The 2019 Toyota Tacoma is a real model year of Toyota’s mid-size pickup. It belongs to the third-generation Tacoma, which went into production in August 2015 and ran through 2023 (model years 2016 to 2023). The 2019 truck sat in the middle of that run and kept the generation’s two engine choices: a four-cylinder and a V6. It was replaced for 2024 by an all-new Tacoma built around turbocharged four-cylinder engines.
What the 2019 Tacoma Was
The third-generation Tacoma is a body-on-frame mid-size truck offered as an extended Access Cab or a four-door Double Cab, with either a five-foot or a six-foot bed. It uses leaf-spring rear suspension and was sold in rear- and four-wheel drive. Toyota positioned it as a rugged, off-road-capable alternative to larger full-size pickups such as its own Tundra. The generation is documented on Wikipedia.
Engines and Performance
The 2019 Tacoma offered two engines:
- 2.7-liter 2TR-FE four-cylinder: 159 hp at 5,200 rpm and 180 lb-ft at 3,800 rpm, with a six-speed automatic
- 3.5-liter 2GR-FKS V6: 278 hp at 6,000 rpm and 265 lb-ft at 4,600 rpm, with a six-speed automatic or an available six-speed manual
Edmunds lists the V6 at 278 hp and 265 lb-ft, and Kelley Blue Book confirms those figures for the TRD Pro. The V6 is the engine most buyers chose, as the four-cylinder truck is modestly powered for a vehicle of its size.
Fuel Economy
According to the EPA figures carried on Wikipedia, a rear-wheel-drive four-cylinder Tacoma was rated at about 20 mpg city, 23 highway and 21 combined, while a four-wheel-drive V6 model was rated at roughly 17 mpg city, 20 highway and 18 combined. A two-wheel-drive V6 was rated about 18/22 mpg. Those numbers place the third-generation Tacoma mid-pack for a mid-size truck of its era.
Trims and Equipment
The 2019 line-up ran from the work-focused SR and SR5 through the TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro and Limited trims. Off-road models added features such as an electronically locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select traction settings and skid plates. Standard safety equipment across the range included forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert, automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control. A basic Entune infotainment system with Bluetooth and a USB input was offered.
Pricing and Capability
Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices for the 2019 Tacoma started at about $25,850 for a base SR and climbed past $40,000 for a fully equipped TRD Pro or Limited. Properly equipped V6 trucks were rated to tow up to about 6,800 lb, while four-cylinder models were far lower. Payload and bed utility, rather than outright towing, are the Tacoma’s strengths relative to full-size trucks.
What Buyers Can Get Today
The 2019 Tacoma remains a popular used truck thanks to its reliability record and strong resale values. Buyers who want the newest version instead get the fourth-generation Tacoma introduced for 2024, which replaced both engines with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and an available i-Force Max hybrid, and swapped the rear leaf springs for a coil-spring multi-link setup. The main decision for a shopper is whether they want the naturally aspirated V6 of the 2019 truck or the newer turbocharged design.
Related Toyota Models
Other Toyota trucks and SUVs covered on this site include the 2019 Toyota Tundra Price, Engine and Specs and the 2019 Toyota Kluger Review.
Dimensions and Chassis
In third-generation form the Tacoma measured about 212.3 inches (5,392 mm) long for Access Cab and short-bed Double Cab models, or 225.5 inches (5,728 mm) for the long-bed Double Cab. Width ranged from roughly 74.4 to 75.2 inches (1,890 to 1,910 mm), height was about 70.6 inches (1,793 mm), and curb weight ran from roughly 4,425 to 4,480 lb (2,007 to 2,032 kg), depending on cab, bed and drivetrain. The truck shares its underpinnings with the Toyota 4Runner of the same period.
Interior and Technology
Inside, the 2019 Tacoma used a simple, durable layout intended to withstand work and off-road use. Standard equipment on lower trims included four-way-adjustable cloth seats with driver lumbar support, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a 4.2-inch driver information display. An Entune stereo with Bluetooth and a USB input was fitted, and higher trims added leather, a larger touchscreen and premium audio.
Off-Road Hardware
The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro models added hardware aimed at trail use, including an electronically locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select traction modes, Crawl Control and skid plates. That focus on off-road capability is a large part of why the third-generation Tacoma held its value well and developed a strong enthusiast following. The V6 was available with a six-speed manual as well as the automatic, an increasingly rare combination in the mid-size segment.
Summary for Buyers
The 2019 Tacoma is a third-generation mid-size truck with a 159 hp four-cylinder or a 278 hp V6, available with rear- or four-wheel drive and a manual or automatic gearbox. It trades outright refinement for durability and off-road ability, which is why it holds value well. A used example suits buyers who want a compact, capable pickup, while those who want more power and comfort can consider the 2024-and-later turbocharged Tacoma. It was one of the few mid-size trucks still offered with a six-speed manual, and it remains popular with off-road enthusiasts. Shoppers should check for rust on older examples and confirm whether a particular truck has the tow package.
