The Toyota Tacoma is Toyota’s midsize pickup for North America, sold in place of the Hilux that most other markets receive. The 2019 model year fell in the middle of the third-generation truck’s run, which spanned model years 2016 to 2023. This article details the verified engines, towing and payload ratings, dimensions and pricing of the 2019 Tacoma.
Was the 2019 Tacoma a Redesign?
No. The third-generation Tacoma (model code N300) went on sale for the 2016 model year, following the previous generation that ran from 2005 to 2015. There was no full redesign for 2019; the truck carried over with minor changes. A true new generation, the fourth-generation N400 built in Mexico, arrived for the 2024 model year with turbocharged four-cylinder and hybrid powertrains.
Related Toyota truck coverage includes the 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser Review and Price. For other models in the range, see the Toyota Review index.
Engine and Transmission
Two engines were offered for 2019. The base engine was a 2.7-liter four-cylinder (2TR-FE) making 159 hp at 5,200 rpm and 180 lb-ft of torque. The optional engine was a 3.5-liter V6 (2GR-FKS) producing 278 hp at 6,000 rpm and 265 lb-ft of torque. Both could be paired with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, and both were available in rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Higher trims such as the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro added features including a two-speed transfer case and, on some configurations, a locking rear differential.
Towing and Payload
Towing capacity depended on the engine and body configuration. According to Kelley Blue Book, four-cylinder 2019 Tacomas were rated to tow 3,500 pounds, while V6 models were rated between 6,400 and 6,500 pounds. Payload ratings ranged from 1,120 pounds on heavily equipped four-wheel-drive V6 trucks to 1,620 pounds on the base four-cylinder Access Cab. Curb weight ranged from 3,980 pounds for the lightest Access Cab to 4,480 pounds for a four-wheel-drive Double Cab. Every version had a 21.1-gallon fuel tank.
Exterior and Cabin
The 2019 Tacoma was offered in two cab styles: Access Cab and Double Cab, with bed lengths of five or six feet. Dimensions depended on the layout. Access Cab and short-bed Double Cab models shared a 127.4-inch wheelbase and measured 212.3 inches long, while the long-bed Double Cab stretched to a 140.6-inch wheelbase and 225.5 inches overall. The truck was 74.4 to 75.2 inches wide and about 70.6 inches tall.
Interior and Equipment
The Tacoma’s cabin was offered in SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited and TRD Pro grades. Leather seating was available on higher trims, and blind-spot monitoring was standard on the Limited and TRD Pro. The 2019 model used the previous-generation infotainment system; a larger touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto arrived for the 2020 model year. Toyota Safety Sense was not fitted to every 2019 Tacoma, so shoppers should confirm which active-safety features a specific truck has.
Price and Release Date
The 2019 Tacoma went on sale in late 2018 as a carryover model. Kelley Blue Book lists 13 configurations for the year, ranging from the four-cylinder Access Cab SR to the four-wheel-drive Double Cab TRD Pro. Because pricing varied widely by cab, bed, drivetrain and trim, buyers should check the specific configuration’s original window sticker. Used values for the third-generation Tacoma have historically held up well.
Key Specifications
| Specification | 2019 details |
|---|---|
| Base engine | 2.7-liter I4 (2TR-FE), 159 hp / 180 lb-ft |
| Optional engine | 3.5-liter V6 (2GR-FKS), 278 hp / 265 lb-ft |
| Transmissions | 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive |
| Towing (I4) | 3,500 pounds |
| Towing (V6) | 6,400 to 6,500 pounds |
| Payload | 1,120 to 1,620 pounds |
| Curb weight | 3,980 to 4,480 pounds |
| Wheelbase | 127.4 or 140.6 inches |
| Fuel tank | 21.1 gallons |
Trim Levels and Buying Notes
Kelley Blue Book lists 13 configurations for the 2019 Tacoma, spanning the SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited and TRD Pro grades across Access Cab and Double Cab bodies with five-foot or six-foot beds. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro grades added off-road hardware, and the TRD Pro sat at the top of the range. Payload and towing depend heavily on the exact configuration, so a buyer should check the door-jamb sticker rather than rely on a single advertised maximum.
The third-generation Tacoma is known for strong resale value, and 2019 models tend to hold their worth accordingly. Because the 2019 infotainment system predates the upgrade introduced for 2020, buyers who want factory Apple CarPlay or Android Auto should look at later trucks or budget for an aftermarket head unit. A four-wheel-drive V6 with the automatic transmission and the TRD Off-Road package is the configuration most associated with the model, though the four-cylinder version is adequate for light duty and costs less to run.
The Tacoma was also one of the few midsize pickups to still offer a manual transmission in 2019, with a six-speed manual available alongside the six-speed automatic on both engines. That, combined with the availability of a locking rear differential and a low-range transfer case on four-wheel-drive models, kept the truck popular with buyers who wanted a more traditional, off-road-capable pickup.
Toyota built the third-generation Tacoma in the United States, and the model’s strong resale value meant that even several years after production, 2019 examples continued to command prices above many rivals. Buyers comparing a used Tacoma against a new truck should factor that resale strength into the total cost of ownership, because it reduces depreciation but raises the purchase price.
