Toyota Tundra Vs Chevrolet Silverado: Which Pickup is Right for You?

If you’re one of many shoppers comparing the Toyota Tundra and Chevrolet Silverado, you’re faced with a nearly daunting level of selection when it comes to powertrains, features, trim-grades and capabilities.

Today’s pickup shopper is less willing than ever to pay for capability they don’t need—and this is the driving force behind the wide range of powertrain and driveline configurations available across this pair of new half-ton pickups.

Whether you’re looking for hybrid power, diesel power, twin-turbocharged torque or a proven high-displacement V8 engine, one of these trucks is probably your perfect match.

Below, we’ll compare the new-for-2022 Toyota Tundra to the freshly-updated 2022 Chevrolet Silverado.

Chevrolet Silverado: When space matters, the Chevrolet Silverado doesn’t disappoint. Compared to the Tundra, it offers 2 inches more front headroom, over 1.5 inches of additional rear headroom, and a major advantage in front and rear legroom.

Bottom Line: Both models can be specified in various cab and bed configurations, with the Tundra offering Double Cab and Crewmax configurations, and the Silverado offering Regular, Double and Crew Cab configurations, with 3 available bed lengths. Selection abounds, though shoppers after maximum passenger space and room for a growing family will likely find the Silverado’s additional spaciousness to add further value.

Chevrolet Silverado: The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado is available in standard, long and short bed configurations. Maximum towing capacity is rated at 13,300 lbs, with up to 2,270 lbs of payload.

Bottom Line: Between this pair, the Silverado offers the highest available figures for towing and payload by a small margin versus the 2022 Toyota Tundra.

Toyota Tundra: Under the Toyota’s hood is an all-new V6 engine—specifically a 3.5 litre V6 running twin-turbos for 348 horsepower and 405 lb.-ft of torque on the SR trim grade, and 389 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft of torque on all other trim grades.

Opt for the available i-FORCE MAX hybrid version of this engine, and power grows to 437 horsepower and 583 lb.-ft of torque. This power-boosting hybrid system self-generates all required electricity on board, with no need to plug in. With hybrid power, expect a mild increase in fuel efficiency, and a major boost to torque.

The Tundra uses a 10-speed automatic transmission, and both two and four-wheel drive are available.

Chevrolet Silverado: Though the Silverado doesn’t offer a gas-electric hybrid engine option, it’s wide selection of gas and diesel engines makes it easy for shoppers to select the perfect powertrain for their needs, tastes and lifestyle.

A newly-enhanced 2.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers 20 percent more horsepower this year, and the available 3-litre Duramax Diesel straight-six engine sees a major increase in towing capacity for 2022 as well.

Elsewhere, look for V8 gasoline engines of 5.3 and 6.2 litres displacement, and a 10-speed automatic on all models excluding the four-cylinder gas engine.

Bottom Line: The Toyota Tundra’s V6 engine range hits the mark for efficient torque and available hybrid-enhanced punch, but with double the powertrain choices and available diesel power, selection is wider and further-reaching in the Chevrolet Silverado.

Toyota Tundra: Two-wheel drive Tundra models are rated at 18 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg combined, with the lower-output engine tune in SR trim grades.

With the more powerful engine configuration used for all other trim grades, the Tundra 4×2 gets 18 mpg in the city, 23 on the highway, and 20 combined.

With 4×4, Tundra drivers can expect 17 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the highway (23 mpg on SR and SR5 grades), and 19 mpg overall.

Opting for the i-FORCE MAX hybrid engine makes a slight improvement to fuel efficiency, and a much larger improvement to torque output.

Chevrolet Silverado: With diesel power, the Chevrolet Silverado 4×2 does 23 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 26 mpg overall. With four-wheel drive, it’s 22 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg overall.

With 5.3 litre V8 and four-wheel drive, look for 15 mpg in the city, 19 mpg on the highway, and 16 mpg overall. Opt for the 6.2 litre V8, and it’s 14 mpg in the city, 18 mpg on the highway, and 16 overall.

The four-cylinder turbo engine turns in 17 mpg in the city, 20 mpg on the highway, and 18 mpg overall.

Note that your results may vary, and that certain equipment packages may reduce fuel efficiency.

Bottom Line: Toyota’s hybrid tech lets shoppers make better use of their fuel dollars by turning in a significant torque advantage with no hit to your fuel bill—though the Silverado’s available diesel engine is the highway mileage champ of this pair.

Chevrolet Silverado: Thanks to its 2022 model year update, the new 2022 Silverado incorporates Chevy Safety Assist—a suite of six standard active safety features that are included on every trim grade. Look for Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Following Distance Indicator, and IntelliBeam auto high beams.

Advanced technologies like Super Cruise enable hands-free driving on compatible highways, and a high-tech camera system offers more viewing angles than any other competitor.

Bottom Line: Both trucks have an impressive array of safety equipment to help reduce driver stress and increase safety and security on the move. Shoppers after the very latest in hands-free driving tech will gravitate towards the Silverado for its available Super Cruise system, which enables true hands-free driving capability.

Toyota Tundra: The starting price for a 2022 Toyota Tundra is $35,950 for the SR grade, $40,755 for the high-value SR5, $46,850 for the luxurious Limited, and $56,990 for the Platinum. For added exclusivity, the 1794 Edition opens the bidding at $57,690.

The off-road enhanced TRD Pro model features additional capabilities, and comes priced from $66,805. The range-topping Capstone edition rings in at $73,530.
A wide range of approved accessories and packages allow shoppers to further fine tune the Tundra to their exact needs and budget.

Chevrolet Silverado: The 2022 Chevrolet Silverado starts around $35,000 for a Work Truck model, and around $42,000 for a Custom.

You’ll need to go with the LT trim grade ($46,000) or higher to benefit from the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado’s latest interior updates. The Trail Boss starts at $47,745, with RST and LTZ models priced from $50,145 and $56,395 respectively.

The range-topping High Country model opens the bidding from $61,495, and the off-road specialized ZR2 comes in from the high sixties.

Bottom Line: Both the Tundra and Silverado are available in a variety of configurations– from basic work truck to high-value toy hauler, to luxurious mobile office or towing rig.

Though the Silverado leads the way for selection, highway mpg’s and interior space, little separates these trucks when it comes to safety equipment, looks, or capability.

The Silverado’s highly proven V8 powertrains are supplemented by new, fuel-saving gas and diesel options, while the Tundra’s fresh new V6 and available hybrid are expert at delivering big torque for your fuel dollars.

Both machines offer impressively-equipped top-line models, as well as highly capable versions tuned for off-road performance.

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