Which 2019 Toyota Tacoma trim is best for you?
- 2019 Toyota Tacoma SR- Buyers looking for an affordable pickup with basic convenience features and a few advanced driver aids should love the SR.
- 2019 Toyota Tacoma SR5- The SR5 cranks up the convenience features. Buyers wanting a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry, and more audio speakers will appreciate the SR5.
- 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport- Buyers who want a more rugged-looking truck with a few extra convenience features will probably pick the TRD Sport over the SR5.
- 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road- Buyers hunting for a serious off-road package will gravitate to the TRD Off-Road.
- 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro- Buyers wanting the ultimate off-roading Tacoma will pick the TRD Pro.
- 2019 Toyota Tacoma Limited- Buyers looking for the utmost luxury and convenience features in their Tacoma will land on the Limited.
2019 Toyota Tacoma Overview - The 2019 Toyota Tacoma returned for the model year virtually unchanged because truck makers are reluctant to tinker with their babies. Toyota even resisted the urge to cobble together a new trim level for 2019 to make Tacoma at least seem fresh. For 2019, Tacoma continued with six trim levels: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro. We appreciate the Tacoma for its rugged, off-road readiness (particularly TRD versions), user-friendly controls, Toyota reliability, and driver aid technologies. Toyota offers two cab configurations (Access Cab and Double Cab) for every trim level, except the Double Cab-only Limited. The cost of moving up to the Double Cab varies according to the grade. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard, but 4-wheel drive (4WD) is available regardless of the trim level. Author:
Russ Heaps.
What is the best 2019 Toyota Tacoma trim? - Although the Tacoma is skewed toward off roading, it really has two personalities. One satisfies traditional truck buyers looking for everyday transportation. The other talks to more adventuresome buyers who want do go off pavement and have some fun. Buyers looking for the first one will find the most value in the TRD Sport. It has a comprehensive list of convenience features like keyless entry with push-button start, a bigger touchscreen, and the V6 engine. Those looking for some off-road adventure will find the best value in the TRD Off-Road grade. It has many of the TRD Pro’s off-road features but for $10,000 less. Whether it’s the Access Cab or the Double Cab, we’d also recommend the Premium Package with dual-zone automatic air conditioning and auto on-off headlights.
How many mpg does the 2019 Toyota Tacoma get? - There is so little difference between the 4-cylinder and V6 mileage, the engine choice doesn’t matter for fuel economy. So, no matter if it’s the SR or SR5 with the 4-cylinder or the SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road or Limited, you will get the better fuel economy with either engine and RWD. The 4-cylinder with the automatic transmission and RWD gets 20 mpg city/23 mpg highway/21 mpg combined. Those numbers barely budge with the V6. They are 19 mpg/24 mpg/21 mpg. Even opting for 4WD doesn’t make much difference. For the 4-cylinder they are 19 mpg/22 mpg/20 mpg. With the V6, they are 18 mpg/22 mpg/20 mpg.
Which 2019 Toyota Tacoma trim level is the safest? - In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing, the Tacoma received the top score of Good in five crash scenarios. It also tested the Double Cab for small overlap front: passenger side in which it scored an Acceptable. The IIHS didn’t test the Access Cab for that sixth scenario. Every Tacoma trim comes with forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, and adaptive cruise control. Rear-park assist is optional on SR5, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road. It’s standard on Limited and TRD Pro. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is optional on TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road, but standard on Limited and TRD Pro.
2019 Toyota Tacoma SR - The base engine for the SR and SR5 is a 159-hp 2.7-liter 4-cylinder paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Mileage varies according to the number of drive wheels. RWD versions have a combined city and highway driving number of 21 mpg. With 4WD, it drops to 20 mpg. Our advice is to steer clear of the base 4-cylinder and find a Tacoma SR or SR5 with the V6 standard for all other grades. It’s a 278-hp 3.5-liter V6 that’s available for any trim level. Its fuel-economy numbers are all over the map depending on the drive-wheel count, the transmission, and the trim level. V6 RWD models vary little from the 4-cylinder, with the combined number working out to 21 mpg. Adding 4WD with the 6-speed manual transmission is 18 mpg combined or 20 mpg combined with the 6-speed automatic. Stepping up to the Double Cab with the short cargo box costs $26,880. Standard are 16-inch steel wheels, power accessories (windows, door locks, and outboard rearview mirrors), an electronic rear limited-slip differential, and a lockable/removable tailgate. Also included are 2-speed wipers, a sliding rear window, engine/front-suspension skid plates, a Class IV tow hitch, heated outboard mirrors, and air conditioning. Three USB ports, cloth seating, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel, a 6.1-inch touchscreen, a 4-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, and hands-free phone capability are standard, too. Advanced driver aids are forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, and adaptive cruise control. Models equipped with the automatic transmission also provide hill-start assist. Remote keyless entry, black steel wheels, and a tonneau cover are options. Key features of the 2019 Toyota Tacoma SR are:
- Fog lights — Mounted lower than the headlights, these lights aim downward to illuminate beneath the fog layer.
