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2020 Toyota Tacoma: 'Mild Refresh' Overstates the Changes

  • Competes with: Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline, GMC Canyon, Nissan Frontier

  • Looks like: Quite similar to current generation

  • Powertrains: 2.7-liter inline four-cylinder (159 horsepower, 180 pounds-feet of torque) or 3.5-liter V-6 (278 hp, 265 pounds-feet of torque) both mated to a six-speed automatic transmission (six-speed manual is optional); rear- and four-wheel drive

  • Hits dealerships: Late summer

It's no secret that the mid-size pickup truck class is getting a much-need infusion of new blood with the arrival of the all-new 2019 Ford Ranger and coming . But from the looks of the 2020 Tacoma that Toyota is revealing at the 2019 Chicago Auto Show, the automaker isn't too worried. The Tacoma has been the top-selling mid-size truck for 14 straight years and unless something drastic happens — the Ranger and Gladiator don't qualify as drastic — that streak is likely to stay intact. With that said, it looks like Toyota was willing to spend a little money on the class leader and give it a quick refresh for 2020.

Related: More 2019 Chicago Auto Show Coverage

This third-generation Tacoma will continue to offer the same six trim levels — SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro and Limited — and most will get a refreshed grille and headlight design, new front power adjustable seats, new large-screen multimedia capability with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and new LED bed lighting.

The 2020 Tacoma will continue to be offered with two engine choices: the standard 2.7-liter inline-four-cylinder and optional 3.5-liter V-6 both mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Tacoma will also offer two cab configurations — Access and double — and bed lengths of 6 feet for Access Cabs and 5 feet for double cabs.

Here are the highlights by trim level.

SR: New grille design, intermittent wiper feature, new taillight design, a larger 7-inch touchscreen with Amazon Alexa and SiriusXM capability

SR5: A new grille design with restyled taillights, a new Dark Satin wheel color and available LED bedlamp and daytime running light headlight

TRD Sport: A unique grille design and new 17-inch wheels along with keyless entry, chrome taillight inserts, LED foglights and an available new 360-degree monitor

TRD Off-Road: A new grille is paired with changes to the headlights and taillight, an optional new under-the-vehicle-view camera for serious trails; Bilstein shocks, a locking rear differential, Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select carry over as standard features

TRD Pro: New headlight design, new Army Green color, 10-way adjustable power seats and an 8-inch touchscreen offer panoramic and undercarriage views, new (lighter) wheels with carryover Fox shocks and Goodyear Wrangler tires

Limited: Top-of-the-line Tacoma gets a new grille, 18-inch alloy wheels, standard LED daytime running lights and LED headlamps with chrome taillight inserts, keyless entry, panoramic monitor and 8-inch touchscreen

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