2019 Toyota Tacoma vs 2020 Toyota Tacoma
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for 2019 Toyota Tacoma was 7.7 out of 10, while the 2020 Toyota Tacoma scored 7.5 out of 10. Given these ratings, the clear recommendation would be the 2019 Toyota Tacoma. The slightly higher rating reflects better performance and user satisfaction, making it the more favorable choice amidst its mid-size truck competitors.
Choose the 2019 Toyota Tacoma if:
- You prefer durable interior materials that prioritize function over aesthetics.
- You need a reliable off-road truck with a long-established reputation for ruggedness.
- You desire a more traditionally styled control panel with larger, glove-friendly buttons.
Choose the 2020 Toyota Tacoma if:
- You want the latest in standard technology, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- You need enhanced safety features like better standard driver-assist systems.
- You appreciate the stylish and performance-focused updates in TRD Pro trim.
Overview | |
MSRP$25,850 | MSRP$26,050 |
Average price$30,691 | Average price$31,966 |
Listings1798 | Listings1668 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.7 out of 10 | Expert reviews7.5 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
|
2019 Toyota Tacoma Reviews SummaryUnapologetically unrefined, the 2019 Toyota Tacoma is a truck, pure and simple. It doesn't try to be anything else, and its raw honesty, at first unappealing, becomes its most endearing trait. Over the course of a week of testing, I went from eagerly anticipating to sadly dreading its departure. Clearly, there’s a good reason it's the best-selling midsize pickup in America. | |
2020 Toyota Tacoma Reviews SummaryGrowing up in the post–Marty McFly era, I saw small Toyota pickups everywhere in America. When the American automakers abandoned this market in the late 2000s, Toyota kept on trucking. The Tacoma remains the best-selling midsize truck in the US—it's more popular than the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Nissan Frontier combined. The Ford Ranger isn’t a threat, either. Nearly a quarter-million people purchased a Tacoma last year, a vehicle that by any measure is loud, slow, and defiantly old-fashioned. It’s the capability, size, and dependable off-road features that keep Tacoma buyers satisfied. For 2020, it gets few but important design and technology updates to push this rough-and-tumble pickup into modern times. | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.7L 159 hp I4 | Engine2.7L 159 hp I4 |
Drive Train4X2 | Drive Train4X2 |
Seating Capacity4 | Seating Capacity4 |
Horsepower159 hp @ 5200 rpm | Horsepower159 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City20 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway23 | MPG Highway23 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.7L 159 hp I4 | Engine Name2.7L 159 hp I4 |
Torque180 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm | Torque180 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm |
Horsepower159 hp @ 5200 rpm | Horsepower159 hp @ 5200 rpm |
Drivetrain4X2 | Drivetrain4X2 |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City20 | MPG City20 |
MPG Highway23 | MPG Highway23 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity4 | Seating Capacity4 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Bed Length73.7 in | Bed Length73.7 in |
Curb Weight3980 lbs | Curb Weight3915 lbs |
Height70.6 in | Height70.6 in |
Length212.3 in | Length212.3 in |
Width74.4 in | Width74.4 in |
Wheelbase127.4 in | Wheelbase127.4 in |
Maximum Payload1620 lbs | Maximum Payload1685 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity3500 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity3500 lbs |
CarGurus highlights
According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for 2019 Toyota Tacoma was 7.7 out of 10, while the 2020 Toyota Tacoma scored 7.5 out of 10. Given these ratings, the clear recommendation would be the 2019 Toyota Tacoma. The slightly higher rating reflects better performance and user satisfaction, making it the more favorable choice amidst its mid-size truck competitors.
Choose the 2019 Toyota Tacoma if:
Shop Now- You prefer durable interior materials that prioritize function over aesthetics.
- You need a reliable off-road truck with a long-established reputation for ruggedness.
- You desire a more traditionally styled control panel with larger, glove-friendly buttons.
Choose the 2020 Toyota Tacoma if:
Shop Now- You want the latest in standard technology, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- You need enhanced safety features like better standard driver-assist systems.
- You appreciate the stylish and performance-focused updates in TRD Pro trim.
