2019 Toyota Tundra Review: Extremely Reliable Full Size Truck That’s Affordable To Own Long Term

The 2019 Toyota Tundra lasts around 300,000 miles with minor A/C system issues and excessive oil consumption. At $32,000 to $56,991, it’s expensive, but worth the high purchase price for the lower ownership costs as it ages.

Is the 2019 Toyota Tundra a Good Used Truck?

• Overall Rating 9/10 – The 2019 Toyota Tundra is an excellent full size truck since it’s the most dependable option on the market. Owner reviews praise the low ownership costs, advanced safety technology, along with the luxury features.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are nice for a full size truck, the seats are supportive over time, three bed lengths are also offered.
• Reliability 10/10 – There are no mechanical problems on the 2019 Toyota Tundra. Choices from 2009 through 2021 are all very dependable models.
• Performance 8/10 – Performance is good from both of the V8 engine choices, although it doesn’t have the highest towing capacity for a large truck.
• Safety 8/10 – The 2019 Tundra is a safe truck, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. There’s a standard rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, as well as adaptive cruise control. Optional upgrades include blind spot monitoring.
• Gas Mileage 6/10 – Fuel economy is poor at up to 16 MPG, giving 608 miles of range from the 38 gallon tank. Gas costs are $24 higher than average at $290 per month.
• Value 8/10 – The 2019 Toyota Tundra is an expensive truck, although it’s more affordable to own long term, making it a good choice long-term.

What Do Critics Say About the Toyota Tundra?

• Consumer Reports says the 2019 Toyota Tundra was built to compete with the large American trucks, with very high owner satisfaction scores.
• Edmunds rates the Tundra at 4.1/5, praising the strong V8 engines, but doesn’t like the stiff suspension.
• Kelley Blue Book users give the Tundra a 4.5/5, enjoying the long-lasting engine choices, but owners don’t like the poor fuel economy.

What Common Problems Does the 2019 Toyota Tundra Have?

Common problems found on the 2019 Toyota Tundra include a musky smell from the A/C system, excessive oil consumption, along with damaged paint. Overall, most of these problems are relatively minor for a full size truck, leading to lower than average repair bills as the Tundra ages.

A musky smell from the A/C system is the most widespread complaint from owners in the first 10,000 miles. A clogged A/C condensation drain line can cause water and debris to build up, leading to a musky smell. Clearing out the drain line costs around $50 at a shop and is fairly easy to do.

Excessive oil consumption is another complaint from Tundra owners, particularly on the 5.7L V8 engine. Toyota engines tend to consume more oil than other brands to help protect the internal components. Most owners simply check the oil regularly and top it off as needed.

Damaged paint has also shown up on some Toyota Tundra models at around 50,000 miles. Paint which is improperly cared for will start to fade and peel as it ages. The only way to fix peeling and faded paint is to repaint the affected areas, costing around $1,000 per panel.

There are ten recalls on the 2019 Toyota Tundra, which is similar to other full size trucks. The most serious recalls both cover the power steering gear assembly, which leaks fluid. Toyota will replace the power steering gears for free on affected models. The Tundra is also covered by the fuel pump recall, which was issued for nearly every Toyota model. Many of the other recalls cover turn signal bulbs and capacity labels, which are less of a concern.

How Long Will the 2019 Toyota Tundra Last?

A well-maintained 2019 Toyota Tundra can last over 300,000 miles, which is much longer than even the best-selling Ford F-150. Regular annual maintenance costs are lower than average according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $499 per year.

As a used 2019 Toyota Tundra reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the camshaft position sensor for $550, valve cover gasket costing $250, as well as the parking brake shoes which cost $300.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is very good in the 2019 Toyota Tundra, offering a standard 6.1-inch touchscreen. There’s an optional larger 7-inch touchscreen available. Unfortunately, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not offered on the 2019 Tundra at all.

Safety technology is excellent since the Tundra has Toyota Safety Sense P as standard equipment which includes:

• Rearview camera
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Pedestrian detection
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning
• Automatic high-beam headlights

Optional advanced safety features include blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, as well as front and rear parking sensors.

Is the 2019 Toyota Tundra a Good Value?

Yes, the 2019 Toyota Tundra is a fantastic value since it outlasts most of the competition with lower ownership costs as it ages. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $32,000 to $56,991, making it more than a Chevy Silverado 1500 or the Ram 1500. When new, the price range was $31,670 to $50,680. Depreciation is nearly non-existent in current market conditions, although in normal situations it will lose about 5% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Toyota Tundra?

