2019 Toyota Tacoma 4x4: Engine Specs and Features

The Toyota Tacoma was a real, in-production model in 2019, and the 2019 truck belonged to the third generation, which ran from 2016 through 2023. The 2019 Tacoma was a carryover with small updates rather than a redesign. Notably, the 2019 model did not yet offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto; those features arrived for the 2020 model year.

2019 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 engine specs and release date

Third-generation Tacoma background

The third-generation Tacoma went on sale for 2016 and remained in production through 2023. It uses a body-on-frame chassis, which is what separates a pickup from a crossover, and it was built in both the United States and Mexico. The 2019 model year fell in the middle of that run, so the truck’s design, engines and dimensions were essentially unchanged from the 2016 launch.

Engines

2.7-liter 2TR-FE four-cylinder: 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque
3.5-liter 2GR-FKS V6: 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque
Transmissions: six-speed automatic, with a six-speed manual available on certain four-wheel-drive V6 models
Fuel: regular gasoline
Layout: front-engine, rear-wheel drive or part-time four-wheel drive

Transmissions and four-wheel drive

Four-wheel-drive Tacomas used a part-time system with a two-speed transfer case, allowing the driver to select two-wheel drive for the road and four-wheel drive for loose surfaces. A six-speed manual transmission was available on certain four-wheel-drive V6 models, alongside the six-speed automatic. The V6 engine uses an Atkinson cycle for efficiency, and Toyota noted that the automatic used a more efficient setting for everyday driving.

Off-road trims

The 2019 Tacoma line-up included two dedicated off-road grades. The TRD Off-Road added an electronically locking rear differential and Crawl Control, a low-speed off-road cruise system, along with skid plates and all-terrain tires. The TRD Pro sat above it with Fox internal-bypass dampers, a lifted suspension and a distinctive “desert air intake” that ran up the passenger-side A-pillar. The TRD Pro returned for 2019 after Toyota had considered whether to keep offering it.

Fuel economy

EPA figures for four-wheel-drive 2019 Tacomas were 19 mpg city, 22 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined for the 2.7-liter four-cylinder automatic, and 18/22/20 mpg for the 3.5-liter V6 with four-wheel drive. The TRD Pro, with its off-road tires and suspension, was rated at the same 18/22/20 mpg as the standard V6 four-wheel-drive truck. Two-wheel-drive versions were rated slightly higher.

Exterior and grades

The 2019 Tacoma came in six grades: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited and TRD Pro, in both Access Cab and Double Cab body styles with short or long beds depending on the trim. The TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road wore hood scoops and sportier detailing, while the Limited focused on comfort and chrome. For 2019 Toyota made only minor changes, including a pair of USB inputs across the range.

Interior

The Tacoma’s cabin was a straightforward, durable design aimed at work and off-road use, with an available 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Rear-seat space in the Double Cab was adequate for adults on shorter trips, and the bed measured either five feet or six feet depending on the cab and bed configuration chosen. Toyota’s own comparison material lists the 2019 Tacoma in Access Cab and Double Cab forms with the two engines and two transmissions.

What changed for 2020

The most significant technology update for the third-generation Tacoma came one year after the 2019 model. For 2020 Toyota added Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibility, introduced available powered driver’s seats and revised the grilles and wheels across most grades. Buyers shopping a used Tacoma who care about smartphone integration should therefore look at 2020 or later, because the 2019 truck lacks those systems.

Buying a Tacoma today

The third-generation Tacoma was replaced by the fourth-generation truck for the 2024 model year, so 2019 examples are now used vehicles. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro grades are the ones collectors and off-road buyers seek out, while the SR and SR5 suit buyers who want a basic work truck. The 2.7-liter four-cylinder is the economy choice and the 3.5-liter V6 the one to have for towing and hauling. Related model coverage is available in our 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro review and 2019 Toyota Hilux concept review. For more models, see Car Review.

2019 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 release date and price

Body styles and beds

The 2019 Tacoma was offered with two cab styles: the extended Access Cab with rear half-doors, and the four-door Double Cab. Bed lengths were five feet or six feet, depending on the cab and trim chosen. The Access Cab came with the six-foot bed, while the Double Cab could be ordered with either a short bed or a long bed. This range of cab and bed combinations was one reason the Tacoma offered more configurations than many of its rivals.

Safety

By 2019 the Tacoma came with Toyota Safety Sense P as standard. The package included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, automatic high beams and dynamic radar cruise control. Eight airbags, a backup camera and Toyota’s Star Safety System were also standard. As with the infotainment upgrades, the more advanced driver-assistance features did not arrive until the 2020 refresh.

Market and rivals

The Tacoma dominated the mid-size pickup segment in the United States through the late 2010s, outselling the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger and Nissan Frontier for most of that period. Its reputation for durability and strong resale value underpinned that leadership. The 2019 model year was a quiet one, but the truck’s fundamental appeal — a body-on-frame chassis, two cab sizes, two engines and a dedicated off-road family — was unchanged from the 2016 launch.

2019 Toyota Tacoma 4×4: Engine Specs and Features

Third-generation Tacoma background