2019 Toyota Tundra vs 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

In 2019, reviewers still saw the Toyota Tundra as aged, a sentiment carried over from a 2016 review. Despite subtle updates over the years, the technology felt like an afterthought, and the interior hadn't freshened up considerably. The Tundra was available in six trims, all powered by either a 4.6-liter V8 engine delivering 310 horsepower and 327 lb-ft of torque or a 5.7-liter V8 with boosted power figures. Even though these engines provided solid performance, they were criticized for thirstiness and antiquity.

The base SR trim came with notable features like heated mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, and a comprehensive safety suite. Moving up to the SR5 added enhancements such as a 7-inch touchscreen and foglights. The Limited trim offered premium features, including leather front bucket seats and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, while the Platinum and 1794 Edition focused on luxury with amenities like a sunroof and heated and cooled front seats.

The TRD Pro stood out for its off-road capabilities, equipped with a raised suspension, off-road tires, and a unique exhaust system. Priced at $49,895, the TRD Pro added distinct TRD touches, making it a prime choice for off-road enthusiasts. However, the Tundra's overall feel remained ruggedly dependable, a hallmark cherished by many pickup-truck shoppers.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 showcased a distinctive appearance across its various trims and configurations. With options ranging from the Regular Cab to the Crew Cab and trims such as WT, Custom, LT, and High Country, Chevrolet offered a multifaceted approach to its design. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the Trail Boss treatment available on Custom and LT trims.

A Silverado LT Trail Boss was provided for review, equipped with a new 6.2-liter V8 engine and several option packages that bumped the price up to $59,185. With black paint, black wheels, and blacked-out exterior trim, the test truck exuded a custom, rugged vibe. However, keeping it clean was a challenge, especially if the truck was used for its intended off-road purposes.

While the Silverado's exterior drew praise for its varied and distinctive styling, the interior didn't fare as well. The cabin looked industrial, resembling a raw architectural strength, but with noticeable plastic components and a busy layout. Compared to the Tundra, the Silverado's interior also seemed dated, lacking a cohesive and refined design. Even with leather seats, the overall feel didn't justify the high price tag.

In 2019, the Toyota Tundra offered no turbocharged 4- or 6-cylinder options, limiting choices to two V8 engines. The base 4.6-liter V8 delivered 310 horsepower and 327 lb-ft of torque, providing a 1,600-pound payload capacity and 6,800-pound towing capacity. While the powertrain was stout, the Tundra's size suggested opting for the larger engine for better performance.

The 5.7-liter V8 not only offered an additional 71 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque but also significantly increased the payload and towing capacities. This engine enabled a 1,030-pound higher payload and a 3,200-pound increase in towing capacity. The trade-off was minimal fuel efficiency loss, as the larger engine provided an EPA-estimated 15 mpg combined.

The TRD Pro variant stood out for its enhanced off-road capabilities. It featured a raised suspension, off-road tires, and bypass shocks, making it one of the most off-road capable full-size trucks, second only to the Ford F-150 Raptor. Despite lacking advanced technology, the Tundra TRD Pro provided substantial off-road enjoyment at a more accessible price point.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a broad range of engine choices and configurations. New for 2020 was a 3.0-liter turbodiesel 6-cylinder engine, producing 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, with an impressive highway fuel efficiency of 27 mpg. This engine was a cost-effective alternative, particularly in LTZ and High Country trims.

Chevrolet expanded the availability of its turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder and 6.2-liter V8 engines, along with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 6.2-liter V8, generating 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, provided satisfying performance with commanding acceleration. The Autotrac 4-wheel-drive system ensured smooth acceleration on various surfaces.

The LT Trail Boss, with its off-road package, featured all-terrain tires, an off-road suspension with a 2-inch factory lift, and various trail aids. While the all-terrain tires limited grip on pavement, they were highly effective off-road. The Silverado's ride quality impressed, maintaining stability on long stretches and handling mountain passes effortlessly. The 6.2-liter V8 variant averaged 16.8 mpg, close to its EPA rating.

The 2019 Toyota Tundra excelled in its simplicity and ease of use, especially when equipped with the 5.7-liter engine, optimizing its towing capacity. The straightforward approach meant no need to choose specific configurations for maximum utility. However, its sheer size posed challenges in urban environments, making navigation through tight city streets and parking garages difficult. The Tundra’s design sometimes made it feel larger than it was, further complicating its maneuverability.

When it came to interior space, the Tundra provided ample room but without sophisticated design. Entry and exit could be challenging without optional steps or running boards, particularly for shorter individuals. The overall interior design was more utilitarian, emphasizing durability over modern aesthetics.

The 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a more sophisticated interior, especially in the Crew Cab variant, which featured a cavernous back seat with good thigh support. The front seats, upholstered in leather and featuring 10-way power adjustments, provided long-lasting comfort, but the absence of a height adjuster annoyed some passengers.

The Silverado excelled in storage solutions, offering dual glove compartments, a large center console bin, and additional hidden compartments in the rear seatbacks. For hauling and towing, the Silverado showcased impressive capabilities, with the ability to handle up to 2,250 pounds of payload and 13,400 pounds of trailer weight, depending on the configuration. The LT Trail Boss test truck could carry 2,170 pounds and tow up to 11,300 pounds with the Max Trailering Package. The design of the Silverado’s cargo box, with its depth and high sides, contributed to its exceptional storage capacity.

In 2019, the Toyota Tundra lagged in the technology department, missing out on modern conveniences like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, even at higher trims. The $50,000 TRD Pro variant still only had one USB port, making it inconvenient for those needing multiple charging options. While the standard safety systems were welcome, they weren't cutting-edge, and the Entune system, though user-friendly, felt outdated. Overall, technology-conscious buyers would find the Tundra lacking.

On the other hand, the 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 provided a more advanced technological experience. Each truck came equipped with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Chevrolet Connected Access, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Optional upgrades included a high-definition display, navigation, and a Bose premium sound system.

Although the Silverado offered many features as standard equipment, the 8-inch display felt small by modern standards, and the free trial periods for desirable features like WiFi were short-lived. The Bose sound system, despite its rich bass, struggled with high-frequency clarity.

The Silverado excelled in visibility aids. The Advanced Trailering Package offered up to 15 different camera views, including a Transparent Trailer view, enhancing towing confidence. A new Camera Trailer Package and additional options like a head-up display and camera-based rearview mirror further expanded the Silverado’s technological capabilities, though not all features were available on the test truck.

Toyota earned praise for adding standard adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, auto high-beams, and a drowsiness monitor to the 2019 Tundra. However, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert was only available from the SR5 trim upwards. Though the Tundra's safety features were a welcome addition, they were somewhat outdated, sometimes providing false notifications. The Tundra's safety ratings reflected its age, with a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and mixed results from IIHS, particularly in small overlap frontal-impact tests and headlight efficacy.

In contrast, Chevrolet needed to enhance its safety offerings for the 2020 Silverado 1500. While features like the rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology were standard, advanced driving assistance systems were mostly limited to the LTZ and High Country trims. The addition of features like forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking required higher trims, limiting their accessibility. The Silverado’s crash-test ratings were also mixed, scoring a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and Marginal ratings for passenger protection in IIHS's small overlap frontal-impact test. The Silverado’s headlights were rated Poor, highlighting areas for improvement.