2019 Toyota Tacoma vs 2019 Ford F-150

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma was a study in rugged aesthetics. Toyota differentiated the various Tacoma trims with unique grilles, wheels, hoods, and finishes, giving each version a distinct personality. The designers appeared to have used nothing but a T-square, a level, and a knife, creating solid blocks of metal detailed with carved character lines, flared fenders, and a provocatively protruding nose. The resultant angular profile exuded a rugged yet handsome look.

On the inside, the Tacoma emphasized durability over luxury with hard-wearing plastics dominating the cabin. There were a few stylish touches, such as geometric upholstery patterns and precisely spaced dashboard air vents, but overall, the interior prioritized function. It featured simple analog gauges and an old-school control panel complete with substantial knobs and buttons that were practical even for gloved hands.

Available in extended-cab (Access Cab) and crew-cab (Double Cab) styles, the 2019 Tacoma could be paired with either a short or a long cargo bed. It also offered a choice between a 4-cylinder or a V6 engine, and rear-wheel drive (RWD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD). Trim levels ranged from the more affordable SR and SR5 to the performance-focused TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and top-tier TRD Pro. The Limited trim, which comes only in Double Cab, short bed, V6, and 4WD, started at a base price of $40,865, ultimately totaling $42,184 with additional options.

The 2019 Ford F-150, when redesigned in 2015, turned heads with its bold adoption of twin-turbocharged EcoBoost engines and extensive use of aluminum in body panels. Ford had refreshed the truck for the 2018 model year, meaning the 2019 version carried over most of its visual cues. General Motors famously poked fun at Ford’s use of aluminum, suggesting it was more vulnerable to damage, despite adopting similar materials in their vehicles later.

Available trim levels included XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Raptor, and Limited. The base XL trim was a no-frills workhorse, while the XLT added power amenities and an upgraded infotainment system. Further up the hierarchy, trims like the Lariat brought leather interiors and advanced features, whereas the King Ranch offered luxurious upholstery options. The Platinum trim pushed luxury even further with unique wood-panel interiors and advanced running boards. For off-road enthusiasts, the Raptor came equipped with specialized shocks and a wide-body kit, while the Limited trim topped the range with 22-inch polished aluminum wheels, a dual-panel moonroof, and massaging seats.

Under the hood, most 2019 Tacoma models housed a direct-injected, Atkinson-cycle, 3.5-liter V6 engine that produced 278 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 265 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm. For towing, all V6-equipped Tacomas featured heavy-duty cooling, a trailer wiring harness, Trailer Sway Control, and a receiver hitch, allowing for a maximum tow rating of 6,800 pounds.

A 6-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode and manual shift gate delivered power to the rear wheels. For off-road aficionados, the part-time, shift-on-the-fly 4WD system in combination with the 6-speed manual gearbox offered features like Multi-terrain Select and Crawl Control, which managed off-road traction. TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro variants included a clutch-start cancel switch, allowing for greater control in difficult off-road situations. In terms of ride quality, the Tacoma's performance on pavements reflected its off-road capabilities—it had a bouncy and reactive ride, clear indicators of its rugged build. During testing, the Tacoma returned 18.9 mpg on a test loop, averaging 20.1 mpg for the week.

The 2019 F-150, on the other hand, added a new 3.0-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V6 engine to its lineup, generating 250 horsepower and an impressive 440 lb-ft of torque. The base engine continued to be a 3.3-liter V6, offering 290 hp and 265 lb-ft. Other options included a 2.7-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 with 325 hp and 400 lb-ft, and a more potent 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 in two states of tune: 375 hp and 450 hp. For those preferring a V8, the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 offered 395 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Towing capacities ranged up to 11,400 pounds with the 3.0-liter diesel engine.

The F-150's engines (except the base V6) paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, optimizing their power bands and ensuring smooth acceleration. The diesel engine was particularly quiet, making it a comfortable choice for long drives. It also featured an auto stop/start system, though its transitions were noticeable. In terms of fuel efficiency, the diesel achieved an estimated 22 mpg city, 30 highway, and 25 combined with RWD, with a slight dip for 4WD models.

Getting into a 2019 Tacoma was quite different depending on the user's height. Taller individuals found entry easy due to its high stance. However, shorter occupants struggled, especially when the rocker panels were dirty. Once inside, the front seats offered manual adjustments and lumbar support, and storage solutions were plentiful. For 2020, Toyota planned to introduce 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seats in most trims for added comfort. While acceptable for shorter rides, the 2019 model's seats fell short without ventilation options.

Rear-seat passengers experienced the usual cramped quarters common to midsize trucks, with high bottom cushions and padded seatbacks. The bed, while not very deep, came with a plastic liner, LED light, and a 120-volt/400-watt outlet. A maximum payload of 1,540 pounds made it functional for various haulage needs.

The 2019 F-150’s varied configurations included single cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew body styles, with different bed lengths tailored to each. The SuperCrew model, with its expansive cabin and massive center storage console, stood out for providing generous legroom and configurable cargo space. The rear bench could fold up to create a large load floor for in-cabin storage.

The F-150 excelled in meeting cargo demands with payload and towing capacities surpassing those of the Tacoma. While specific figures fluctuated based on configurations, its overall capacity significantly benefited users requiring robust performance.

Technologically, the 2019 Tacoma lagged behind. While offering an infotainment system with navigation, users frequently encountered issues locating specific addresses. Additionally, the system’s 7-inch display and resistant knobs detracted from ease of use. For 2020, Toyota planned upgrades including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa compatibility with an 8-inch screen, but these were unavailable in the 2019 model. The available 6-speaker JBL sound system provided decent audio, though.

The F-150 outshined the Tacoma technologically, starting with the base XL trim's simple Sync system and 4.2-inch screen. From XLT upward, they included the more intuitive Sync 3 with an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The King Ranch trim, in particular, offered a Wi-Fi hotspot and a premium B&O Play sound system by Harman, enhancing the multimedia experience.

In terms of safety, the 2019 Tacoma came equipped with Toyota’s Safety Sense suite, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, sway warning, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tacoma achieved favorable crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, with minor caveats on headlight performance and LATCH anchor access. Overall, it performed well within its class, though not as outstanding as the Honda Ridgeline.

The 2019 F-150 provided standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a reversing camera. The high-end 360-degree camera system, standard on Limited and optional on others, greatly aided maneuverability. Additionally, it offered advanced driver-assistance features like blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert, ensuring a high level of safety across the lineup.