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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $47,278–$55,107 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 Toyota Tundra SL is a truck that earns a Carivo score of 7.8/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.4/10, while Value at 6.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 8.4/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.2/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.9/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.6/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $47,278–$55,107, 17 MPG, seating 5, the Toyota Tundra SL sits in the premium tier of the truck category. The value score of 6.8/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2021 Toyota Tundra SL will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on value if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good truck should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 Toyota Tundra SL ranks #53 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 90% of the segment. Its 7.8/10 overall score is 0.4 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $47,278 starting price is about 35% above the segment's median of $35,138.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking → · Best Trucks under $50k →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Toyota Tundra SL scores 7.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.8 — and starts roughly $4,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.9/10 | $53,511 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.8/10 | $51,954 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.8/10 | $50,395 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $48,837 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 7.8/10 | $47,278 | |
| 2020 | 7.8/10 | $45,719 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.6/10 | $44,161 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.5/10 | $42,602 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.5/10 | $41,043 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.5/10 | $39,484 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.4/10 | $37,926 | Read review → |
We rate the 2021 Toyota Tundra SL's reliability 8.4/10 — one of the stronger records in its class.
It scores 7.8/10 overall, ranking #53 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 90% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2021 Toyota Tundra SL starts at $47,278 and ranges up to $55,107 across trims (MSRP when new). At 17 MPG, expect roughly $3,088/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Toyota models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.