2019 v 2020

Hello folks,
My name is Peter. In Vancouver Canada.
Brand new here and looking for my first Tacoma. Looking to use for both camping fun a little towing and some commuting.

I’m hoping to find some feedback on 2019 v 2020 TRD Sport models.
I have my eye on a few and my research hasn’t helped to decide other than price of course.

Any feedback is welcome. At first I wonder if there is any difference between the auto transmissions on these model years?

Thanks in advance and I’m looking forward to owning my first Tacoma!

 

I have a 2020 TRD Off Road. I went with the 2020 because that’s the first year with the updated infotainment with CarPlay which I use all the time. I also like physical buttons for that and 2020 has buttons vs the glass sensor type buttons on 16-19. The grilles will be slightly different too and that’s about it. I think both have the same standard Toyota Safety Sense features, but I’ll let someone else chime in if that’s incorrect.

 

Yup they're ostensibly the same truck, other than the '20 has carplay. I like Carplay, but also wanted a color made only in '18-'19, so opted to just buy a '20+ headunit for C.P. Works in the older models with a harness from autoharnesshouse.com

The '18 and '19s also had a recall on the fuel pump, which you can still get done for free if it hasn't been done on yours yet. I'd just go with whichever is cheaper.

 

I think a 2020 has a power seat as well…..and remote start?

 

ah yeah - apparently the power seat gives 1/2" extra headroom in the 20+. I think the remote start requires you to pay for the Toyota Remote Connect ap? Idk cause I have a manual and we dont get that fancy stuff regardless of year

 

I would go by price, mileage and overall impression since they are both used (not worry so much about year). My Sport has been garaged, never off roading and I do all my maintenance myself. My Sport looks and drives the same as the day I drove it off the lot. I am sure some Tacomas have not been taken care of this well.

 

Thanks for the feedback so far

 

2016-2023 are basically the same truck. You are better off comparing the trucks on other criteria, albeit not completely ignoring age.

 

make sure whatever you decide you have it checked for timing chain cover leak and the coolant crossover pipe leak located behind the engine. two most common and costly issues to fix..

 

Regardless of year, be sure to crawl under and use a flashlight to check for traces of oil leaks and coolant leaks . Both are expensive to fix (3-5T ) and require the engine pulled out to fix properly . Just want to enlighten you on what to look out for. This is more important than 2019 vs 2020

 

2020 was the mid-cycle refresh. They didn't change much on the exterior except the grille. The interior and some of the electronics are a bit different. 2020 introduced the power adjusting seats and CarPlay/Android Auto as some have mentioned. A few button placements may have changed too and word is that the transmission is tuned slightly differently to improve the experience. The differences are pretty minor overall though.

 

Also check Carfax for any collision repair & service records.

 

Not sure if 2019 didn't have it but 2020 did, keyless entry on the passenger side door handle as well. You think it's not that big of a deal if you don't have it but I used it a lot on mine.

 

Fairly sure that's 2020, along with power driver's. 2019 was a strange model year and one of the few where a few minor things were removed and nothing was added. (bed cubby count was reduced to 1 and a few other small odds and ends, like the gopro windshield mount died that year. Otherwise, no change from 2018's big intro of TSS.) Not surprisingly, 2020 was the first year to start to see price hikes on the sticker, as the truck now had TSS, carplay, and I think some trims were starting to introduce the power driver's seat that year?

 

The transmission fixes in the 2020 reduce lag and gear hunting.

 

They removed the external transmission cooler during that refresh too

 

Early 2020s still have the cooler. Mine does (September 2019 build)

 

I forgot about that. I thought that was mid-2020 though.

 

You’re correct. It was removed during the mid year refresh. The 2020 I bought in 2019 has the cooler but my buddy’s 2020 doesn’t.

They also moved the antenna on the roof forward a bit on the early 2020s which makes it incompatible with the stock roof rack

 

https://pressroom.toyota.com/leader...w-upgrades-keeps-2020-toyota-tacoma-in-front/

https://toyota-cms-media.s3.amazona...10/2020_Toyota_Tacoma_Product_Information.pdf