RAM 1500 Laramie Longhorn vs Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

The 2019 RAM 1500 presented a design evolution reflecting a balance of commanding presence and manageability. Its headlights, extending down from either side of the hood, contributed to improved sight lines compared to bulkier rivals like the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The absence of the traditional crosshair grille marked a significant shift as the RAM sought to distinguish itself from Dodge. Each trim, from the Tradesman to the Limited, featured unique grille designs, with higher-end models boasting thinner, more sophisticated headlights.

The RAM 1500's interior showcased thoughtful design enhancements. The new layout intuitively separated the touchscreen, radio/climate controls, and rotary shifter, creating a visually dynamic cabin. The Tradesman trim emphasized utility, while the Big Horn introduced chrome accents and convenience features. The rugged Rebel and luxurious Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited trims added upscale details, from upgraded lighting and leather seating to advanced technology like a 12-inch touchscreen on the top trims.

In contrast, the 2019 Toyota Tacoma exhibited a rugged, T-square design philosophy. Its solid blocks of metal, flared fenders, and prominent nose evoked a rugged durability. Inside, the Tacoma favored practicality over luxury, with hard plastics and straightforward controls designed for usability, even with gloves on. The trim levels—from SR to the high-end TRD Pro—displayed unique grilles, wheels, and hoods, enhancing their distinguishable yet cohesive rugged aesthetic.

The 2019 RAM 1500 offered a nuanced lineup of engines, starting with a 3.6-liter V6 that included eTorque technology for enhanced torque delivery. This engine produced 305 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, with an additional 90 pound-feet thanks to the eTorque system. Alternatively, the 5.7-liter Hemi V8—with or without eTorque—generated 395 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque, with the eTorque adding up to 130 pound-feet more.

The RAM 1500's performance shone through its agile yet powerful driving experience. Steering was highly boosted, facilitating easy maneuvering, while the V8 offered linear power delivery, making acceleration smooth and responsive. The truck demonstrated impressive ride quality, even on bumpy roads, and maintained composure while cornering and braking. Towing capacity with the eTorque V8 peaked at an impressive 12,750 pounds. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with the V8 4WD variant achieving 17 combined mpg.

Toyota’s 2019 Tacoma predominantly featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine yielding 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. Equipped for towing, it included heavy-duty cooling and a maximum tow rating of 6,800 pounds. Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Tacoma’s performance catered to both on-road and off-road adventures, particularly in the TRD trims with advanced traction systems.

Acceleration, although adequate, was less responsive on roads unless the transmission was in Sport mode. The EPA rated the Tacoma for 20 mpg combined, and real-world testing showed close figures around 20.1 mpg. Handling and ride quality, however, left room for improvement. The steering felt slow and vague, and the ride was often bouncy, undermining comfort on uneven surfaces. The brakes, especially during hot conditions, exhibited wear issues early on, somewhat tarnishing the Tacoma’s rugged reputation.

The 2019 RAM 1500 excelled in practical accommodations, including a power-release tailgate on higher trims and a flexible rear seat setup ideal for varied cargo. The Ram Box utility system added exceptional usability. The rear doors opened wide, facilitating easy loading inside the cabin where the seats could also recline. The truck's numerous storage compartments, particularly the innovative Ram Bins, and a large center console with multiple trays and outlets, demonstrated RAM's attention to detail. The payload capacity of the RAM 1500 was impressive, and its towing abilities stood out with a maximum of 12,750 pounds.

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma, by comparison, offered easy entry for taller individuals due to its high stance but posed challenges for shorter individuals. The front seats provided manual adjustments and storage was ample. Future models promised power-adjustable seating for added comfort. The backseat, while high off the floor, felt cramped, and lacked air-conditioning vents and USB ports. The Tacoma’s bed included a protective liner, LED lighting, and a power outlet, offering a payload capacity of 1,540 pounds.

RAM’s standout technological feature for 2019 was a 12-inch touchscreen with customizable layout options, although our test vehicle included the more modest yet highly effective 8.4-inch screen. The Uconnect infotainment system, regarded as the best for user-friendliness, featured clear graphics and responsive controls with physical buttons complementing the touchscreen.

Conversely, the 2019 Toyota Tacoma's tech was functional but outdated. The navigation system struggled with specific addresses, perpetuating reliance on smartphones for accurate directions. However, Toyota addressed this by including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the 2020 models. The infotainment system’s small 7-inch screen and stiff controls were less user-friendly, although the 6-speaker JBL sound system provided decent audio quality.

The 2019 RAM 1500 came equipped with extensive safety features, including multiple airbags, electronic parking brake, integrated trailer-sway control, hill-start assist, and a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines. Higher trims offered advanced options like a 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, and dynamic cruise control.

Toyota’s 2019 Tacoma included the comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense suite as standard, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and sway warning. Blind-spot monitoring was available for most trims. In crash tests, the Double Cab achieved 4-star ratings from NHTSA and good ratings from IIHS, though some areas received marginal ratings.