Overview | ||
MSRP | $25,850 | $26,050 |
Average price | $30,691 | $31,966 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.2 | 4.3 |
Expert reviews | 7.7 out of 10Read full review | 7.5 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
Summary | Unapologetically unrefined, the 2019 Toyota Tacoma is a truck, pure and simple. It doesn't try to be anything else, and its raw honesty, at first unappealing, becomes its most endearing trait. Over the course of a week of testing, I went from eagerly anticipating to sadly dreading its departure. Clearly, there’s a good reason it's the best-selling midsize pickup in America. | Growing up in the post–Marty McFly era, I saw small Toyota pickups everywhere in America. When the American automakers abandoned this market in the late 2000s, Toyota kept on trucking. The Tacoma remains the best-selling midsize truck in the US—it's more popular than the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, and Nissan Frontier combined. The Ford Ranger isn’t a threat, either. Nearly a quarter-million people purchased a Tacoma last year, a vehicle that by any measure is loud, slow, and defiantly old-fashioned. It’s the capability, size, and dependable off-road features that keep Tacoma buyers satisfied. For 2020, it gets few but important design and technology updates to push this rough-and-tumble pickup into modern times. |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.7L 159 hp I4 | 2.7L 159 hp I4 |
Drive Train | 4X2 | 4X2 |
Seating Capacity | 4 | 4 |
Horsepower | 159 hp @ 5200 rpm | 159 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City | 20 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 23 | 23 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.7L 159 hp I4 | 2.7L 159 hp I4 |
Torque | 180 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm | 180 lb-ft @ 3800 rpm |
Horsepower | 159 hp @ 5200 rpm | 159 hp @ 5200 rpm |
Drivetrain | 4X2 | 4X2 |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 20 | 20 |
MPG Highway | 23 | 23 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 4 | 4 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Bed Length | 73.7 in | 73.7 in |
Curb Weight | 3980 lbs | 3915 lbs |
Height | 70.6 in | 70.6 in |
Length | 212.3 in | 212.3 in |
Width | 74.4 in | 74.4 in |
Wheelbase | 127.4 in | 127.4 in |
Maximum Payload | 1620 lbs | 1685 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 3500 lbs | 3500 lbs |
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma stood out with its rugged and blocky design, where each trim level came with unique grilles, wheels, hoods, and finishes. Designers appeared to have sculpted these vehicles using nothing more than a T-square, a level, and a knife, resulting in solid blocks of metal detailed with carved character lines and flared fenders. The nose of the vehicle provocatively protruded, giving the Tacoma a ruggedly handsome look. Inside, the Tacoma prioritized function over form, relying on hard and durable plastics. Stylish details, such as geometric upholstery patterns and widely spaced dashboard air vents, punctuated an otherwise simple aesthetic. The truck featured analog gauges and an old-school control panel with sizable knobs and buttons that suited a gloved user. The 2019 Tacoma was available in extended-cab (Access Cab) and crew-cab (Double Cab) styles, with options for short or long cargo beds, 4-cylinder or V6 engines, and rear-wheel or 4-wheel drive configurations. Trim levels started from the most affordable SR to the pricey TRD Pro. The Limited trim, priced at $40,865, included a base set of features particularly available only in Double Cab, short bed, V6, 4WD configurations. It reached a grand total of $42,184 with additional options.
Conversely, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma was described as clean, pure, and straightforward, though perhaps not beauty-contest material compared to the full-size Ram 1500. Its body was aesthetically rounded enough to ensure it didn’t resemble a Jeep but coated with enough upright lines and chiseled panels to remind onlookers it wasn’t a cushy SUV like the Highlander. The 2020 Tacoma’s look was big without feeling bulky, focusing on efficiency more than embellishments. The Limited trim sported 18-inch wheels as its primary touch of glitz. The TRD Pro, however, received a significant style overhaul with redesigned LED headlights and attention-grabbing features like Army Green paint, a chunkier grille, and several TRD logos. The TRD Pro exuded readiness for both urban and trail adventures, evidenced by its aluminum skid plate, Fox Racing red shocks, 16-inch black TRD wheels, and all-terrain tires. Inside, the straightforward design continued, featuring rectangular planes forming the upright dash and a modest touchscreen surrounded by chunky toggles and buttons. The TRD Pro's leather seats fell short on luxury, with their simple plastics and rubber finishes making the cabin feel less opulent compared to its Ford and Nissan competitors.
