Used 2019 Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax Review
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2019 Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax.
Most helpful consumer reviews
Solid, reliable & reasonably comfortable do-it-all
J.Thompson, Lehi, UT, 06/05/2019
2019 Toyota Tundra SR5 4dr CrewMax 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A)
I am now about 11K miles into my ‘19 Tundra SR5 and absolutely no complaints (except MPG, more on that later). I would’ve given a 5 star rating if not for so-so MPG.
I looked at every competitor from Ram, Nissan, Ford and GMC and this took me several months. I eliminated the Ford and GMC right off, I didn’t care for either interior layout/design, or frankly either exterior design. … Frankly, the ubiquitous nature of the F150 put me off too. That narrowed it to the Titan, 1500 and Tundra. Frankly, I had initially eliminated the Tundra (all the reviews about MPG, dated etc.) but once I drove it, it was back in and at the top of the list. Loved the Ram 1500, while the most expensive, it was still tied for 1st. Wanted to like the Titan but sadly, driving dynamics were stiff and laggy. The combination of reasonable price/options ratio and solid reliability and resale of the Tundra won out. Frankly, I like the functional, simple but reasonably modern interior, tons of room and found the seats to be just right w/ the cloth beating out the leather, believe it or not. There is a nice rumble from the 5.7L and it feels like it’d pull a house off it’s foundation! I use this truck as a truck too, hauling around all manner of stuff in the bed and I tow a 28’ travel trailer regularly and nothing quite phases this Tundra platform. While towing my admittedly large trailer, the Tundra does work a little but it pulls it just fine with no white knuckles. Yes, it rides a little “truck like” around town but it’s a truck, not an SUV, buy accordingly.
MPG is the Tundra’s weakness ... I average real world MPG/tank of 14.8mpg. Towing the trailer it drops to 7.9-8.1mpg which I can live with, I’m towing 7500lbs for chrissakes. It’s the freeway mileage I’d like to see improve by about 20%. I think this package could achieve 18-20mpg, perhaps an extra gear in the transmission would do it. That said, my neighbor’s F150 (3.5L EcoBoost) only beats my Tundra by about 2-3mpg, real world that’s not much.
Someone once said “you can go out there in just about anything but to get back, you need a Toyota”. True statement. I have the 4x4 and put aftermarket lift kit, off road shocks and larger, off road oriented tires on TRD wheels. That certainly impacted MPG but makes the Tundra a VERY capable off-highway vehicle. Not much upsets this truck and it’s solidness and legendary reliability means you don’t worry about getting home.
In summary, if you want a high riding luxo-barge, by an SUV not a half ton truck. But if you want a very capable, reliable, reasonably comfortable and modern do-it-all, you really cannot go wrong with a Tundra.
Tundra is BETTER than all the other trucks
Desertpig, San Francisco, CA, 08/23/2019
2019 Toyota Tundra SR5 4dr CrewMax 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A)
I bought a 2018 CrewMax SR5 TRD Sport 4x4 and here are my observations. Yes, it's true, the truck is getting long in the tooth when it comes to technology but you can always buy replacement in-dash systems to get Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Secondly, I strongly disagree with their review of the ride quality of this truck. I think they got paid by Toyota's competitors. This truck … rides amazingly well. Very little road noise intrudes inside. It's spacious and the seats are so comfortable. I'm 240 lbs and if it can support my weight well, it will do so for most people. The rear area is cavernous.
The A/C is a a single-zone, but if you crack it up to 4/10 it cools the cabin well. I can vouch for that. It's over 105 degrees where I live and it cools the truck really quickly.
Another point I'd like to make. I will stake my reputation when comparing a naturally aspirated engine over a turbo or supercharged engine. Engines like those are hard to maintain and when they break, it will cost too much to repair. In addition, a turbocharged engine runs very, very hot. And any metallurgist will tell you that if you expose the engine to high heat over time, it will wear down. A naturally aspirated engine does not have that problem and is built to last.
Lastly, the reason why you buy a truck is for work. If you want luxury and up-to-date gadgets, get an SUV. A truck is a utlitarian vehicle. It gets you from A to B and is very rugged. You want these to last. The less electronics, the better - electronics wear out much quicker.
