Tundra vs Silverado – 2021 Comparison

Toyota and Chevy are both gunning for the bulk of the full-size pickup market, and it’s interesting to see how Tundra gets in close on Siverado’s wheels for it.

Although Toyota is leading the way in the car market, Chevy has long mastered the secret of what pickup drivers want and need.

Let’s see how the Tundra and Silverado measure up against each other.

2007 Chevrolet Silverado vs 2007 Toyota Tundra (Source)

All About the Toyota Tundra

Toyota is putting the pedal to the metal to bid for the American pickup market with the full-size Tundra. Although it’s been slow going to catch up to Chevrolet, they’ve managed to create a niche market for themselves that’s slowly but surely closing the gap. Here’s a look at the specifications.

Tundra Specs

Let’s take a look at what you can expect from the Tundra’s overall performance.

MPG: You can get up to 13 MPG when driving in the city, and when you hit the highway, it improves to 17 MPG.
Towing Capacity: You’ll find a powerful towing capacity of 8,800 to 10,200 lbs., making it a valuable workhorse when needed.
Horsepower and Torque: The Toyota Tundra 2020 boasts an innovative engine with advanced technologies that delivers 381 hp and a mind-blowing 401 lb-ft of torque.
Fuel Tank Capacity: It ranges from 26.4 to 38 gallons.
Curb Weight: Between 5,170 to 5,680 lbs.

You can choose between two body styles:

Double Cab
CrewMax

If you’re more concerned with the play aspect of your truck, take a look at the TRD Pro model’s added emphasis on comfort and convenience. The advanced multimedia features is another feather in its cap that’s worth a mention.

Where is Toyota Tundra Made?

The Toyota Tundra is built in San Antonio, Texas, commonly known as the heart of pickup country.

Toyota Tundra Models

If you’re looking to own a Tundra, here are a few models to evaluate.

Tundra SR

6 Seats
13 / 17 mpg
Integrated backup camera
Toyota Safety Sense®

2014 Tundra SR (Source)

Tundra SR5

6 Seats
13 / 17 mpg
18 inch styled rims
Toyota Safety Sense®
TRD off-road and TRD sports packages available

Tundra Limited

5 Seats
13 / 17 mpg
Smart Key System
LED head and accent lights
20-inch alloy wheels

Tundra Platinum

2014 Toyota Tundra Platinum 4×4 (Source)

5 Seats
13 / 17 mpg
Automatic dual-zone climate control
Premium audio
Dynamic navigation and JBL
Front bucket seats are perforated leather-trimmed and heated

Tundra 1794 Edition

5 Seats
13 / 17 mpg
Woodgrain style accents and interior finishes
20 inch, 6 spoke alloy wheels
38-gallon fuel tank

Tundra TRD Pro

5 Seats
13 / 17 mpg
Rigid Industries fog lights
TRD tuned FOX shocks
18-inch BBS-forged black alloy wheels

Tundra TRD Pro in blue (Source)

All About the Chevy Silverado

The latest Chevy Silverado is even bigger than before and boasts a longer wheelbase, making it more capable and providing added interior comfort. The head- and legroom in the Silverado is noticeably larger than the Tundra at a glance. Here are a few of the details.

Silverado Specs

Let’s see how the Silverado stacks up against the Tundra:

MPG: The Chevy’s fuel economy kicks dust in the Tundra’s performance at 20 mpg in the city and up to 23 mpg on the highway.
Towing Capacity: It has a towing capacity of 13,400 lbs and a payload of 2,543 lbs, making it a true workhorse worth considering to do the heavy lifting.
Horsepower and Torque: The horsepower measures at 285 with the 413 nm torque at 3900 rpm.
Fuel Tank Capacity: The direct high-pressure fuel injection engine will need a large fuel tank capacity, and you can fill up between 22 to 36 gallons, depending on which model you’re looking at.
Curb Weight: It ranges in curb weight between 4,520 lbs for the 1500 and 7,059 for the 3500 HD.

