Compare the2022 GMC Sierra 1500VS 2021 Toyota Tundra

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 1500 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.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Sierra 1500 offers optional Rear Cross Traffic Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Tundra doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Full-time four-wheel drive is optional on the Sierra 1500. 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 1500 4x4’s optional Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Tundra doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Sierra 1500 (except Pro) offers an optional HD 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 1500 and the Tundra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The Sierra 1500’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Tundra’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 34 percent more GMC dealers than there are Toyota dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Sierra 1500’s warranty.

The Sierra 1500’s standard 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (420 vs. 401) than the Tundra’s 5.7 DOHC V8. The Sierra 1500’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 1500’s 3.0 turbo diesel produces 59 lbs.-ft. more torque (460 vs. 401) than the Tundra’s 5.7 DOHC V8.

On the EPA test cycle the Sierra 1500 gets better mileage than the Tundra:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Sierra 1500 V8’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 1500’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. The Tundra doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Sierra 1500 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.

A 10-speed automatic is available on the GMC Sierra 1500, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Tundra.

The Sierra 1500’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 1500 offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Tundra’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The GMC Sierra 1500’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 1500 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.

The Sierra 1500 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 1500’s wheelbase is longer than on the Tundra:

For greater off-road capability the Sierra 1500 Short Box AT4X Crew Cab has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Tundra Standard Bed Double Cab (10.9 vs. 10.6 inches), allowing the Sierra 1500 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The GMC Sierra 1500 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 750 pounds less than the Toyota Tundra.

The Sierra 1500 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 1500 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.

The GMC Sierra 1500 has a standard CornerStep, which allows for much easier access to the cargo area. The Toyota Tundra doesn’t offer a rear cargo step.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Sierra 1500 offers an optional power cargo door, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Tundra doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota Tundra is limited to 10200 pounds. The Sierra 1500 Double Cab offers up to a 13200 lbs. towing capacity.

The Sierra 1500 has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Tundra:

The Sierra 1500 has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Tundra (2240 vs. 1730 lbs.).

The Sierra 1500 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 1500’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 Sierra 1500’s standard 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.

The Sierra 1500’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 1500’s standard 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 1500 SLT/AT4/Denali’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Tundra SR5/Limited/Platinum/1794/TRD Pro’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Sierra 1500’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 1500 and the Tundra offer available heated front seats. The Sierra 1500 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Tundra.

The Sierra 1500 AT4X/Denali Ultimate has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Tundra.

The GMC Sierra 1500 comes in regular cab, extended cab and crew cab bodystyles; the Toyota Tundra isn’t available as a regular cab.

The GMC Sierra 1500 outsold the Toyota Tundra by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.