2019 Toyota Tundra vs 2020 Ford F-150

When evaluating the 2019 Toyota Tundra, it was clear that not much had changed since the initial review in 2016. The Tundra continued to feel outdated when compared to its competitors from Ford, Chevy, and Dodge. Toyota had made minor updates over the years to keep the Tundra relevant, yet the technology felt like an afterthought, the interior remained stale, and the V8 engines with 6-speed automatic transmissions were still seen as archaic and fuel-thirsty. However, Toyota's appeal to pickup-truck enthusiasts wasn’t entirely negated by these elements. Rugged dependability was synonymous with Toyota, making the Tundra a favored choice for those valuing reliability over cutting-edge technology.

Toyota provided six trims for the Tundra, all featuring one of two V8 engines paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Starting with the base SR trim, buyers got heated mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, a damped tailgate, an integrated trailer-brake controller, and an advanced safety suite including forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and auto high beams. A 6.1-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and a 6-speaker stereo with a CD player were standard, all for $31,670. This price also included a 4.6-liter V8 with 310 horsepower and 327 pound-feet of torque.

Stepping up to the SR5 trim at $33,470 added an upgraded infotainment interface with a 7-inch touchscreen that included navigation and traffic info, HD and satellite radio, foglights, and variable-intermittent windshield wipers. The Limited trim saw a price hike to $40,935, reflecting its additional features like leather front bucket seats with power, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, dual-zone auto climate control, navigation, and auto headlights. The Platinum and 1794 Edition trims priced at $47,630 offered luxury features such as a sunroof, heated and cooled front seats with driver memory, power side-view mirrors with auto dimming, and a 12-speaker JBL stereo.

The TRD Pro trim, which stood out the most, started at $49,895. It featured a 2-inch raised suspension, off-road tires with forged BBS wheels, and 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks from Fox. Unique TRD touches were abundant, including a TRD Pro exhaust, skid plate, hood scoop, and extensive TRD badging. This added ruggedness came at a total cost of $51,140, including a mandatory $1,395 destination fee.

Turning to the 2020 Ford F-150, the truck exuded a more restrained and confident design. It sported clean lines and a prominent blocky grille that symbolized confidence without being showy. By embracing a timeless design instead of fleeting trends, the F-150's styling would remain appealing for years. Inside, the straightforward dash design initially appeared cold but sprang to life with the startup, emphasizing function over form. The interior quality varied across trims; lower trims had hard plastics while higher trims mixed in soft-touch materials and leather. Despite not reaching the luxury feel of the Ram 1500, the F-150’s interior remained durable and practical for a work truck.

Ford provided several trim levels: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, Raptor, and Limited. The XL was a no-frills work truck sporting steel wheels, air conditioning, an AM/FM radio, manual locks, a 2.3-inch driver information display, and standard forward automatic emergency braking. Moving up to the XLT added features such as 17-inch painted aluminum wheels, chrome bumpers and grille, cruise control, SYNC 3 infotainment, and a WiFi hotspot.

The Lariat trim aimed to bridge work truck functionality and luxury, adding push-button start, leather-trimmed seats, heated power-folding side mirrors, an 8-inch driver information display, dual-zone climate control, and power heated and cooled front seats. The King Ranch trim introduced a Western theme with saddle-leather upholstery and unique stitching while also upgrading to a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and a remote-release tailgate. The Platinum trim brought further luxuries, including massaging seats, unique chrome badging, LED bed lighting, fog lamps, and blue ambient lighting.

The Raptor opted for a more aggressive off-road look with its wider body, big fenders, and specialized off-road gear. At the top of the range, the F-150 Limited boasted features like satin aluminum exhaust tips, 22-inch polished aluminum wheels, premium leather upholstery, and a dual-panel moonroof, elevating the pickup’s comfort levels significantly.

The 2019 Toyota Tundra didn't provide options for turbocharged 4- or 6-cylinder engines. Buyers chose between a standard V8 and a larger V8. The base engine, a 4.6-liter V8 offering 310 hp and 327 lb-ft of torque, managed a payload capacity of 1,600 pounds and a towing capacity of 6,800 pounds. This engine provided predictable performance, but the truck’s size suggested moving up to the larger engine for better utility. The larger 5.7-liter V8 produced 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque, increasing payload to 2,630 pounds and towing capacity to 10,200 pounds, while only marginally impacting fuel economy. Despite delivering a sturdy performance and achieving a 0-60 mph time of about 7 seconds, the Tundra's larger V8 still trailed behind competitors’ advanced engines in power and utility.

The TRD Pro version significantly enhanced the Tundra's off-road capabilities. With a raised suspension, off-road tires, and resilient shocks, it positioned the Tundra as one of the most off-road capable full-size trucks, only rivaled by the Ford F-150 Raptor. While lacking some technological advancements, the TRD Pro made up for it in affordability and rugged fun.

