Toyota Tundra vs Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

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 a vehicle that exuded machismo, appealing to those who wanted a rugged and imposing look. Inside, the cabin was more conventional, prioritizing quantity over quality. Despite not having the best fit and finish, the spacious interior, comparable to a living room, made up for it. The Silverado 3500HD offered various trim levels, from the basic W/T to the luxurious High Country, each adding more features and comfort.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra marked the beginning of its third generation, with a completely redesigned exterior and interior. The new model featured a dynamic and expressive look, with a large hexagonal grille and various trim-specific finishes. The TRD Pro trim stood out with its retro "TOYOTA" lettering and technical camo pattern. Inside, the Tundra continued the camo theme and offered a cohesive design that linked the exterior and interior. The cabin was updated with more premium materials and amenities, aiming to be a family-friendly adventure vehicle.

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 (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The diesel engine, in particular, provided excellent performance, making the 3500HD feel lively despite its size. The Silverado 3500HD could tow up to 36,000 pounds and had a payload capacity of 7,442 pounds, making it a powerhouse for heavy-duty tasks.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra introduced two new engines, moving away from the previous 5.7-liter V8. The base i-Force engine, a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6, produced 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The i-Force Max hybrid powertrain combined the twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor, resulting in 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. Both engines used a 10-speed automatic transmission, with RWD standard and 4WD available. The new Tundra offered smooth and consistent power delivery, with improved handling thanks to its updated chassis and suspension. The Tundra's towing capacity reached 12,000 pounds, and it featured advanced towing aids like trailer sway control and a trailer backup guide system.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD was available in various 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 provided 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 2022 Toyota Tundra came in Double Cab or CrewMax configurations, both offering four-door crew cabs with five-passenger seating. The Double Cab had 33.3 inches of rear seat legroom, while the CrewMax offered 41.6 inches. The Tundra featured an aluminum-reinforced composite bed, available in various lengths, which saved weight and resisted damage. The Tundra's towing capacity reached 12,000 pounds, and it included standard trailer sway control and TOW/HAUL mode. Inside, the Tundra prioritized smart storage solutions, such as a sliding tray in the front center armrest and a conveniently placed 12-volt power tap.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with upgraded trims featuring an 8-inch screen. The High Country trim added navigation. 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 multiple camera angles, as well as a trailering app with a pre-trailering checklist.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra featured a new infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen standard on SR and SR5 trims and a 14-inch touchscreen on Limited and above. A 12-speaker JBL premium audio system was available on Limited and standard on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all models. The Tundra also offered advanced driver assistance features, such as a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 10.1-inch head-up display on higher trims. Off-road enthusiasts could benefit from the multi-terrain select system with crawl control and downhill assist control.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD came standard with a backup camera and a full array of front- and side-impact airbags. However, advanced safety features like forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and automatic emergency braking were optional. Additional features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree parking camera system were also available for an extra cost.

The 2022 Toyota Tundra came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5) as standard, which included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, dynamic radar adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, and more. The Tundra also featured the Star Safety System, with enhanced vehicle stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes. Eight airbags were standard, along with LATCH connectors for child seats. Blind-spot monitoring was available on SR5 models and standard on higher trims.