2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2023 Toyota Tundra

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 exhibited a somewhat polarizing design. The split-bar grille harkened back to the 1990s and the 2015 redesign, both of which had aged well. Its small headlights, with a piece of the body panel jutting into the grille area below, appeared strange. This aggressive aesthetic might have screamed “overcompensation” to some, aligning with the current portfolio of Chevrolet vehicles, reminiscent of designs by someone who plays with Transformers. Various appearance packages, including the Rally Edition, Midnight Edition, and Redline Edition, allowed for additional visual flair.

Inside, the Silverado's cabin was more agreeable. The controls were functional and easily accessible, with two different interior layouts depending on the selected trim. Trims ranged from the WT and Custom trims—featuring interiors from before the 2022 facelift, smaller screens, and more hard controls—to higher trims like LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country, which boasted a modern dash design centered around a large, intuitive touchscreen.

Conversely, the 2023 Toyota Tundra featured a massive grille, with a notable grille surround that gave it a Sam Elliot mustache vibe when painted in chrome. This bold design choice aimed to target the Texas customer demographic. Toyota utilized numerous interlocking design elements for a purposeful and solid look. The Tundra didn’t just rely on brute force; its slim, high-mounted headlights and character line down the side profile added visual length. At the rear, the Tundra displayed a three-dimensional stamped design. The addition of the SX Package offered dark gray metallic 18-inch wheels, body-color trim pieces, and a blacked-out “4x4” badge, while removing badging from the front doors.

The Tundra’s interior gave buyers expansive seats and ample room, particularly with trims above the SR and SR5, which featured a massive 14-inch touchscreen dominating the dashboard. Despite its exterior’s potentially polarizing look, the Tundra’s interior delivered the space and comfort expected in a full-size truck.

For 2023, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500’s base engine was a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder producing 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. V8 enthusiasts could choose between a 5.3-liter engine making 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque or a more powerful 6.2-liter engine delivering 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. There was also a six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel engine, generating 305 hp and 495 lb-ft.

Rear-wheel drive was standard on the Silverado 1500, with an optional 4WD. The base four-cylinder engine sent power through an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the other engines utilized a 10-speed automatic. Properly equipped, the Silverado could tow up to 13,300 pounds with the 6.2-liter V8 and the Max Towing package. Its maximum payload capacity reached 2,260 pounds with the base four-cylinder engine and RWD.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra transitioned from its older, less efficient V8 engines to two new V6 options. The standard 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 produced 389 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid variant, i-FORCE MAX, offered a remarkable 437 hp and 583 lb-ft and was available on select trims. Both powertrains were mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, facilitating smooth and consistent performance.

The Tundra replaced its previous leaf-spring rear suspension with a multi-link suspension, improving ride quality over various terrains. With a maximum towing capacity of 12,000 pounds and a payload of 1,940 pounds, the Tundra excelled in some areas but fell slightly short of the Silverado’s capabilities. The TRD Pro trim enhanced off-road capability with features like a 1.1-inch lift, advanced shocks, and a suite of off-road tech.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was available in multiple body styles, including a regular cab with either a standard or long bed, a double cab with a standard bed, and a crew cab with either a short or standard bed. The short bed was 5 feet 8 inches, the standard bed was 6 feet 6 inches, and the long bed was 8 feet in length.

The Silverado's regular cab was practical for work-based trims like the WT and Custom, featuring a front bench seat accommodating up to three passengers. The double cab, offering conventional car doors, provided easy access to rear seats with ample headroom but limited legroom. The spacious full four-door crew cab offered abundant headroom and legroom for both rows, with a rear bench that folded up for extra cargo space.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra ensured practicality and usability with a blend of forward-looking technology and straightforward controls. Below the large touchscreen, physical controls for volume, climate, seat heaters, and driving functions were easily accessible. The Tundra retained a traditional gear lever, and an angled wireless charging pad provided convenience for modern smartphones.

Interior space in the Tundra accommodated both tall and wide adults comfortably, with rear seats that flipped up for additional storage. The Tundra's multiple bed size options included a 6.5-foot and 8.1-foot bed for the double-cab configuration, and a 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed for the CrewMax body, providing flexibility for different needs.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500’s base infotainment system included a straightforward 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims boasted a vivid 13.4-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, complemented by a fully digital instrument panel. Wireless device charging and additional USB ports were also available on the LTZ trim and above.

For the 2023 Toyota Tundra, the available 14-inch touchscreen stole the spotlight, running new software with crisp graphics and fast response times. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto came standard across all trims, though the wireless phone charger was reserved for trims starting at the Limited. Higher trims also included an impressive 12-speaker audio system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, offering high resolution and brightness.

The Silverado 1500 was equipped with a host of advanced driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. The Teen Driver system allowed setting speed and volume limitations. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera system, and GM’s Super Cruise highway driving system. The Silverado received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and high scores from the IIHS.

The Tundra featured an array of ADAS such as automatic emergency braking, road-sign detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-tracing assist through Toyota's TSS 2.5 suite. A sway warning system was standard, aiding frequent towers. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. The Tundra CrewMax models earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though an NHTSA rating was not available.