You can choose from the following body styles:

Regular Cab
Double Cab
Crew Cab

How Long is the Chevy Silverado?

Each model is unique, and the Silverado 1500 is 241.6″ while the 3500HD measures up to 266″ long.

Where Are Chevy Silverados Made?

There are various assembling factories across America:

GM Michigan
GM Indiana
GM Mexico

Chevy Silverado Crew Cab (Source)

Chevy Silverado Models

Here are a few models worth looking into when looking for the best vehicles.

DURAMAX® 3.0L TURBO-DIESEL I-6

23 MPG city/33 highway
277 hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque
9,300-lb. maximum towing capability
10-speed auto transmission
Auto-stop/start technology

6.2L EcoTec3 V8

420 hp and 460 lb.-ft. torque
10-speed automatic transmission
Best-in-class V8 hp and torque
Best-in-class 13,400-lb. maximum towing capability

5.3L EcoTec3 V8

355 hp and 383 lb.-ft. of torque
8- and 10-speed automatic transmission options
Auto-stop/start technology

2019 Chevrolet Silverado 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 (Sources)

4.3L EcoTec3 V6

285 hp and 305 lb.-ft. of torque
6-speed automatic transmission
Standard on WT, Custom and Custom Trail Boss

2.7L TURBO

310 hp and 348 lb.-ft. of torque
8-speed automatic transmission
Auto-stop/start technology

Tundra vs Silverado Similarities and Differences

Now that we looked at each vehicle individually, we will break it down into comparing the two based on their differences.

Tundra and Silverado Similarities

Both trucks aim at the workhorse industry that requires heavy loading and towing. They are full-size pickups with seating for 5 – 6 passengers. Let’s take a look at a few other similar features.

Engines

Both pickups offer a stout V8 engine. The Tundra has a standard 5.7L V8, while the Chevy offers a 5.3L V8 model.

Price

Both trucks offer models in the price range between $34,000 and $36,000 (to start)

Horse Power

The Tundra has a standard 381 hp engine, while the Silverado’s 5.3L V8 comes close with its 355 hp engine.

Tundra and Silverado Differences

Source

Performance

The Tundra has a towing capacity of between 8,800 lbs and 10,200 lbs compared to the Silverado’s impressive 13,400 lbs towing capacity.

Another aspect where Chevy outperforms Toyota in this model is its fuel economy. You can expect up to 23 MPG from the Silverado compared to Tundra’s 17 MPG on the highway. When driving in the city, the Chevy will give you 20 MPG and the Toyota only 13 MPG.

Reliability

Toyota doesn’t truly have any rivals that can outlast it. If you take care of your Tundra in terms of services and maintenance, it can last you up to 700,000 miles. The Chevrolet has a shorter lifespan of around 2-300,000 miles.

Value

If your choice boils down to value for money, then it’s a done deal that you’re buying a Chevy Silverado. Entry-level models start from $28,500, with its top of the range 6.2L V8 priced at a low $35,800. The Toyota entry-level model starts at $33,675 and works its way up to $48,775.

Top Pick Between Tundra and Silverado

Both trucks have key points for consideration. If you’re in it for the long haul and want to buy a pickup that must work on the farm for the next 20 years, then the Toyota Tundra is worth the price tag. It’s a reliable truck with all the trims and safety features you need for a comfortable ride.

If you want value for money, the Chevy Silverado is the truck for you. It offers a more extensive range of choices on all the features and a superb price range too. The Chevy Silverado does give you more truck for your buck and value for money in the long run with its great fuel economy. You can load up more than 3,200 lbs extra, which is also a serious consideration if the truck performs in the field.

2020 Chevy Silverado (Source)

Conclusion

The only way to choose a winner is for you to personally take both the trucks for a test drive and compare the facts as we discussed for both. If you look at the overall performance, pricing, and economy, the Chevy Silverado is in the lead. Please consider what the pickup must provide you with and use the points we shared to make picking a personal winner easier.