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The 2021
Toyota Tacoma
TRD Off Road V6 is fit for off-trail excursions. The subcompact double cab
makes taking things off the pavement not only easy for the driver but is also a pleasurable ride for anyone tagging along. Having a great off-road vehicle can make or break an experience. Sure, power and capability are important to get you off the beaten track—but it’s the driving experience that will ultimately keep you out in the rocky terrain or muddy backwoods trail for hours at a time.
In this helpful article, we’ll open things up with whether the truck can go off road, then break down factors like torque, ground clearance, and tires. Plus, we’ve even thrown in some alternatives to keep you en route to your perfect off-roading vehicle.
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Can the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road V6 go off road?
Absolutely—and if you weren’t already tipped off by the name, we’ve got all the verification you need right here. The 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road is as powerful as it sounds, capable of handling rough and uneven terrain.
The Toyota Tacoma is already a practical, comfortable, mud-ready ride—but the TRD Off Road comes with additional features as compared to the standard SR trim. If you’re looking for the best trim when it comes to bang for your buck, you can’t go wrong with the TRD Off Road, starting at $34,315.
Want to know what makes the TRD Off Road the best out of the Toyota Tacoma lineup? Let’s go over some of the key features.
Ground clearance
One of the most important off-roading features you’ll want to keep in mind is ground clearance. The 2021 Tacoma TRD Off Road’s ground clearance is 9.4 inches, which is perfect for off-roading.
Typically, a good ground clearance number resets between 8.8 to 10.8 inches for an optimal off-roading experience. The higher your vehicle sits, the more navigable you will be—instead of damaging your vehicle’s undercarriage, you will more readily tackle tricky gravel terrain or larger obstacles like boulders and rocks. The Tacoma TRD Off Road sits comfortably in the middle of the ideal ground clearance range.
Torque
Torque is another factor to consider when looking for a great off-road vehicle. The best vehicles for off-roading will have low-end torque, which translates to high amounts of torque at lower rpm. What this essentially means is that you’ll have access to more engine power at lower gears.
The 2021 Tacoma TRD Off Road’s standard 3.5-liter V6 can produce up to 265 lb-ft of torque at 4600 RPM. While there are even more powerful trucks on the market, this Toyota is still impressively powerful and equipped to handle weekend off-trail excursions and mudding.
Tires
One of the best aspects of the 2021 Tacoma TRD Off Road are the gnarly 265/70R16 tires. This may not mean anything to you, so we’ll fill you in.
These particular tires are Kevlar-reinforced and rated as
all-terrain
, which makes them fantastic for both daily driving and off-roading adventures alike. The meaty tires are wrapped around standard 16-inch TRD-style wheels and are ready for all seasons and rigorous, rough-to-ride surfaces. Drivetrain
2021 Tacoma TRD Off Road comes with rear-wheel drive and available four-wheel drive. If you want the maximum payload capacity for towing, stick with the standard rear-wheel drive, which is capable of pulling 6,800 pounds—going with four-wheel drive and the V-6 engine will result in lower capabilities, so keep that in mind when comparing across trims.
Angles
You want to consider your off-roading vehicle from all angles...literally. Here’s a breakdown of each of the Tacoma TRD Off Road’s three angles:
- Approach angle: this represents the steepest hill a vehicle can climb without its front bumper hitting the slope
- Departure angle: this represents the steepest angle a vehicle can descend without its rear bumper contacting the slope
- Breakover angle: this is a function of ground clearance and wheelbase, specifically at the center of the vehicle
The standard approach angle of the 2021 Tacoma sits at 29 degrees. To kick it up a notch, opt for the TRD Off Road trim which has 32 and 23.5 respective degrees for approach and departure angles. Moreover, the breakover angle hits at 23 degrees. All of this means that you can clear the ground without worrying about hitting any sharp, jutting objects that would otherwise ruin all the fun (read:
damaging your vehicle’s undercarriage
).Off-road rating: Rough and ready
We’ve rated the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road with
Jerry’s
DIRT rating system, as detailed in the table below: Rating | Meaning | Description |
|---|---|---|
D | Don’t Try It | Vehicles better suited to highway conditions |
I | In a Pinch | Vehicles that can handle off-road conditions in certain circumstances |
R | Rough and Ready | Vehicles designed for casual off-roading |
T | Trail Boss | True off-road vehicles capable of tackling a range of terrain |
The 2021 Tacoma TRD Off Road V6 earns an R rating: while it has many more standard off-roading features than the base level trim, it’s still better suited to lighter-duty weekend adventures. If you need a dedicated off-roading vehicle, turn your sights to something with more oomph—like the
Chevy Colorado ZR2
or the RAM 1500
BackCountry Edition.The best off-road alternatives to the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road V6
If you are looking for a compact pickup with decent off-roading capabilities, the 2021 Toyota Tacoma is a good pick—but the TRD Off Road trim is even better! The standard V6 engine boasts 278 horsepower and additional features lower trims don’t have—including crawl control, improved off-roading suspension, a locking rear differential, and shock absorbers.
That said, maybe you’re not ready to shell out the $34,315 starting price, you’re not a Toyota fan, or maybe you’re not sold on all the features. Whatever the reason, you’ve got options! Here are some of the best alternatives to the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road.
Alternative | Model | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Best affordable alternative | 2021 Ford Ranger | $24,820 | The 2021 Ford Ranger is offered with a standard 270-horsepower, turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder. If you won’t miss the Tacoma’s standard V6, you can opt for a vehicle that’ll cost you almost $10,000 less. |
Best premium alternative | 2021 Chevy Colorado | $27,100 | If you’re looking for upgrades, you’ll find a host of options with the Chevy Colorado. In addition to overall durability and power, you can also ride in comfort—the quiet cabin has ample storage and can be equipped with leather-appointed heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and Bose sound system. |
Best bold riding alternative | 2021 Nissan Frontier | $27,090 | The mid-size pickup comes with a 310-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine capable of 281 lb-ft of torque. The beast comes in either rear- or four-wheel drive and can seat up to five people so everyone can come along. |
How to find affordable car insurance for off-road vehicles
Unfortunately, off-roading can be expensive in a myriad of ways—from purchasing the perfect vehicle to fuel costs to insurance. If you’re off-roading, your vehicle is at a greater risk of sustaining and needing repairs than simply driving on a smooth road to the grocery store. So what are your options for keeping costs low?
For one, you should look into reducing your insurance rate with
Jerry
. Using the licensed broker and car insurance
comparison app makes finding affordable coverage quick, easy, and painless. Simply download the free app and Jerry will use your driver profile to search for the best rates from more than 55 leading insurance companies. It only takes 45 seconds to sign up and the average user saves over $800 each year on their car insurance. Don’t worry, you can still go out and explore the wilds and find excellent coverage within budget—no paperwork, phone calls, or long waits required!
“Jerrywas easy to use, and they saved me a lot of money on my truck. I would definitely recommend them.” —Johannes T.
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By Maxine Boyko
Updated on Feb 27, 2023
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