The Ford F-150 is the top selling full-size pickup truck on the market today with over 896,000 units sold last year. It has been the #1 choice for truck buyers for more than 30 years. However, if you’re unsure of which pickup truck to buy, don’t overlook the Toyota Tundra. While it sold fewer units in 2017 than the Ford F-150 (116,285 to be precise), it has its own dedicated fanbase.
Since 1999, Toyota has manufactured the Tundra in the U.S. and it’s the first North American full-size pickup truck to be built by a Japanese manufacturer.
The Ford F150
Tale of the Tape
Payload: Up to 3,270 pounds
Towing: Up to 13,200 pounds
The Ford team reduced the weight of the F150 by using high-strength, military-grade aluminum to give the full-sized pickup great strength, yet less weight. Engineers have managed to reduce the total vehicle weight by 700 pounds.
The Ford F-150 has five choices for engines:
- 3.5 Liter ECHOBOOST ® - 375 hp, 470 lb-ft of torque
- 2.7 Liter ECHOBOOST ® - 325 hp, 400 lb-ft of torque
- 3.5 Liter ECHOBOOST ® (Raptor) – 450 hp, 510 lb-ft of torque
- 3.3 Liter TI-VCT V6 – 290 hp, 265 lb-ft of torque
- 5.0 Liter V8 – 395 hp, 400 ft-lb of torque
The Toyota Tundra
Tale of the Tape
Payload: Up to 1,620 pounds
Towing: Up to 10,100 pounds
The Toyota Tundra has two engine choices:
- i-Force 4.6 Liter V8 – 310 hp, 327 lb-ft of torque
- i-Force 5.7 Liter V8 - 381 hp, 401 lb-ft of torque
The base engine for the Tundra is powerful enough for everyday use, but the larger engine is better for towing and hauling with better acceleration.
Styling & Seating
Toyota offers three body styles: the Regular Cab, the Double Cab, and the Crew Max. The Ford F-150 is available in Regular Cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab body styles. While the Tundra's base SR model has seating for six, the base F-150 model seats three.
Towing Strength
There are a host of configuration options. The engine and chosen options will determine the capacity, but both vehicles can pull 10,000 pounds. That's enough for almost anything you'll likely need to tow.
The Ford F-150 has a maximum towing rating of 13,200 pounds while the Tundra has a maximum tow capacity of 10,100.
Payload Capacity
There is a big difference in payload capacity between the two. The F150 can handle 3,270 pounds while the Tundra handles less, at 1,620 pounds.
Payloads are influenced by engine, axle ratio, and transmissions. Also, remember that you get what you pay for, so think carefully about the job you have to do. You may want to load up your truck with maximum payload and towing capacity, but there is no reason to pay for something you won’t need.
The Toyota Tundra comes in 5’5”, 6’5”, and 8’ beds. The Ford F-150 offers 5’5”, 6’5”, and 8’ beds.
Fuel Efficiency
The gas-powered F-150 tops out at an impressive 20 city / 26 highway miles per gallon. Different engines will have different EPA ratings. The 5.0 Liter V8 is toughest on the fuel budget, but still achieves a 16 city / 22 highway mpg with four-wheel drive. The F-150 comes with standard auto stop/auto start technology and a 10-speed automatic on most models.
The 4.6 Liter V8 standard on the Toyota Tundra gets 15 city / 19 highway miles per gallon. The 5.7 Liter V8 is EPA-rated at 13 city / 18 highway miles.
Technology & Safety
Both trucks sport similar capabilities when it comes to tech and safety features, including the options you’d expect in a high-end vehicle.
The Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150 both feature:
- Forward collision mitigation
- Lane departure warnings
- Blind spot monitors
- Backup cameras
- Cross traffic alerts
- Adaptive/Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Tire pressure monitoring
- Brake assist
- Front and rear parking monitor
The F-150 also offers Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ and lane keeping assist. The Tundra has integrated trailer brake controllers accessible from the multi-information dashboard display.
Warranty
While the basic warranties are similar, there exists a significant difference between the service plans. Both vehicles offer 3 year / 36,000 mile basic warranties. Toyota picks up the tab for scheduled maintenance on the Tundra for 2 years / 25,000 miles, which includes oil changes and filters, tire rotation, and fluids. Ford does not pay for scheduled maintenance.
Pricing
The 2018 Ford F-150 starts at $27,705 including destination freight, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. The 2018 Toyota Tundra is a little pricier with a MSRP of $31,120, not including destination freight, tax, title, license, and dealer fees.
The top limited trim level for the F150 can command a $63K MSRP, while the Platinum Tundra is Toyota’s priciest truck, with a price tag of $47K.
Changes for 2019
In 2018 models, Ford introduced, for the first time, a light-duty diesel for the F-150, along with Adaptive Cruise Control and Wi-Fi hotspots as options, along with some minor design changes. No notable changes in design are expected when Ford rolls out the 2019 models later this year.
The 2019 Tundra will make few substantive changes to its base models and only some minor updates to its TRD Pro model, adding Fox off-road shocks and Rigid Industries LED fog lights, LED headlights, a hood scoop, and all-terrain options.
Making Your Decision
The truck you choose is a personal choice, informed by personal needs and preferences. The F-150 has the edge when it comes to pricing, hauling and towing, and more options. Toyota loyalists will likely favor the Tundra and the two years of maintenance are definitely appealing to many.
Ultimately, the choice depends on which features you want and what capabilities you need. The more you need, the more you’ll pay. When you’re making the decision about whether to purchase the Ford F150 or the Toyota Tundra, identify your requirements then take the test drive. While this is by no means an exhaustive shopping guide, we hope we have covered the most common concerns of shoppers looking for truck backup cameras.
