The Toyota Tundra doesn’t have the best reputation among critics. While other rivals consistently receive new designs and updated features, Toyota has barely updated the Tundra in years. However, one area where the Tundra surpasses its competition is overall durability, according to Consumer Reports.

Consumer Reports gave the 2019 Toyota Tundra a perfect score in terms of reliability. By comparison, popular rivals like the Chevy Silverado and the Ford F-150 have the lowest scores possible. Is the 2019 Toyota Tundra the best used truck to buy right now?

The best things about the 2019 Toyota Tundra

This Toyota Tundra has two engine options, both of which are available on the base truck. The 4.6-liter V8 makes 310 hp, but Consumer Reports recommends getting the 5.7-liter V8 capable of 381 hp. Both are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, which is equipped with Sport and Tow settings.

The stronger V8 also makes the Toyota Tundra faster, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.7 seconds. When pulling a trailer weighing over 7,000 pounds, it can still hit 60 mph in a brisk 16 seconds. Its maximum towing capacity is 10,000 pounds, which is relatively low compared to its rivals for 2019.

However, unlike other trucks, it comes with several standard towing aids like a wiring harness and another oil cooler for the engine. It also has a full suite of advanced driver’s aids, including lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. The 2019 Toyota Tundra also got a good rating on most of its crash tests from the IIHS.

Interior space inside the Toyota Tundra is plentiful and the longest bed size is over 8 feet long. Depending on the cargo box, drivers can haul up to 1,730 pounds. The tailgate is also enhanced with hydraulic damping, making it less cumbersome to load heavy cargo.

Downsides of owning a 2019 Toyota Tundra

While the engine is powerful enough, it makes the 2019 Toyota Tundra very thirsty for fuel. It’s only rated for an estimated 16 mpg combined/city highway, according to Consumer Reports.

The Toyota Tundra also isn’t very fun to drive. Its bulky size makes it hard to round corners and the huge roof pillars make for terrible visibility. The steering wheel gives drivers little response and the brakes don’t inspire much confidence. Consumer Reports also cautioned that the wheels lose traction often.

While the Toyota Tundra’s seats are reasonably comfortable, the standard cloth ones don’t provide enough support for long trips. All passengers will be treated to a lot of shocks and jolts while riding over rough pavement. The Toyota Tundra also has a noisier cabin than other full-size trucks.

The Tundra’s cabin is one of its biggest disappointments. It’s filled with hard plastics and some components don’t even appear to fit properly. It also doesn’t have much of the latest infotainment features available in other trucks.

What consumers say about this truck

Despite these flaws, many owners on Cars.com seem to love their 2019 Toyota Tundra. 97% of owners said they would recommend the truck, and many reviewers say it’s the best truck they’ve ever owned.

It has a perfect score in comfort, styling, and performance. On Consumer Reports surveys, over 80% of buyers also said they would get this truck again. 

True, the Toyota Tundra may not have all the latest gadgets equipped, but most truck buyers don’t need those. Many people buy trucks for work on construction sites and similar jobs. For them, a truck is infinitely more valuable if it can hold its own for many years without breaking down.

It’s hard to ignore all the love the 2019 Tundra got from real buyers. If you’re in the market for a slightly used truck, you should probably consider this Tundra.