Choosing between Tundra and Silverado/Sierra

[codman232]

Hi everyone. I am the former owner of a 2012 Sierra Denali and now I own a 2006 Toyota 4runner. I was never a Toyota fan to begin with but after owning the 4runner (It was a downgrade because i wasn't ready for the large payments I was making on the Sierra) I am loving the reliability and how Toyota holds up. I'm looking to replace my 4Runner and I am seriously considering the Tundra TRD PRO, but driving the 2016 GMC Sierra All Terrain with the 6.2L has made my decision extremely difficult.

 

 

I have been scouring the GM-Trucks.com forum as well as the Tundratalk.net forum. I am getting closer and closer to my decision and am leaning towards the Tundra, and I just want to be happy with whatever decision I come to. I like the gas mileage of the Sierra, but the 6.2L requires premium fuel, so the MPG advantage is negligible compared with the Tundra. I don't want anything to do with the 5.3L because if I'm gonna get a truck I might as well go big or not get one at all. The thing that gravitates me toward the Sierra is that I can get a great deal on the Sierra and it has so many more options than the Tundra at that price point.

However, considering the price and options advantage of the Sierra, the thing that sways me towards the Tundra is this forum... It has scared me pretty badly (solenoid problems with cylinder deactivation, and the vibration problems specifically) and when I am thinking of making a 40-50 thousand dollar purchase I don't want to make a poor decision. If I spend that much money for God sakes I want a reliable/dependable truck with a transmission and engine that won't give me fits. Anyway looking for feedback from GM and Toyota owners (all opinions welcome). Also any GM to Toyota converts and visa versa if there are any Toyota to GM owners.

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Cody

[diyer2]

If your research shows less issues with the Tundra, and that's your main concern, buy it. IMO this is a complicated, personal decision.

Have you driven both models for a personal comparison?

That's where I would start.

Check pro and cons, always a compromise.

Good Luck

[crushNchowda]

Tundra is super outdated at this point, interior quality & fit/finish is bottom of the pack compared to ford, dodge, gm

 

I have nothing against tundra per se it's a decent rig (ugly as sin though) but it really doesn't do anything better than the other trucks out there having such a dated design.

 

All manufacturers gave issues- Toyota included. I wouldn't let the issues on this forum scare you- I have been a complainer myself but the majority do the issues have been on first year 2014 trucks not surprising since it was an all new design.

 

You will be happier with the GM truck- they're just nicer in every way, better looking, more capable, more powerful etc.

 

They're all reliable nowadays in terms of not leaving ya stranded

Tundra is super outdated at this point, interior quality & fit/finish is bottom of the pack compared to ford, dodge, gm

 

I have nothing against tundra per se it's a decent rig (ugly as sin though) but it really doesn't do anything better than the other trucks out there having such a dated design.

 

All manufacturers gave issues- Toyota included. I wouldn't let the issues on this forum scare you- I have been a complainer myself but the majority do the issues have been on first year 2014 trucks not surprising since it was an all new design.

 

You will be happier with the GM truck- they're just nicer in every way, better looking, more capable, more powerful etc.

 

They're all reliable nowadays in terms of not leaving ya stranded

[southern_sierra]

 

Hi everyone. I am the former owner of a 2012 Sierra Denali and now I own a 2006 Toyota 4runner. I was never a Toyota fan to begin with but after owning the 4runner (It was a downgrade because i wasn't ready for the large payments I was making on the Sierra) I am loving the reliability and how Toyota holds up. I'm looking to replace my 4Runner and I am seriously considering the Tundra TRD PRO, but driving the 2016 GMC Sierra All Terrain with the 6.2L has made my decision extremely difficult.

 

 

I have been scouring the GM-Trucks.com forum as well as the Tundratalk.net forum. I am getting closer and closer to my decision and am leaning towards the Tundra, and I just want to be happy with whatever decision I come to. I like the gas mileage of the Sierra, but the 6.2L requires premium fuel, so the MPG advantage is negligible compared with the Tundra. I don't want anything to do with the 5.3L because if I'm gonna get a truck I might as well go big or not get one at all. The thing that gravitates me toward the Sierra is that I can get a great deal on the Sierra and it has so many more options than the Tundra at that price point.