- Remote keyless entry — Using the fob, you can unlock and lock the vehicle remotely when in range.
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror — Using photosensors, it recognizes bright headlights closing from behind. It then automatically dims the reflection of those lights. This feature is only available in SR5 models with the V6 engine.
2019 Toyota Tacoma SR5 - To the SR, the SR5 adds projector-beam headlights, fog lights, variable intermittent wipers, an outside temperature display, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Also standard are remote keyless entry, an auto-dimming rearview mirror (V6 only), and an upgraded infotainment system with a 6-speaker audio system. The Parking & Navigation Package with rear-park assist and a navigation system are among the factory-installed options. Who is this trim for? The SR5 cranks up the convenience features. Buyers wanting a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote keyless entry, and more audio speakers will appreciate the SR5. Key features of the 2019 Toyota Tacoma SR5 include:
- Fog lights — Mounted lower than the headlights, these lights aim downward to illuminate beneath the fog layer.
- Remote keyless entry — Using the fob, you can unlock and lock the vehicle remotely when in range.
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror — Using photosensors, it recognizes bright headlights closing from behind. It then automatically dims the reflection of those lights. This feature is only available in SR5 models with the V6 engine.
2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport - When new, opting for the Double Cab costs $34,000. To the SR5, the TRD Sport adds 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry with push-button start, wireless phone charging, and a leather-wrapped shift knob. Also included are a power-sliding rear window, wide-angle fog lights, a 120-volt power outlet, and a 7-inch touchscreen. There are a few TRD appearance elements, as well. Double Cab variants also get a power moonroof. Buyers can upgrade access Cab versions with the Premium Package, including dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and auto on-off headlights. There’s a Premium Package for Double Cab versions, as well. It includes the Access Cab features and adds a navigation system, leather seating, and an upgraded JBL audio system. Key features of the 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport are:
- Keyless entry — If the key fob is on your person, the doors automatically unlock when you touch the door handle. Push-button start pairs with keyless entry.
- Smartphone charging — You can charge any Qi-compatible smartphone without using a cable.
- V6 engine — Beginning with the TRD Sport, the standard engine is the 278-hp 3.5-liter V6 that also generates 265 lb-ft of torque.
2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road - To the TRD Sport, the TRD Off-Road adds 16-inch alloy wheels, a TRD-tuned suspension, Bilstein shocks, Multi-Terrain Select (4WD AT only), and Crawl Control (4WD AT only). An electronically controlled locking rear differential is also standard. Options include those for the TRD Sport. Key features of the 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road include:
- Multi-Terrain Select — This allows drivers to pick from several off-road driving modes like Mud and Sand, Loose Rock and Dirt, Mogul, and Rock. These modes regulate wheel spin, brake pressure, and throttle response to maximize traction. Toyota only offers it on 4WD versions with the automatic transmission.
- Crawl Control — Engineered for speeds of 1 mile per hour to 5 mph, it’s essentially off-road cruise control. When engaged, it frees up the driver to concentrate on steering. Toyota only offers it on 4WD versions with the automatic transmission.
- Locking rear differential — Electronically operated, you can lock this differential to ensure the rear wheels spin at the same speed. This capability is beneficial when off-roading.
2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro - To the TRD Off-Road, the TRD Pro adds projector LED headlights, another front skid plate, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated TRD leather front seats. Also included are TRD interior accents, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a HomeLink garage remote, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. A more heavily tuned off-road suspension and Fox Internal Bypass shocks are also standard. A Desert Air Intake is optional. Key Features of the 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro include:
- LED headlights — These headlights illuminate a broader and longer area than regular incandescent or halogen lights. That means they are also easier for other drivers to see.
- HomeLink — This universal transceiver offers programming for your automatic garage door and other functions like your home’s interior light operation.
- Fox shocks – These internal bypass shocks provide a plush, comfy ride when in the middle zone of shock travel but increase the damping on the compression and rebound cycles at the two ends. This action provides a blend of better-than-average ride quality with enough control to keep the rubber on the dirt over rough terrain.
2019 Toyota Tacoma Limited - Losing all the heavy-duty off-road features of the TRD versions, Limited does retain all their convenience features like leather seating and dual-zone automatic climate control. Limited is the TRD Pro without all the extreme off-roading elements and 18-inch alloy wheels.
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