2019 Toyota Tundra vs 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty

The 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty was a behemoth of a truck, showcasing its full-size capabilities with a massive dual-bar grille and bulky, squared-off headlights. The truck's design, rooted in a 2017 redesign, remained imposing and functional. It came in six trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited, each with its own distinct personality. The base XL trim was no-frills, featuring dark plastic for the front bumper and grille, and 17-inch steel wheels. The XLT added 18-inch painted aluminum wheels and chrome accents, while the Lariat offered a unique black appearance package. The King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims each had their own unique grilles and wheel designs, with the Limited boasting a dual-panel panoramic moonroof.

Inside, the F-250 was incredibly spacious, loaded with bins and cupholders, and featured a second row that seemed to stretch on forever. The base XL trim had a no-nonsense cabin with vinyl seats and a small 4.2-inch center screen, while higher trims like the Lariat included an 8-inch Sync 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Lariat trim, which was recommended by CarGurus, offered a blend of sensible and upscale features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, and supremely comfortable seats. The luxury trims, starting with the King Ranch, added features like remote start, voice-activated navigation, and a remote-release tailgate.

The 2019 Toyota Tundra, despite subtle updates over the years, still felt aged and behind the times compared to its competitors. It was available in six trims, all powered by one of two V8 engines paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The base SR trim offered impressive features like heated mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, and a comprehensive safety suite, all for $31,670. The SR5 trim added an upgraded infotainment interface with a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Limited trim, priced at $40,935, included leather front bucket seats, dual-zone auto climate control, and a power-sliding rear window.

The Platinum and 1794 Edition trims, both priced at $47,630, featured luxury touches like a sunroof, heated and cooled front seats, and an upgraded 12-speaker JBL stereo. The TRD Pro trim, starting at $49,895, was the standout for off-road enthusiasts, with a 2-inch raised suspension, off-road tires, and TRD Pro badging. However, the Tundra's size made it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces, and its design exacerbated this issue, making it feel even larger than it was. The interior technology also lagged behind, with no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto available, and only one USB port in the cabin.

The 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered two V8 powertrain options. The standard 6.2-liter V8 produced 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The available 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8 delivered an impressive 450 horsepower and a staggering 935 pound-feet of torque. Despite this immense power, the truck's acceleration was just adequate due to the 6-speed automatic transmission. The F-250 had a maximum towing capacity of 18,000 pounds and could haul 4,270 pounds in the bed. However, it was somewhat ungainly when not under a heavy load, feeling top-heavy in corners and chatty over bumps. Fuel economy was not rated by the EPA, but the trip computer showed an average of just over 17 miles per gallon during a week of combined city and highway driving.

The 2019 Toyota Tundra offered two V8 engine options: a 4.6-liter V8 with 310 horsepower and 327 pound-feet of torque, and a 5.7-liter V8 with 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. The 4.6-liter engine provided a combination of 1,600-pound payload and 6,800-pound towing capacities, while the 5.7-liter engine increased these figures to 2,630 pounds and 10,200 pounds, respectively. The 5.7-liter V8 also offered better acceleration, reaching 60 mph in about 7 seconds. The TRD Pro trim was the most off-road capable, featuring a raised suspension, off-road tires, and TRD Pro badging. However, the Tundra's size made it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces, and its design exacerbated this issue, making it feel even larger than it was.

The 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in three body styles: regular cab, Super Cab, and Crew Cab. The regular cab came with an 8-foot-long bed, while the Super Cab and Crew Cab were available with either a 6.75-foot standard bed or an 8-foot-long bed. The F-250 was only available in a single-rear-wheel (SRW) setup, while the F-350 offered a dual-rear-wheel (DRW) setup for higher towing capacities. The Lariat test truck came with the standard bed and included features like a spray-in bed liner, bed LED lights, bed-mounted power outlets, and an adjustable tie-down system. The integrated tailgate step was helpful, but some preferred the integrated steps in the side and rear bumper on GMC and Chevy trucks.

The 2019 Toyota Tundra's simplicity was one of its benefits. With the 5.7-liter engine, it offered the maximum towing capacity without needing to choose a specific rear axle, bed, or towing package. However, the Tundra's size made it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces, and its design exacerbated this issue, making it feel even larger than it was. Driving on crowded city streets could be a terrifying ordeal, and the truck's height made it prone to scraping antennae in parking garages or drive-thrus. The Tundra's size also hampered its driveability on tight off-road trails.

The 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty came with SYNC infotainment and connectivity across all trims, but the versions varied. The XL and XLT trims featured a basic version with a 4.2-inch LCD screen, USB-C port, and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims included SYNC 3, which featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. SYNC 3 was praised for its simplicity, though it lacked a home button at all times. The Lariat trim and above featured a B&O premium audio system with 10 speakers and a subwoofer. King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims included voice control and navigation.

The 2019 Toyota Tundra lagged in technology, with no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto available. The TRD Pro trim, priced at $50,000, had only one USB port in the cabin, which did not light up, making it difficult to locate at night. The standard safety systems were welcome, but the advanced safety features were outdated. The Entune system was easy to use but aging quickly. Overall, if technology was a priority, the Tundra was not the best choice.

The 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty came with a full array of front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, a tire pressure monitoring system, and trailer-sway control. The XLT and Lariat trims included headlights tied to the wipers, while higher trims added automatic high beams. Optional features included lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The test truck also had a 360-degree camera system, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring, which were essential for maneuvering the truck in tight spaces.

The 2019 Toyota Tundra included standard adaptive cruise control with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, auto high-beams, and a drowsiness monitor. However, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert was only available on higher trims. The Tundra's safety systems were outdated, with issues like false notifications. Safety ratings were mixed, with 4-star frontal crash tests and 5-star side crash tests from NHTSA, but a 3-star rollover rating. IIHS ratings were also mixed, with Marginal and Poor ratings in some tests. Braking was average, with a stopping distance of 134 feet from 60 mph.