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma packed 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, suited for robust towing with a maximum tow rating of 6,800 pounds depending on the truck's configuration. Equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission and part-time shift-on-the-fly 4WD, the truck could also be fitted with the Multi-terrain Select and Crawl Control systems for TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro versions, enhancing off-road prowess. A 6-speed manual gearbox with a clutch-start cancel switch was also available on these trims. Limited trims, though lacking TRD extras, were more than capable for moderate off-road challenges, buoyed by their 9.4 inches of ground clearance. On the pavement, the Tacoma’s acceleration was strong yet the transmission sluggish unless in Sport mode. The truck averaged about 20.1 mpg against an EPA rating of 20 mpg. The steering response was slow, ideal for off-roading but not city driving, and the ride was bouncy, with the truck skittering over uneven road surfaces. The front brakes shuddered under prolonged use, raising questions about the truck's supposed indestructibility.
In contrast, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma also offered the same 3.5-liter V6 engine, churning out identical figures of 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. The base 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine was available only in the base SR and SR5 trims, delivering 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and was critically underpowered for a vehicle of its size. Throughout the lineup, a 6-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive were standard, with 4WD available on all trims except the TRD Pro where it was standard. A 6-speed manual was optional for TRD Off-Road and Pro models, featuring Clutch Start Cancel for better control in challenging terrains. The manual version lacked Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control, compelling features designed for sophisticated traction and ultra-low-speed cruise control in 4-Low scenarios. On paved roads, the Tacoma's steering remained slow and the V6 engine struggled and upshifted too early without pressing the “ECT PWR” button for higher revs and better performance. With an overall underwhelming fuel economy, the Tacoma offered a combined 20 mpg, worse for manual versions. It excelled in towing, with a capacity of 6,800 pounds and a cargo payload of 1,440 pounds, standing out in 4WD capability.
For the 2019 Toyota Tacoma, its high ground clearance made entry easy for tall individuals but hard for smaller ones, especially when the side steps wouldn’t help due to dirt-covered rocker panels. Inside, the truck featured wide, flat front seats with ample storage spaces. The driver’s seat offered basic manual adjustments, but a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat was planned for future models. The backseat in the Double Cab was cramped with limited space under the front seats for large boots and lacked air-conditioning vents or USB ports. The bed was shallow at 19.1 inches, featuring a plastic liner, an LED light, and a 120-volt/400-watt power outlet. It could handle a maximum payload capacity of 1,540 pounds.
The 2020 Toyota Tacoma’s smaller dimensions compared to full-size trucks made it easier to maneuver and park in urban environments. Available with either a 5- or 6-foot bed, the Tacoma utilized a rail system and movable tie-down cleats, an optional power outlet, and LED lighting. Double Cab models offered rear seats suitable only for short trips due to the cramped space, with minimal enhancements like a USB port but still no air vents. Storage bins under the seats lacked the ability to create a flat loading floor. A power-sliding rear window was present, but without a rear defroster, visibility could be an issue. The Tacoma’s overall ease of entry and exit was notable except for the missing driver’s side grab handle, important for going off-road without optional side steps.
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma did not prioritize advanced technology but managed to cover essential needs. It came equipped with a navigation system that was somewhat outdated and inaccurate, necessitating the use of a smartphone for directions. It featured a 7-inch display with knobs that were resistant to use, and not easily handled with gloves, contrasting with the truck's otherwise functional control panel. The JBL sound system with six speakers provided adequate audio quality. For the 2020 model, technological enhancements became more pronounced. The 8-inch touchscreen with navigation offered cloud-based traffic updates and accurate online searches. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a USB-C port. Optional accessories included wireless phone charging and onboard Wi-Fi. Enhanced 360-degree cameras provided various views, especially helpful in parking and low-speed off-road scenarios. The presence of driver assists like adaptive cruise control also added to the tech-savvy feel, while the overall interface remained user-friendly, fast, and functional.
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma featured Toyota Safety Sense, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking among others. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. The lane-departure warning system's beep was notably irritating. It faired well in IIHS crash tests but received 'Marginal' ratings for headlight performance and LATCH anchor access. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a 4-star overall rating.
For 2020, the Toyota Tacoma included more standard safety features, like forward-emergency braking and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors. NHTSA crash test ratings remained consistent at 4 stars overall, with better results for rear passengers. It also achieved IIHS Top Safety Pick status with good ratings in most crash tests and an acceptable rating for the front passenger small overlap test.
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