2021 Toyota Tacoma MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma is rated 18 to 21 mpg combined across 6 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 2.7L 4-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2021 Toyota Tacoma · 6 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

21MPG combined

20 city 23 highway

$3,100 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score4/10

2.7L 4-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic

Best version costs $4,000 more in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.32 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Sep 27, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $3,100 to $3,600 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2020.

Every 2021 Tacoma version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
2.7L 4-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Tacoma 2WD	21 mpg	20 / 23	$3,100
3.5L 6-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Tacoma 2WD	21 mpg	19 / 24	$3,100
2.7L 4-cyl · Part-time 4WD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Tacoma 4WD	20 mpg	19 / 22	$3,250
3.5L 6-cyl · Part-time 4WD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Tacoma 4WD	20 mpg	18 / 22	$3,250
3.5L 6-cyl · Part-time 4WD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: Tacoma 4WD	18 mpg	17 / 21	$3,600
3.5L 6-cyl · Part-time 4WD · 6-speed manual · D-CAB MT TRD-ORP PRO EPA listing: Tacoma 4WD D-CAB MT TRD-ORP/PRO	18 mpg	17 / 20	$3,600

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.32 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
2.7L 4-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic	$3,086	$257	$15,429
3.5L 6-cyl · RWD · 6-speed automatic	$3,086	$257	$15,429
2.7L 4-cyl · Part-time 4WD · 6-speed automatic	$3,240	$270	$16,200
3.5L 6-cyl · Part-time 4WD · 6-speed automatic	$3,240	$270	$16,200
3.5L 6-cyl · Part-time 4WD · 6-speed manual	$3,600	$300	$18,000
3.5L 6-cyl · Part-time 4WD · 6-speed manual · D-CAB MT TRD-ORP PRO	$3,600	$300	$18,000

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Toyota Tacoma MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 21 to 23 mpg (every year from 2016 to 2026); 23 since 2024. Hybrid: 23 to 24 mpg (2024 to 2026); highest in 2024.

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2021: gas 21 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Toyota Tacoma best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2016	21	–
2017	21	–
2018	21	–
2019	21	–
2020	21	–
2021	21	–
2022	21	–
2023	21	–
2024	23	24
2025	23	23
2026	23	23

How the 2021 Tacoma compares

2021 midsize pickups covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2021 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Jeep Gladiator Best: diesel	24 mpg	19 mpg	$3,400
Chevrolet Colorado Best: diesel	23 mpg	22 mpg	$2,950
Ford Ranger Best: gas	23 mpg	23 mpg	$2,800
Toyota Tacoma This page Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$3,100
Honda Ridgeline Best: gas	21 mpg	21 mpg	$3,100
Nissan Frontier Best: gas	20 mpg	20 mpg	$3,250

2021 Tacoma recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 80 owner complaints for the 2021 Tacoma.What they cover, and crash test ratings

Questions

Does 4WD lower the 2021 Toyota Tacoma's gas mileage?

Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, 4WD lowers the combined rating by 1 mpg: the 2.7L 4-cyl gets 21 mpg combined with two-wheel drive and 20 with 4WD.

Does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2021 Toyota Tacoma version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2021 Tacoma's MPG compare with the 2020?

For 2021, the best gas version is rated 21 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 18, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.32, midgrade $4.93, premium $5.32, diesel $6.29 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Sep 27, 2026 and complaint file dated Sep 26, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.