2020 Toyota Tundra vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

The 2020 Toyota Tundra, available in SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Pro, Platinum, and 1794 Edition trims, boasted an upscale feel as one advanced through the trim levels. It offered two cab styles: Double Cab (extended cab) and CrewMax (crew cab), and featured three bed lengths, depending on the cab and trim. Prices started at $33,425 and could climb up to $52,930 before factoring in the destination charge or any options.

The test vehicle was a Tundra TRD Pro CrewMax with 4-wheel drive (4WD), noted for its Army Green color exclusive to this top-tier model, and black 18-inch forged aluminum wheels. This combination provided the truck with a rugged, military-like aesthetic. However, the color was likely to become wearisome over time, making traditional options like black, white, or gray more appealing choices.

Inside, the TRD Pro featured black leather seats with red stitching and "TRD Pro" embroidery, exuding a rugged ambiance. Despite the well-aged design, the interior was dominated by industrial-grade plastic, a hard sell at higher price points.

Conversely, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD was noticeably towering, with a height just under 5’4” from ground to hood, prompting comparisons to its Chevy Silverado 1500 counterpart but highlighting its superior pickup capabilities. Redesigned for 2020 and enhanced with special editions, new camera tech, and wireless connectivity in 2021, the Silverado 2500HD promised a modern touch.

Chevy offered a plethora of choices in terms of body styles, trims, colors, and bed lengths. Customers could choose from Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country grades with Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab options, plus various special editions. Bed lengths depended on the cab, with the Regular Cab only available with a long bed, all constructed from high-strength steel.

Buyers had wheel options ranging from 17- to 20-inch steel or aluminum choices, complemented by all-season or all-terrain tires. The 2500HD lacked the dually options seen in the 3500HD. Practical features like Integrated BedSteps and large CornerSteps facilitated bed access, albeit challenging for shorter individuals without robust upper body strength. The truck also came with 12 standard tie-down rings with an option to increase to 21, and a new standard EZ Lift tailgate on LT models.

However, the Silverado's design felt less sophisticated, leaning towards a Hot Wheels vibe compared to the worksite chic of some competitors. Despite sharing numerous visible and hidden parts with the GMC Sierra HD, they maintained distinct personalities.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra came exclusively with a 5.7-liter V8 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, producing 381 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 401 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. Its maximum towing capacity reached 10,200 pounds and a payload limit of 1,730 pounds, achievable with an SR Double Cab equipped with rear-wheel drive (RWD). Other configurations had lower ratings.

Apart from the TRD Pro which included a standard electronic shift-on-the-fly 4WD system, 4WD was optional. The TRD Pro, aimed at off-roading enthusiasts, came with BBS forged aluminum wheels, heavy-duty Fox off-road shocks, a dual TRD-tuned exhaust system, and an aluminum skid plate. The exhaust system offered an impressive sound but was loud enough to irk unsuspecting bystanders.

The performance of the Tundra was robust, and its transmission operated smoothly. Both steering and brakes met expectations, albeit the Tundra’s drive felt more truck-like than car-like, with a surprisingly tight turning radius easing U-turns. Though the test did not involve towing or heavy off-roading, the TRD Pro showed commendable off-road capability on technical trails. However, its size sometimes hindered performance, particularly on rapidly transforming, dense Southern California trails.

Though stable on straight rural and interstate roads, wind noise was excessive at 75 mph. Narrow, winding roads could be challenging, exacerbated by oncoming traffic. The Tundra’s boxy design aided navigation through tighter spaces. Predictably, fuel economy was unimpressive, averaging 14.3 mpg in combined driving without towing or hauling. The standard 38-gallon fuel tank was a practical addition given its fuel efficiency.

For the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, buyers had a choice between a 6.6-liter V8 gasoline engine or a 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel, both providing significant power and torque. The gas engine delivered 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The more powerful Duramax engine offered 445 hp and an impressive 910 lb-ft of torque, paired with a sophisticated 10-speed Allison automatic transmission.

RWD was standard, and 4WD was available across the lineup, with both configurations featuring an automatic locking rear differential. The gas engine variant could handle up to 3,979 pounds of payload (RWD) and 3,965 pounds (4WD), while the Duramax variant supported up to 3,715 pounds in payload, regardless of drivetrain configuration.

