2021 Ford F-150 vs 2021 Toyota Tundra

The 2021 Ford F-150 retained its rugged exterior styling, reminiscent of its predecessors, with oversized wheel arches and a tall hood. However, it introduced a new front fascia with larger headlights and a rounder grille, offering 11 design options. Ford emphasized improved aerodynamics with active grille shutters and an automatically-deploying air dam, enhancing fuel efficiency. The aluminum bodywork, including the cab, bed, fenders, and hood, reduced weight, contributing to better fuel economy and increased payload capacity. Inside, the F-150 maintained its distinctive design with large angular air vents and a high centre console. The interior materials varied across trims, from basic in the XL to luxurious in the King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims, with the King Ranch featuring leather upholstery and wood trim.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Tundra had a somewhat awkward appearance, with a massive grille and small headlights, giving it an oversized look. Despite its dated design, the Tundra's "Cement" paint colour and blacked-out wheels added a modern touch. The cabin, dominated by hard plastics and monotone panels, was straightforward and user-friendly, with all buttons and dials easily accessible. The Tundra's interior was not luxurious but included a standard 7-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Tundra offered various packages, including TRD Offroad and TRD Sport Premium, with features like Bilstein shocks, off-road tires, and unique styling touches. The Platinum trim featured a blacked-out grille and unique badging, while the 1794 Edition added leather and woodgrain accents.

The 2021 Ford F-150 offered a range of powertrains, including a base 3.3-litre V6 with 290 horsepower and a 5.0-litre V8 producing 400 hp. Two twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 engines were available, with the 3.5-litre unit delivering 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque. A Power Stroke 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 provided 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque. The new PowerBoost hybrid powertrain combined a 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 with an electric motor, producing 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque. The F-150 excelled in payload and towing capacity, with a maximum payload of 3,325 pounds and towing capacity of 14,000 pounds with the non-hybrid 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6. The hybrid powertrain offered impressive power but had a rough transition between electric and hybrid modes.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came standard with a 5.7-litre V8 engine, producing 391 horsepower and 401 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The Tundra's towing capacity was 4,400 kilograms (9,700 pounds), and its payload capacity was 599 kg (1,320 lb), lower than the F-150's capabilities. The Tundra's V8 provided strong acceleration, and the six-speed automatic was responsive. The Tundra offered a comfortable ride, absorbing bumps well, and felt stable on the highway, though the steering was vague at low speeds.

The 2021 Ford F-150 was designed with practicality in mind, featuring a fold-flat shifter to create a work surface for a 15-inch laptop. Higher trims offered fold-flat Max Recline Seats for resting. The F-150 provided ample storage, including a large centre-console bin and cupholders. It was available in three cab configurations: a two-door regular cab, a SuperCab with rear half doors, and a SuperCrew cab with full-size rear doors. Bed sizes included 5.5-foot, 6.5-foot, and 8-foot options. The F-150 offered in-bed power outlets with the Pro Power Onboard system, providing up to 7.2 kW of output.

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 (6.5 foot) or 2.48 metre (8.1 foot) bed. The CrewMax, a full four-door crew cab, came with a 1.695 metre (5.5 foot) bed and provided ample rear legroom. The front seats offered plenty of space, and the centre console was large, with multiple cup holders and storage compartments. The Tundra's doors had trays and cup holders, though smaller than those in other full-size pickups.

The 2021 Ford F-150 featured the new Sync 4 infotainment system with Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, capable of over-the-air updates. An 8-inch touchscreen was standard, with an optional 12-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. The system included physical buttons for essential functions and offered Pro Trailer Backup Assist and Trailer Reverse Guidance for easier towing.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra's infotainment system was updated in 2020, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, operated via an 8-inch touchscreen with SiriusXM satellite radio and available navigation. The system had a sensible layout with redundant hard buttons. The Tundra included multiple USB ports and Bluetooth connectivity. The standard audio system had seven speakers on Double Cab trims and nine on CrewMax, with an available JBL premium audio system with 12 speakers.

The 2021 Ford F-150 had not yet received full crash-test ratings, but the IIHS gave a "good" rating for roof strength. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams. Available features included lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. The F-150 was set to receive Ford's BlueCruise system for hands-free driving later in 2021.

The 2021 Toyota Tundra came standard with Toyota Safety Sense P, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tundra had eight airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a tow package with a heavy-duty hitch receiver.