2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2023 Toyota Tundra

The 2023 Toyota Tundra immediately conveyed an impression of robust magnitude. With its massive grille and equally imposing grille surround, it bore a resemblance to a classic Sam Elliot mustache, particularly when adorned in chrome. This bold design seemed to cater to the Texas customer demographic, a crucial market. The Tundra's design elements were meticulously interlocked, from the grille surround to the headlights to the taillights, ensuring a cohesive and solid look. Despite its brute appearance, the Tundra balanced its formidable presence with sleek, high-mounted headlights and a strategic character line that enhanced its visual length. The rear featured a bold three-dimensional stamped design, further cementing its rugged persona.

For the 2023 model year, Toyota introduced the new SX Package available exclusively on the SR5 trim. This package added dark gray metallic 18-inch wheels and swapped body-color trim pieces in place of black ones, while also stripping off the badging on the front doors. A blacked-out “4x4” badge on the tailgate and black interior accents replaced the usual smoked silver accents to add a cleaner, streamlined look. The Tundra was offered in seven different trims, with the TRD Pro featuring distinctive clearance lamps and a stamped "TOYOTA" grille in TRD Pro guise.

Our test vehicle was a TRD Pro painted in Solar Octane, an eye-catching orange. Inside, the Tundra offered expansive seats and ample room, with a massive 14-inch touchscreen dominating the dashboard on trims above SR or SR5. While the exterior design might have polarized opinions with its significant grille and mustache-like appearance, the interior delivered everything expected from a truck: substantial space and supreme comfort.

Switching to the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty, the redesign for the model year signaled more of a visual evolution rather than a revolution. Trims ranged from the practical XL to the opulent Limited. The XL functioned as a work truck yet still included vinyl upholstery, an 8-inch touchscreen, and a four-speaker stereo. The XLT stepped up with cloth upholstery and additional amenities like a power-adjustable driver's seat and integrated trailer brake controller.

The Lariat trim began to introduce modern conveniences like leather upholstery, heated seats, and a larger 12-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity. The King Ranch trim, our test model, epitomized luxury with 20-inch alloy wheels, a two-tone paint job, and minimal chrome, accented with rich brown leather and signature branding. Inside, it showcased two-tone leather and multiple creature comforts, including an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system.

Platinum and Limited trims, with further luxurious touches, sat atop the King Ranch. Our King Ranch model featured convenient bed steps, a power-assist tailgate, and the Pro Power Onboard system for enhanced functionality.

The Toyota Tundra's previous generation with its 5.7-liter V8, despite being known for its reliability, necessitated improved efficiency. The 2023 Tundra addressed this with two lauded engine options, both V6s. The standard 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 delivered 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The alternative hybrid i-FORCE MAX variant produced a staggering 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque, spotlighting Toyota’s innovative approach to combining power with efficiency.

The 10-speed automatic transmission complemented these engines, ensuring a seamless drive both on highways and off-road. The revised multi-link rear suspension considerably enhanced ride quality, making the Tundra more stable on varied terrains. It boasted a maximum towing capacity of 12,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,940 pounds, eclipsing some competitors in towing but falling short in payload.

The TRD Pro trim was equipped for rugged terrains with features like a 1.1-inch lift and 2.5-inch Fox shocks. Its BBS 18-inch wheels and 33-inch tires facilitated navigation over obstacles, while the multi-terrain system and locking rear differential provided an unbeatable off-road experience. However, its large size, with a turning circle of 50 feet, posed challenges on narrow trails.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered a base 6.8-liter gas V8 with 400 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. It also had a 7.3-liter V8 option, providing 430 horsepower and 485 pound-feet of torque. The star performer was the 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V8, delivering 475 horsepower and an astounding 1,050 pound-feet of torque. The high-output variant of this engine expanded these specs to an unprecedented 500 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet of torque.

The 10-speed automatic transmission managed these engines' power efficiently, making the diesel engine brisk from a standstill and smooth to highway speeds. The Super Duty’s size demanded attentive driving, particularly during tight maneuvers. Its towing capacity, maxing out at 22,000 pounds, stood out, facilitated by Ford's Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and onboard scales for cargo management.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra merged forward-looking technology with straightforward controls. The center console featured a conventional gear lever rather than a rotary shifter, adding a rugged feel to its interior. The Tundra’s design paid attention to user-friendly details like sizable cupholders, a conveniently angled wireless charging pad, and a large center console bin with a sliding door for easy access.

The rear seats provided ample space for adults, folding up to reveal additional storage. The Tundra offered flexibility with its size options. The SR5 came in both double-cab and CrewMax configurations, with bed options ranging from 5.5 feet to 8.1 feet, depending on the trim.

On the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty, versatility was key. Offered in regular cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew configurations, it also presented bed options of 6.75 and 8 feet. Our test model had convenient features like an integrated Warn winch and bed steps for easy access. Inside the F-250, multiple cupholders, a large center storage bin, and dual glove boxes highlighted its practicality. The rear seats in the SuperCrew flipped up to create protected cargo space, enhancing functionality for work and leisure.

In terms of cargo, the Tundra's maximum payload of 1,940 pounds was decent but less than the F-250 Super Duty's towing capacity of 22,000 pounds when properly equipped, highlighting the Ford’s capability as a workhorse.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra introduced an 8-inch touchscreen standard on lower trims, while the standout 14-inch screen came standard on higher trims and was optional on the SR5. This larger screen featured new software with crisp graphics and rapid response, complemented by a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, offering a significant upgrade over previous generations. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, though wireless phone charging and a 12-speaker audio system occurred on the higher trims.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty’s base trims included an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our test model featured a more substantial 12-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, retaining a logical control layout. Additional features like multiple USB ports, a wall-style outlet, and wireless device charging underscored the truck’s accommodation for modern tech needs. The F-250 also boasted Trailer Navigation, optimizing routes based on trailer specifications.

Toyota equipped the 2023 Tundra with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite, which included automatic emergency braking, road-sign detection, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked the newer TSS 3.0 found in other Toyota models. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional rather than standard. The Tundra received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for CrewMax models, though it had not been rated by the NHTSA.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty included the Ford CoPilot 360 suite on the XLT trim and above, varying by trim. Features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera system were available. The test model's dual-tier trailer mirrors and power-closing function assisted with maneuvering the immense truck. Ford’s trailer blind-spot monitoring and a backup camera with the tailgate down further enhanced safety during towing. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had crash-tested the 2023 Super Duty.