There are five models of the 2019 Toyota Tundra offered, from the base SR all the way up to the off-road focused Toyota Tundra TRD Pro model. There are two cabin configurations available including an extended cab, or larger crew cab. The Toyota Tundra is also available with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.

SR is the entry-level model with:

• 18-Inch Steel Wheels
• Cloth Seats
• Heated Mirrors
• Windshield Wiper De-Icer
• Damped Tailgate
• Rearview Camera
• Tow Hitch
• 1-Inch Touchscreen
• Six-Speaker Sound System
• Bluetooth Connectivity

SR5 is an upgrade offering:

• Fog Lights
• Satellite Radio
• Power-Opening Rear Window
• Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers
• Optional TRD Off Road Package

Limited is next in the lineup, adding:

• 20-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Automatic Headlights
• Leather Upholstery
• Automatic Dual-Zone Climate Control
• Upgraded Power Driver’s Seat
• Power Adjustable Passenger Seat
• Navigation System

Platinum has items such as:

• LED Daytime Running Lights
• Power-Folding and Auto-Dimming Mirrors
• Sunroof
• Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
• 12-Speaker JBL Sound System

1794 Edition offers upgrades, including:

• Premium Leather Seats
• Exclusive Interior Wood Trim
• Upgraded Exterior Styling

TRD Pro is the flagship model which has:

• 18-Inch BBS Forged Wheels
• Off-Road Tires
• LED Headlights
• Trail-Tuned Shocks
• Skid Plates
• Tow Hooks
• 2-Inch Suspension Lift
• Black Exhaust

What Engines Come In the Toyota Tundra?

• The base engine is a decent 4.6L V8 which produces 310 horsepower and 327 lb.-ft. of torque while getting up to 16 MPG. This has a six-speed automatic transmission. The towing capacity is good at up to 6,800 pounds.
• An available upgrade is the stronger 5.7L V8, which generates 381 horsepower and 401 lb.-ft. of torque at up to 15 MPG. This motor also has a six-speed automatic transmission. It has a higher towing capacity at up to 10,200 pounds. Performance is very good, taking only 6.5 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.

What Colors Does the Toyota Tundra Come In?

How Comfortable Is the Toyota Tundra?

Comfort is a subjective matter, but the 2019 Toyota Tundra is considered to have a comfortable interior with ample room for passengers and a smooth ride especially in the crew cab model. There’s a bit less room in the double cab. It comes with a variety of features such as available leather-trimmed seats, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat to enhance comfort.

Some owners have mentioned that the rear seats could be more comfortable for long trips. Overall, though, it offers a decent amount of space for a full-size pickup truck..

How Much Storage Space Does the Toyota Tundra Have?

There are three bed lengths offered on the 2019 Toyota Tundra, including a 5-foot-6-inch short bed, 6-foot-6-inch standard bed, along with a full 8-foot long bed. There’s also some decent cargo space throughout the cabin for smaller items.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The second generation of the Toyota Tundra was launched for the 2007 model year and was replaced by the third generation for 2022.

2015: V6 engine discontinued, new TRD Pro model introduced for off-road performance.

2016: Standard trailer brake controller, upgraded stereo system as well.

2017: No major changes from earlier years.

2018: 2-door model removed from lineup, Toyota Safety Sense added as an upgrade.

2019: Upgraded suspension on the TRD pro model, BBS wheels available.

2020: 4.6L V8 engine discontinued, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto added.

2021: Trail & Nightshade models added with new exterior styling cues.

How Does the Toyota Tundra Compare to the Competition?

The 2019 Toyota Tundra is one of the best full size trucks on the market with long lasting engine choices, and lower ownership costs than the competition.

The Ford F-150 is a popular competitor which starts at around $3,000 less. Where the Ford F-150 stands out is with a higher towing capacity, while the Toyota Tundra offers better long-term reliability ratings. We recommend the Toyota Tundra for most people, although both are excellent trucks.

The Ram 1500 is another full size truck available for about $6,000 less. Entertainment technology is better in the Ram 1500 series, while the Toyota Tundra offers much lower ownership costs as they age. We recommend the Toyota Tundra for most shoppers, yet it’s worth test driving both to see which you prefer.

Do Owners Recommend the Toyota Tundra?