2019 Toyota Tacoma vs 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

In 2019, the Toyota Tacoma was celebrated for its ruggedly robust design across its various trims. Toyota achieved this look by using distinctive grilles, wheels, hoods, and finishes for each trim. The Tacoma appeared as if it were chiseled from solid blocks of metal, characterized by sharp character lines, flared fenders, and a bold, protruding nose, producing an undeniably masculine aesthetic.

Inside, the emphasis on durability was unmistakable, largely due to the predominance of hard plastic materials. Though the interior may have lacked in elegance, it was undoubtedly designed for utility. The geometric upholstery patterns and symmetrically spaced air vents provided subtle stylish touches. The cabin featured straightforward analog gauges and an old-school control panel fitted with sizable knobs and buttons that were easily operable even with gloves on.

Toyota offered the 2019 Tacoma in both extended-cab (Access Cab) and crew-cab (Double Cab) configurations, with options for short or long cargo beds. The powertrains included a 4-cylinder and a V6 engine, available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD). Trim levels ranged from the budget-friendly SR to the top-of-the-line TRD Pro.

The spotlight here is on the Limited trim, which exclusively came in a Double Cab, short bed, with a V6 engine, and 4WD. This configuration started at $40,865. Factoring in options like floor mats, cargo bed D-rings, and a $1,120 destination charge, the final price reached $42,184.

In contrast, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was lauded for its wide array of design elements that gave each trim a unique look. Differences in grilles, wheels, finishes, and bumper options allowed each version to stand out.

The 2020 Silverado came in Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab formats, and trims included the WT (Work Truck), Custom, LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country. For off-road aficionados, a Trail Boss treatment was available for the Custom and LT trims. The Silverado's price range ran from a base MSRP of $28,500 to a staggering $57,100, excluding a $1,595 destination charge.

For this review, Chevrolet presented a Silverado LT Trail Boss outfitted with an unprecedented 6.2-liter V8 engine and four option packages: Midnight Edition, Convenience Package II, Leather Package, and Advanced Trailering Package. These extras boosted the price to $59,185, including the destination charge.

Designed with black paint, black wheels, and extensive blacked-out exterior trim, the test unit had a custom look that was hard to keep clean, especially under rough usage conditions. While the Silverado’s overall styling garnered positive reviews, the interior left much to be desired.

Inside, the Silverado had an industrial feel, akin to the raw architecture of a steel-framed building under construction. The liberal use of silver plastic trim and a busy, modular console design detracted from the otherwise robust and functional interior. Despite having leather seats, the cabin did not justify the truck’s nearly $60,000 price tag in terms of aesthetic refinement.

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma predominantly featured a direct-injected, Atkinson-cycle, 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivered 278 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 265 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm. All V6 Tacomas were configured for towing with features like heavy-duty cooling, trailer wiring harnesses, Trailer Sway Control, and a receiver hitch, allowing for a maximum tow rating of up to 6,800 pounds, depending on the configuration.

Mated to this engine was a 6-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode and a manual shift gate. The Tacoma's part-time, shift-on-the-fly 4WD system was user-friendly, complemented by sophisticated off-road features like Multi-terrain Select and Crawl Control available on the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims. These TRD versions also offered a 6-speed manual transmission with a clutch-start cancel switch.

The Limited trim missed the TRD off-road amenities but still provided adequate off-road capabilities with its 9.4 inches of ground clearance. On regular roads, the Tacoma’s acceleration was adequate, though the automatic transmission felt lethargic unless prompted with assertive throttle inputs. During testing, the Tacoma registered fuel efficiency of around 18.9 mpg on a test route and an average of 20.1 mpg over a week.

However, the steering felt unresponsive and vague, suitable for off-road terrain but less so for urban driving. The ride quality was harsh, with the truck bouncing and jittering over uneven surfaces. While braking performance was generally reliable, it showed signs of weakness under prolonged use on hot days, hinting at potential durability issues.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a more diverse array of powertrains, including a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel 6-cylinder that produced 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. This diesel engine was paired with varying price points for different trims and could achieve an impressive 27 mpg on the highway.

A noteworthy addition was the 6.2-liter V8, producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, teamed with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain replaced the standard 5.3-liter V8 on the Trail Boss trim, costing an additional $2,495.

Equipped with the Autotrac 4WD system’s Auto mode, the Silverado LT Trail Boss demonstrated potent acceleration and wheelspin control across various surfaces. On-road, the off-road tires contributed a consistent whirring sound, and the vehicle’s handling lagged behind driver inputs, while its size was a limiting factor in tighter trails.

While handling left room for improvement, the Silverado excelled in ride comfort, tracking steadily across long stretches of road and effortlessly managing inclines. The test truck’s fuel economy averaged 16.8 mpg with Autotrac in Auto mode, closely aligning with its EPA rating of 17 mpg in combined driving. Compared to a 2019 Silverado LT Trail Boss with the 5.3-liter V8, which recorded a lower fuel efficiency of 13.8 mpg, the 6.2-liter engine proved to be a more efficient and powerful option.