Relying on Reliability
DM, Colorado Springs, CO, 12/18/2019
2019 Toyota Tundra SR5 4dr CrewMax 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A)
I wasn't really in the market for a new truck when I found my 2019 TRD Sport. It had almost 4000 miles on it and was priced a few thousand lower than new as a result. I'm going to need something to tow the fishing boat I'm planning on getting within the year, so we decided to pull the trigger now because of the deal we got. We're recently retired, living at 6000 ft. and planning on … moving to the hills, so will end up at about 7500 ft. I obviously want something with some power to deal with the consequences of driving/towing at altitude. The 5.7L engine eliminates any concerns along that front. I must say, coming from a 2004 Tacoma, this Tundra rides like a dream. I realize that's not an apples to apples comparison, but I still believe it has a very compliant ride. I also appreciate the adaptive cruise, blind spot, and rear cross traffic alerts. Even though I'm getting maybe 1 MPG better than advertised, the gas mileage is clearly a concern. Then again, buying a Tundra (or any full-sized truck for that matter) for fuel efficiency is like buying a Prius for construction work. My biggest concern in any vehicle I own is its reliabilty. I bought my 2004 Taco new for about 24k. I drove it for 15 years without any issues other than scheduled maintenance, and sold it for 12K! Do the math. If I can get that level of reliability from this truck, with even near the resale, it will more than make up for the couple hundred extra dollars I spend annually on gas as compared to the competition. So far, I'm extremely happy with the Tundra and would say if you are looking for a truck to be used as a truck, you can't go wrong with a Toyota.
So I've owned the Tundra for a little more than a year now and thought I'd provide a short update. No mechanical issues at all, which is what I expected and I still love the truck. If I get very picky, I would say I'm confused about two things. One, with all the tech in modern vehicles...Blind Spot, Lane Departure, and Adaptive Cruise to name a few, why not One Touch Up and Down at least for the driver? Secondly, although the ride is comfortable, what is with the 20" wheels on a truck? It seems to me the ride would be even better with more sidewall and the spare is actually on an 18" wheel. I'll probably spring for new wheels and switch to 18's when I replace the tires. These two gripes are minor for sure, but like I said earlier, I need to be picky to find any fault with this Tundra. I see myself driving it for a long time!
Give Me A Break
Desert Rat, Huachuca City, AZ, 10/15/2019
2019 Toyota Tundra SR5 4dr CrewMax 4WD SB (5.7L 8cyl 6A)
My 2018 Tundra Sport 4x4 is the third Tundra I have owned. I drive a Ford Raptor for work. When I take it in to fleet for the 4 thousand oil change, I always wonder if it will be going back to the Ford dealership for faulty oil seals, etc. The Tundra has been the best with no issues mechanical issues. Tundra's are solid trucks that will go the distance and bring you back home.
Edmunds Summary Review of the 2019 Toyota Tundra SR5 CrewMax
What’s new
- The TRD Pro, back after a year hiatus, has a revised suspension and new BBS wheels
- Part of the second Tundra generation introduced for 2007
Pros & Cons
- Pro:Standard V8 power
- Pro:Roomy rear seating
- Pro:Standard Toyota Safety Sense driver safety and assist system
- Con:Below-average fuel economy
- Con:Ride quality is stiffer than on other trucks
- Con:Feels larger than expected when driven on tight and congested roads
- Con:Not as many customization possibilities compared to rivals
Which Tundra does Edmunds recommend?
Trucks are all about utility, so our pick is the SR5 with the TRD Off-Road package and options. This aptly named package includes the SR5's Upgrade package giving the truck functional off-road parts without compromising on towing or hauling. It's the balance between work and play.
Full Edmunds Review: 2019 Toyota Tundra CrewMax
Driving
6.5A strong optional V8 gives the Tundra some life, but a dated platform numbs overall performance significantly. The Tundra has better off-road capability than a few competitors, but its sheer size may give you pause on tight trails.
Comfort
6.0When you go with the 5.7-liter V8, the Tundra comes with heavy-duty springs and an upgraded axle. This means a stiff ride on the highway and around town. Also, it's been quite some time since Toyota addressed the stiff, poorly bolstered seats.
Interior
7.0The Tundra's interior is functional but dated by segment standards. It's roomy as all get-out. But because of the high step-up, even higher driving position and limited visibility over the large hood, this is a tough truck to live with.
Utility
7.0As is the case with any truck this large, the Tundra has a lot of sheer utility, but it loses the battle against more well-packaged and more recently redesigned rivals. Towing numbers are big thanks to a standard 4.30 axle ratio, but they don't match rivals' optional tow packages. Also, the bed is large but very high, and load height is an issue.
Technology
6.5Technology is a weak point for the Tundra. Smartphone connectivity is limited, and there's only one USB port. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not available at all. The performance of the base stereo isn't impressive, and the optional driver aids are overzealous.
Jump to:Related 2019 Tundra articles
Edmunds Insurance Estimator
The Edmunds TCO® estimated monthly insurance payment for a 2019 Toyota Tundra in Ohio is:
$59.50 per month*Legal