2020 Toyota Tacoma vs 2019 RAM 1500

The 2019 RAM 1500 presented a clever evolution in design, preserving the iconic big-rig styling while enhancing it to provide a commanding presence without feeling unwieldy. The lowered headlights flanking the hood offered improved sight lines, a thoughtful feature that contrasted with the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, which often seemed excessively large. A notable change was the absence of the traditional crosshair grille, marking a significant shift as Ram sought to forge its distinct identity separate from Dodge.

Each trim level of the RAM 1500 presented unique grille designs, ranging from larger headlights on the Tradesman, Big Horn, Rebel, and Laramie, to sleeker, thinner headlights on the luxurious Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited trims. Inside, the truck showcased a cabin exuding innovative elegance, with different sections allocated for the touchscreen, radio/climate controls, and rotary shifter. This layered approach resulted in a dramatic, contoured interior deserving of admiration.

The Tradesman trim was outfitted as a quintessential workhorse, boasting heavy-duty shock absorbers, a five-link, coil-spring rear suspension, tinted side windows, 18-inch steel wheels, and a Class III trailer hitch. A 5-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and two front USB ports were also standard. Ascending to the Big Horn trim added chrome accents, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and fog lights, among other enhancements.

The off-road inclined Rebel trim offered an aggressive grille, fender flares, upgraded shock absorbers, and skid plates for added protection. The Laramie provided features such as power side mirrors, upgraded LED taillights, ambient interior lighting, and heated leather seating, while the Longhorn included luxurious touches like chrome side steps, a wood-trimmed interior, and a full center console.

At the pinnacle, the Limited trim emerged as a true luxury truck with a plethora of high-end features, including 20-inch wheels, a premium air suspension, and advanced interior wood accents. A standout amongst these trims was the option for a massive 12-inch touchscreen, dominating the center console with its impressive presence.

Contrasting this was the 2020 Toyota Tacoma, which, though not a beauty pageant winner like the RAM 1500, presented a clean and purpose-driven design. It retained an industrial feel with its tall stance and rigid lines, signifying both functionality and toughness. However, despite the robust look, the truck's back doors retained an antiquated tinny sound, and the hood scoop was purely aesthetic, serving no functional purpose.

The Tacoma featured rounded lines and a shape that, while not as refined as the RAM, didn't feel overwhelmingly bulky. Most Tacoma models prioritized efficiency over flashy embellishments, with the Limited trim being the exception, offering 18-inch wheels for a hint of glamor. The TRD Pro trim adopted a more rugged appearance with redesigned LED headlights, Army Green paint, 16-inch black wheels, and all-terrain tires, signaling its readiness for off-road adventures.

Inside, the Tacoma mirrored the straightforward exterior with a functional, boxy design and a modestly sized touchscreen surrounded by traditional buttons and knobs. While other models featured additional colorful trim, the TRD Pro's leather seats fell somewhat short in quality. Despite the basic materials, the fit and finish were superior to competitors like the Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier, aligning with the truck's practical nature.

The 2019 RAM 1500 offered significant advancements in its powertrain, starting with the base 3.6-liter V6 engine, which now included eTorque—a mild hybrid system delivering an additional 90 pound-feet of torque. This brought the total output to 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. Alternatively, the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 produced 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, with an optional eTorque system providing an extra 130 pound-feet of torque. All engines funneled power through an 8-speed automatic transmission, available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or optional four-wheel drive (4WD).

Driving the RAM 1500 felt effortless, characterized by heavily boosted steering and a surprisingly tight turning radius. The V8's power delivery was both strong and linear, creating an impression of lightness despite the truck’s size. It excelled in performance tasks such as towing up to 12,750 pounds with the appropriate equipment and managed a relatively smooth ride, aided by responsiveness in both steering and handling. It handled daily driving impressively, standing as a close second to the Ford F-150’s lightweight construction in balancing power and comfort. Fuel economy for the conventional V8 with 4WD stood at 15 mpg city, 21 highway, and 17 combined.