 

However, considering the price and options advantage of the Sierra, the thing that sways me towards the Tundra is this forum... It has scared me pretty badly (solenoid problems with cylinder deactivation, and the vibration problems specifically) and when I am thinking of making a 40-50 thousand dollar purchase I don't want to make a poor decision. If I spend that much money for God sakes I want a reliable/dependable truck with a transmission and engine that won't give me fits. Anyway looking for feedback from GM and Toyota owners (all opinions welcome). Also any GM to Toyota converts and visa versa if there are any Toyota to GM owners.

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

 

The Tundra TRD Pro comes with a 2" lift and Bilsteins with external reservoirs on all four corners and factory duals with a good sound. I have rode in a 15 TRD Pro and the ride is as good as the GM on the highway and off road is where the TRD Pro really shines. I have driven it many miles on farm and where I have to slow down in my 14 sierra because it is so jarring the TRD Pro takes its without any problems. And yes the Tundra is behind in tech but they are just about problem free and nothing major to speak of and no Vibration problems. So its up to you if I had to buy a truck today knowing what I know now I would buy the Tundra. I know that my Sierra is nice as hell with more thing than you really need but as for reliability the Tundra has it beat and you want have to spend extra money for a level, shocks and alignment. The Tundra want be redesigned until 2019. Just my 2 cents worth.

[codman232]

Yes I've driven both and to be honest I am torn. That's why I started the thread. Crush you are right as well the Tundra is out dated. the engine and transmission haven't been updated since 2007 which is both good and bad. Good because all the kinks are worked out. Bad because they were ahead in power, now they are behind. But that's what Toyota does well IMO, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The interior in the GMC is far superior I don't even need to go down that rabbit hole.

 

Granted a lot of people get on forums because that's where they look if there are problems which I am trying to take that into account.

 

In driving comparisons I like the Tundra because the response and power are right there. When you hit the gas it goes. With the GM it feels sluggish, I.e. When I hit the gas it takes a couple of potatoes before the power kicks in.. I fly turbo props for a living, it's kind of like that, when you push the throttle forward it takes a couple of seconds for the compressors to spool up and feel the acceleration... I'm not looking for an airplane though. I want a truck and a truck that feels powerful.

[Imcrazy]

I'm not sure why people get so stuck on the 6.2.... If you run E85 in a 5.3 you get 385 HP and 416 FT LBS of TQ. To me Toyota vehicles especially trucks look funny so I've never looked into them much.

[gSwift]

I agree, the tundra is very outdated looking. I went back and forth on this for a while, but in the end I was much happier with my GMC. And my bother even works for the Toyota plant here that makes the Tundra engine, so I get employee pricing.

 

For me it all came down to the looks of the Tundra...I think it looks like something a grandpa would drive unless its lifted. That seems to completely change the overall look of it. And man do I love the back window!

[Badass69]

I own a 2015 Double Cab SR5 TRD package Tundra and a 2015 LTZ double cab Silverado with the 6.2/A8/3.23. My Tundra is a 5.7 with 4.30's out back. The Tundra is no more responsive than my Silverado..... but by reading here and the complaining I see maybe I got a freak...... or GM people just whine and complain more. The only way the Tundra is even fun to drive is to put it in Select shift mode and make sure all the traction control is off. Then it does shift really nice and doesn't fall on it's face like it feels too otherwise plus feels a lot more powerful/responsive. Power is no comparison.... the Chev will wipe the floor with the Yota all day every day and get better mileage doing it. The Tundra's interior is also pretty boring and realistically is completely identical to a 2007 model short of the touchscreen they added with the sheet metal redesign.

