2019 Toyota Tundra Pros vs Cons

The 2019 Toyota Tundra is a full-size truck built tough enough for most jobs. This truck is a good choice for those looking for a reliable vehicle for work or daily commutes. It has plenty of power and torque for hauling and towing. It also offers plenty of comfort for everyday transportation. It comes in a variety of cab and bed configurations to suit most needs.

What's New For 2019?

The TRD Pro trim level was strangely absent from the 2018 lineup. The 2019 Toyota Tundra brings it back with some notable upgrades. The shocks, springs and wheels all get an overhaul this year. Toyota is now adding BBS wheels to this particular model. There are some updates to the exterior and interior styling as well. The grille gets a sleek makeover this year, and the new LED headlights now feature attractive, black trim.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2019 Toyota Tundra – The Pros

1. Great Performance From V-8 Engines

The standard engine for 2019 models is a 4.6 liter V-8 that cranks out 310 hp with 327 lb-ft of torque. That's plenty of power for most light or medium-duty jobs. This is a truck engine that can be used for work or towing as well as regular transportation. If you need a little more oomph, Toyota gives you the option of a 5.7 liter V-8 with 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. This model has excellent acceleration for a vehicle of this size and can easily pull a trailer or heavy load. Both engine choices perform well on or off the road too.

2. Good Towing Capacity

The ability to tow is one of the best reasons to purchase a full-size truck. The 2019 Toyota Tundra doesn't disappoint in this category. When properly equipped, the base engine can pull up to 6,800 pounds. With the upgraded, 5.7 liter, it can tow an impressive 10,100 pounds.

3. Great Steering and Handling

Steering and handling is great on the Toyota Tundra. Steering is tight and accurate. The truck has a of 44 ft. turning circle, which is impressive for a vehicle of this size. Acceleration is good with either engine choice. Braking is firm and strong. An available 4X4, off-road package makes it a good performer even when you're not on paved surfaces.

4. A Comfortable and Luxurious Interior

The inside of the 2019 Toyota Tundra cabin is spacious and comfortable. Even the rear seats provide plenty of head and leg room for passengers. This is true no matter what configuration or trim package you purchase. For a rugged, large truck that is built for tough work, the Tundra still provides luxury appointments for the interior. Depending on the package, you can get leather upholstery and wood-grain trim. You can also add in heated and cooled front seats for even more comfort.

5. High Tech Safety Features

The Toyota Tundra now comes equipped with the Standard Toyota Safety Sense P system or TSS-P for short. Dynamic Radar Cruise Control gives you a warning when you get close to an object when using cruise control. A Lane Departure Alert keeps you going straight and steady on long road trips. A Pre-Collision system helps mitigate running into objects or pedestrians with the use of sensors, radar and an internal camera. Cameras help you to see potential blind spots too.

6. Quality and Reliability

The 2019 Toyota Tundra is a reliable ride. Toyota has a good reliability rating and a high reputation when it comes to longevity of life for all of their vehicles. The Tundra is no different in this regard. It fairs better in this category than most of the full-size trucks in its class. You can expect a long life and consistent reliability from a Tundra.

7. High Tech Console Features

Even the base models come equipped with some modern, high-tech features. A rear-view camera helps you see better when backing up. Sensors and warning also have an audio component to give you warning. A built-in navigation system helps you to get to where you're going. This is all displayed on a clear, high-definition, 7-inch touchscreen. Another smaller display right on the center cluster provides information on you fuel economy, remaining fuel and average speed right in front of you.

8. A Nice Infotainment System

The 2019 Toyota Tundra offers a great touchscreen for its infotainment system. The sound quality from the speakers in this truck is top notch. The Toyota Entune feature allows you to connect up with your smart phone to integrate multiple systems. You can even use the center console to access various smart-phone apps and features for hands-free use while driving.

9. Off Road Fun

Off-road capability is yet another reason why so many consumers are drawn towards trucks. This full-size truck is more than capable of going off the beaten path. Plenty of power and torque can propel the Toyota Tundra over the toughest terrain. The suspension system does a good job when off road too. The 4X4 configuration and a special off-road package make the Tundra a real beast in this category.

10. Excellent Crash-Test Safety Ratings

We have already discussed how the 2019 Toyota Tundra provides numerous safety features. It also fairs really well in crash tests. This lets you know that if you are ever in an unfortunate accident, the Tundra is a solid and safe vehicle to be in. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration gives it four out of five stars in front-crash tests. It scores a perfect five out of five in side impact, side barrier and pole crash ratings.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2019 Toyota Tundra – The Cons

1. A Stiff Ride

The ride quality isn't bad for a truck in this class. It is, however, a stiff ride. This is really true of all full-size trucks to one degree or another. It's a factor to consider if you have never owned and driven a truck before. The Tundra isn't necessarily worse than the competition here, but this is something to be aware of before you make a decision on what your next vehicle will be.

2. This Truck is Large

Once again, this is a negative for any full-size truck and not just for the 2019 Toyota Tundra. It sits high and may be difficult for some drivers or passengers to get in and out of. It feels really large on the road too and can be difficult to park in certain environments.

3. Below Average Fuel Economy

This is still one more category that no full-size truck fairs particularly well in. The Toyota Tundra falls a bit below some competitors when it comes to fuel economy. With the 5.7 liter engine, you can expect a combined fuel-economy rating of around 15 mpg. If you opt for the smaller engine, it only gets a little better. Depending on the configuration of your truck, you may see an increase of only 1-3 mpg.

4. Not as Many Exterior Options as Competition

The 2019 Toyota Tundra gives you a decent amount of options when it comes to box length and cab size. You have no option for a 2-door cabin here. Interior and performance options are plentiful and very comparable to competing trucks. One area that feels sparse, though, is in your choice of exterior colors. You get the option of nine different colors and only three or six with many packages. The colors are all pretty basic and conservative too. That may suit you just fine, but if you want something more bold, it just isn't available for this truck.

How the 2019 Toyota Tundra Stacks up to the Competition

The Toyota Tundra has always faced some stiff competition in the full-size truck market. Large trucks are one of the best-selling vehicles today in North America. Most of the tough competition comes from U.S. automakers like Chevy, Ram and Ford that dominate the market.

The best-selling full-size truck is Ford's F-150. The prices are comparable between Ford and Toyota here. Ford wins out in power and towing capacity. The Tundra wins out when it comes to overall reliability. The Ram 1500 offers some more options when it comes to body style and engine choices. Once again, these two trucks are pretty comparable with the Tundra winning out when it comes to reliability. The Chevy Silverado also gives you more options including a V-6 model with better fuel-economy ratings. The Tundra fairs better in safety and reliability ratings.

In Conclusion

The 2019 Toyota Tundra is an excellent purchase for anyone looking to get a full-size truck. The performance and reliability of the Tundra are hard to beat. It also provides plenty of safety features to keep you and your passengers protected. It's a great truck for regular or occasional work duty and comfortable enough for a daily driver. It offers great off-road capability for the adventurous drivers too.