2019 vs 2018

I am in the process of pulling the trigger on a 2018 or 2019 Double Cab TRD Off Road.

Are 2019 the same as the 2018? I can't see any differences but maybe I'm mistaken or just stupid

 

19s cost more, right?

That's one difference.

 

Minor differences some small trim changes, An claimed better programming for the Auto Transmission (oh auto trans not for me) and there may or may not be some unlisted "improvements" Toyota has always done that.

 

No storage cubby in the drivers side bed on the 19.

 

Yes, the price is different lol. I can't find any trim changes.
I was hoping that the TRD grey cloth would receive an update. I seems very grey and cheap on some pictures. I wasn't impressed with the 2018 I sat in. I was hoping that it would be a bit darker, like the Inferno cloth. We sadly can't have any premium packages so I'm stuck with the grey cloth unless I go after market.

 

Yes, I noticed the disappearance of the cubby in the bed. What's up with that?

 

There is supposed to be an extra usb port in the center console.

If you could wait until 2020 or 2021 then I woukd expect some major updates in response to Ford Ranger and Jeep Gladiator.

 

No, sadly I can't wait too long. I am thinning out my fleet of vehicles to fund my purchase and I already sold one. One more should be enough to buy a new Taco. I would like to proceed as quickly as possible because my daily driver (a Subaru BRZ) is not really ideal for the winter months.
Not only that, but waiting for an updated version is a never ending game. There is always a 'new and improved' version in the future. And I haven't seen any predictions.

I see you have a manual transmission. I was focussing on an auto, but all my other vehicles have manual transmissions. Would you recommend it? Reading on this forum makes me think that the automatic is utter garbage, but I know that is not true lol.

 

I don't have a ton of experience with the automatic but I have a good friend that owns one. He's not a Tacomaworld member but told me he is experiencing many of the issues identified on TW regarding the automatic. He lives in Sask. and told me the truck annoyingly downshifts when there is a wind which is common on the prairies.

I like the manual so far. I had a 2nd gen 2.7l manual and engine power aside, the 3rd gen manual shifts a lot nicer than the 2nd. Smoother shifts and much less truck like. Certainly not car smooth though.

I bought the manual because I've owned one most my driving life and I legitimately think it makes you a better driver as you have to pay more attention to the road and road conditions. You can't just "phase out" like when driving an automatic.

 

I too came from the Subaru Camp, and all of my cars except 1 have been manual transmission. I'm a "3 pedals till I Die Guy" so that was a no-brainer. That being said, the trucks throw is extremely livable with. It's not like a STI, or Perrin shifter, but they do have short shift kits (which I plan on investing in).

As I know there's very little that has changed in the 2019, that and the fact that I could get the 2018 for 1.9% were the deciding factors for me getting my TRDOR DC. So go for wherever you can get the least amount of interest.

 

I'm keeping the (manual) BRZ, so the Taco won't be my go to vehicle for my ultimate driving experience. All my vehicles are manuals but I wouldn't call myself a 'MT is LIFE' kind a guy. It's just a gear box. But it needs to be a good one. And all the talk here about the Auto got me thinking.

The TRD Pro is also still in consideration (depending in $). And in Canada the 2019's are all with desert intake, which is unacceptable for my SO. So that will be a left over 2018 (without JBL and sunroof) if I go that route. I am just not sure if I can justify the extra cash to become a Pro Bro. It doesn't seem worth it.
I prefer to buy my vehicles cash. So finance deals won't be a factor for me.

 

Now that the 2019 owner's manual is available online, I see they replaced the 12V port in the center console with 2 USB 2.1A charging ports.

 

I followed the instructions in this thread this on my 2018 in order to get the same effect. 1 USB charge and 1 charge / audio connection.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/plug-n-play-harness-to-relocate-usb-port.510714/

 

I did the same in my '16...12v to dual 2.4 (or sumthin) USB off of Amazon. Flush fit and 8 bux, no muss no fuss

 

Wonder how the price differential is between 2018 and 2019 to pay for the extra USB chargers. I'm guessing more than 8 bux....

 

My 19 has 2, 2.4 amp I think, usbs in the console, neither connects to the radio BTW. The driver side storage compartment In the bed is gone, and the tranny is pretty much the same. It downshifts abruptly going uphill on a shallow overpass on the highway along with the other quirks. I asked about the TSB and they won’t apply it because the TSB only applies up to 18s, which they are right as it does indeed say that. I’m going to OVTune it anyway so it’s regardless.

 

With my config (Access Cab Auto TRD OR), the difference on the sticker between 2018 and 2019 is $735. 2018s also have the $1000 cash rebate in effect since late 2018. If you lease, 2018s get 2.99% interest rate while 2019s get 4.99% interest rate if you go through Toyota Financial, good for a roughly $2400 difference.

Do you mean the lidded compartment with the two twist latches, or the open cubby?

I don't mind the shift logic as I usually have it in S mode and use the same gears as I did with my 2nd gen - max 3rd gear in town and 3-4-5 on the highway depending on the congestion level. 6th gear with its 0.58:1 ratio is pretty useless anyway.

 

The plastic compartment on the driver sidewall of the bed near the tailgate with the two twist locks. On my 19 it’s gone, just flat plastic. The compartment is still there on the passenger side next to the bed power outlet. It’s clearly a cost savings to make money change. Eliminating the compartment and it’s lid and as a result eliminating the hole for it im sure saves some good money multiplied by the thousands of Tacos built, while raising the price for the new year to please shareholders.

 

Everyone pretty much hit the small changes. Honestly if you can find the trim and color you want in an 18’ it might be worth the cost savings. Here they didn’t have the color I wanted and it was only about 1k cheaper for an 18’. We also were one of the states with zero incentives.

 

Doubt it's cost-cutting as they'd have to spend $$$$$ first to modify the mold for the bed. I suspect rather it's to make room for some new evap valve or canister forced on them by emerging emission regs.