Engineer's Final Review of the 2021 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. TRD Pro is the limited edition model.
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- Опубліковано 16 січ 2025
- Engineer's Final Review of the 2021 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. TRD Pro is the limited edition model that provides a world-class off-roading capability. It has the best suspension, features, and resale value among the various Tundra models.
2021 is the last year for the current generation of the Toyota Tundra. An all-new model will debut later this fall, replacing this current version. But Toyota will not release the TRD Pro version of the new 2022 model until at least one year later, so the current 2021 Tundra TRD Pro is the last chance to buy this special edition until the new TRD Pro comes out in about 2 years.
Even though the 2021 Tundra TRD Pro is getting outdated, is it still a competitive truck against others? Is it still worth buying this version before the new one arrives this fall as the 2022? This is the most comprehensive review by a professional automotive engineer with intimate knowledge of the automotive industry and engineering.
My reviews are very different because I have over 30 years of experience working as an Automotive Engineer and Evaluation Specialist. My education background includes Mechanical Engineering degree combined with Executive Certification from both MIT and Harvard in Boston.
I will share with you insights and wisdom that no other reviewers can share, because of my direct and relevant experience in evaluating cars as a specialist. To put it simply, I won’t waste your time talking about “brochure info” like horsepower, fuel economy, or option list that can easily be obtained through the web or at your dealership. 80% of car reviewers spend 80% of their time talking about things that you can get on your own. Instead, I will focus my energy and my review on things that you CANNOT get from the web or on your own: the driving feel, the road experience, and industry insights about this vehicle.
I will also “audit” the car using special automotive quality technique, and show you the level of quality through auditing body gaps, body tolerances, and paint reflection. Finally, I will talk extensively about how the car or truck feels on actual road when compared to its competitors, because the ride and drive feel are critical to your overall ownership satisfaction. Let me share with you insights that no one else can.
Automotive Press International is an industry-recognized expert in the field of automotive evaluation.
I just bought a 2019 Platinum with 4000 miles. Came from a 2006 Ford Harley Davidson. I'm loving the Tundra. I hope I can keep this beautiful piece of work for a long time...
the quality of these trucks is unbeaten....great video... the 21 model will be the most sought after..
You were right!
@@jerad4336 when i heard V6 i just new it was no good
AWESOME. 1 BADASS TRUCK ON PLANET EARTH. BEEN IN LOVE WITH JAPANESE TECHNOLOGY.
I bought mine in late December, I chose lunar rock and I love it.
Excellent choice and color!
You are 100% correct the 2021 tundra has been refined and it has everything you could possibly need. And the best part is it will be running long passed all the other trucks have died.
I think the current Tundra could easily last 20 years or more!
55k MSRP in 2021 with no cooled seats, no heated steering wheel, and no wireless Carplay? You really need to look at what 55k can get you in another truck. I’m a TRD Pro owner. I’m just trying to be honest here. I’m stuck with what I have though. Just giving others something to consider prior to making a 55k commitment
@@loudnoises4627 As I mentioned, I tend to focus on driving experience, quality, body design, and overall reliability of cars and trucks when I review them because of my automotive engineering background. These factors are more important than whether the truck has a wireless car play. By the way, 90% of car companies offering apple carplay are not offering the wireless type yet, they are mostly the wired type. As for the other featuers, each country offer different features so in some regions, those features are standard. What year is yours? They added a lot of features in the last couple of years.
A lot of those Ford EcoBoost📴 have to have their engines replaced prematurely , some of them blow up into 20 some thousand Miles and by the time they get to a hundred they are in bad shape and are oil burners. They also foul out plugs 🌚and have the check engine lights to come on with all the blow by. The EcoBoost is one of the most lackluster engines out there. 🤮
@@randyjackson347 At the end of the day, you still have to look at the hard facts and data. Checking facts with JD Power quality surveys reveal some interesting facts....
These trucks hold good resale value for a reason.
Yes the Tundra's have one of the best resale values in the whole industry
@@AutomotivePress Tacoma is the best as far as resale and holding value.
