Compare the2022 GMC Sierra LimitedVS 2021 Toyota Tundra

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/05/04

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Sierra Limited are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Tundra doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Full-time four-wheel drive is optional on the Sierra Limited. Full-time four-wheel drive gives added traction for safety in all conditions, not just off-road, like the only system available on the Tundra.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Sierra Limited’s optional Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Tundra doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Sierra Limited SLT/AT4/Denali offers an optional Surround Vision to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Tundra only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the Sierra Limited and the Tundra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the GMC Sierra Limited is safer than the Toyota Tundra:

	Sierra Limited	Tundra
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	116	178
Neck Injury Risk	27%	41%
Neck Stress	275 lbs.	367 lbs.
Neck Compression	13 lbs.	18 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	301/359 lbs.	474/515 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	219	291
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Stress	204 lbs.	205 lbs.
Neck Compression	36 lbs.	70 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	321/499 lbs.	557/390 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the GMC Sierra Limited Crew Cab is safer than the Tundra Double Cab:

	Sierra Limited	Tundra
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Head injury index	n/a	97
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Lower Leg Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	POOR

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the GMC Sierra Limited is safer than the Toyota Tundra:

	Sierra Limited	Tundra
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	15 inches	16 inches
HIC	255	396
Hip Force	473 lbs.	682 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Sierra Limited is .7% to 1.9% less likely to roll over than the Tundra.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and with its optional front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Sierra Limited the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 212 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Tundra was not even a “Top Pick” for 2016.

Warranty

The Sierra Limited’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Tundra’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 35 percent more GMC dealers than there are Toyota dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Sierra Limited’s warranty.

Reliability

The Sierra Limited has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The Tundra doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

Engine

The Sierra Limited’s optional 6.2 V8 produces 39 more horsepower (420 vs. 381) and 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 401) than the Tundra’s 5.7 DOHC V8.

The Sierra Limited’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 401) than the Tundra’s 5.7 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the GMC Sierra Limited V8 is faster than the Toyota Tundra:

	Sierra Limited	Tundra
Zero to 30 MPH	2 sec	2.4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	5.8 sec	6.7 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	9.4 sec	11.2 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	2.8 sec	3.3 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	98.9 MPH	92.7 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Sierra Limited gets better mileage than the Tundra:

			MPG
Sierra Limited
	RWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	23 city/30 hwy
		2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/22 hwy
		5.3 OHV V8	16 city/21 hwy
	AWD	3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	22 city/26 hwy
		AT4 3.0 turbo 6-cyl. Diesel	20 city/23 hwy
		2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/20 hwy
		5.3 OHV V8	15 city/20 hwy
		6.2 OHV V8	15 city/20 hwy
		AT4 2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	16 city/18 hwy
		5.3 OHV V8	15 city/19 hwy
		AT4 5.3 OHV V8	14 city/18 hwy
Tundra
	RWD	5.7 DOHC V8	13 city/17 hwy
	AWD	5.7 DOHC V8	13 city/17 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Sierra Limited (except Diesel)’s fuel efficiency. The Tundra doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Sierra Limited eight-speed Auto/Diesel’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip with its optional disable switch. The Tundra doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Sierra Limited has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Tundra doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

A ten-speed automatic is available on the GMC Sierra Limited, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Tundra.

Brakes and Stopping

The Sierra Limited stops much shorter than the Tundra:

	Sierra Limited	Tundra
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	145 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Sierra Limited’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tundra’s optional 55 series tires.

For better load carrying, ride, handling and brake cooling the Sierra Limited offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Tundra’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The GMC Sierra Limited’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Toyota Tundra only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The Sierra Limited has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Tundra doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

Suspension and Handling

The Sierra Limited offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Tundra’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Sierra Limited’s wheelbase is longer than on the Tundra:

	Sierra Limited	Tundra
Extended Cab Standard Bed	147.4 inches	145.7 inches
Crew Cab Short Bed	147.4 inches	145.7 inches
Crew Cab Standard Bed	157 inches	n/a

The Sierra 1500 Limited Short Bed Denali Crew Cab 4x4 handles at .77 G’s, while the Tundra Short Bed TRD Pro CrewMax 4x4 pulls only .66 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Sierra 1500 Limited Short Bed AT4 Crew Cab executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.9 seconds quicker than the Tundra Short Bed TRD Pro CrewMax 4x4 (27.7 seconds @ .73 average G’s vs. 30.6 seconds @ .53 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Sierra 1500 Limited Short Bed AT4 Crew Cab has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Tundra Standard Bed Double Cab (10.9 vs. 10.6 inches), allowing the Sierra Limited to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The GMC Sierra Limited may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 900 pounds less than the Toyota Tundra.

Passenger Space

The Sierra Limited Double Cab has 3.3 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom and .5 inches more rear legroom than the Tundra Double Cab.

