2019 Toyota Tacoma vs 2019 GMC Sierra 1500

Driving the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 through neighborhoods and across ranchlands was quite an experience. The redesigned half-ton pickup truck, adorned with chrome, garnered attention wherever it went. Bigger inside and out compared to its predecessor, the new Sierra boasted what GMC described as a “more dominant presence.” This seemed like an attempt to cater both to the male ego and to acknowledge its fragility.

The Denali trim, however, felt overly flashy. Its oversize grille, silver front skid plate, chunky running light enclosures, and large Denali lettering on the tailgate overwhelmed what was otherwise an appealing design. If this was a toned-down version of the standard Sierra, one could only imagine how gaudy the base model must have looked.

Inside, the Sierra’s cabin still looked chaotic despite improvements in material quality. It featured premium leather, open-pore wood trim, and real aluminum accents in the Denali trim, yet many seams and a varied dashboard surface resulted in an unrefined appearance. However, all those buttons, knobs, and switches lent a practical touch, making it easier to operate the controls, even with gloves on.

The 2019 Sierra came in various cab styles, trim levels, and powertrains. The base Sierra regular cab with 2-wheel drive started at $29,600, going up to $58,300 for a Sierra Denali crew cab with 4-wheel drive and a long cargo bed. My test truck was a Denali crew cab with a standard bed configuration, priced at $68,085 with destination charges and additional packages.

In contrast, the 2019 Toyota Tacoma differentiated its trims with unique grilles, wheels, hoods, and finishes, showcasing a ruggedly handsome design. Resembling solid metal blocks detailed with carved lines, flared fenders, and a bold nose, the Tacoma projected robustness.

Inside, the 2019 Tacoma emphasized function over form, featuring hard, durable plastic. Stylish details like geometric upholstery patterns and evenly spaced air vents existed, but the overall design was simple, with analog gauges and old-school buttons and knobs.

Toyota offered the Tacoma in extended-cab (Access Cab) and crew-cab (Double Cab) styles, with a choice of a 4-cylinder or V6 engine, and rear-wheel or 4-wheel drive. Trim levels included SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro. My test truck, a Limited Double Cab with a short bed, had a base price of $40,865 and amounted to $42,184 with added features and destination charges.

The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali, equipped with the most powerful of the Sierra's six available drivetrains, was truly impressive. The optional 6.2-liter V8 engine produced 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, powering all four wheels through a new 10-speed automatic transmission and an Autotrac 4WD system. Acceleration was swift, and the transmission performed flawlessly on my test drive.

While I didn’t tow or haul with the Sierra, it was capable of handling up to 12,200 pounds of trailer and 2,240 pounds of payload, though not as much as some competitors like the Ford F-150 or Ram 1500. Its Dynamic Fuel Management system promised optimized performance and efficiency from its V8 engines. My test truck averaged 16.3 mpg over 350 miles, shy of the EPA estimate of 17 mpg.

GMC's new Traction Select system, coupled with the Autotrac 4WD system, tailored the truck's performance to different weather and terrains. However, visibility was a challenge, with the massive hood making it difficult to judge distances, despite front parking sensors and a forward-view camera. The Adaptive Ride Control suspension offered a great ride, though the 22-inch wheels negated some benefits by transmitting bumps into the cabin.

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. Equipped for towing with heavy-duty cooling, trailer wiring harnesses, and Trailer Sway Control, it had a maximum tow rating of 6,800 pounds, depending on the version.

The Tacoma's 6-speed automatic transmission, with a Sport mode and manual shift gate, delivered power to the rear wheels, or optionally, a shift-on-the-fly 4WD system for off-roading. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro versions included sophisticated off-road traction systems like Multi-terrain Select and Crawl Control.

While the Limited trim lacked TRD extras, it was still capable off-road, thanks to its 9.4 inches of ground clearance. On the road, the Tacoma’s acceleration was sufficient, though the transmission felt sluggish unless in Sport mode. It achieved 18.9 mpg on the test loop and averaged 20.1 mpg over a week of testing, close to the EPA estimate.

The Tacoma's steering was slow and vague, offering poor response on paved surfaces. With front disc brakes and rear drum brakes, prolonged use led to disappointing shuddering, questioning the Tacoma's reputed durability. The ride quality was rough, bouncing over rough terrain and reacting exaggeratedly to poor roads.

The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali, equipped with power side steps, made access easy. Inside, it featured comfortable, wide, and supportive seating with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Crew Cab added three extra inches of backseat legroom, enhanced by rear air vents and USB ports for added comfort.

The Sierra's new cargo bed, deeper and wider than before, boasted a roll-formed steel floor 50% stronger than its predecessor. The MultiPro Tailgate design, with six configurations, made loading and accessing the bed easier. Enlarged rear Corner Step bumper cutouts, 12 robust cargo tie-downs, and an available factory spray-in bedliner enhanced utility. GMC also planned for an exclusive CarbonPro cargo box liner for increased durability.

In contrast, getting into the 2019 Toyota Tacoma was a mixed experience. Taller individuals found it easy, while smaller people struggled, especially with dirty rocker panels. Once inside, the Tacoma's wide, flat seats were manually adjustable, with ample storage throughout the cabin. However, the lack of a power-adjustable seat option for 2019 might have been a comfort issue for some.

The backseat of the Tacoma Double Cab felt cramped, with a high bottom cushion and soft front seatbacks but limited space under the front seats. There were no air-conditioning vents or USB ports. Exiting the driver’s seat proved tricky for taller individuals due to limited clearance under the steering wheel.

The Tacoma’s 5-foot bed had a plastic liner, an LED light, and a 120-volt/400-watt power outlet. Though not as deep as some, it offered a maximum payload capacity of 1,540 pounds, depending on configuration.

The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 featured cutting-edge technology. Its infotainment systems were faster and more graphically appealing, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The Sierra included GMC Connected Services through OnStar and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, though the 1-month free trial seemed too short to entice users.

My Denali test truck’s tech suite included an 8-inch touchscreen, a navigation system, a Bose premium sound system, and a head-up display (HUD), the first in a light-duty pickup. The Rear Camera Mirror offered a live video feed, enhancing visibility. Various cameras provided a 360-degree view and assisted with towing, while the ProGrade Advanced Trailer Package simplified hitching and towing.

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma, on the other hand, was less tech-savvy. My test truck’s navigation system struggled with specific addresses, prompting reliance on a smartphone for accurate directions. For 2020, Toyota promised upgrades like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility, with a larger 8-inch screen.

The 7-inch display in the 2019 Tacoma felt out of place, with hard-to-twist volume and tuning knobs. Its infotainment system was not glove-friendly. However, the available 6-speaker JBL sound system provided decent audio quality.

The 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 included or offered various Driver Alert packages, providing essential safety features. The basic Driver Alert Package 1 equipped the truck with a blind-spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors. Higher trims like SLT, AT4, and Denali offered Driver Alert Package 2, adding forward-collision warning, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams.

Despite these features, the Sierra lacked adaptive cruise control, full-speed-range automatic braking, and lane-centering assist. Standard safety tech included Teen Driver monitoring and a Rear Seat Reminder system. However, crashworthiness ratings were still pending from federal and insurance institutes.

The Tacoma’s safety tech, while not the most advanced, was effective. It earned good crash test ratings from the IIHS, except for marginal headlight performance and LATCH anchor access. The Double Cab had an acceptable rating for small overlap, frontal-impact, front passenger protection. The NHTSA gave the Double Cab a 4-star overall rating.