Interior of 2021 Tundra

Safety

  • Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) comes standard on all Tundra models.
  • The Tundra's suite of safety features includes tons of standard active safety features while the Silverado requires an additional package to match it.
  • Aside from standard airbag coverage, the Silverado does not come standard with any comparable active safety features.

Let's kick things off with the standard safety features that help keep you safe in the Tundra and Silverado.

Standard Safety Features

The base Tundra comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P). The Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite of features includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC).

The Silverado has comparable features, like Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, IntelliBeam™, and Adaptive Cruise Control. However, they are not standard on the base model, or any model for that matter. The Silverado 1500 LT and RST don't even have any of these features available. These more advanced features are only available when you get the 2021 Silverado 1500 LTZ or High Country plus add the Safety Package II.

Aside from all of the fancy safety technology, the Tundra comes standard with 8 airbags, while the Silverado 1500 only has 6 standard airbags.
2021 Tundra parked on a dirt road overlooking a rugged mountain trail

Performance

  • While both trucks have V8 engines, the Tundra offers more horsepower.
  • The Tundra also has more torque which makes it a true workhorse on and off road.

Trucks are built to be powerful and durable. The Tundra and Silverado both fit that description.

Power Under the Hood

When it comes to engine output, all Tundras have a 5.7L V8 engine that delivers 381 horsepower. In comparison, the Silverado 1500 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine has a horsepower of 355. The Tundra’s 5.7L V8 also has a better torque of 401 lb.-ft. compared to the Silverado 1500 EcoTec3 V8’s 383 lb.-ft. torque. More torque helps with towing and riding over tough terrain.

Where the Silverado 1500 does have a slight edge over the Tundra is fuel economy. The Silverado 1500 4x2 5.3 L, 8 cyl, Automatic 8-spd models have an EPA-estimated 17/23/19 (city/highway/combined) MPG rating. Tundras with a 4x2 configuration have an EPA-estimated13/18/15 (city/highway/combined) MPG rating.
Tundra driving through the mud

Reliability

  • Kelley Blue Book recognized the Tundra two years in a row for its outstanding resale value.
  • Toyota and Chevy offer drivers 24/7 roadside assistance.
  • Only Toyota gives drivers factory-scheduled maintenance coverage that lasts longer and covers more services.

Trucks get put through a lot. The Tundra can handle whatever you throw its way.

Maintaining Excellence

All new Toyotas come with the ToyotaCare plan. ToyotaCare is a factory-scheduled maintenance plan that lasts for 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. It also includes roadside assistance that lasts 2 years and unlimited miles. Chevy has its own maintenance program called Chevy Complete Care. For 2021 models Chevy Complete Care only covers one oil and oil filter change, and DEF tank refills for diesel engines during the first 12 months of ownership. Silverado drivers also get 24-hour Roadside Assistance and Courtesy Transportation that lasts 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.

With the help of ToyotaCare, the Tundra retains its value for the long run. Kelley Blue Book awarded it the 2020 and 2021 Best Full-Size Pickup Truck Resale Value distinction, while the 2020 Silverado 1500 came in second to the 2020 Tundra. The Silverado didn't even make the top three for 2021.

Conclusion: Tundra vs Silverado

After comparing the features in the 2021 Tundra and the Silverado, it's easy to see that both of these full-size trucks offer drivers great towing and hauling capacity. However, the Tundra is a stand-out truck for several reasons, including its active safety features that come standard on it and its reliability.

  • For two consecutive years, the Tundra has been recognized by Kelley Blue Book® for its outstanding resale value.
  • The Tundra comes standard with ToyotaCare factory-scheduled maintenance coverage, which lasts longer and covers more services.
  • The Tundra has more horsepower and more torque for a better on- and off-road driving experience.
  • The Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) suite of safety features comes standard on all Tundra models.
  • The Tundra gives you more bang for your buck, even when you choose the base level.
  • The Tundra comes standard with 8 airbags, while the Silverado 1500 only has 6 standard airbags.