2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty vs 2021 Toyota Tundra

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty underwent subtle design updates that were noticeable to keen observers. The front bumper featured more black-painted areas, reducing the bling factor, while the grille transitioned from a large two-bar design to a more restrained look. This change also resulted in sleeker headlights, maintaining the truck's overall shape. The F-250 was available in various trims, each offering distinct visual elements. The XL trim had a black grille and bumpers, while the XLT added brightwork and alloy wheels. The King Ranch stood out with its two-tone paint and chrome accents, and the Platinum trim featured 20-inch alloy wheels and power-retractable running boards. The Limited trim added a satin-chrome grille for a touch of luxury. Inside, the F-250's cabin was functional but not particularly welcoming, with hard plastics and a mechanical feel. The base XL model came with essential features, while higher trims like the Lariat and King Ranch offered leather upholstery and advanced technology.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra had a somewhat awkward appearance, with a massive grille and small headlights. Despite its dated design, the Tundra's "Cement" paint colour and blacked-out wheels gave it a modern touch. Inside, the cabin featured hard plastics and monotone panels, but the layout was user-friendly. The Tundra's infotainment system received a significant update in 2020, adding Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The truck was available in various trims, including the CrewMax SR5 with the Trail Special Edition package, which added unique styling elements. The TRD Off-road packages offered enhancements like Bilstein shocks and all-terrain tires, while the TRD Pro package included a lift and Fox off-road shock absorbers. The Platinum trim featured a blacked-out grille and unique badging, with the 1794 Edition adding leather and woodgrain accents.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty came standard with a 6.2-litre gasoline V8 engine, producing 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. A 6.7-litre Power Stroke turbodiesel V8 was also available, delivering 475 horsepower and an impressive 1,050 pound-feet of torque. A new 7.3-litre gas V8 option offered 430 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. The gas engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel used a six-speed TorqShift automatic. The F-250's towing capacity reached up to 10,977 kilograms when properly equipped. Despite its heavy-duty nature, the truck's 10-speed transmission provided surprising acceleration. However, the suspension was firm, resulting in a bumpy ride when unloaded. The Tremor off-road package added features like 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler tires and a rock crawl driving mode.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra featured a 5.7-litre V8 engine, producing 391 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offering a manual tap-shift function. The Tundra's towing capacity was 4,400 kilograms, lower than some competitors. The truck's acceleration was strong and confident, with the six-speed transmission providing responsive shifts. The Tundra excelled in comfort, absorbing bumps and maintaining stability in corners. Its steering was vague at low speeds but settled on the highway, making it ideal for cruising.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in Regular Cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab configurations, with bed sizes of 2,081 mm or 2,492 mm. The cabin was spacious and functional, with deep cup holders and a massive centre console. The rear seats in the SuperCrew and Crew Cab folded up, creating a load floor for large items.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra offered two cab sizes and three bed sizes. The Double Cab had conventionally-opening rear doors and was available with a 2-metre or 2.48-metre bed. The CrewMax, with a 1.695-metre bed, provided ample legroom for rear passengers. The front seats had plenty of space, and the centre console was large, with multiple cup holders and storage compartments.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty's base XL trim included four speakers, an AM/FM/MP3 radio, Bluetooth, 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, offering a WiFi hotspot and remote vehicle functions via a smartphone app.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra featured an updated infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, operated through an 8-inch touchscreen. The system included SiriusXM satellite radio and available navigation. The Tundra came with multiple USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity. The Double Cab had a seven-speaker stereo, while the CrewMax offered nine speakers, with an optional JBL premium audio system providing 12 speakers.

The 2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty included standard safety features like front- and side-impact airbags, trailer sway control, and AdvanceTrac traction control. Optional features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The truck had not been tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came standard with Toyota Safety Sense P, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring. The Tundra had eight airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system.