Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro vs Ford F-150 Lariat

Toyota created distinct styling for each trim of the 2019 Tacoma, featuring unique grilles, wheels, hoods, and finishes that resulted in a ruggedly handsome exterior. The design relied heavily on straight lines and sharp angles, giving the truck a robust and masculine look. The Tacoma's prominent nose and solid metal body were complemented with character lines and flared fenders. Inside, the Tacoma was functional, using hard, durable plastic materials. It had simple geometric upholstery, evenly spaced dashboard air vents, and large control knobs and buttons suitable for use with gloves. The Tacoma came in extended-cab (Access Cab) and crew-cab (Double Cab) styles, and offered both short and long cargo beds, as well as 4-cylinder or V6 engines with either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD). Testing the Limited Double Cab trim, which had a base price of $40,865, highlighted the functionality and durability of the Tacoma's utilitarian yet robust design.

Conversely, the 2020 Ford F-150 balanced confidence and restraint in its design. While competitors like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 leaned towards more aggressive, abstract styling, the F-150 stuck with clean lines and a traditional blocky grille that would age well, even with multiple owners. The interior was straightforward and mechanically designed, initially appearing cold but coming to life upon activation. Lower trims featured hard plastics, while upper trims included soft-touch materials and leather, although this still didn’t reach the luxury level of the Ram 1500. Ford's cabin emphasized durability and resilience, making it look ready to handle rough usage. Trim levels like XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Raptor, and Limited featured increasing levels of luxury and functionality, ranging from the basic work truck XL to the opulent Limited trim. The base price reflected this progression, with increasingly premium materials and features such as unique Western-themed upholstery, Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, and 22-inch polished aluminum wheels on the Limited trim.

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma predominantly employed a direct-injected, Atkinson-cycle, 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 278 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 265 pound-feet of torque at 4,600 rpm. This engine allowed for a maximum towing capacity of 6,800 pounds, depending on the model. The 6-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode and manual shift gate provided power to the rear wheels. The part-time, shift-on-the-fly 4WD system offered ease of use, and the TRD versions included advanced off-road traction systems. Despite its power, the Tacoma was sluggish unless the accelerator was aggressively engaged or the Sport mode was employed. Fuel economy was decent for a truck, with a test loop returning 18.9 mpg and an overall average of 20.1 mpg. Steering, while slow and vague, served its purpose off-road but was less effective in urban settings. The ride quality was less than smooth, with pronounced bouncing over uneven surfaces. Brake performance became a concern under prolonged use, affecting reliability. Overall, the powertrain was designed to focus on robustness and capability, rather than luxury driving comfort.

Ford's 2020 F-150 offered a wider array of powertrain choices. The base XL and XLT trims came with a 3.3-liter V6 engine delivering 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, buyers could opt for a 2.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V6 with 325 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, a 5.0-liter V8 with 395 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, or the most potent 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. A 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 engine was also available, providing 250 horsepower and 440 lb-ft of torque. Depending on the trim, the F-150 used either a 6-speed or 10-speed automatic transmission. Properly equipped, the F-150 could tow an industry-leading 12,300 pounds. The F-150 excelled at handling, providing a surprisingly refined ride for a full-size pickup truck, with responsive steering and a manageable turning radius. The specialized Raptor trim offered enhanced off-road capabilities with advanced shock systems and a Terrain Management System, making it a versatile choice for various driving conditions.

Getting into the 2019 Toyota Tacoma could be easy or difficult, depending on your height. Taller individuals found it easier to slide into the elevated cab, whereas shorter people struggled, especially with dirty rocker panels and ineffective step rails. The front seats were wide and flat, manually adjustable, and the cabin had ample storage. For 2020, the promised addition of a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat could have improved comfort. Rear-seat comfort was mediocre, with high bottom cushions and padded front seatbacks but limited space for feet and the absence of air-conditioning vents and USB ports. The bed of the Tacoma was 5 feet long with a plastic liner, LED light, and a 120-volt/400-watt power outlet. With a shallow bed depth and a maximum payload capacity of 1,540 pounds, the Tacoma's bed was functional but not overly spacious.

The 2020 Ford F-150 offered three cab sizes—Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew—and bed sizes of 5.5, 6.5, and 8 feet. The Regular Cab was a traditional single cab, while the SuperCab featured rear half-doors that required the front doors to be opened first—potentially inconvenient for frequent rear access. The SuperCrew, with its full four-door setup, provided excellent rear legroom and seats that flipped up for additional storage. The cabin of the F-150 was filled with cubbies, cupholders, and a large center console capable of storing a laptop. For bed access, the F-150 had an extendable bed step, although GM’s integrated corner bed steps provided similar functionality with fewer moving parts. The F-150's various configurations offered exceptional versatility compared to the Tacoma's more limited setup.

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma was not known for its technology, with its lackluster infotainment system and navigation that struggled to find specific addresses. The 7-inch display had small knobs that were hard to turn. The upcoming 2020 Tacoma was set to include new features such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility with an 8-inch screen, though the user interface was expected to remain old-fashioned. The 6-speaker JBL sound system was decent but unremarkable compared to competitors.

The 2020 Ford F-150, even in its base XL trim, featured an AM/FM radio with auxiliary input. Optional SYNC added a touchscreen, USB ports, and voice recognition. Moving up to the XLT introduced the SYNC 3 system on an 8-inch touchscreen, which included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and easy-to-use interface designs with large buttons and fonts. All XLT-and-higher trims came with FordPass, a 4G WiFi modem that could connect up to 10 devices and a mobile app for remote functions. Higher trims offered an enhanced Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker sound system for a premium audio experience. The integration of modern technology in the F-150 was more advanced and user-friendly compared to the Tacoma.

For 2019, the Toyota Tacoma came with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the lane-departure alert's loud beep was off-putting. In crash tests, the Tacoma performed well, achieving high marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with the Double Cab earning an Acceptable rating for small overlap, frontal-impact, front passenger protection. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Tacoma Double Cab a 4-star overall rating. These safety features and ratings made the Tacoma a reliable choice for driver assistance and crash protection.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford F-150 came standard with comprehensive safety features, including front- and side-impact airbags, curve control, tire-pressure monitoring, and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control. Additional standard features included rain-sensing headlights and an anti-theft system. The F-150 offered driver-assistance features such as pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Pro Trailer Backup Assist was a standout feature that simplified the complex task of maneuvering a trailer. In crash tests, the F-150 SuperCrew earned a 5-star rating from NHTSA and top ratings from IIHS, underscoring its excellent safety credentials.