There are a lot of rumors about the new 2021 Toyota Tacoma. The company wrote off the chances of the diesel engine to appear for the full-size Tundra. But, fans of the smaller truck still believe in this kind of a drivetrain. On the other hand, speculations about the hybrid pickup are louder every day. It seems like Toyota will have to choose between these two.
The latest news is reporting that a greener option is closer. But, the Japanese company is always full of surprises. So, until the new 2021 Tacoma appears, we don’t know what it will bring under the hood. Well, a petrol V6 remains the center of the standard configuration. The new generation of the truck arrives in 2022 and then we will see more styling changes. The company will focus on engines in 2021.
Petrol Engines
The base drivetrain for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma remains a 2.7-liter four-cylinder petrol unit. However, any serious trucker will search for more power. The small block is capable to create 160 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. However, the towing capacity counts, so the V6 is a more logical choice if you want 7,000 pounds. In this situation, Tacoma will deliver 280 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. Interesting, Toyota offers a manual transmission, although it returns worse fuel economy. A six-speed automatic gearbox is still a better choice, either for the 2WD or 4WD model.
2021 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid Specs
Definitely, this is a future of the entire truck industry. Not only that mid-size models are getting hybrid configurations, but also their bigger siblings. But, let’s see the 2021 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid first. The Japanese carmaker is already combining a V6 unit with an electric motor for the Highlander SUV and premium Lexus RX. The combination is capable to deliver 310 horsepower, but it harms towing capacity. Extra power and the mileage, without the potential to haul is not working on the truck market.
No Diesel?
Towing capacity is the major reason why we still keep the open tabs for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma Diesel. These engines are dinosaurs. It is just a matter of time when will this breed die. However, until then, diesel units remain the best option for towing. Toyota is a leader in the global market thanks to the Hilux. Still, this model is using an engine that emits too many gases, so its appearance in the US is not an option. On the other hand, Toyota will have to develop a new engine, which is an extra cost. With the new Ford Ranger and Jeep Gladiator out, the mid-size market will be spread to more models.
2021 Toyota Tacoma Release Date
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma will come mostly unchanged, visually. The addition of the Android Auto and new features for the TRD Pro package are not raising the price of the truck. The base model is available just above $27,000 with a destination. Top of the class model with all options costs $20k more. Well, we will know more about prices and all options, including engines, when the 2021 Tacoma debuts late in 2020.