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A white 2020 Toyota Tacoma on display at an auto show.

Driver Review: Is the 2019 Toyota Tacoma Dependable?

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma has been out for a while, allowing drivers to test it out. Now we get to assess reviews about how the Toyota Tacoma holds up after getting some miles put on it. While it’s too early to tell how dependable the 2020 Toyota Tacoma is, we can provide a better idea …

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma has been out for a while, allowing drivers to test it out. Now we get to assess reviews about how the Toyota Tacoma holds up after getting some miles put on it. While it’s too early to tell how dependable the 2020 Toyota Tacoma is, we can provide a better idea if the 2019 model is worth buying. 

Is the 2019 Toyota Tacoma a good truck? 

A driver named Isaac who enjoys testing a variety of truck miles has spent the past year putting 10,480 miles on his Toyota Tacoma to provide an update on how it performs. Issac has discovered a variety of pros and cons about the 2019 Toyota Tacoma that he’s happy to share. 

First, for a little background, the 2019 Toyota Tacoma starts around $25k. It can tow between 3,500 to 6,500 lb and provides between 159 to 278 horsepower depending on which build you choose. It gets up to 20 mph in the city and up to 23 mph on the highway, so it’s not the most fuel-efficient option. 

2019 Toyota Tacoma cons 

After using the 2019 Toyota Tacoma for a year, Isaac discovered that his truck lacks an automatic tailgate locking feature. He has to manually lock and unlock his tailgate when a button inside the cab is much more convenient. 

2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro refresh parked in desert
2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro refresh | Toyota

He recently tested the Nissan Titan, which has an automatic locking tailgate feature that he enjoyed. This is a pretty small issue, but can it be the little things to make or break a truck. Toyota offers this feature on other trim levels of the Tacoma. 

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The next issue involves an interior problem. Isaac found that the Bluetooth feature in the Toyota Tacoma is frustrating to use. When he starts his truck, the Bluetooth displays an album that’s playing, then cuts back to his phone and plays music for a few seconds before turning off. 

It also displays incorrect information. For example, instead of showing the weather, it will display an album cover. He fears that he will have to replace the unit soon, and it may not be covered under warranty. 

2019 Toyota Tacoma SX Package parked in a field
2019 Toyota Tacoma SX Package | Toyota

His third complaint is more of his fault. He tried to see how easy removing the doors would be and dropped the clips holding the speakers in place during this process. Now he will have to remove the door panel to get them out because it’s too narrow for him to reach the clips. They also rattle as he drives. 

2019 Toyota Tacoma pros 

After spending a year with the 2019 Toyota Tacoma, Isaac has decided that he likes the seating position. It’s often complained about for sitting too low to the ground, but at 5’9” it creates more than enough headroom and space for his long legs. 

2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro | Toyota

Also, the Toyota Tacoma has a durable interior or truck bed. The plastic materials in the dash have held up well, and the truck bed hardly has any knicks after transporting logs and branches with sharp edges. 

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma has also had a very smooth ride. He’s enjoyed taking it around the city with smooth gear transmissions and can ride over potholes without getting jostled around. The truck bed has also been incredibly functional for loading larger items. It’s been a great truck all around that’s the perfect size for driving in tight areas.

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