota Tundra model years we cover, the 2021 ranks 16th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (18 mpg UK combined, against a high of 24 mpg). See every Toyota Tundra year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2021 Toyota Tundra
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2021 Toyota Tundra have?
It's fitted with a 5.7L 8-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (s6) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Toyota Tundra?
The most efficient configuration returns around 18 mpg (UK) combined, or 15 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 17 to 18 mpg.
How much does the 2021 Toyota Tundra cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $4,450 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2021 Toyota Tundra have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2021 Toyota Tundra have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2021 Toyota Tundra (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Steering (2), Exterior lighting (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 Toyota Tundra?
Among the 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Unspecified (6 complaints), Electrical system (4 complaints), Seats (4 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Toyota Tundra's fuel economy good for a pickup?
It returns around 18 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 25 mpg among the pickups we track.