2019 Toyota Tundra vs 2019 RAM 1500

The 2019 RAM 1500 offered a smart design evolution while retaining its big-rig style. It was designed to look commanding without being cumbersome, unlike its rival, the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, which appeared overly large for a light-duty pickup. The RAM 1500’s dropped headlights on either side of the hood provided improved sight lines, making it feel more manageable.

A key design change was the abandonment of the signature crosshair grille, allowing RAM to distance itself from the Dodge brand. In place of the crosshair grille, each 1500 trim sported a distinct grille design. The Tradesman, Big Horn, Rebel, and Laramie trims had larger headlights, while the Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited trims featured thinner, angled headlights. Inside, the RAM 1500’s cabin saw a significant upgrade, with different sections of the previous interior now placed on different planes for a more dramatic and contoured look.

In contrast, the 2019 Toyota Tundra's design had hardly changed from its previous years. Despite subtle updates, it still lagged behind competitors like Ford, Chevy, and Dodge in terms of aesthetic and technological advancements. However, it appealed to a segment of truck shoppers focused on rugged dependability rather than cutting-edge design. All trims of the Tundra were powered by V8 engines paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, a choice that emphasized reliability over modernity. Each trim, from the base SR to the top-tier 1794 Edition and TRD Pro, featured unique styling and interior upgrades, but the overall design felt dated.

The 2019 RAM 1500's performance options included a base 3.6-liter V6 engine with eTorque, a mild-hybrid system that provided an extra 90 pound-feet of torque, on top of its 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. For more power, the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 was available, both with and without eTorque, producing 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. The eTorque version added another 130 pound-feet of torque. Power was delivered through an 8-speed automatic transmission to either the rear wheels or available 4WD. The RAM 1500 was known for its effortless handling, boosted steering, tight turning radius, and smooth power delivery. In real-world tests, the conventional V8 with 4WD returned 15 mpg city, 21 highway, and 17 combined.

In contrast, the 2019 Toyota Tundra offered two non-turbocharged V8 options: a 4.6-liter with 310 hp and 327 lb-ft of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 yielding 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. The 5.7-liter engine offered significantly higher towing and payload capacities than the 4.6-liter by 3,200 pounds and 1,030 pounds respectively. The Tundra's 4.6-liter engine achieved an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined, whereas the 5.7-liter returned 13/18/15 with rear-wheel drive. The Tundra's performance was predictable and dependable, though it lacked the advanced engine options and corresponding power of its competitors. The TRD Pro trim was particularly noted for its off-road capabilities, rivaled only by the Ford F-150 Raptor.

The 2019 RAM 1500 excelled with practical features like a power-release tailgate and nearly 90-degree opening rear doors, which facilitated loading large items inside the cabin. The seats flipped up easily and reclined for additional comfort. The Laramie model featured dual rear USB ports, power outlets, large interior compartments, and adjustable pedals. The truck also boasted a massive center console for added storage and convenience.

The 2019 Toyota Tundra’s simplicity shone through in its model variations. The highest towing capacity was easily achieved with the 5.7-liter engine without needing specific packages. However, the Tundra's large size made maneuverability a challenge, especially without optional steps or running boards. Navigating crowded city streets was difficult, and parking garages posed clearance issues. Towing capacities ranged from 6,800 to 10,200 pounds depending on the engine.

The 2019 RAM 1500 stood out with its enormous 12-inch touchscreen, reminiscent of the Tesla Model S, which could be customized for various controls. Our Laramie test vehicle had an 8.4-inch screen running the Uconnect system, known for its user-friendliness, crisp graphics, and responsive interface. The Uconnect's tablet-like layout made navigation simple, thanks to dock icons at the bottom of the screen.

The 2019 Toyota Tundra lagged in technology. It lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and even the high-end TRD Pro trim only had one USB port. Though Entune’s infotainment system was intuitive, it felt outdated. Safety systems like adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning were standard, but they exhibited first-gen issues like false alerts.

The 2019 RAM 1500 included standard safety features like multiple airbags, electronic parking brake, integrated trailer-sway control, traction control, hill-start assist, and a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines. Higher trims offered upgrades like a 360-degree camera and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included forward-collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, dynamic cruise control, and front/rear parking sensors.

The 2019 Toyota Tundra included adaptive cruise control with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, auto high-beams, and a drowsiness monitor as standard. However, blind-spot monitoring was not available on the base SR and TRD Pro trims. While the safety features were a mix of older generation systems, they were appreciated. The Tundra earned 4 stars for frontal crash tests and 5 stars for side crashes from NHTSA, with a 3-star rating for rollover. IIHS ratings included Marginal and Poor marks for some crash tests and an Acceptable roof strength score.