 

The Tundra is a nice truck but it's dated and really I don't see that its that wonderful lol. I never drive my Tundra anymore.... haven't even seen the truck since August lol. I know with the dealership network out here or lack thereof I won't buy another Toyota.... but that's not the trucks fault.

 

You are comparing a 2007 truck at the end of the day to a 2014...... because most of the Toyota still hasn't changed. Maybe they will do something about all that in the next update....... I dunno.

 

Drive both and buy which one you like the best...... if I used these internet forums as a gauge to buy anything I wouldn't own any brand of truck.... as they are all garbage lol.

[codman232]

I own a 2015 Double Cab SR5 TRD package Tundra and a 2015 LTZ double cab Silverado with the 6.2/A8/3.23. My Tundra is a 5.7 with 4.30's out back. The Tundra is no more responsive than my Silverado..... but by reading here and the complaining I see maybe I got a freak...... or GM people just whine and complain more. The only way the Tundra is even fun to drive is to put it in Select shift mode and make sure all the traction control is off. Then it does shift really nice and doesn't fall on it's face like it feels too otherwise plus feels a lot more powerful/responsive. Power is no comparison.... the Chev will wipe the floor with the Yota all day every day and get better mileage doing it. The Tundra's interior is also pretty boring and realistically is completely identical to a 2007 model short of the touchscreen they added with the sheet metal redesign.

 

The Tundra is a nice truck but it's dated and really I don't see that its that wonderful lol. I never drive my Tundra anymore.... haven't even seen the truck since August lol. I know with the dealership network out here or lack thereof I won't buy another Toyota.... but that's not the trucks fault.

 

You are comparing a 2007 truck at the end of the day to a 2014...... because most of the Toyota still hasn't changed. Maybe they will do something about all that in the next update....... I dunno.

 

Drive both and buy which one you like the best...... if I used these internet forums as a gauge to buy anything I wouldn't own any brand of truck.... as they are all garbage lol.

 

Haha. I get it. I really like both. Looks like I am gonna have to do another test drive. The tundra is boring.... Boring but the safe bet... Thanks for your feedback

[Nick Bobinger]

sounds to me you have already made up your mind toward the tundra

[jamin87ss]

Love my Sierra, I was scared to, biggest thing so far is the headlights, no longer a problem on 16's

 

5 years ago I putva furnace in my house, spents weeks researching, drive myself nuts, what did I learn??! If u have a problem u will go looking and voicing ur complaints, I swore I'd go on n right a good review on my furnace, needless to say I still havent

[RyanbabZ71]

sounds to me you have already made up your mind toward the tundra

Buy the tundra

 

In 1-2 yrs we will see you back looking at gmc's again

 

 

Ryan

[crewl1]

Biggest thing that held me back from the Tundra was the lack of a standard bed on the crew.

I wanted a 6.5 foot bed as I was tired of the short 5.5 foot bed of my old Ford crew.

(Not a big diff lengthwise but for the stuff I carry it was necessary.)

GM had the best combination of features, configurations, looks and ability to get the most discount off MSRP when I was looking.

[CAtaylor]

I had a 2010 tundra and a 14 Sierra 1500 with the 5.3, my father currently has a 15 tundra. The tundra was responsive, reliable and had a good ride. Other than that the GM beats it hands down to me. The gas mileage doesn't compare, even when comparing a 2wd Double Cab Tundra with the highway gears vs a 5.3 4x4 crew cab with tow package. If 4x4 is important to you GM wins hand down in that category also. Toyota has an open diff and WILL get you stuck rather quick with its electronic traction control. Towing is a wash between the two unless you look at gas mileage, expect single digits in the Yota if anything over 5k lbs. I personally like Toyota and have nothing against them. If I was going to buy a new truck today though it would be another GM.

[codman232]

sounds to me you have already made up your mind toward the tundra

 

No. I haven't made up my mind. Like I said I'm torn. I just know I posted on a GM site trying to figure out Toyota or GM haha. Trying to throw both sides in. I really am more of a GM guy. My grandfather retired from GM and I loved my Denali until I sold it.