Starting at
Starting at
9,800 - 12,200 lbs | Towing Capacity | 6,800 - 10,100 lbs |
2,250 lbs | Maximum Payload | 1,660 lbs |
Bose Premium Sound System | Available Premium Sound System | JBL Audio |
When comparing full-size pickup trucks against one another, like the 2019 Chevy Silverado vs 2019 Toyota Tundra, one of the best places to start is with the kind of power and performance each can provide. That means looking at the engine in each truck, particularly the horsepower and torque that each engine can provide. To keep things fair, let’s look at both the starting engine in these trucks, as well as the most powerful engine available and compare each.
Once you understand what each of these trucks are capable of you can focus on other aspects such as entertainment features, towing capability and safety features. When you have all the facts in front of you it will be time to decide which truck is best for your lifestyle and needs.
The standard engine of the starting trim level of the 2019 Chevy Silverado is a 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 engine that provides up to 285hp and 305 lb.-ft. of torque. This is quite good for a starting engine, and several other options are available at different trim levels and for different configurations. The most powerful engine available for the Silverado, however, is a 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine, which provides up to 420hp and 460 lb.-ft. of torque. This is a tremendous amount of power, and should be more than enough for any task that doesn’t require a heavy-duty truck.
By comparison, the 2019 Toyota Tundra has a good starting engine and solid maximum power, but it just falls a bit short. The standard engine in the Tundra is quite good; it is a 4.6L Aluminum i-FORCE V8 engine that provides up to 310hp and 327 lb.-ft. of torque. That is actually more power than the starting engine for the 2019 Chevy Silverado, but there are fewer upgrade options available for the Tundra. The best engine you can get in the Tundra is a 5.7L Aluminum i-FORCE V8 that provides up to 381hp and 401 lb.-ft. of torque. If you’re looking to upgrade from the standard engines you’ll see that the Tundra falls short of the maximum power that you can pack into the Silverado.
In looking at the interior features and options included and available for the 2019 Chevy Silverado and 2019 Toyota Tundra, it’s helpful to consider both extremes of these vehicles. There are different trim levels and customization options available for both of these trucks, so to keep things even we will look at the basic trim levels of each one, closest to the starting MSRP, and then compare the highest trim level where you expect to see everything on offer.
The starting trim level for the 2019 Chevy Silverado is the WT model and it includes a 7-inch touchscreen display, compatibility with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a basic 6-speaker sound system. It has USB ports for streaming media and charging devices, and Bluetooth support for phones. There is also a 3-inch Driver Information Screen, single-zone climate control, and a manual day/night rearview mirror.
The starting trim model for the 2019 Toyota Tundra is the SR and includes a 6-inch touchscreen display, a USB media port, and a basic 6-speaker sound system. It has Bluetooth support for audio streaming and phone and an auxiliary input. The Tundra SR includes basic air conditioning, a 4-inch driver information screen, and a standard rearview mirror.
To see the full amount of luxury that each truck offers, however, let’s look at the optimal trim level. The 2019 Chevy Silverado High Country includes an 8-inch touchscreen with audio streaming for two active devices, a wireless charging pad, and a 7-speaker Bose Premium sound system. There are numerous USB ports, heated seats in the front and back, and dual-zone climate control. The High Country also includes an 8-inch Driver Information screen and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
By comparison, the 2019 Toyota Tundra Platinum features a 7-inch touchscreen display with hands-free functionality and a premium JBL sound system. The Platinum includes dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and numerous USB ports. Unfortunately, the Platinum includes the same 4-inch Driver Information display as the other versions of the SR, but does have an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Most truck owners want to be able to load up the bed with boxes or building materials or haul a trailer across town to get a job done. That’s why trailering/towing capacity and maximum payload that can be piled up in the box are so important. For both the 2019 Chevy Silverado and the 2019 Toyota Tundra, these values will depend on configuration and features, as well as available towing packages. To keep things simple, however, let’s look at the maximum values for these trucks, assuming you choose a setup designed for optimal towing power.
The 2019 Chevy Silverado is an impressive beast when it comes to handling a heavy haul of lumber or coolers and BBQ supplies. Assuming you configure it for maximum towing, the Silverado can tow up to 12,200 lbs. of cargo in a traditional trailering configuration. If you need to pile cargo up into the box itself, then the Silverado has a maximum payload of up to 2,250 lbs.
By comparison, the 2019 Toyota Tundra is certainly good in its own right, but just can’t quite compete with the Silverado. The Tundra has a maximum towing capacity of 10,200 lbs. and a maximum payload of 1,660 lbs. For a non-heavy-duty truck, those numbers are pretty good – but it still falls short. At most, the Tundra can pull a trailer with 200 lbs. less cargo than the Silverado, but what is particularly eye-catching is that the Silverado can handle nearly 600 lbs. more payload than the Tundra.
Nothing is more important when looking at a vehicle than the safety features that are included and available. No amount of towing capacity or interior gadgets can make up for a vehicle that can’t keep you and your loved ones safe. With both the 2019 Chevy Silverado and the 2019 Toyota Tundra, standard and available safety features depend on the trim level and model. To keep things simple, we’ll look at what is available or standard for the highest trim level of both vehicles in order to see the best that each can offer.
The 2019 Chevy Silverado includes some truly impressive safety features at the High Country trim level – pretty much everything Chevrolet has to offer. This includes numerous airbags, front and rear park assist, an HD rear vision camera, and hitch guidance for when you are pulling a trailer. There is also a rear cross traffic alert while in reverse, a lane change alert with side blind zone alert, and a teen driver safety system that is perfect for teaching a new driver.
Although the 2019 Toyota Tundra also has some great safety features, there are a few things missing that would be nice to see. The Platinum model includes numerous airbags, vehicle stability and traction control, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. It also includes a lane departure alert with sway warning system, front and rear parking assist, and a blind spot monitor. Unfortunately, the Toyota Tundra Platinum does not include anything like the Teen Driver safety system found in the Silverado, which is a big disadvantage if you have a young driver who will use your truck, nor does it have an HD rear vision camera.