Here at Empyre Off-Road, we offer numerous visual upgrades for your Toyota Tundra. But what about the Tundras from the factory? What upgrades and options can you get from Toyota? Let’s take a moment to focus on and learn the difference between the 2021 Toyota Tundra, and the trim levels that you can get from the factory.

To start, there are six different trim levels that you can get for the 2021 Toyota Tundra: SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition, and the TRD Pro. Each comes with its own price tag, standard features, and options. Let’s dive in.

Note: All models listed are the 2021 models, and accurate as of March, 2021. All prices are MSRP from Toyota. Local dealer prices may vary. All Tundras come with the 5.7L V8 and get and EPA estimated 13 miles per gallon city, and 17 miles per gallon highway.

Tundra SR

The Toyota Tundra is known for being a dependable truck. There is even a well documented case of one traveling over 1,000,000 miles! Thankfully, you don’t need a high-end model to do that. The base model Tundra is the SR. Coming in at a base price of $33,825, it is the least expensive trim level offered.

Even at the low price, you are still getting plenty of truck! Like all Tundras, you get the tough 5.7L V8 which will get you 13 MPG city and 17 MPG highway. Let’s be real… You’re not getting a powerful truck to save trees, but might be hauling them!

Standard features on the single cab truck are the 6.5 foot bed, heated mirrors, and mud guards. Optional features include running boards, and a deck rail system. Since this is one of the most popular models for work trucks, cloth is standard on the interior. However, a seven inch touch screen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard as well!

The standard 5.7L V8 mated to a six speed automatic transmission will get you 381 horsepower and 401 foot-pounds of torque. Real-wheel drive drive is standard, and the only option, but with the standard tow package included, you can tow up to 10,200 pounds. If you are getting this as a work truck, you have the optional SR Work Truck Package that will replace the cloth seats and carpeted floor with durable vinyl.

If you are looking for a dependable truck with all of the creature comforts you need without a big price tag, or if you want a durable fleet truck that can take a beating on the job site, the Toyota Tundra SR is probably the truck for you.

Tundra SR5

For just a bit more over the cost of the SR at $35,515, you can get quite a bit more truck. Granted, this trim level does have more optional packages and features, and of course those add up. The most notable standard features would be the double cab and 6.5 foot bed! Visually are more noticeable standard features like extra chrome trim and halogen fog lights.

When it comes to power, it’s the same dependable and respectable numbers of the SR trim. You also get the seven inch touch screen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but you have a few options packages at your disposal that will give you much better speaker options and more them, as well as a bigger eight in screen. Size matters.

Options are where the SR5 starts to shine. Available is the TRD Off-Road SR5 grade that gets you better wheels, better shocks, multiple skid plates, front tow hooks, LED headlights and fog lights, a push button start, durable floor mats, and so much more. If you want to do any type of off-roading while having peace of mind, you need that package.

If you’re planning on staying on the road more and want a bit more flash, there is also the optional TRD Sport package. This will give you stylish 20 inch wheels, better shocks, front and rear anti-sway bars, LED headlights and fog lights, upgraded floor mats and shift knob, decals, the iconic hood scoop, and more. This is the package you need to get the most out of the streets, and you can with the SR5.

Other packages allow parking sensors, bucket seats, larger fuel tank, and more. That is the best feature about the SR5: you basically start with a “blank canvas” of a Tundra (which is still a great truck), but you then have the ability with options to build an incredible truck to do whatever you want: tackle rock, tackle the streets, or whatever.

Tundra Limited

While the Tundra is a truck built for work and off-roading at heart, many people get trucks because they just like trucks! However, when you’re more focused on luxury and want to add some class to your truck, Toyota offers the Tundra Limited trim level. However, luxury comes at a price, and the base MSRP is $44,405.

For that price, you do get some of the more high-end options as standard. This includes things like LED headlights and fog lights, chrome accents and trim, 10 way adjustable leather seats, leather steering wheel, push button start, the premium audio package with navigation and an 8 inch screen, and 20 inch wheels, just to name a few.

While the tow package is still standard, you do drop a little to a max towing capacity of only 9,400 pounds, but that is still nothing to laugh at. Limited owners still get the same great engine with the same great horsepower and torque attached to the six speed automatic. Real-wheel drive is the only option for this trim. 

