2023 Toyota Tundra vs 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD, redesigned for the 2020 model year, featured a bold exterior with a tall hood, squared-off lines, and a massive grille, giving it a commanding presence. While its exterior design was considered one of the better-looking heavy-duty trucks, the interior had some shortcomings. Material quality, especially on top trims, didn't match up to competitors like Ram and Ford, and the cabin wasn't as spacious as those of the Ram 1500 and Ford Super Duty.

The Sierra 2500HD was available in five trim levels, each with a distinct look and feel, and in regular cab, extended cab, and crew cab body styles. The Pro trim was basic, aimed at fleet operators and contractors, while the SLE and SLT added more comforts. The AT4 was for off-road enthusiasts, and the Denali catered to luxury truck buyers. The AT4 and Denali were exclusively available in crew cab form. The AT4 trim we tested featured black chrome accents, C-shaped LED lighting, and a rugged, handsome package with premium interior features.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra sported a massive grille with an impressive grille surround, giving it a bold and purposeful look. Toyota employed interlocking design elements, from the grille surround to the headlights and taillights, creating a cohesive and solid appearance. Slim, high-mounted headlights and a character line down the side profile added visual length, while a three-dimensional stamped design at the rear completed the look.

A new SX Package arrived in 2023, available on the SR5 trim, adding dark gray metallic 18-inch wheels, body-color trim pieces, and blacked-out badging. The Tundra was available in seven trim levels: SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition, TRD Pro, and Capstone. The TRD Pro trim, which we tested, featured a bold grille with clearance lamps and "TOYOTA" stamped front and center. The interior boasted big, expansive seats, a massive 14-inch touchscreen, and plenty of space and comfort.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD was equipped with a 6.6-liter V8 engine, available in both gas and turbodiesel variants. The Duramax diesel engine produced 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque, paired with an excellent Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. Despite its impressive power, the Sierra 2500HD's towing capacity of 18,500 pounds and payload capacity of 3,597 pounds were not the highest in its class. Ford's F-250 Super Duty and Ram's 2500 heavy-duty trucks boasted higher towing capacities.

Our test truck, equipped with the Duramax diesel/Allison automatic transmission, demonstrated abundant power. The engine's strength required firm braking when shifting out of Park to prevent unintended movement. The Sierra 2500HD felt quick for a three-ton truck, with smooth shifts from the Allison 10-speed transmission. However, the ride was jittery over uneven pavement, improving with added weight. The AT4 trim's off-road capabilities were impressive, handling hills and rough terrain with ease, though a slight vibration from the steering column was noted.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra offered two engine choices: a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 producing 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, and a hybrid version with 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid engine, known as the i-FORCE MAX, was available on higher trims and standard on the TRD Pro and Capstone. A 10-speed automatic transmission managed the Tundra's power smoothly, with no sudden drops or surges in power.

Toyota replaced the old Tundra's leaf-spring rear suspension with a multi-link suspension, significantly improving ride quality over various terrains. The Tundra's maximum towing capacity was 12,000 pounds, with a payload capacity of 1,940 pounds. The TRD Pro trim featured genuine off-road capabilities, including a 1.1-inch lift, 2.5-inch fox shocks, BBS 18-inch wheels, and 33-inch tires. The multi-terrain system, locking rear differential, and crawl control provided confidence over technical terrain, though the Tundra's large size could be a limitation on narrow trails.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered three cab configurations, two pickup bed lengths, and available 4WD, making it a highly functional truck. It could seat up to six passengers, with abundant passenger space in both the front and rear seats. The AT4 package added extra lift, making entry a bit challenging, but the side assist step and corner-step rear bumper aided access.

Inside, the Sierra 2500HD featured a wide and deep center console, dual glove boxes, hidden storage compartments in the rear outboard seats, and a fold-down armrest with integrated cupholders. The optional 120-volt household-style power outlet and USB ports provided convenient power access. The MultiPro tailgate, available on the base Pro trim and standard on SLE and above, offered six distinct functions for improved loading and unloading.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra blended forward-looking technology with simple interface controls. Below the touchscreen, big physical controls for volume, climate control, and driving-related functions were easy to use. The Tundra featured a big, meaty lever for shifting, large cupholders, and a wireless charging pad for max-sized smartphones.

The Tundra's big center console bin had a clever top-mounted sliding door for easy access. The rear seats provided ample space for tall and wide adults, with additional storage under the flip-up backseat. The Tundra was available in various size configurations, with different bed lengths and cab styles to suit different needs.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered a range of infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch color touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on SLT and above, with a navigation system available on SLT and AT4 trims. The Sierra 2500HD came with hitch guidance, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar with connected services.

Our test vehicle's Bose premium audio system delivered rich sound, though the voice-recognition system had some quirks. The Sierra's 15 available camera views, including the "transparent trailer" view, made towing easier. The standard rear camera mirror provided a clear picture of what's behind, especially useful when visibility was compromised.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra featured an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR and SR5 trims, with a 14-inch screen available on higher trims. The 14-inch system ran new software with crisp graphics and fast response times. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on all Tundras, with a wireless phone charger standard on the Limited trim and above.

A 12-speaker audio system was available on the Limited trim and standard on higher trims, while the SR and SR5 had a 9-speaker system in the CrewMax cab and a six-speaker stereo in the double-cab. The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel impressed with its resolution and brightness, making the new Tundra a technological marvel compared to older models.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD was available with advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, following distance indicator, hill-descent control, and front and rear park assist. Standard items included HD Surround Vision, a rear-seat reminder system, driver Safety Alert Seat, and a Teen Driver system.

The Sierra 2500HD's mass made it both safe and potentially dangerous in collisions. The extra weight protected passengers but could cause severe damage to smaller vehicles and pedestrians. The numerous camera views were essential for safety, and it was recommended to opt for as many safety systems and cameras as possible. Due to its high GVWR, the Sierra 2500HD was not rated by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra came with the TSS 2.5 suite, including automatic emergency braking, road-sign detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-tracing assist. A sway warning system was standard, helpful for towing. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available but not standard across all trims.

The Tundra had not been rated by NHTSA, but the IIHS awarded CrewMax models a Top Safety Pick+ in 2022.