2022 Toyota Tundra vs 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2022 Toyota Tundra marked the advent of its third generation, with a significant transformation that is impossible to ignore. Toyota asserted that every component of the truck had been reengineered, achieving a more dynamic and expressive exterior design. The front fascia featured a large, hexagonal grille that varied in material finishes across different trims, ranging from chrome to dark gray. The standout TRD Pro trim boasted a unique "TOYOTA" lettering in retro style above an LED light strip, complemented by a technical camo pattern found both on the exterior and subtly inside the cabin.

The body design communicated a rugged yet refined tone, with chiseled side profiles and pronounced wheel arches. The rear end displayed LED tail lamps flanking a stamped tailgate, harmonizing the robust look. Inside, the Tundra upped the ante with premium materials and amenities. The 14-inch touchscreen in higher trims was not just a visual centerpiece but an indication of the model's modernized intent. The overall cabin echoed the external design, offering a cohesive and thought-out experience.

Conversely, the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 presented a more divisive design. Legacy features like the split-bar grille were well-loved, but newer elements such as the small headlights and aggressive grille divided opinions. The Silverado's design ethos seemed influenced by pop culture aesthetics, sometimes to the detriment of timeless design.

However, the Silverado's interior struck a chord with a greater number of fans. Although the basic WT and Custom trims retained the older design, the higher trims featured an overhauled, modern dashboard layout. Functional and intuitive controls, a large infotainment touchscreen, and premium materials defined the higher trims. Elegant designs in trims like the LTZ and High Country elevated the cabin ambiance to near-luxury levels, featuring leather upholsteries, power-adjustable seats, and advanced infotainment systems.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra bade farewell to its longstanding V8 engine, introducing two new powertrains. The base-level i-Force was a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 producing 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. This engine surpassed the power figures of the outgoing V8, offering an improved driving experience. The star performer, however, was the i-Force Max hybrid, combining a twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor to generate 437 horsepower and a hefty 583 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, aiding in smooth and efficient power delivery.

Toyota anticipated the fuel economy ratings of the new Tundra, estimating 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway for the i-Force engine with RWD, slightly less for 4WD models. Driving dynamics benefitted from a revamped chassis and suspension. While the front kept its double-wishbone setup, the rear transitioned to a multi-link coil-spring configuration, offering better ride quality, especially with an empty bed. Off-road capabilities were solidified with the TRD Off-road and TRD Sport packages, enhancing the truck's versatility.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a more varied engine lineup. The base engine was a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. For those preferring the grunt of a V8, options included a 5.3-liter V8 producing 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, and a powerful 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, Silverado offered a six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel generating 305 horsepower and an impressive 495 pound-feet of torque.

Transmission options were specific to the engine choices, with the 2.7-liter paired to an eight-speed automatic and the other engines linked to a ten-speed automatic. When aptly equipped, the Silverado could tow up to 13,300 pounds, particularly with the 6.2-liter V8, while the 5.3-liter V8 managed up to 11,000 pounds. The Silverado’s base four-cylinder achieved a maximum payload capacity of 2,260 pounds. The off-road-oriented trims like the Trail Boss and ZR2 exhibited commendable performance, easily navigating through challenging terrains. The powerful engines provided satisfying throttle response, though refinement varied among the options, with the eight-speed automatic sometimes seeming less harmonious.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra offered Double Cab or CrewMax configurations, both accommodating five passengers. The Double Cab provided 33.3 inches of rear legroom, while the expansive CrewMax offered 41.6 inches. Tundra provided a choice between 6.5-foot or 8.1-foot beds for the Double Cab and 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot beds for the CrewMax. All models featured an aluminum-reinforced composite bed, lighter than a steel counterpart yet maintaining durability. With up to 1,980 pounds of payload capacity, the bed also resisted scratches and dents, a boon for long-term functionality.

Additionally, the Tundra excelled in towing, with a capacity reaching 12,000 pounds. Standard features like trailer sway control, TOW/HAUL mode, and trailer brake control emphasized the truck’s towing capabilities. Smart design elements within the cabin included a center armrest with a sliding tray, intuitive storage spaces, and a well-placed 12-volt power outlet for easier access to power.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 provided a wider array of body styles, including regular, double, and crew cabs, each with varying bed lengths. The regular cab could be outfitted with a standard or long bed, while the double and crew cabs offered combinations of standard and short beds. The crew cab, notable for its interior space, afforded ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers, with the rear bench folding up for additional cargo space.

Payload and towing capacities were also impressive, with the Silverado maxing out at 2,260 pounds for payload and 13,300 pounds for towing. The regular cab configurations were simpler and optimal for work-oriented trims such as WT and Custom, while double and crew cabs were more suitable for versatility and passenger comfort.

In the 2022 Toyota Tundra, technology took a substantial leap. The new infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen as standard in lower trims and a large 14-inch touchscreen in higher trims. An impressive 12-speaker JBL premium audio system was available, complementing the advanced infotainment setup. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, ensuring seamless connectivity. Additional tech included Toyota Connected services, Safety Connect, Service Connect, WiFi Connect, and SiriusXM in higher trims.

The Tundra also boasted advanced instrument panels, from a combination analog/digital display to a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in higher trims. Technology geared towards off-roading included multi-terrain select, crawl control, downhill assist control, and a multi-terrain monitor system, enhancing the off-road prowess.

For the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, the base infotainment setup comprised a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 13.4-inch touchscreen with wireless functionality, providing vivid and responsive graphics. The Custom trim added a Wi-Fi hotspot, while the LTZ enhanced the tech suite with wireless device charging and additional USB ports.

The Silverado’s higher trims presented modern instrument panels and intuitive tech features, ensuring both utility and luxury. Safety tech was robust, with systems like GM’s Super Cruise highway driving system available in higher trims.

Toyota equipped the 2022 Tundra with standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, incorporating a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, dynamic radar adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, automatic high beams, and road sign assist. Standard safety also included eight airbags, the Star Safety System, tire-pressure monitors, hill-start control, and parking support brake with rear cross-traffic alert. Blind-spot monitoring was standard on most trims and optional on a few.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a full suite of safety features, starting with automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and the Teen Driver system. The LTZ trim added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a surround-view camera system, rain-sensing wipers, and front and rear parking sensors. Available tech included adaptive cruise control, a HUD, rear-camera mirror, and GM’s Super Cruise system. The Silverado earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and high crash-test scores from the IIHS.