For the 2020 Ford F-150, a range of powerful engines was available. The base XL and XLT featured a 3.3-liter V6 engine pushing 290 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. Ford also offered a 2.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V6 with 325 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque for those preferring turbo options. For more traditional power, the 5.0-liter V8 generated an impressive 395 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The pinnacle of the F-150 engine range was the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, delivering 375 hp and an astonishing 470 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful engine in the lineup. Additionally, a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 producing 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque was offered for those seeking a diesel option.

The base trims came with a 6-speed automatic transmission, while higher trims enjoyed a 10-speed automatic transmission with multiple drive modes (Normal, Tow/Haul, Snow/Wet, EcoSelect, and Sport), providing versatility in handling different driving conditions. The RWD option was standard, with an available 4WD system that included low-range gearing. The F-150's class-leading towing capacity was 12,300 pounds, achievable with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine, specific trim, and towing package.

The base V6 facilitated basic driving needs, but for serious work, the turbo EcoBoost V6s, the V8, and the turbodiesel showed their prowess with strong acceleration and towing capabilities. The F-150 managed to ride and handle better than its size suggested, with responsive steering and a comfortable ride across various road conditions. The Raptor variant, with its wider body, special suspension, and terrain management system, was an off-road champion, capable of adjusting its system in real-time for different surfaces and situations.

The 2019 Toyota Tundra emphasized simplicity. Selecting the 5.7-liter engine maximized its towing capacity without needing specific configurations of axle, bed, or towing packages. However, this came with drawbacks related to the Tundra’s size. Without optional steps or running boards, accessibility became an issue for many, and its large dimensions compromised driveability in urban settings. On crowded city streets, the Tundra felt overwhelmingly large and could be a hassle in parking garages or narrow passages. This bulky design made the Tundra cumbersome in both city and off-road environments.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford F-150 offered versatility with different cab and bed sizes. Cab choices included Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew, and bed lengths were 5.5, 6.5, and 8 feet. The Regular Cab was a traditional single cab, while the SuperCab had rear half-doors accessible only when the front doors were open, which could be frustrating for frequent access needs. The SuperCrew stood out for its extensive cabin space, providing exceptional rear legroom and seats that flipped up to offer a large load floor.

The interior of the F-150 was practical with ample storage, including various cubbies, cupholders, and deep door pockets. The center console storage was large enough to fit a laptop or hand tools. The F-150 also featured a bed step for easier access, although it had moving parts that could potentially break over time, unlike some competitors’ simpler solutions.

Comparing cargo and towing capacities highlighted the differences: The Tundra’s maximum towing capacity was 10,200 pounds, close to but not exceeding the F-150’s top capacity of 12,300 pounds. These figures showed that for maximum towing needs, the F-150 had a slight edge.

Technology was not a strong suit for the 2019 Toyota Tundra. It lacked essentials like Android Auto or Apple CarPlay and suffered from outdated features. Even in higher trims like the TRD Pro, there was only one USB port, which was difficult to use in low light. Although the safety systems were standard, the advanced features were not up to par with newer offerings from competitors. Toyota’s Entune system, while user-friendly, was aging quickly, making the Tundra less appealing for tech-savvy buyers.

In contrast, the 2020 Ford F-150 excelled in technology. The XL trim started with basic amenities like an AM/FM radio and auxiliary audio inputs, while the SYNC infotainment system with a touchscreen and USB ports was optional. The XLT trim upgraded to the SYNC 3 system in an 8-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice recognition, pinch-to-zoom functionality for maps, and smart-charging USB ports. This system was praised for its user-friendly interface and menu navigation.

Higher trims included FordPass with a 4G WiFi modem capable of connecting up to 10 devices, allowing remote control of various features through a mobile app. Premium options like a Kicker subwoofer and a Bang & Olufsen sound system were also available, enhancing the audio experience. The F-150's technology package was impressive, offering simplicity, connectivity, and convenience that the Tundra lacked.

Safety was a mixed bag for the 2019 Toyota Tundra. Toyota included standard adaptive cruise control with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, auto high-beams, and a drowsiness monitor. However, advanced features like blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert were only standard on select trims. The Tundra’s safety systems were somewhat outdated, leading to occasional false notifications and inelegant performance compared to newer systems. Safety ratings also reflected its age, with 4-star scores for frontal crash tests from the NHTSA, and mixed results from the IIHS, including Marginal ratings for certain tests and a Poor rating in the passenger-side small overlap front test.

The 2020 Ford F-150 came with a full suite of safety features, including airbags, curve control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control. Standard pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking was a notable inclusion. Higher trims added Ford Co-Pilot360, which featured automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The F-150’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist made towing easier by simplifying trailer maneuvering.

In terms of crash tests, the SuperCrew F-150 achieved top marks from both the NHTSA and IIHS, though the SuperCab and regular cab received slightly lower scores. Still, the F-150’s overall safety profile was strong, providing a reliable choice for consumers prioritizing safety.