Form and function played significant roles in differentiating these two trucks, especially regarding interior space and utility.

In the 2019 Toyota Tacoma, accessing the vehicle was a mixed experience. Taller individuals found it remarkably easy to enter the cabin, needing to lift their legs due to the truck's height off the ground. Conversely, smaller passengers struggled, particularly when the rocker panels were dirty, as available step rails were often ineffective.

Once inside, the Tacoma offered broad, flat front seats with four-way manual adjustments, including a lumbar-support knob for the driver. The interior was scattered with storage options, ensuring ample room for stowing personal items. However, the backseat felt cramped, with insufficient space under the front seats for larger feet, no air-conditioning vents, and no USB charging ports.

Egress was also challenging for taller individuals, necessitating an awkward maneuver under the steering wheel. The cargo bed, measuring 5 feet in length, came with a plastic liner, an LED light, and a 120-volt/400-watt power outlet. Its depth from floor to sill was 19.1 inches, adequately surpassing the Jeep Gladiator’s cargo box by 1.6 inches. Payload capacity varied by configuration, reaching up to 1,540 pounds.

In contrast, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 excelled in offering comfort and space. The test truck featured leather upholstery, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and heated front seats. However, the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, impacting comfort for shorter passengers like the reviewer’s wife.

The Crew Cab’s backseat was exceptionally spacious, with commendable thigh support and available rear cushion heating. Additional comforts included USB ports, air conditioning vents, and a power sliding rear window for improved ventilation. Storage options abounded with dual glove compartments, a large center console bin, and hidden compartments in the rear seatback cushions.

In terms of utility, the 2020 Silverado offered superior payload and towing capacities. The truck could handle up to 2,250 pounds of payload and tow up to 13,400 pounds, depending on the configuration. The LT Trail Boss test truck managed 2,170 pounds of payload and could tow up to 11,300 pounds with the Max Trailering Package. Additionally, Chevy touted the Silverado’s cargo box depth and high sides as providing more storage room than competitors.

The Toyota Tacoma of 2019 wasn’t a tech-centric vehicle but had its charms. Most notably, it lacked Apple CarPlay, an omission keenly felt during navigation issues. The infotainment system in the test truck struggled to locate specific addresses and proposed inaccurate routes, prompting the reviewer to rely on their iPhone for directions.

Upcoming modifications for the 2020 model included introducing Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility, alongside a larger 8-inch screen. However, the current tech setup was aesthetically inconsistent with the rest of the cabin. The 7-inch display, along with uncooperative volume and tuning knobs, weren’t glove-friendly, unlike the rest of the truck’s controls. The available 6-speaker JBL sound system, though, delivered a satisfactory audio experience.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 featured either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Both came equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Chevrolet Connected Access services, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrades like a high-definition display, navigation, SiriusXM 360L satellite radio, wireless device charging, and a 7-speaker Bose premium sound system were available.

While these features were appreciated, the small size of the display screens was a drawback. The limited free trial periods for essential features like WiFi contrasted sharply with the 10-year free remote diagnostics and maintenance prompts designed to increase dealership visits.

Although the test truck lacked navigation, the Bose sound system was notable for its bass output. The Advanced Trailering Package, $250 for 2020, offered up to 15 camera views of the hitch, trailer, and surroundings, and included a trailer brake controller. This package’s highlight was the Transparent Trailer view, which virtually let drivers see through the trailer for enhanced safety and convenience.

Developments for 2020 included a $250 Camera Trailer Package featuring a cargo bed view camera system and the advanced trailering smartphone app. Visibility aids such as a head-up display (HUD) and a camera-based rearview mirror, while impressive, were absent in the test truck.

Safety was an emphasized aspect in the 2019 Toyota Tacoma, with every model coming standard with Toyota Safety Sense. This suite included 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 also available on most trims.

However, the driving aids were less sophisticated compared to other Toyota models, though they were effective. One criticism was the lane-departure warning system’s intrusive beep, which often moved the reviewer to disable it.

In crash tests, the Tacoma performed well. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the headlight performance and LATCH anchor access as Marginal. While Double Cab versions received an Acceptable rating for small overlap frontal impact on the front passenger side, it hadn’t tested Access Cab versions for this. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Double Cab a 4-star overall rating, illustrating strong but not outstanding safety performance on par with other midsize trucks.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 lagged in safety features despite having a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technologies as standard. The advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) were restricted to higher trims like LTZ and High Country. Essential features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and camera-based adaptive cruise control were confined to these trims.

Even blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were optional on only the LT and RST trims, with the test truck notably lacking them despite its nearly $60,000 price tag.

These deficits were significant given the Silverado’s less-than-perfect crash-test ratings. The NHTSA awarded the Silverado a 4-star overall rating, attributing it to 4-star ratings for driver and front passenger protection in frontal collisions.

IIHS tests revealed a Marginal rating for front passenger protection in small overlap impacts on the right side, while the left side received a Good rating. Additionally, the Silverado’s headlights were rated Poor. For a recently redesigned vehicle, these ratings were subpar.