The Sierra Limited Crew Cab has 3.3 inches more front headroom, 2 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom and 1.1 inches more rear legroom than the Tundra CrewMax.

Cargo Capacity

The Sierra Limited Double Cab has a much larger cargo box than the Tundra Double Cab shortbed (72.7 vs. 66.3 cubic feet).

The Sierra Limited Crew Cab shortbed has a much larger cargo box than the Tundra CrewMax shortbed (63.9 vs. 56.1 cubic feet).

The Sierra Limited’s cargo box is larger than the Tundra’s in every dimension:

	Sierra Limited Double Cab	Sierra Limited Regular Cab	Tundra CrewMax	Tundra Double Cab
Length (short/long)	79.4”	98.2”	66.7”	78.7”/97.6”
Max Width	71.4”	71.4”	66.4”	66.4”
Min Width	50.63”	50.62”	50”	50”
Height	22.4”	22.4”	22.2”	22.2”

The GMC Sierra Limited has a standard CornerStep, which allows for much easier access to the cargo area. The Toyota Tundra doesn’t offer a rear cargo step.

The Sierra Limited has stake post holes, to allow the containment of tall, light loads. The Tundra doesn’t offer stake post holes.

The Sierra Limited has an all welded cargo box to eliminate possible corrosion spots and to provide better chassis stiffness. The cargo box in the Tundra is bolted through the bed to the frame with large bolts. These bolts are a prime area for corrosion to start as the normal flexing of the truck’s chassis causes them to eat through the finish; they can also snag cargo as it slides in and out.

Payload and Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota Tundra is limited to 10200 pounds. The Sierra 1500 Limited Standard Bed Double Cab 4x4 offers up to a 12100 lbs. towing capacity.

The Sierra Limited has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Tundra:

	Sierra Limited	Tundra
Extended Cab 1500 Limited	2030 lbs.	1730 lbs.
Crew Cab 1500 Limited	2030 lbs.	1660 lbs.
Regular Cab 1500 Limited 4x4	2140 lbs.	n/a
Extended Cab 1500 Limited 4x4	2020 lbs.	1630 lbs.
Crew Cab 1500 Limited 4x4	2010 lbs.	1560 lbs.

The Sierra Limited has much higher optional payload capacities than the Tundra:

	Sierra Limited	Tundra
Extended Cab 1500 Limited	2160 lbs.	1730 lbs.
Crew Cab 1500 Limited	2140 lbs.	1660 lbs.
Extended Cab 1500 Limited 4x4	2140 lbs.	1630 lbs.
Crew Cab 1500 Limited 4x4	2070 lbs.	1560 lbs.

Servicing Ease

An Oil Life Monitor is standard on the Sierra Limited to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes, air filter replacement and brake pad replacement based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Toyota doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Tundra.

Ergonomics

The Sierra Limited SLT/AT4/Denali’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Tundra doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Sierra Limited SLT/AT4/Denali offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Tundra doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Sierra Limited’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Tundra’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows available on both the Sierra Limited and the Tundra have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sierra Limited is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Tundra prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Sierra Limited’s basic optional front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its driver’s window also automatically closes, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Tundra’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. The Tundra’s optional windows’ rear windows don’t open automatically.

On a hot day the Sierra Limited’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote (optional feature). The driver of the Tundra can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Keyless Open and Start standard on the Sierra Limited SLE/Elevation/SLT/AT4/Denali allows you to unlock the doors, tailgate and start the engine all without removing a key from pocket or purse. This eliminates searching for keys before loading cargo, getting in the vehicle in bad weather or making a hurried start to your trip. The Toyota Tundra’s available Smart Key System doesn’t unlock the tailgate.

The Sierra Limited’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Tundra’s power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Sierra Limited’s variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Tundra SR’s standard wipers have no intermittent settings at all, so the driver will have to constantly turn them on and off.

The Sierra Limited’s optional power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Tundra’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

Both the Sierra Limited and the Tundra offer available heated front seats. The Sierra Limited SLT/AT4/Denali also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Tundra.

On extremely cold winter days, the Sierra Limited SLE/Elevation/SLT/AT4/Denali’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the vehicle heater warms up. The Tundra doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Model Availability

The GMC Sierra Limited comes in regular cab, extended cab and crew cab bodystyles; the Toyota Tundra isn’t available as a regular cab.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Sierra Limited is less expensive to operate than the Tundra because typical repairs cost much less on the Sierra Limited than the Tundra, including $50 less for a water pump and $582 less for a starter.

Recommendations

Four Wheeler performed a comparison test in its June 2019 issue and they ranked the GMC Sierra 1500 Limited Short Bed AT4 Crew Cab higher than the Toyota Tundra Short Bed TRD Pro CrewMax 4x4.

The GMC Sierra Limited outsold the Toyota Tundra by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.