The Silverado 2500HD was equipped with a hitch, seven-pin connector, trailering mirrors, federally-mandated rearview camera, and hitch-guidance technology. With the gas engine, it could tow up to 14,500 pounds conventionally and 17,370 pounds with a fifth wheel/gooseneck setup. The diesel model boasted a maximum trailering capacity of 18,500 pounds in any configuration, making it the superior towing choice. The diesel engine provided a smoother and more powerful ride, especially under load, augmented by the polished 10-speed transmission.

Fuel tank sizes varied depending on the engine type and configuration. Gas engine models universally came with a 36-gallon tank. For diesel models, tank capacities ranged from 28 gallons (Regular Cab) to 36 gallons (Crew Cab and some Double Cab configurations).

Though fuel economy figures were not provided for heavy-duty trucks like the Silverado 2500HD, it typically excelled on highways and during extended trips. Its maneuverability and ease of parking at busy stops were additional plus points.

Toyota’s Tundra was built as large as its Texas birthplace, offering a spacious interior. The CrewMax’s rear seating area was particularly roomy, drawing comments from young passengers about its vast legroom. The power rear window, which rolled entirely down and stored behind the cab, was a hit among occupants.

While the rear bench seat was large, it lacked ergonomic design, being low and flat. Up front, large leather seats provided ample support and comfort on long drives. Storage spaces abounded, except for a small glove compartment and limited rear-seat storage. The truck bed, apart from an optional spray-in liner, tie-down hooks, and rails, was basic compared to more feature-laden rivals, emphasizing the Tundra’s straightforward utilitarian ethos.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, by contrast, showed that modern trucks didn’t compromise on comfort or space. It provided more headroom than most SUVs and seated three adults comfortably across its cab. The Crew Cab offered comprehensive legroom for rear passengers, making longer rides agreeable.

The front also came standard with a 40/20/40 split-bench seat and covered armrest, advancing to bucket seats and a full center console in higher trims. Vinyl or cloth upholstery were standard, with the option to upgrade to 10-way power-adjustable front seats with lumbar support at higher trims. Auxiliary features like assist handles, manual windows, and a manual-tilt steering wheel were standard. More advanced features and upscale materials became increasingly available as one climbed the trim levels, though still lagging behind the upmarket Ford Super Duty and Ram 2500HD in terms of luxury and refinements.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra’s infotainment system, despite being encased in hard, dated plastic and possessing a glare-prone screen, was equipped with modern software. Lower trims featured a 7-inch display, while higher trims enjoyed an 8-inch screen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, and USB ports. The TRD Pro trim went further with dynamic navigation, voice recognition, point-of-interests search, and a 12-speaker JBL sound system. Though the JBL speakers delivered booming bass, the system’s reliance on touchscreen buttons for radio presets could be frustrating for users, especially in a moving truck.

However, the Tundra was lackluster in advanced towing tech, offering little more than a basic reversing camera, falling behind competitors in this area.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, while not the most technologically advanced truck, still offered notable features. A 7-inch infotainment display running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system came standard, along with two USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Though generally effective, the system’s setup was aggravating for finding new stations, disconnecting from what was playing until a new station was selected.

The standard feature set included a 12-volt front power outlet, a simple audio system, Bluetooth, and Chevrolet Connected Access cable. The list of optional features was extensive, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, 120-volt outlet, WiFi hotspot, Bose audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and several advanced camera views.

In addition, Chevrolet outperformed Toyota in camera technology, with a bed-view camera now standard on certain lower trims, enhancing usability significantly.

Safety was a weak point for the 2020 Toyota Tundra, primarily due to its crash-test performance. Though Toyota Safety Sense came standard, with options for blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, the Tundra’s crash ratings lagged. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it a Marginal rating for driver-side small-overlap tests and Poor for passenger-side. Its headlights were also rated Marginal.

In fairer light, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the Tundra more favorably: 5 stars for side-impact, 4 stars for frontal-impact, and 4 stars for rollover resistance (with 4WD, 3 stars with RWD).

In comparison, the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD’s safety assessment was undefined by crash tests from NHTSA or IIHS due to its classification as a heavy-duty truck. Nonetheless, it came standard with six airbags, a rearview camera, Teen Driver tech, stability control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system.

Safety Confidence Packages were available for Work Truck and Custom trims, adding forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking. Potential safety upgrades included park assist, lane-departure warning, OnStar services, rear-seat reminder, high-beam assist, and more.