Compare 2019 Toyota Tundra vs. Silverado

The 2019 Toyota Tundra first debuted in North America in 1999. The Tundra comes from a long line of Toyota truck heritage — spanning 50 years of building reliable, quality pickup trucks. Just one year prior to the release of the Tundra, in August of 1998, the Chevrolet Silverado was released as a 1999 model.

In addition to a long history, Toyota trucks also come with a number of accolades: Toyota was the Best Resale Value Brand in 2018 according to Kelley Blue Book®, and the 2018 Tundra was in the Top 10 for Best Resale Value³⁰.

Plus, the Toyota Tundra is helping to boost the American economy. Every 2019 Tundra is assembled in San Antonio, Texas, USA. By being assembled in Texas, Tundra keeps the work local and provides jobs to American citizens. Looking at the Silverado, the previous K2 Platform and oncoming T1 Platform Silverados and Sierras are produced at the GM Silao plant in Guanajuato, Mexico.

Looking at the pricing of these two trucks, the 2019 Tundra SR Double Cab 4X4 4.6L V8 has a significantly lower starting MSRP at $34,570¹² compared to a 2019 Silverado WT 4X4 Double Cab 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 Engine, which starts at $36,995. Plus, Tundra comes standard with a suite of advanced safety features that cost extra on the Silverado.

In this head to head comparison of the 2019 Toyota Tundra and the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado, we will take a look at the performance, safety features, and reliability of these two trucks. In the end, one truck comes out ahead as a clear winner. Let's begin.

Truck drivers looking for a true performer will appreciate the power and capability of the 2019 Tundra. Tundra SR5's 5.7L 381HP V8 is considerably more powerful than Silverado 1500's 5.3L EcoTec3 V8, which produces 355 HP. Tundra's 5.7L V8 also beats out Silverado's 1500 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 in torque at 401 vs. Silverado’s 383.

Base grades of both trucks will give you a good amount of power, but again, Tundra takes the lead here. The base grade 2019 Tundra SR comes with a V8 engine, whereas the 2019 Silverado WT base grade comes with a V6.

When looking at fuel economy, the Silverado does come ahead of the Tundra slightly — but it misses out on the throaty engine sound and torque that give the Tundra an old-school, heavy-duty truck feel.

For those looking to take their truck off-road, the Tundra features strong off-roading features when compared to the Silverado Trail Boss trim, including a rear differential of 4.3 that is much more substantial than Silverado's 3.42.

Tundra also has features such as 13.9” front brakes with 4 piston calipers. These are the largest standard brakes in this comparison. Plus, Tundra’s available TRD Sport package comes with solid front and rear sway bars that deliver sharper turn-in response and flatter cornering. The TRD Off-Road package adds all-terrain tires, Bilstein® shocks⁵⁵, and a skid plate to bolster off-road capability on SR5, Limited, and 1794 Edition grades⁵⁶.

In the performance section of this head to head comparison, it is clear that the 2019 Toyota Tundra is a better competitor for overall performance. In addition, the Tundra offers an old-school, reliable truck driving feel.

Toyota Tundra's standard Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴ is a major advantage over the safety features available on every 2019 Silverado — even the high-end High Country trim which does come with driver assistance features —but they are offered as add-on features with an additional cost.

Every 2019 Toyota Tundra comes with Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴ standard. Some of the key active safety features included in Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴ are described below:

Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)²³²² is designed to help to mitigate potential collisions by using an in-vehicle camera and radar to help detect a preceding vehicle and, under certain daytime conditions, a pedestrian. If the system determines that the possibility of a frontal collision with a vehicle or a pedestrian is likely, an audio and visual alert is given. If the driver then applies the brakes, the system may provide additional braking force using Brake Assist (BA)²⁸. If, at this time, the driver does not apply the brakes, the system may automatically apply the brakes, reducing speed of the vehicle to help mitigate the impact or avoid the collision altogether.

Automatic High Beams (AHB)¹⁸. This feature uses an in-vehicle camera to detect headlights or taillights ahead of your vehicle. The function then toggles between high or low beam lights to help ensure that you have an appropriate amount of light ahead of your vehicle.

Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)³⁹. DRCC helps to maintain a preset distance between your car and the car ahead. DRCC can automatically slow your vehicle to maintain the preset distance and then detect when the vehicle ahead of you is no longer in your lane. It will then resume your vehicle’s set speed.

In addition to these safety features that come standard, the Toyota Tundra also comes equipped with 8 airbags; the Chevrolet Silverado comes with just 6.

Circling back to the reliability of these two trucks: a reminder that the Tundra comes backed with 50 years of North American truck heritage with Toyota. Plus, with standard ToyotaCare¹¹, all leases and purchases of new Toyota vehicles receive 24-hour Roadside Assistance for two years/unlimited miles plus no-cost scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first³⁸. This is a great value for Tundra drivers.

As for the reliability of Silverado, Chevrolet also offers 24-hour roadside assistance for 5 years, but it is limited to 60,000 miles.

All Tundra trucks are built with "Quality, Dependability, and Reliability" in mind, so it is no wonder why Toyota was named as being the Best Resale Value Brand for 2018 according to Kelley Blue Book®, and the 2018 Tundra was in the Top 10 overall for Best Resale Value⁴¹.

When it comes down to it, both of these head-to-head competitors are known for being reliable trucks— but the longstanding history of the reliability of Toyota trucks in North America is unmatched.

Both the 2019 Toyota Tundra and the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado are strong pickup truck competitors. When you compare them directly in a head to head comparison, the Tundra comes ahead as a clear winner in an analysis of performance, safety, and reliability. Plus, Tundra's base-grade SR 4X4 Double Cab MSRP starts at a significantly lower price than a Silverado 4X4 WT 4.3L V6 Double Cab.

Despite its lower price, the Tundra comes standard with safety features that are costly add-ons to the Silverado¹².

Only Tundra comes standard with a suite of advanced safety features. Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴ is unrivaled by the Silverado's safety features which cost extra on top of its MSRP. With features such as Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA)²⁰ and Automatic High Beams (AHB)¹⁸, the Tundra is designed to help keep you safe on the road.

Silverado does come ahead of the Tundra in fuel economy numbers, but the 2019 Tundra takes the cake in horsepower, torque (in every trim except Silverado's 6.7L engine), and a satisfying, throaty engine sound. Plus, Tundra offers exceptional off-roading capabilities with its available TRD Pro and TRD Off-Road packages⁵⁶.

In addition, the Tundra's reliability is highlighted by its awards. Both Tundra and Toyota were recipients of KBB® awards for 2018⁴¹.

Don't forget that the 2019 Toyota Tundra also comes with standard ToyotaCare, featuring 24-hour Roadside Assistance for two years/unlimited miles plus no-cost scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. Chevrolet also offers 24/hr roadside assistance for 5 years/60,000 miles, but does not come with a no-cost scheduled maintenance plan.

Considering these great advantages, it is no wonder that the 2019 Toyota Tundra comes out as a clear winner in this pickup truck head to head.