2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2021 Toyota Tundra

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty received subtle updates that were noticeable to keen observers but might have been missed by casual onlookers. The front bumper featured more black painted areas and less chrome, while the grille adopted a less gaudy design. The headlights became sleeker, contributing to a more restrained styling without a complete overhaul. The F-250 was available in various trims, each offering distinct visual elements. The XL had a black grille and bumpers, while the XLT added brightwork and 18-inch alloy wheels. The King Ranch featured a two-tone paint job and chrome accents, and the Platinum trim included 20-inch alloy wheels and a unique front bumper. The range-topping Limited trim added a satin-chrome grille for a luxurious touch. Inside, the F-250's cabin was functional but not particularly welcoming, with hard plastics and a cold, mechanical feel. The base XL model came with basic features, while higher trims like the Lariat and King Ranch added leather upholstery, advanced infotainment systems, and unique interior touches.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra had a somewhat awkward appearance compared to other new trucks, with a massive grille and disproportionately small headlights. Despite its dated design, the Tundra's cabin had contemporary elements, including a standard 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Tundra was available in several trims, each offering different features. The SR came with halogen headlights, 18-inch steel wheels, and manual climate control. The SR5 added power-adjustable front seats and an 8-inch touchscreen. The Limited trim provided 20-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, and leather upholstery. The TRD Pro included off-road features like a 2-inch lift and Fox shock absorbers. The Platinum trim featured a blacked-out grille and heated-and-ventilated front seats, while the 1794 Edition had unique visual and interior touches. The new Nightshade Edition added dark chrome and black exterior elements. Inside, the Tundra's cabin was spacious, with plenty of room for passengers and cargo, and featured an optional power rear window for added convenience.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came standard with a 6.2-liter gasoline V8 engine producing 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Ford also offered a 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8 with 475 horsepower and an impressive 1,050 pound-feet of torque. A new 7.3-liter gas V8 engine was available, delivering 430 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The gas engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel engine used a six-speed automatic. The F-250 could tow up to 30,000 pounds when equipped with the diesel engine, 3.55 axle ratio, and High Capacity Tow Package. The truck's suspension was designed to handle heavy loads, resulting in a bumpy ride when not loaded. The available FX4 off-road package added upgraded shocks and skid plates, while the new Tremor off-road package included 33-inch tires, a 2-inch lift, and rock crawl mode.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came standard with a 5.7-liter V8 engine producing 391 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual tap-shift function. The Tundra had a towing capacity of 10,200 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,730 pounds. The six-speed automatic transmission was responsive and provided strong acceleration at both low and high speeds. The Tundra's suspension soaked up bumps well, and the truck felt stable on the highway. The steering was vague at low speeds but improved at higher speeds, making the Tundra comfortable for long-distance cruising.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in Regular Cab, extended SuperCab, and full four-door Crew Cab configurations. It offered 6-foot-9-inch and 8-foot bed sizes, with an optional tailgate step for easier access. The cabin was spacious and functional, with deep cup holders and cubbies designed for large items. The center console was massive, capable of storing files, tools, or a laptop. The rear seats in the SuperCrew and Crew Cab models folded up to reveal a load floor for large items, providing secure storage inside the cabin.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra offered two cab sizes and three bed sizes. The Double Cab had conventionally-opening rear doors and was available with 6.5-foot or 8.1-foot beds. The CrewMax, a full four-door crew cab, came with a 5.5-foot bed and offered massive rear legroom. The rear seats folded up to provide a large, lockable cargo area. The Tundra's front seats had plenty of room, and the center console was spacious with multiple cup holders and storage compartments. The optional in-bed storage lockers provided additional secure storage, though they were smaller than similar systems in other trucks. The optional power rear window opened the entire rear window, offering clear sightlines and fresh air.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty's base XL model came with four speakers, an AM/FM/MP3 radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB-C port. The XLT trim added more speakers, SiriusXM satellite radio, and the SYNC 3 infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. FordPass Connect was standard across the lineup, offering a WiFi hotspot and remote vehicle access via a smartphone app. Higher trims included additional features like navigation and premium audio systems.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. An 8-inch touchscreen with navigation was available. The system was easy to operate, with redundant hard buttons for convenience. The Tundra came with multiple USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and a three-month trial of WiFi hotspot capability. The standard stereo had six speakers, while higher trims offered upgraded audio systems, including a JBL premium audio system with 12 speakers.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty included standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, trailer sway control, hill start assist, and AdvanceTrac traction control with roll stability control. Optional safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Other options included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree camera system. The F-250 had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came standard with Toyota's Safety Sense P suite, which included forward-collision warning and avoidance, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Optional safety features included front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tundra had eight standard airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, trailer sway control, and an integrated trailer brake controller.