2019 Toyota Tacoma — Carivo review carivo.co
Truck

2019 Toyota Tacoma

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $26,775–$35,831
Fuel Economy 18 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category Truck
Est. Annual Fuel $2,917/yr

Key Specifications — 2019 Toyota Tacoma

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleTruck
Base Price$26,775–$35,831

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2019 Toyota Tacoma

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma is a truck that earns a Carivo score of 7.6/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.5/10, while Technology at 6.8/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability stands out at 8.5/10. The Tacoma nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. Safety lands at 7.7/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.

With 7.1/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. Technology scores 6.8/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $26,775–$35,831, 18 MPG, seating 5, the Toyota Tacoma sits in the mid-market bracket of the truck segment. At 7.5/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 7 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Verdict: Nothing about the 2019 Toyota Tacoma will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on technology if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good truck should — quietly and competently.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among Trucks

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma ranks #127 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 76% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.2 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $26,775 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 24%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking →

Which Tacoma Year Should You Buy?

Smart-money pick: the 2016 Toyota Tacoma scores 7.6/10 — within striking distance of the 2019's 7.6 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 8.0/10$32,445 Read review →
2025 8.0/10$32,445 Read review →
2024 7.9/10$31,500 Read review →
2023 8.0/10$30,555 Read review →
2022 7.8/10$29,610 Read review →
2021 7.8/10$28,665 Read review →
2020 7.7/10$27,720 Read review →
2019 (this review) 7.6/10$26,775
2018 7.6/10$25,830 Read review →
2017 7.5/10$24,885 Read review →
2016 7.6/10$23,940 Read review →
2015 7.5/10$22,995 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2019 Toyota Tacoma

✓ What it does well

  • Proven long-term reliability — lower unplanned repair costs than class average
  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
  • Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
  • Fuel economy at 18 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2019 Toyota Tacoma (4 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump
04/11/2020 · 20V682000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020…
Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump
13/01/2020 · 20V012000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota…
Service brakes, hydraulic / Foundation components / Master cylinder
13/12/2018 · 18V888000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tacoma vehicles. Improper machining of the brake master cylinder may result in internal damage of one of the seals, affecting brake performance.
Equipment / Other / Labels
27/03/2019 · 19V244000
Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Similar Truck to Consider

Other trucks at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.

2023 Toyota Tacoma
2023 Toyota Tacoma
8.0/10
View →
2025 Toyota Tacoma
2025 Toyota Tacoma
8.0/10
View →
2026 Toyota Tacoma
2026 Toyota Tacoma
8.0/10
View →
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz
8.0/10
View →

More Toyota Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Toyota models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.