2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 Vs. Toyota Tundra
Are you ready to take home a family-friendly model that can handle all sorts of jobs, but are still deciding between the Chevy Silverado 1500 vs. Toyota Tundra? You're in luck; the Bomnin Chevrolet Homestead team is familiar with both pickups and is here to help you compare them. Below, you'll see that, in most categories, the Chevy Silverado 1500 specs have the edge, making it the best choice for your home projects, thanks to its better engine options and 13,300-pound towing capacity when properly equipped.
Chevy Silverado vs. Toyota Tundra Specs
To begin, we'll look under the hood and see how the Chevy Silverado 1500 engine lineup compares to the Toyota Tundra engine selection, as well as what you can expect from these vehicles' off-roading capability. The Toyota Tundra does not offer an incredible powertrain. The standard 3.4-liter turbo V-6 engine boasts 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, but only on non-SR trim levels – meaning, if you choose the most wallet-friendly Tundra, you receive a downgraded version of the engine.
The hybrid engine is more potent, at 583 pound-feet of torque, but that's exclusive to specific trim levels. The Toyota Tundra transmission is a 10-speed automatic, which may not suit your driving style. This lack of choice is reflected in the maximum Toyota Tundra ground clearance of 9.4 inches: sufficient for some tasks, but not every driver will be satisfied.
The Chevy Silverado 1500 transmission, on the other hand, is either an eight-speed automatic or a 10-speed automatic, depending on your powertrain. The new Chevy Silverado 1500 offers four distinct options: the 310-horsepower 2.7-liter four-cylinder that produces 430 pound-feet of standard torque, the 5.3-liter V-8 engine that makes 355 horsepower, a 6.2-liter V-8 engine boasting 420 horsepower, and the 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine, which offers the maximum Chevy Silverado 1500 towing capacity thanks to its 490-pound-foot torque rating. Furthermore, off-roading is more enjoyable with the 11.2-inch Chevy Silverado 1500 ground clearance, available on the ZR2 level.
| Chevy Silverado 1500 | Toyota Tundra | |
| Engine Options |
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| Horsepower |
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| Torque |
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| Transmission Options |
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10-speed auto |
| Best EPA-Est. MPG (City / Hwy / Cmb) |
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| Towing Capacity (Max) | 13,300 lbs4 | 12,000 lbs5 |
| Payload Capacity (Max) | 2,260 lbs6 | 1,940 lbs7 |
| Bed Length (Min - Max) | 69.92 - 98.18 in | 65.6 - 96.5 in |
| Cargo Box Depth (Height) | 22.4 in | 20.9 in |
| Ground Clearance | Up to 11.2 in (ZR2) | Up to 9.4 in |
In the above chart, you may notice a surprising fact about Toyota Tundra MPG: Despite proudly presenting a hybrid engine, the i-FORCE MAX powertrain only reaches an EPA-estimated 22 MPG (Combined).2 Compared to the diesel Chevy Silverado 1500 MPG, that's not exactly high; in fact, at an EPA-estimated 25 MPG (Combined),1 the 3.0-liter diesel engine offers much improved range over any Toyota powertrain.
Chevy Silverado vs. Toyota Tundra Towing Capacity
How do these powertrains translate into real-world capability? By selecting a truck from our all-new Chevy inventory, you gain access to a maximum tow limit of 13,300 pounds,4 and a Chevy Silverado 1500 payload capacity of 2,260 pounds.6
The Toyota Tundra is noticeably behind. Reaching a maximum towing capacity of 12,000 pounds when properly equipped, you're losing out on over 1,000 pounds compared to the Silverado.4 A Toyota Tundra payload capacity comparison is similar, with the max payload of the Tundra reaching 1,940 pounds:7 over 300 pounds behind the maximum of the Silverado 1500.6 When you want the truck that can handle any job, look toward any of our Chevy Silverado 1500 lease deals.
Toyota Tundra vs. Chevy Silverado 1500 Interior
So, the Chevy Silverado 1500 has a lead for the truckers who need their pickup to handle larger payloads and bigger trailers. How do the interiors of these two models compare? The Silverado 1500, which you can find among our new vehicle specials, boasts a dashboard centered around a 7-inch diagonal touchscreen – a simple and intuitive console that can upgrade to a 13.4-inch display. Ventilated front-row seats, heated rear outboard seats, and perforated leather seating also await on the higher levels.
When we consider the Toyota Tundra interior, we can see many similarities and differences. Ventilated front seats and heated rear seats are available on high-end trims, along with a standard 8-inch central console and an optional 14-inch central display. Leather-trimmed seats adorn the top four models.
Chevy Silverado 1500 Vs. Toyota Tundra Safety
Similar to the interior, both the Silverado 1500 and Toyota Tundra provide excellent safety features to their drivers. For example, the Chevy Silverado 1500 comes standard with a HD Rear Vision Camera, Forward Collision Alert, Teen Driver, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, a Following Distance Indicator, and more. Higher trims gain enhancements, including HD Surround Vision, a Head-Up Display, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Safety Alert Seat, and much, much more.
You'll receive a similar array of sensors in the Tundra. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite is your baseline, featuring key components such as a Pre-Collision System, Radar Cruise Control, and Lane Departure Alert. A Head-Up Display is standard only on the final Capstone trim and available for the Platinum and 1794 variations. You'll also find a Panoramic View Monitor standard on the fourth trim level and beyond.
Overall, while the Tundra has some advantages over the Silverado 1500 in terms of safety technology, the Chevy pickup prioritizes accessible, easy-to-use features that will keep you and your family safe – whether you're on the worksite or on vacation.
Get the Preferred Option From Bomnin Chevrolet Homestead
We hope our 2026 Chevy Silverado 1500 vs. Toyota Tundra comparison has showcased just how much farther the Silverado 1500 goes to elevate your day-to-day experience. If you have questions on the features that a specific trim level has, please contact us to learn more.
Once you've found the Chevy Silverado 1500 of your dreams, our financing center will showcase how easy it is to bring these pickup trucks home. We can't wait to help you enhance your experience with a truly capable, hard-working pickup.
1EPA-estimated 23 city/28 hwy 3.0-liter turbo diesel V-6.
2Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary for many reasons, including your vehicle's condition and how/where you drive. See www.fueleconomy.gov.
3EPA-estimated 18 city/21 hwy 2.7-liter four-cylinder.
4Before you buy a vehicle or use it for trailering, carefully review the Trailering section of the Owner's Manual. The weight of passengers, cargo and options or accessories may reduce the amount you can tow.
5Before towing, confirm your vehicle and trailer are compatible, hooked up and loaded properly and that you have any necessary additional equipment. Do not exceed any Weight Ratings and follow all instructions in your Owner's Manual. The maximum you can tow depends on base curb weight plus the total weight of any cargo, occupants, and added vehicle equipment. "Added vehicle equipment" includes additional standard/optional equipment and accessories added by the manufacturer, dealers, and/or vehicle owners. The only way to be certain of your vehicle's exact curb weight is to weigh your vehicle without passengers or cargo. [Calculated with the new SAE J2807 method.] Installation of a tow hitch receiver or other accessories located near the rear bumper or side-door kick sensors may require disabling or removing the kick sensor, and the sensor operation setting in your vehicle should be turned off. See Owner's Manual for limitations.
6For comparison purposes only. See the Owner's Manual and the label on the vehicle door jamb for the carrying capacity of a specific vehicle.
7Payload includes the weight of occupants, cargo and options and is limited by weight distribution.