Conversely, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma's base 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, was markedly underwhelming for its purpose. The more viable 3.5-liter V6 offered 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque, available with a 6-speed automatic as standard, and an optional 6-speed manual for specific trims. The TRD Pro came equipped with standard 4WD, along with an electronic low-range transfer case, though 4WD was optional on other trims.

The Tacoma's performance was enhanced by features like Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) and Crawl Control, especially beneficial in off-road conditions. However, the steering on paved roads felt sluggish and required considerable adjustments on even mild turns. The inline-four’s fuel economy was recorded at 20 mpg city, 23 highway, and 21 combined, while the V6 managed slightly less efficient figures—18 mpg city, 22 highway, and 20 combined. Despite its lackluster on-road demeanor, the Tacoma excelled off-road, with robust hardware enabling a towing capacity of up to 6,800 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,440 pounds.

The 2019 RAM 1500 was refined in the details, incorporating practical features beneficial for both workers and families. The Laramie test vehicle featured a power-release tailgate, although it required manual closure—unlike the Chevrolet Silverado 1500’s entirely power-operated tailgate. One exemplary addition was the Ram Box utility system, offering unparalleled truck-bed functionality.

Inside, the RAM 1500 emphasized versatility with rear doors opening almost 90 degrees and flip-up rear seats that facilitated easy loading of large items. The reclining rear seats provided extra comfort, and the cabin featured amenities like dual rear USB ports, adjustable pedals, and an extensive center console with a sliding tray. The front compartment was redesigned to incorporate practical storage solutions, making it convenient for both professional and personal use.

In comparison, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma’s smaller size was its main advantage. Easier to maneuver in urban environments and more adept at fitting into average garage spaces, it provided a more manageable experience than full-size trucks. The Tacoma’s bed, available in 5- or 6-foot lengths, was fitted with a rail system, adjustable cleats, and optional power outlets and LED lighting. However, the rear seats in the Double Cab configuration felt tight over long journeys and lacked features like air vents and a rear defroster, although they did include hidden storage bins beneath.

When comparing payload and towing, the 2020 Tacoma’s maximum towing capacity of 6,800 pounds and a payload of 1,440 pounds fell short against the RAM 1500, which could tow up to 12,750 pounds with the eTorque V8 engine.

The 2019 RAM 1500 garnered attention for its optional 12-inch touchscreen, configured in a portrait layout. This feature allowed customization, such as splitting the screen between climate and radio controls or displaying an expansive map. Our Laramie test vehicle included the optional 8.4-inch screen, running Uconnect's latest version—a benchmark in user-friendly infotainment systems. The layout, akin to a tablet with convenient dock icons, facilitated easy navigation through media, climate, navigation, and phone interfaces. The system boasted crisp graphics and responsive performance, complemented by physical buttons for frequently used functions.

On the other hand, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen, with an 8-inch version available, equipped with navigation, cloud-based traffic routes, and quick search capabilities. For 2020, the Tacoma embraced modern connectivity with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, alongside a new USB-C port. Additional tech options included wireless phone charging and onboard Wi-Fi. Despite these advancements, traditional features like a proximity key and auto-dimming rear-view mirror remained optional.

The Tacoma offered practical tech-minded touches such as 360-degree cameras for parking and off-road assistance, and a graphic display showing the truck’s tilt angle. Additionally, adaptive cruise control came standard in the suite of driver-assist features, making the Tacoma's technology functional and user-friendly.

The 2019 RAM 1500 came equipped with comprehensive standard safety features including multiple airbags, electronic parking brake, integrated trailer-sway control, traction control, hill-start assist, and a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines. Higher trims like the Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited offered optional upgrades such as a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection, forward-collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, dynamic cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors.

For the 2020 Toyota Tacoma, standard safety features were expanded with forward-emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. The Tacoma scored well in safety tests, earning 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA and achieving the IIHS Top Safety Pick designation. It garnered 'Good' ratings in five out of six crash tests, with an 'Acceptable' rating for the front passenger in the small overlap test.