GMC Sierra 1500 vs. Toyota Tundra

If you’re in need of a pickup truck in New Hampshire that is dependable enough to handle the toughest jobs and most adventurous vacations, you should take a look at the GMC Sierra 1500 and Toyota Tundra. Both of these trucks are built to carry heavy cargoes and carry passengers in comfort while featuring a bold, stylish exterior appearance. Best of all, each is packed with safety features which makes these trucks a great fit for the whole family.

Performance

The GMC Sierra 1500 is powered by a 5.3-liter V8 engine with an eight or 10-speed automatic transmission that can generate 383 pound-feet of torque and up to 355 horsepower. This V8 engine with two-wheel-drive can achieve up to 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway while the four-wheel-drive can achieve up to 16 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway around Corinth, MS. Other optional engines for the new Sierra 1500 include a 2.7-liter turbo, 6.2-liter V8, and 3.0-liter turbo diesel.

The Sierra 1500 is available as a regular cab, crew cab or double cab. This pickup truck can carry up to 2,140 pounds and can seat up to six adults comfortably. The interior cabin offers plenty of leg and headroom to make riding in this truck very relaxing and enjoyable for drivers and passengers around Savannah, TN.

Meanwhile, the Toyota Tundra lets you choose between two engine options built for tough jobs. The base engine is a 4.6-liter V8 engine that tows a maximum of 6,800 pounds. You can also go for the more powerful option, the 5.7-liter V8 engine, which tows a maximum of 10,500 pounds. If you configure the 5.7-liter V8 engine the right way with a regular can and long bed, you can use it to haul up to 2,080 pounds.

Each Tundra trim comes available with either a double-cab or CrewMax configuration. The rear seats in a double cab are large enough to fit a large child seat, or a couple of adults, with ease and fold up to create more room when you need to load cargo. The spacious interior and the large size of the Tundra might make you stand tall when you are driving on small congested roads, but these features also give it a great look. With six available trim levels to choose from, Toyota has ensured every aspiring truck owner gets something.

Of course, the hauling capacity of the Tundra varies based on the truck bed and the cab style seeing that the two affect the weight of the truck. But the point is the Tundra offers robust power and capability, presenting a great option when you need help towing a trailer, want to travel with a small camper, or you’re hauling an four-wheeler ATV for some springtime fun.

Trim Levels

Modern Tundra trucks come in five trim levels:

• SR
• SR5
• Limited
• Platinum
• 1794

The base SR includes a Double Cab, 18-inch steel wheels, heated mirrors, a windshield wiper de-icer, damped tailgate, a rearview camera, an integrated trailer brake controller, a tilt-only steering wheel, a 6.1-inch touchscreen interface, and a six-speaker sound system. It also includes safety features like forward collision warning and mitigation, lane departure warning, automatic high beams and adaptive cruise control.

Going with the SR5 gets you foglights, variable intermittent windshield wipers and an upgraded tech interface that includes a 7-inch touchscreen, HD and satellite radio, traffic information and a navigation app. The Limited builds on the Upgrade options package equipment with 20-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, movable tie-down cleats, automatic dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, an upgraded power driver seat and a power-adjustable passenger seat.

At the top of the list, we have the Platinum trim level which comes with distinctive styling elements, LED daytime running lights, power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors, a sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, driver-seat memory functions and a 12-speaker JBL sound system. The 1794 edition offers enhanced exterior and interior styling to the Platinum model.

While the GMC Sierra 1500 boasts six different trim levels:

• Sierra
• SLE
• Elevation
• SLT
• AT4
• Denali

The base Sierra comes with a 4.3-liter V6 (285 horsepower, 305 pound-feet of torque), a six-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch steel wheels, automatic xenon headlamps, power locks, a locking tailgate, power windows, air conditioning, cruise control, a rearview camera, a tilt-only steering wheel, Bluetooth, a 7-inch touchscreen interface, USB connectivity and a six-speaker sound system.

The SLE trim level adds 17-inch alloy wheels, a damped tailgate, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen while the SLT gets you a 5.3-liter V8 engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, power-folding and heated mirrors, leather upholstery and heated front seats. At the top of the range is the Denali, which comes with most of the features across lower trim levels, plus all of the available driver assistance features, 20-inch wheels, and unique interior upgrades for style and comfort.

Interior and Exterior

Both models feature stylish exterior in a variety of colors you’ve come to expect from American pickup trucks: red, white, blue, and black. We recommend viewing the trucks on our lot to see available exterior colors and stylings.

The interior of the Tundra is roomy, professional, and offers comfortable seating with spacious views. You'll find a base model that's fitted with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is powered by either Android Auto or Apple CarPlay compatibility and includes an impressive list of driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning and mitigation with automatic braking. The infotainment console has a nice screen and advanced features, but does seem to have a bit of a learning curve.

The GMC Sierra offers a quiet and comfortable interior with comparable room and views out the cabin. While the Tundra impressives with the sheer amount of safety upgrades added to lower trim levels, the Sierra provides a well rounded interior. This means each trim comes with an easy to use infotainment system, base safety features with the option to add more, and a pleasant aesthetic complemented by comfortable, durable seating.

Technology and Safety Features

The new GMC Sierra 1500 is also loaded with performance and interior features that can provide a comfortable ride while getting the job done. The technology features include a bed view camera that helps you keep an eye on your cargo and an infotainment system that includes a Multicolor eight-inch digital touchscreen, advanced navigation system, and in-vehicle Trailering app.

Meanwhile, As you drive on the open road, you can music from your smartphone thanks to the Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto® compatibility of the Tundra. You can ask for directions in Manchester, make calls, send and receive messages and do much more from an 8-inch touch screen display. You can also use the available Integrated Navigation from the screen, through select trim levels. Another exciting feature is the Smart Key System, where you can unlock your car without getting your keys off your pocket.

Test Drive a Truck Today

Here in Epsom, NH we appreciate the grit and muscle of fine trucks that work as hard as you do. That’s why we want you to have a pickup truck that can give you the best of all possible worlds. Whether you prefer the Tundra or Sierra truly comes down to your budget, your favorite add-ons, and your personal preference. We hope this article helped show you the important differences between these pickups and empowered you to take the next step in your purchasing process. If you'd like to learn even more about either of these capable trucks, or just want to take one for a spin, give us a call today to schedule.