2020 Toyota Tundra vs 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty

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 before 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 Ford F-350 Super Duty Limited, gleaming in Iconic Silver with a chrome grille and polished wheels, was the epitome of luxury in a pickup. It featured plush leather seats, a high-end audio system, and power-deploying running boards for easy access. The F-350 came in six trims: XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited, with the higher trims offering more luxurious interiors. Our test truck, a crew cab with a single-rear-wheel axle and standard cargo bed, had an MSRP of $87,655, including a destination charge. The interior boasted soft two-tone leather, real wood and aluminum trim, and a panoramic glass sunroof, making it a convincing luxury vehicle.

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 lb-ft 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 provided robust power, but the exhaust noise could be bothersome. The Tundra's steering and brakes were satisfactory, and its tight turning radius was a pleasant surprise. However, wind noise was excessive at highway speeds, and fuel economy was unimpressive, averaging 14.3 mpg.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty featured a 6.7-liter turbodiesel V8 engine, delivering 475 horsepower and a staggering 1,050 lb-ft of torque. During testing, it averaged 15.4 mpg, improving to 16.5 mpg with heavy highway use. The Powerstroke diesel engine provided remarkable power, and the 10-speed automatic transmission performed flawlessly. The Tremor off-road package offered impressive off-road capabilities, including a front suspension lift, custom dampers, and 35-inch all-terrain tires. The F-350's size made parking and navigating tight spaces challenging, but features like the reversing camera and parking assist sensors helped. The adaptive steering system, new for 2021, improved low-speed maneuverability and high-speed stability, though the truck still required significant effort to drive.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra's interior was spacious, with the CrewMax's rear seating area offering ample legroom. The front seats were large and comfortable, but storage options were limited, especially in the glove compartment and rear seat area. The bed was basic, lacking advanced features like locking storage wells or multifunctional tailgates found in competitors. The Tundra's simplicity was a defining characteristic.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's crew cab provided generous space for five passengers. The Limited trim featured power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, with a commanding driving position. Storage was abundant, with a large center console, dual glove compartments, and door panel bins. Rear-seat comfort was impressive, though the seat cushion was slightly low. The bed was equipped with the configurable BoxLink system, an optional spray-in bedliner, and LED box lighting, making it practical for hauling cargo.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra's infotainment system, though housed in a dated-looking interface, was up-to-date with modern features. 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 connected services. The TRD Pro trim featured dynamic navigation, voice recognition, and a 12-speaker JBL sound system. However, the system's small touchscreen buttons were challenging to use in a moving truck.

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's 8-inch touchscreen ran the Sync 3 infotainment system, which was starting to show its age compared to competitors. The system included smartphone integration, wireless charging, navigation, FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a B&O premium sound system. The small screen size was a drawback, especially when using the reversing camera and trailer assistance features. Sync 3 was generally user-friendly, but it occasionally lagged or ignored inputs. The F-350 also offered a Live Drive Power Take-off system and upfitter switches for additional equipment.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra came standard with Toyota Safety Sense, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist. A blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert was also available. However, the Tundra's crash-test performance was subpar, with Marginal and Poor ratings in small-overlap frontal-impact tests from the IIHS. The NHTSA gave the Tundra favorable ratings, with 5 stars for side-impact protection and 4 stars for frontal-impact protection and rollover resistance (3 stars for RWD models).

The 2021 Ford F-350 Super Duty's safety depended on its size and weight, which provided an advantage in collisions with smaller vehicles. The truck offered a range of driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with trailer coverage, and rear cross-traffic alert. The adaptive cruise control system had some performance issues in heavy traffic, and the lane-keep assist was subtle. The blind-spot monitoring system required proper mirror adjustment to be effective. The F-350 also featured 911 Assist through the Sync 3 system, which could contact emergency responders after a collision.