2021 Toyota Tacoma vs 2021 Nissan Frontier

Last redesigned for the 2016 model year, the Tacoma once dominated midsize-truck sales. In recent years, though, it’s faced stronger competition from the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon twins, the Ford Ranger, and the Jeep Gladiator. A redesigned Nissan Frontier and heavily updated Honda Ridgeline are also on the way.

Meanwhile, the Tacoma enters the 2021 model year largely unchanged. The only updates are two new special editions—the Nightshade Edition and Trail Special Edition—and standard dual-zone automatic climate control.

Pickup truck buyers tend to want choices, and Toyota delivers. In Canada, the Tacoma is available with Access Cab and four-door Double Cab body styles, the latter available with five-foot and six-foot bed lengths, and both available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Access Cab models with the automatic transmission can have SR5 or TRD Off Road packages added, while Double Cab models in various configurations are available with SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Sport Premium, TRD Off Road, TRD Off Road Premium, and TRD Pro packages, or with the Nightshade Special Edition grade. In Canada, all Tacoma models are equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine with variable valve timing and standard four-wheel drive.

Our test vehicle was a Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Double Cab, which comes equipped with the short bed. The TRD Pro is the most off-road focused of the Tacoma models.