@@randyjackson347 Yes the Tacoma has a slightly better resale value than the Tundra
That 5.7L engine will become legendary when it's discontinued. I'm keeping my 2014 for a very very long time.
Yes the 5.7 V-8 is a beauty for sure.
@@mjuberian I will still love driving mine but will have to find a $2000 Corolla to run errands. Then when the dems get voted out, it’s back to normal in 2023.
@@mjuberian if Beijing Biden puts gas at $8, NOBODY will like it.
@@boughtandpaidforautoreview1150 Yep. It’s MAGA time already!
I once owned a Ford Ranger s/c, v6, 4wd that averaged 14.5 mpg, about the same as a Tundra. I can get better from a Tundra, but I idle to warm up before I drive. In the summer, I can avg 15.6.
Nice review, very classy!
Thank you so much for watching my channel!
Toyota Tundra number1
What are your thoughts about Toyota removing the transmission cooler in the Tundra thanks
Good question... yes it's odd that Toyota did that but from an engineering's point of view, the new synthetic ATF fluids can withstand much higher temp - as much as 30% more. So they likely did a calculation and investigation and found out that the synthetic fluids can handle the higher temps without the cooler. So they removed it likely to save money or to simplify the components. I think it should be fine without the cooler but I would still say that I was surprised by the removal. Perhaps they will add it again for the new 2022 model.
No hood scoop in Canada?
I agree 100% with you. I have the 2015 SR5 crewmax and 90,000 miles and not one problem. 5.7V8. What trim level is the one you would choose for towing?
The only thing to add to this review is since the Tundra is basically 14 years old it was never designed for the Front Offset crash test and so it fails it. That and fuel economy are the downsides of the truck, oh and mice can get into the cabin. Good truck otherwise.
Is that parking sensors I see in the bumpers? Thought TRD Pro didn’t come with it?
So each country has slightly different configurations. Here in Canada, the TRD Pro Tundra have standard parking sensors.
@@AutomotivePress Canadian vehicles often have upgrades that are not available in USA models that goes for cars and SUVs as well..
@@randyjackson347 Yes but sometimes the opposite happens. For example, our Tacoma TRD Pro doesn't have parking sensors but in the US, it's standard.
@@AutomotivePress I have never heard of it being opposite.. That is one case for sure.. Canadian models usually are equipped better.. When I first was made aware of it I was looking at a video of a 2017 Honda Accord Sport. It was showing the interior and I saw that it had push start.. I was amazed.. For me that would be a deal-breaker reason that I would not buy a US version.
@@randyjackson347 Actually it's usually 50/50. Half the time US cars have more equip and other times the CDN cars have more. It depends on the currency exchange. the US also have much wider selection, so for Tacoma and Tundra, they have 25% more different levels of combo. For example, they can get the Tacoma TRD Sport in both short and long version, and the Tech pkg with JBL can be had on regular TRD models.
I was all set to likely waiting for the 2022-23 because I wanted better fuel economy than the 5.7 gets, but I'm very tempted to go 2021 in order to get one of the last great V8s. Sure, it'd cost more in fuel, but it'll almost certainly cot less in maint and repairs. At this point I'm probably missed my opportunity because I want a TRD Pro double cab and they are like unicorns. I wonder if there's still time to special order one...
Personally, I'm waiting for the Toyota Tundra 2023 or 2024.
That's a wise decision!
@@AutomotivePress Thanks!
@@AutomotivePress Why? No V-8 engine?
@@texan2u Depending on what you value about trucks, but the new version will be more fuel efficient, handle better, will have much more features, and maybe even faster with a turbo V-6. So even without a V-8 engine, I think the new 2022 Tundra will be a better truck than the current one (unless of course you love V-8 trucks, in which case you will need to buy the 2021).
