2022 Toyota Tundra versus Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150 and Ram 1500

Whether you're shopping for a new car, SUV or pickup, today's vehicles are far greater than the sum of their spec sheets. Even so, it's always useful to compare the numbers to see how candidates for your hard-earned dollars stack up. That's particularly true when it comes to full-size pickups, because capability is everything. Toyota has unveiled its all-new 2022 Tundra light-duty pickup, and it's a force to be reckoned with. Here's how Toyota's latest lines up against the updated 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2022 Ram 1500 and 2021 Ford F-150 (we're still waiting on 2022MY specs from the Blue Oval).

The name of the game in full-size, light-duty trucks is choice: cab choice, bed choice, trim choice, but namely engine choice. The Tundra only has two powertrain options: a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 and a hybridized version of the same. Ford has no fewer than six internal-combustion powertrain options (not to mention the forthcoming all-electric Lightning), but other companies aren't quite as robust. Chevrolet offers four engines starting with a 2.7-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder and climbs to a huge 6.2-liter V8. Ram has four powertrains available, including two mild-hybrid models.

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For the sake of this comparison, I've divided the powertrain choices into base, midlevel, upper-midlevel and upper-level specs. I've also included a table for the diesel and hybrid models. For towing and payload, I've assumed the maximum capability for those particular setups. In most cases, that means those powertrains come on a two-wheel-drive, regular-cab model with a long bed and a max towing package, but not always. For fuel economy, I've used these trucks' two-wheel-drive specs.

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Full-size pickup truck: Base engine specs

Sure, most folks will option up, but that doesn't mean that the standard engines have nothing to offer. The new Tundra's base 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 is only available on the SR, but it blows the competition away with its 348 ponies and 405 pound-feet of torque. The Silverado punches to the ceiling as well with its turbocharged 2.7-liter mill. Ford keeps the numbers of the 3.3-liter V6 the same from last year's model -- a healthy 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. The base engine in the Ram 1500 is actually a mild-hybrid V6 with E-Torque technology, giving drivers an extra boost off the line.

Full-size pickup truck: Midlevel engine specs

If you want a medium-spec powertrain, well you'll have to look at either the F-150 or the Silverado. However, the Toyota does have a high-output 3.5-liter that is available on the SR5 trim and above. The Ram, however, is absent. Ford's second most-powerful engine is a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, while Chevrolet jumps all the way to a 5.3-liter V8. 

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Full-size pickup truck: Upper-midlevel engine specs

Here is where Ford has the advantage in the segment, with an extra powertrain for those who want a bit more power. The F-150 jumps to a 5.0-liter V8 with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Chevrolet, Ram and Tundra have no dog in this upper-mid-range engine fight.

Full-size pickup truck: Upper-level engine specs

Now we're getting into the good stuff, with plenty of power offered across the segment. Since the Tundra's top powertrain is also a hybrid, I've included it in a chart below. Ford's top engine is a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, but the Silverado is also pretty good here with its traditional 6.2-liter small-block V8.

Full-size pickup truck: Diesel engine specs

We've seen a resurgence in diesel offerings lately. Once seen mainly on heavy-duty trucks, diesels have been making their way down to half-ton and even midsize offerings. Unfortunately, Toyota doesn't offer a diesel for the latest Tundra. Among the rest, the Chevrolet takes the cake for towing here, but only if you have the max towing package.

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Full-size pickup truck: Hybrid powertrain specs

Finally, we can get the Tundra back into the mix with its 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid. In this hybrid chart, note that the F-150 and the Tundra feature a full-hybrid powertrain while the Ram 1500 E-Torque is a less-capable mild hybrid with an electric starter-generator. Ram offers this technology in standard in the 3.6-liter V6 and as an option with the 5.7-liter V8.

Size matters with full-size, light-duty trucks

For both interior and exterior measurements, I'm using the popular crew-cab, short-bed configurations of two-wheel-drive trucks across the board. (Note: For the Ram 1500, fields with duplicate numbers indicate the maximum available with the optional air suspension.)

When it comes to exterior dimensions, the 2021 F-150 and the Tundra seem to split the difference nicely between the larger Ram 1500 and the Chevrolet Silverado. The Ford is also one of the narrowest in terms of width without mirrors, but remember, if you want to add towing mirrors, you'll add a whole lot of width. In the case of the F-150, the larger mirrors add a whopping 26 inches.

Historically, the Toyota's interior has been pretty small and the company keeps the streak going for 2022. The Silverado wins the front headroom and legroom contest, but if you know you'll have bigger folks in the rear seats, the F-150 offers the most space. 

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Off-road ability

If you're going to take your truck off road -- and you should -- ground clearance and angles are paramount. I've excluded the Ford F-150 Raptor, Ram 1500 Rebel and TRX, Toyota Tundra TRD Pro and the Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss and ZR2 in these numbers, as they really are different trucks in both design and price. Instead, I've assumed a 4WD, crew-cab model with a short bed.

We don't have any numbers for the Chevrolet yet, but we'll be sure to update this chart when they come in. Though Ram touts its Rebel for serious off-roading, you can get air suspension on non-Rebel trucks, which results in excellent geometry and ground clearance. (Note: Fields with duplicate numbers indicate the specs with the air suspension.) Finally, even with just a standard steel suspension, the Ford holds its own here. 

It looks like the Tundra lines up nicely with the rest of the segment, however, there are a few key new features that can't be shown in a chart, like Ford's available Pro Power Onboard that functions as a generator for exportable power on the go, and the newly available Super Cruise hands-free driving assistant on the Silverado. Sure, the new Tundra has an upgraded infotainment system, but that's small potatoes compared to the advanced features of the rest of the segment.

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