2019 Toyota Tacoma vs 2019 Toyota Tundra

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma was a ruggedly handsome truck, with each trim level featuring unique grilles, wheels, hoods, and finishes. Its design was characterized by solid blocks of metal detailed with carved character lines, flared fenders, and a provocatively protruding nose. Inside, the Tacoma prioritized function over form, with hard and durable plastic dominating the cabin. Stylish details like geometric upholstery patterns and equally spaced dashboard air vents added a touch of flair. The truck featured simple analog gauges and an old-school control panel with large knobs and buttons, making it easy to use even while wearing gloves.

In contrast, the 2019 Toyota Tundra felt aged and behind the times, despite subtle updates over the years. The interior hadn’t seen significant refreshes, and the technology felt like an afterthought. The Tundra was powered by two V8 engines paired with 6-speed automatic transmissions, which were considered archaic and thirsty. However, the Tundra’s rugged dependability appealed to many pickup-truck shoppers. The Tundra was available in six trims, all featuring impressive standard equipment like heated mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, and an integrated trailer-brake controller. Higher trims offered luxury features, but the overall design and technology lagged behind competitors.

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma was equipped with a direct-injected, Atkinson-cycle, 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 278 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 265 pound-feet of torque at 4,600 rpm. This engine was ready for towing with heavy-duty cooling, trailer wiring harness connections, Trailer Sway Control, and a receiver hitch, offering a maximum tow rating of 6,800 pounds. The 6-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode and manual shift gate delivered power to the rear wheels, while the part-time, shift-on-the-fly 4WD system was easy to use. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims featured Multi-terrain Select and Crawl Control for off-road traction. The Tacoma’s ride quality was rough, and the steering was slow to respond, making it less suitable for city driving. The brakes, with discs in front and drums in the back, showed signs of wear under prolonged use.

The 2019 Toyota Tundra offered two V8 engine options: a 4.6-liter V8 with 310 horsepower and 327 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 with 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. The larger engine provided increased payload and towing capacities, making it a better choice for heavy-duty tasks. The Tundra’s fuel economy was lower than competitors, with the 4.6-liter engine achieving 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined, while the 5.7-liter engine managed 13/18/15. The TRD Pro trim was the standout, offering impressive off-road capabilities with a raised suspension, off-road tires, and advanced shocks. However, the Tundra’s overall performance lagged behind competitors with more advanced engine options.

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma’s interior was functional, with wide and flat front seats that manually adjusted four ways. Storage was abundant, and the air conditioning was effective. However, the backseat was cramped, and there were no air-conditioning vents or USB charging ports. The short 5-foot bed featured a plastic liner, an LED light, and a 120-volt/400-watt power outlet. The maximum payload capacity was 1,540 pounds, depending on the configuration.

The 2019 Toyota Tundra’s simplicity was a benefit, especially with the 5.7-liter engine offering maximum towing capacity without needing specific configurations. However, the Tundra’s size made it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces, and driving in crowded city streets could be challenging. The design made the truck feel even larger, and entering parking garages or drive-thrus often resulted in scraping the antennae. The Tundra’s size also hampered its driveability on tight off-road trails.

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma was not a technological showcase, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The navigation system struggled with specific addresses, and the 7-inch display with stubby knobs was difficult to use with gloves. However, the available 6-speaker JBL sound system provided a decent audio experience. For 2020, Toyota planned to add Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility, along with a larger 8-inch screen.

The 2019 Toyota Tundra’s technology was outdated, with no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto available. The $50,000 TRD Pro trim had only one USB port, which was difficult to locate at night. The Entune system was easy to use but aging quickly. While the standard safety systems were welcome, the advanced safety features were less sophisticated than competitors. Overall, the Tundra’s technology lagged behind.

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma came with Toyota Safety Sense, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, sway warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available for most trims. The Tacoma received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and performed well in IIHS crash tests, though some areas like headlight performance and LATCH anchor access were rated Marginal.

The 2019 Toyota Tundra included standard adaptive cruise control with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, auto high-beams, and a drowsiness monitor. Blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert was available on most trims. However, the safety systems were older and less sophisticated. The Tundra received 4-star ratings for frontal crash tests from the NHTSA, with 5-star ratings for side crash tests and a 3-star rating for rollover. The IIHS gave the Tundra Marginal and Poor ratings in some areas, with average braking performance.