2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs Toyota Tundra

One of the nice things about today’s pickup trucks is their various options. For example, the Chevy Silverado 1500 offers six trim levels, three cab configurations, three bed lengths, and three engines. That means you can get exactly the truck you want without paying any extra. As if that weren’t enough, the Silverado 1500 has a lower base price than the Tundra: $28,285 against $31,120.

In addition to costing more for its base model, the Tundra offers fewer options: two cab configurations, three bed lengths, two engines, and five trim levels. Not only do you have less to choose from, but you either end up paying slightly more than you wanted or end up with fewer features than you wanted.

Pickup trucks are not known for great fuel economy. But that doesn’t mean you need to spring for the biggest gas guzzler either. The Chevy Silverado handily wins in this category as well. Its V-8 engine gets 15 city miles and 21 highway miles per gallon. The V-6 engine does even better: 18/24 miles per gallon.

By comparison, the best the Toyota Tundra can do is a measly 15 city and 19 highway miles per gallon. It gets worse from there. Its V-8 engine does only 13/18 miles per gallon. Some of that might be forgiven is the Tundra outperformed the Silverado’s V-8 engine, but instead it produces 100 horsepower less than its rival. That’s cringeworthy, even for a pickup.

It may come as no surprise, but producing more horsepower also signals more towing capacity. The Chevy Silverado 1500 is slated to tow up to 12,500 pounds when properly configured. That’s enough to pull large recreational boats and campers.

On the other hand, the Toyota Tundra pulls almost a ton less than the Silverado. It tops out at 10,200 pounds. That’s enough for most jobs, but you might have to leave the big boat at home.

According to NHTSA and IIHS safety tests, the Chevy Silverado 1500 is hands-down safer. It scored an overall five-star score and four Good scores from each test respectively. The Tundra received only a four-star score and three Good scores. If you worry about safety, the Silverado is the pickup to get.

The Toyota Tundra may win out in acceleration and reliability, but it in just about every other category it falls far short of what the Chevy Silverado 1500 can do for you.