2020 Toyota Tundra vs 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

The 2020 Toyota Tundra was available in several trims: SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Pro, Platinum, and 1794 Edition. As you moved up the trim levels, the Tundra became more luxurious. It offered Double Cab and CrewMax cab styles, with three bed lengths depending on the configuration. Prices ranged from $33,425 to $52,930, excluding destination charges and options. The TRD Pro CrewMax 4WD, the most expensive version, featured an exclusive Army Green color, black 18-inch forged aluminum wheels, and a rugged, military-grade appearance. Inside, it had black leather with red stitching and "TRD Pro" embroidery, but the interior was criticized for its industrial-grade plastic, which felt out of place at higher price points.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD had a polarizing design, with a front end resembling a vintage furnace or freight train. It exuded machismo, appealing to those seeking a tough look. The cabin was more conventional, prioritizing quantity over quality. It offered a spacious interior, especially in crew cab configurations. Trim levels included W/T, LT, LTZ, and High Country. The W/T trim featured basic amenities like USB ports, vinyl seats, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added more features, with the High Country offering luxury touches like heated and ventilated seats, a Bose sound system, and a spray-in bed liner.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra was powered by 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. It had a maximum towing capacity of 10,200 pounds and a payload capacity of up to 1,730 pounds, depending on the configuration. The TRD Pro model came standard with a 4WD system, BBS forged aluminum wheels, heavy-duty Fox off-road shocks, a TRD-tuned dual exhaust system, and an aluminum skid plate. The V8 engine delivered robust power, and the transmission was flawless. However, the Tundra's fuel economy was unimpressive, averaging 14.3 mpg during a week of driving. The truck's turning radius was tight, making U-turns easier, but wind noise was excessive at highway speeds.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD offered two engine options. The standard 6.6-liter V8 gas engine produced 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The optional Duramax turbodiesel 6.6-liter V8 generated 445 horsepower and an impressive 910 pound-feet of torque, mated to an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. Both engines could be configured with RWD or 4WD. The diesel engine provided excellent performance, thanks to the 10-speed automatic transmission. The Silverado 3500HD had a maximum towing capacity of 36,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 7,442 pounds. It also featured a seven-pin connector and an advanced trailering system with an app for monitoring trailer functions.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra, built in Texas, had a spacious interior. The CrewMax's rear seating area was particularly roomy, with a low and flat rear bench. The front seats were large, supportive, and comfortable for long drives. Storage options were plentiful, except for the small glove compartment and limited backseat storage. The rear seat cushions flipped up for extra floor space. The Tundra's bed was basic, lacking advanced features like locking storage wells or multifunctional tailgates found in competitors. However, it emphasized simplicity.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD was available in various configurations, including regular cab/long-bed, double cab/long-bed, crew cab/standard bed, and crew cab/long-bed. The crew cabs offered two rows of spacious seating with ample headroom and legroom. The Silverado featured integrated bed steps in the rear bumper and additional step-ups along the side of the bed, making it easier to access the cargo area. These practical features addressed the challenge of getting into a large vehicle.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra's infotainment system, though recessed and glare-prone, featured up-to-date software. Lower trims had a 7-inch display, while higher trims upgraded to an 8-inch screen. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, USB ports, and free trial subscriptions to safety and WiFi services. The TRD Pro trim had a top-tier system with dynamic navigation, voice recognition, and a 12-speaker JBL premium sound system. However, the system's virtual buttons were challenging to use while driving, and the Tundra lacked advanced towing technology.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with higher trims featuring an 8-inch screen and navigation in the High Country trim. The system was user-friendly, with hard buttons and dials, and a home button. The Silverado offered numerous trailering features, including backup camera guidelines and multiple camera angles for trailering. The trailering app provided a pre-trailering checklist and critical status updates.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra included Toyota Safety Sense as standard, along with an optional blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. It also came with a free year of Safety Connect services. However, its crash-test performance was lacking. The IIHS rated it poorly in small-overlap frontal-impact tests, and its headlights received a Marginal rating. The NHTSA gave it more favorable ratings, with 5 stars for side-impact protection, 4 stars for frontal-impact protection, and 4 stars for rollover resistance with 4WD (3 stars with RWD).

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a backup camera and front- and side-impact airbags. Advanced safety features like forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. Front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree parking camera system were also available, enhancing safety for such a large vehicle.