Full disclosure: I like the Toyota Tacoma. It’s a good looking truck that packs a lot under the hood and has a great set of features for just about any driver. Plus, you can’t spell “Tacoma” without “taco” and for some reason that just speaks to me. While I could probably spend a long time going on and on about what I like about the 2019 Toyota Tacoma, instead I’ve boiled it all down into a few simple points to share with you, because I’m just nice like that.
Also because once you concentrate these kinds of things into a few points, it becomes a lot easier to see why I’m hardly the only one who likes this beauty. Toyota has clearly put a lot of time and energy into developing a terrific truck that has everything I and a lot of other people could ask for packed into a sleek design. If you can read about all these features and not get excited, then you just have a greater resilience in the face of concentrated awesomeness than I do.
1. The Off-Road Capabilities
If you don’t like off-roading then you can probably skip ahead, or maybe keep reading and find out if the 2019 Toyota Tacoma will convince you to give “the road less traveled” a try. A lot of people probably like the Tacoma as a work truck – for driving around with loads of lumber, tools, and other supplies in the back – or for hauling a camper or other equipment out for a weekend away. But Toyota has clearly designed the Tacoma TRD model as an answer for people who want a lot of power and cargo while heading into the wild.
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma has a Crawl Control system called CRAWL (catchy name!) that is designed to make it easier to drive over rough terrain by modulating throttle and brakes with five different low-speed settings. This lets the driver focus on the road, rather than adjusting speed constantly. There’s also the Tacoma’s electronically locking rear differential that controls and ensures both rear wheels move at the same speed and maintain as much traction as possible.
2. The Engine
It’s about to get a little technical in here, and for that, I (sort of) apologize. But if you’re going to talk about what makes the 2019 Toyota Tacoma great, it would be criminal to skip over the engine in this beast. It has an available Atkinson-cycle 3.5L V6 with direct injection that provides up to 278-hp and 265 lb.-ft. of torque. So what does that mean? It means this truck is powerful and can handle just about anything you throw at it.
This comes with a 6-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission and is a low emission vehicle, so you won’t have to worry about passing your next emissions test. You can choose either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, depending on the model you like and any trim level you might have in mind. Admittedly, that’s not the engine, but it all works together to give this truck a ton of power and fantastic performance whether you’re heading to work, driving around town, or enjoying a weekend away.
3. Towing Capacity
Speaking of a weekend away, what’s the point of having a truck if you can’t use it to enjoy yourself sometimes? That’s where the towing capacity and payload of the 2019 Toyota Tacoma comes into play, since it ensures you can haul around just about any toy you can think of. The payload goes up to about 1500 lbs. in the right model and trim level, which is great for loading up a grill, some coolers, and just about anything else you need for camping or tailgating.
But if you’re serious about your fun, then a truck is great for hauling a camper or trailer, perhaps one loaded with some jet skis or an ATV? The 2019 Toyota Tacoma, with the right towing package, can haul up to 6,800 lbs. behind it, which should be more than enough for all the fun you can dial up on a weekend. The Tacoma even comes with trailer-sway control to help make driving with a trailer even easier, thanks to a system that applies brake pressure at individual wheels to help maintain control of your trailer even on rough roads.
4. All the Tech Bells and Whistles
Personally, I’m not impressed by any new car or truck that doesn’t include some solid technology features. It’s almost 2019 and I want my ride to be as loaded with tech as my television or my phone. Fortunately, the 2019 Toyota Tacoma doesn’t disappoint and includes a 4.2-inch color display that shows information such as outside temperature, the odometer, and trip meters. This makes it easy to keep track of your fuel economy and track information you need while on a long road trip.
It also includes three USB ports and a 6.1-inch touchscreen display that acts as the central hub for all your media and entertainment needs. This includes a six-speaker sound system, auxiliary and USB port for your audio, and hands-free phone functionality. Plus you get Bluetooth connectivity so you can stream music or other audio from any Bluetooth-compatible device. And if you like your music the old-fashioned way, don’t worry – the 2019 Toyota Tacoma includes an AM/FM radio and CD player so you can enjoy all your favorite tracks.
5. The Safety Features (No Really!)
I’ll be the first to admit that safety features aren’t particularly sexy or flashy. A lot of car guys will start drooling over a chrome-plated engine, but they don’t typically get too excited about an advanced airbag system. But safety features are important – perhaps the single most important feature of any vehicle. I don’t care if you have an 8-speaker Bose sound system and the ability to haul 20,000 lbs. of cargo around – if I don’t feel safe in a truck, then nothing else matters.
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma has no lack of safety features, fortunately, so you can feel confident that you and your passengers are safe. It starts with a standard safety system that includes vehicle stability control, anti-lock brakes, and brake assist with smart stop technology to help you make sure you stop completely and safely in a wide range of situations. There are driver and front passenger airbags, along with seat-mounted side airbags, front-seat knee airbags, and front and rear roll-sensing curtain airbags.
But wait (as the salesman says) there’s more! Seriously though, the Tacoma also includes a pre-collision warning system with pedestrian detection that can help avoid collisions and serious accidents before they ever even happen. Lane departure alert with sway warning system can help you make sure you stay in your lane, which is especially important if you tend to be on the road for long hours and risk driver fatigue. And you get “Hill Start Assist Control,” which helps ensure you don’t roll backward when on an incline and switching from brakes to the accelerator.
There are even more available options on some trim levels, like rear parking assist sonar and a blind-spot monitor, but I’ve said enough. The 2019 Toyota Tacoma looks great, has a ton of power, and will keep you and your loved ones safe. What more is there to say?
