2023 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2024 Toyota Tundra

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 underwent a styling update in 2022, which maintained its already appealing design for a full-size truck. The changes included a wider grille and updated headlights, which, while enhancing the truck's sharp appearance, felt more like a lateral move rather than a significant upgrade. The interior, however, marked a notable shift from its predecessor, aligning with the trend of making truck cabins more like those of daily driver cars and SUVs. This evolution introduced a large screen, replacing the simpler layout of the previous model. While the new infotainment system moved controls further down the dash, it retained traditional climate controls, a volume dial, and a home button, which some users might find unnecessarily complicated for a work-focused truck.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Tundra featured a massive grille designed for powertrain cooling, resulting in a distinctive, albeit polarizing, appearance. Despite this, the Tundra's industrial design theme, with camo-pattern detailing, conveyed durability and strength, though the use of plastic in the cabin detracted from its overall build quality. The Tundra's interior was spacious, but the i-Force Max's battery compromised rear underseat storage and a flat rear cab floor. While the Tundra offered decent storage space, it lacked some of the helpful features found in its competitors, such as bumper corner steps or a trick tailgate step, which could have enhanced its practicality.

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 offered four powertrain options, starting with a 2.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. The optional 3.0-litre Duramax turbocharged inline-six diesel engine delivered 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, with increased horsepower and torque for 2023. Two gas V8 engines were also available: a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft, and a 6.2-litre V8 generating 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. The gas four-cylinder engine came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while all other engines were paired with a 10-speed automatic. The Sierra's towing capacity reached up to 5,987 kilograms (13,200 pounds) with the diesel engine and RWD, and it had a maximum payload capacity of 1,093 kilograms (2,410 pounds) with the turbo-four and 5.3-litre V8 engines. The Sierra's diesel engine provided a lively performance, aided by the 10-speed automatic transmission, while the truck's steering and braking offered a smooth and composed driving experience.

The 2024 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro excelled both on and off-road, equipped with lighter BBS forged alloy wheels, Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires, a TRD front stabilizer bar, and 2.5-inch FOX internal-bypass shock absorbers. The standard twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 engine produced 358 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, while the TRD Pro's hybrid version, the i-Force Max powertrain, delivered 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. The TRD Pro offered a towing capacity of 5,068 kilograms (11,175 pounds) and a payload capacity of 725 kilograms (1,600 pounds). A 10-speed automatic transmission was standard, along with a part-time 4WD system and various off-roading features. The Tundra's off-road capabilities were impressive, though its size and turning radius posed challenges on densely forested trails. Despite its hybrid powertrain, the Tundra's fuel efficiency was lower than expected, averaging 16.5 litres per 100 kilometres.

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 offered various cab and bed configurations, with our test model featuring a crew cab/short-bed setup. This configuration provided ample cabin space with generous head and legroom for both rows. The interior included large storage trays in the doors, multiple spots for large water bottles, and a centre console with two large cup holders, a tray ahead of the shifter, and a deep centre storage compartment with an organizer. The rear bench folded up, offering secure storage space. The Denali Ultimate trim featured the GMC MultiPro tailgate, which provided multiple configurations, including a bed step-up, fold-out workstation, and a passage for longer items. All trims came with bed steps cut into the rear bumper corners for easy cargo bed access.

The 2024 Toyota Tundra's interior was spacious, but the i-Force Max's battery eliminated rear underseat storage and a flat rear cab floor, impacting its practicality. While the Tundra offered decent storage space, it lacked some of the helpful features found in competitors, such as bumper corner steps or a trick tailgate step. The Tundra's wide seats provided comfort, though getting in and out of the TRD Pro was challenging for shorter individuals. After extended drives, the driver's seat caused some tailbone discomfort, but the TRD Pro's heated and ventilated front seats were appreciated.

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 featured a 7-inch touchscreen with a carryover infotainment system on the base Pro trim, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Other trims received an updated infotainment system with a 13.4-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Google-connected apps. The system included a volume dial and a home button, with trailering status apps and average fuel economy displays when connected to a trailer. The Denali Ultimate trim added a wireless charging pad, USB ports, and a wall-style power outlet, though its placement was less ideal. All trims except the base Pro featured a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel and a head-up display.

The 2024 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Toyota offered complimentary trial subscriptions to connected services, including Remote Connect, Drive Connect, Service Connect, and Safety Connect. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system. Other tech features included wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera, and trailering assistance via Trailer Backup Guide with Straight Path Assist.

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 came standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and GM’s Teen Driver system. Higher trims, like the Denali Ultimate, included additional features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and GM’s Super Cruise driver assist system. The Sierra's rear headrests flipped down for improved rearward visibility, and the rearview camera mirror provided added visibility.

The 2024 Toyota Tundra featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, road-sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors were available on higher trims. The TRD Pro's driver aids worked well, though the lane-centring assist was less effective on winding roads. The Tundra received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, though it earned a Poor rating in a new frontal-impact test for rear-seat passengers.