2019 Toyota Tacoma Test Drive Review: The Taco Will Never Die
Take a look at the pickup truck sales leaders and you'll see Ford, Chevrolet, and Ram interlocked in a three-way battle within the full-size segment. But sitting at number four, there's the midsize Toyota Tacoma, outselling its nearest rival (the Chevy Colorado) nearly two-to-one. How has Toyota managed to build such a strong selling truck? By keeping it simple. The third generation Tacoma arrived back in 2016, offering slight improvements of the second generation model, and has been improved marginally over its lifespan. Don't expect any drastic changes for the 2019 or the already-announced 2020 Tacoma. The Tacoma remains one of the more old school models in its segment, which makes it appealing to fans of those traditional trucks.
What's the Price of the 2019 Toyota Tacoma?
Pricing for the Tacoma spans a broad range, with the SR Access Cab 4x2 carrying a base MSRP of $25,850 before tax, registration, licensing, and a $1,095 destination fee. The SR5 starts off at $27,625 while upgrading to the TRD Sport sees you spend at least $32,545 in base Access Cab format. The TRD Off-Road is priced from $36,765 in the USA, while the Limited - available exclusively as a Double Cab, starts at $37,790. The range-topping TRD Pro derivative is priced from $42,960, representing an almost $20,000 range from the bottom to the top of the Tacoma line-up. Upgrading from Access Cab to Double Cab on the SR costs you $830, but higher up the trim levels this difference increases, while engine and drivetrain options also add to the price.
Handling and Driving Impressions
Don't hop in expecting a car-like driving experience with loads of refinement. The Tacoma, for better or worse, is a truck to its core. Steering is vague and requires constant attention at highway speeds. Lane departure warning alerts you when you've strayed from the lane but there is no lane keep assist to help keep the truck centered. We drove the Tacoma from Orlando to Miami and the highway trip felt tiresome by the end.
Adaptive cruise control made the trip easier but it can't bring the truck down to a stop in traffic. When it is time to come to a stop, we often had to frantically squeeze the brakes because the Tacoma still uses drum units in the rear. Road noise is profound at higher speeds and the stiff suspension of our TRD Sport tester can be uncomfortable over rough pavement. If you value a more comfortable ride, the Honda Ridgeline is the better option.
Verdict: Is the 2019 Toyota Tacoma A Good truck?
Even though the Tacoma doesn't feel very modern by 2019 standards, it isn't completely outclassed by its rivals in the midsize truck segment, though it still lacks a tangible selling point like its rivals. The GM twins offers better drivability, the Ford Ranger has a more modern drivetrain, the Jeep Gladiator offers a removable roof, and the Honda Ridgeline is more more comfortable. But the Tacoma still offers rugged looks, strong off-road ability, and legendary Toyota reliability. Truck buyers are remarkably loyal and some won't even consider one of the American competitors because the Tacoma will last well past the apocalypse and still hold its value well after we have all turned to dust.
What Toyota Tacoma Model Should I Buy?
We generally liked the look of our 2019 Tacoma TRD Sport but it is thetop TRD Pro trim that caught our eye. The as-test price of our TRD Sport was $42,430, putting it dangerously close to the starting price of the TRD Pro. Toyota is having trouble keeping the TRD Pro models in stock and just looking at them, it's not hard to see why. Some dealers have even resorted to marking them up, proving Toyota left some value on the table.
2019 Toyota Tacoma Comparisons
2019 Toyota Tacoma vs Nissan Frontier
Once upon a time, the Frontier may have been a viable alternative to the Tacoma, but in 2019, the Frontier is now more than a decade old and is suffering against more contemporary rivals. While the Frontier may be cheap and boast some of the best reliability in the long run, the Tacoma offers newer powertrains, higher levels of specification, greater safety ratings, and a more refined drive. Its composite truck bed is more durable and spacious, and the interior is vastly more comfortable. The Frontier is in dire need of an upgrade, and until such time as that happens, you're better off buying a Tacoma.
2019 Toyota Tacoma vs Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevy Colorado is one of the most likable options in the midsize truck segment. Not only is it a class-leader when it comes to towing capacity when equipped with the available diesel engine, but it's also more economical with that motor too, and still offers two gasoline derivatives to match those available in the Tacoma. The base model also substantially cheaper than the Tacoma, while still offering high levels of specification, like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality not available on any Tacoma trim. Chevrolet offers the Colorado with its own hardcore off-road variant - the ZR2 - to rival the TRD Pro, but the Tacoma is the better off-road vehicle. However, if off-roading isn't high on your priority list, the Colorado offers a more spacious interior, better driving dynamics, and a wider range of equipment, which along with the available diesel engine, makes it our pick of the two.