2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD vs 2021 Toyota Tundra

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD had a polarizing exterior design, with a front end and grille that resembled a vintage furnace or a freight train. It was anything but a handsome new vehicle, yet it exuded a strong sense of machismo. Inside, the cabin was more conventional, prioritizing quantity over quality. Despite not having the best fit and finish, the spacious interior could be forgiven. The Silverado 3500HD offered various trim levels, including W/T, LT, LTZ, and High Country, each adding more features and luxury as you moved up the range.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra, developed in the mid-2000s, had an awkward look compared to newer trucks. Its massive grille and small headlights created a disproportionate appearance. However, the "Cement" paint color with blacked-out wheels and badging gave it a modern touch. The cabin was dated but functional, with hard plastics and big monotone panels. Despite its older design, the Tundra's interior was user-friendly, with all buttons and dials within easy reach. The infotainment system, updated in 2020, included a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa.

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 delivered 445 horsepower and an impressive 910 pound-feet of torque, mated to an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. Both engines could be configured with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The diesel engine, in particular, provided excellent performance, making the 3500HD feel lively. When properly equipped, the Silverado 3500HD could tow up to 36,000 pounds and had a payload capacity of 7,442 pounds. The LTZ trim featured an advanced trailering system with an app to monitor critical trailer functions.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came standard with the I-Force 5.7-liter V8 engine, producing 391 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual tap-shift function. The Tundra offered rear-wheel drive as standard, with four-wheel drive available. The six-speed automatic was responsive, providing strong acceleration at both low and high speeds. The Tundra had a towing capacity of 10,200 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,730 pounds, which was lower than some competitors. The truck was comfortable over various surfaces, with a stable ride on the highway.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD was available in multiple configurations, including regular cab/long-bed, double cab/long-bed, crew cab/standard bed, and crew cab/long-bed. The single cab had one row of seating, while 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.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra offered two cab sizes and three bed sizes. The Double Cab had conventionally-opening rear doors and was available with a 6.5-foot or 8.1-foot bed. The CrewMax, a full four-door crew cab, came with a 5.5-foot bed and provided massive interior space. Rear seat passengers enjoyed more legroom than first class on an airliner, and the rear seats folded up for additional cargo space. The front seats had plenty of room, with a large center console and multiple storage compartments. The optional power rear window was a standout feature, offering clear sightlines and fresh air.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with upgraded trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen and navigation on the High Country trim. The system was user-friendly, with hard buttons and dials for easy operation. The Silverado also offered numerous trailering features, including backup camera guidelines and additional camera angles, as well as a trailering app with a pre-trailering checklist.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra's infotainment system was updated in 2020, featuring standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The system was operated via a 7-inch touchscreen or an available 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The layout was sensible, with redundant hard buttons for ease of use. The Tundra also came standard with multiple USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and a three-month trial of WiFi hotspot capability. The SR5 trim upgraded the stereo system, with an available JBL premium audio system providing 12 speakers.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a backup camera and a full array of front- and side-impact airbags. Additional safety features, such as forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert, were available as options. Front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree parking camera system were also optional.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra included the Safety Sense P suite of driver-assistance features as standard equipment. This suite comprised forward-collision warning and avoidance, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Optional safety features included front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tundra also came standard with eight airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, trailer sway control, and an integrated trailer brake controller.