There are a smaller number of packages offered, but most features are standard anyway! The Nightshade Special Edition package is unique for those who like to black their trucks out: wheels, chrome, exhaust, and more! You can also get this TRD Off-Road Limited Grade package as well, if you want to take your luxury truck across the wilderness. While some features are unique with the Limited Grade TRD Off-Road trim, expect skid plates, upgrades shocks, and more.

The Limited trim is luxury, but to get the most luxury and convenience out of this trim, you’ll want to upgrade to the Limited Premium Package. This comes with all the convenient parking sensors, the best audio package available, and more.

However, even with all of that, Toyota can offer you even MORE luxury...

Tundra Platinum

Enter the Toyota Tundra Platinum trim. At $49,045 you’re getting the second most expensive base price Tundra that Toyota has to offer. For that price, you’re getting the best of the best that Toyota has to offer in a luxury truck (next to the 1794 Edition, which I’ll cover in a second.)

Chrome takes a bit of back seat with this trim. While you can find it on the truck, Toyota went for a more “professional” approach. In addition to that, chrome accents such as bumper covers and grilles are not even options for this trim. “Off-road” features such as front tow hooks are also dropped, and there are no TRD packages available either. You can have optional running boards and a spray on bedliner.

What does come standard are more of creature comforts. Of course this includes parking sensors and some of the best seats available: a leather trimmed, heated and cooled, 12 way adjustable driver seat. Premium floor mats, a leather steering wheel, and push button start are also standard.

You only get one entertainment option, but it is the best one that Toyota has to offer. The 12 speaker system is controlled with an eight inch touch screen that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigation is included as well, in the event you don’t want to use the navigation on your phone.

Power is the same 5.7L V8 and six speed transmission as in the other trims, and tow capacity is again at the “luxury amount” of 9,400 pounds. This CrewMax comes with a 5.5 foot bed.

Like the SR trim, the Platinum trim level also does not have many available packages that you can add. However, that’s because you already have the best when you choose this! The biggest downside about the Platinum trim and the lack of off-road options. However, if you are in the market for this truck, this thing will probably never leave the pavement.

Tundra 1794

Tied at the second highest price for a Toyota Tundra is the 1794 trim level. This section will be a bit on the shorter side because feature wise, it is almost identical to the Platinum trim. The biggest difference is the theme: this truck is Western. The Tundra is built in San Antonio, Texas in the USA. The location of the plant is on land that Toyota Purchased from the oldest working cattle ranch in Texas. Spanish colonist Juan Ignacio de Casanova founded the land in 1794, so to commemorate the land’s history, Toyota developed this edition.

It shares all the class and “fancy” of the Platinum, but you’ll find brown leather and special badges that really give this truck a Western feel. Despite the west being synonymous with hard working and tough, it has the lower towing capacity. However, it’s still a Tundra!

This truck is for those who want the ultimate in luxury from a Tundra, but own cowboy boots and hats.

Tundra TRD Pro

And finally… The truck many of you have been waiting for: The Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. This is the Tundra that can do it all, and it does it with class, style, and muscle. Coming in at $53,200, there is not much this truck can’t do or offer.

Standard are all the best off-road features you want such as LED headlights and fog lights, front tow hooks, skid plates, FOX front and rear suspension components, a 38 gallon fuel tank, and more.

Inside are unique TRD trimmed six way adjustable seats paired with the TRD pro grille, TRD floor mats and shift knob. The premium audio system is the only option: 12 speaker system, eight inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, and so much more.

While power comes from the same engine as the other trims, the 381 horsepower now rumble out of a TRD only dual black-chrome-tipped stainless steel exhaust system. What’s even better is that all those horses are put to the ground through four-wheel drive on 18 inch TRD Pro wheels! Since this truck is built more for tackling the great outdoors, it actually comes with the lowest towing capacity of 9,200 pounds. 

While you can’t get any additional packages added to it, the TRD Pro is the best all around Tundra for great out-of-the-box performance on and off road.

Wrapping Up

So, what have we learned? Hopefully all you need to know about the 2021 Tundra line up! If you need a truck strictly for work, the SR is the trim for you. If you want a truck that you can build to be whatever you want, then look at the SR5. If you want luxury from the factory, but still want the option to tackle some off-roading, I would suggest the Limited. If all you want is style in the best form the Toyota Tundra offers, the Platinum or 1794 time levels are ready for you. If you want a Tundra that looks good, and can kick butt both on the pavement and be your overland partner on the weekends, you have to get the TRD Pro.

Whichever you decide, there is a Tundra for you!