@@AutomotivePress Thanks for the "heads up", but my '14 SR5 drags my trailer load of mexico Metal Art down the desert highways of deep south TEXAS, without a whine or whimper, and looks and sounds great doing so. I sure may have to get a 2021 if it's the last V-8. I wouldn't trade my Tundra for a half dozen Fords, or all the Dodges they make this week.
I just picked up a 21 with 10k miles on it and love it. The 22 does not do it for me at all!.
Will they be selling the 2021 Tundra TRD Pro till December or the 2022 Tundra? I hope I can still get this one in December.
The production of 2021 Tundra would stop by early summer, so I don't think they will be avail for very much longer. In fact, there aren't that much stock anymore of the 2021s. You might want to buy it soon.
You damn right it's still a good truck...
Yes
Does it have BSM?
Yes, Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) are standard on most of the Tundra models.
In Canada only, US residents can't get bsm in the trd pro
Good review, but there I get the sense that I’m taking your word for a lot of this. A possible solution would be coming up with some measurable tests which you can run for each vehicle and keep a history of to later compare. For example, something like a sound measure of the ride on the same road or something. Also you can’t make this video without talking about the price of the truck. I agree with everything you’re saying but I know first hand only because I own a TRD Pro. Although not the 2021.
In my opinion, for the price Toyota is asking for this truck, there is absolutely no reason it doesn’t come with cooled seats. Also no wireless Carplay in 2021?! The technology has been out for over 5 years. Asking 55k for this truck is crazy.
Thank you for your comments. As I mentioned in my previous reviews, I already said that I will not waste viewer's time to talk about things like pricing, standard equipment, options, colors, etc - these things are all readily accessible on the web. Instead, I choose to share more organic attributes that are not easily found on the net. 90% of car reviews spend 90% of time talking about things that all of us can access easily. My reviews are different, since I am a certified, professional automotive engineer with 30 years of experience. This is why I spend more time talking about the body integrity, paint quality, reliability, driving feel, steering feel etc these are attributes that other reviewers don't really talk about. But these are the important factors that determine if you will be happy with the ownership of the car or truck. If you compare the TRD Pro's pricing with a fully equipped Ford or Dodge full size trucks, you will be shocked. They are 10 to 20K more expensive... yes they do offer more luxury features but the beauty of the TRD Pro lineup is the simplicity and the overall value. The Tundra TRD Pro's resale value after 3 years is more than 10% better than any other trucks too. Anyhow, many thanks for your comments.
Is the background city u shot this video in, Toronto?
No the background is in Vancouver, BC. Thanks for asking.
@@AutomotivePress Vancouver BC along west 6th Ave between Cambie and Granville if I'm not mistaken. How did it feel driving a full size in that residential area because I know its often tight around there?
@@StormShadow008 Driving the Tundra in busy traffic, tight residential areas and downtown is not a problem, but parking this thing is not easy! Driving the large Tundra is fine once you get used to it, but parking is always an issue - it's just too big for this city.
What else would you like to know about this vehicle? Please let me know by commenting below and I will do my best to respond to your questions.
I drive a 2012 Sequoia Platinum which I bought new. Currently 215,000 km. I agree with your assessment with the incoming new models and am hesitant to purchase the first model year. I think I will be purchasing a 2021 Sequoia in the fall. I hear that the Sequoia will be a carry over model for 2022 with the new body/engine coming for fall 2022. Thank you for your video. I would appreciate a review on a Sequoia Platinum.
@@michaelhorvath5556 Sequoia is a beautiful car and I would love to review it at some point. The new version will come out next year in 2022 as a 2023 model year - it will be vastly improved but if you like the current version, then yes you might want to buy it before the new model comes out. Wishing you much success!
I think I will be taking your advice regarding first generation/new model release.... thanks again.
Mike
Saskatchewan Canada
@@michaelhorvath5556 You're very welcome!
I thought Pro editions made in Japan .
All Tundra models are made in Texas factory (none in Japan). All 4Runners are made in Tahara factory in Japan, near Nagoya. Tacoma's are produced in both Texas and Mexico, though the entire Tacoma production is moving to Mexico. Hope this helps.