Starting at
Starting at
| 3,315 | Payload (lbs) | 1,940 |
| 14,000 | Towing (lbs) | 12,000 |
| 25 | Fuel Economy (mpg) | 22 |
When thinking about the most popular pickup trucks money can buy, your mind likely turns to the Ford F-150. You could look at any list of the best-selling pickup trucks in America, but no matter what, the F-150 will always be the one at the top. This spot has been securely held by the Ford F-Series for longer than millions of drivers have been alive. The extent of the F-150’s popularity isn’t bound in bias either––Ford’s most popular pickup truck is considered the best because of factors like reliability, performance, and features, and the numbers don’t lie. That’s not to say the F-150 isn’t without its competition; manufacturers are constantly striving for excellence, and if the number one spot was up for grabs, another manufacturer would have taken the mantle years ago.
However, comparing the 2023 Ford F-150 vs 2023 Toyota Tundra will reveal just how far ahead of the competition Ford is. To begin with, the 2023 F-150 starts at just $33,695.[a] The 2023 Toyota Tundra instead has a starting price of $38,965. The price of a vehicle can go a long way, and, understandably, the best-selling truck in the country costs less than competitors like the Toyota Tundra. But the F-150 isn't just more affordable than the Tundra; it also comes out ahead in all the key metrics truck drivers look for, such as towing and payload ratings, and has innovative features like BlueCruise hands-free driving.
The 2023 Ford F-150 is available with a variety of powertrains, including a V8 and a twin-turbo hybrid. The Tundra is available with only two powertrain options: a twin-turbo V6 and a hybrid version of the same engine. Fortunately, both the Tundra’s powertrains are paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, matching what is offered with the F-150’s five available powertrains. With the Tundra starting at $5,000 more than the F-150, and offering a fraction of the number of powertrains you can get with Ford’s truck, does the Tundra at least outperform the F-150? Not at all. Opting for even the base-level F-150 with its 3.3L V6 engine means getting a payload capacity of 1,955 lbs against the Tundra’s max payload rating of 1,940 lbs.
Although the base-level Tundra can tow up to 12,000 lbs, the F-150 can ultimately offer more performance. Most of the F-150’s available powertrains provide more towing than the Tundra, and its payload capacity is in a league of its own. The 2023 F-150 comes standard with a 3.3L V6 engine, but it’s also available with a turbocharged 2.7L V6, a turbocharged 3.5L V6, a turbo-hybrid 3.5L V6, and a 5.0L V8 engine. The turbocharged 3.5L V6 engine outputs 400 hp and 500 lb-ft of torque and provides a maximum towing capacity of 14,000 lbs with a payload capacity of 3,315 lbs. Compared to the Tundra––even the priciest model––this is a 17% increase in towing capacity and a 71% increase in towing power.
Both trucks can achieve respectable fuel economy, but the F-150 is more efficient in most situations. For example, the 2023 Tundra’s hybrid powertrain is the most fuel-efficient option for the truck, earning EPA-estimated ratings of 20 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway with rear-wheel drive or 19 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway with four-wheel drive. Matching that up against the 2023 Ford F-150’s hybrid powertrain, Ford’s truck outpaces Toyota’s in overall fuel efficiency, with EPA-estimated ratings of 25 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway with rear-wheel drive or 23 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway with four-wheel drive. Ultimately, Ford’s truck can be more capable and more fuel-efficient, and a large part of that is because it has more powertrain options.
The F-150 and Tundra are full-size trucks with full-size sensibilities, but the F-150 offers a less confined interior. It even offers a slightly larger bed for greater versatility. Both trucks offer three bed sizes of almost identical lengths: a 5.5' short bed, a 6.5' standard bed, and an 8' long bed. However, while the long bed for the Tundra measures 96.5 inches in length and 48.7 inches between the wheel wells, the long bed for the F-150 comes in at 97.6 inches in length and 50.6 inches between the wheel wells.
As for the inside of the vehicle, the F-150 is a far more comfortable fit. Firstly, every F-150 model offers 40.8 inches of headroom and 43.9 inches of legroom in the front row. Although the Tundra provides 0.2 inches more headroom, it has nearly three inches less legroom than the Ford. The front row of the F-150 also has 66.7 inches of shoulder room against the Tundra’s 65 inches.
The F-150 and Tundra both offer two rows of seating in their extended cab and crew cab options, but only the F-150 offers a single-row regular cab. If you do need more seating, the F-150 can support a maximum capacity of six passengers with its front bench seat, while the Tundra is limited to five passengers because of its front bucket seats. Most importantly, passengers who have to sit in the back will have a better and more comfortable time in the F-150 than in the Tundra.
For instance, the 2023 F-150 offers over 40 inches of second-row headroom in both its SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations. In comparison, the Tundra provides just 38.5 inches of second-row headroom in its two cab options. Third-row legroom can be as much as 43.6 inches in the largest F-150 cabin, while the Tundra caps out at 41.6 inches. The F-150 also has considerably more rear shoulder room than the Tundra––66.1 inches against 63.4 inches––and comparing the rear hip room tells a similar story with 62.6 inches in Ford’s truck and 60.5 inches in the Toyota. In short, the F-150 is considerably more comfortable to drive or sit in than the Toyota Tundra.
Although many of the features in the 2023 Ford F-150 are comparable to the 2023 Toyota Tundra, it’s made all the more impressive by the F-150 starting at roughly $5,000 less than the Tundra. At the forefront of the multimedia experience of each vehicle is the eight-inch infotainment center that comes standard with both trucks. Toyota’s multimedia experience is robust, while the 2023 Ford F-150 comes with a SYNC 4 infotainment center, which is more advanced, faster, and easier to use than the preceding SYNC 3 infotainment center. An alternative infotainment center is available for both vehicles, bringing a larger screen and the option for more premium audio setups. The larger screen sizes measure 12 inches in the F-150, and 14 inches in the Tundra, meaning both screen sizes feel quite similar to use, as it’s only a difference of around 17%.
The 2023 F-150 comes with several upgraded features, many of which are thanks to using the SYNC 4 infotainment center. This includes convenient smartphone connectivity through Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SYNC 4 also enables Ford Power Up over-the-air updates, allowing your infotainment center to gain new features without having to visit the dealership for updates. Both vehicles are eligible for SiriusXM radio and feature a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot––these capabilities come at no extra charge, but both require an external subscription service. However, the fact is that you can get everything done with the F-150’s standard infotainment hub as you can with the base Tundra’s infotainment center, both with the same screen size, while paying roughly $5,000 less for the Ford. It doesn’t get any better than that, and it’s one of the many reasons why the F-150 remains such a popular purchase.
Newton Ford South is here to help you find the next truck you’ll be spending years driving. Here at our dealership, you’ll discover vehicles that comfortably fit your budget, and we will amaze you with the incredible value we’re able to offer our customers. You’ll see plenty of brand-new Ford vehicles here––like the latest F-Series pickup trucks––and there’s always a healthy dose of Ford models that you can find on our pre-owned lot. We also have pre-owned vehicles from other manufacturers, so you should take a look at our current selection to see if anything catches your interest. We’re here to prove to you that dealerships can work for you, not against you––but don’t just take our word for it––you should come to visit us and see for yourself. We’re located at 2811 Highway 231 N., Shelbyville, TN, and we can't wait to meet you and show off our inventory of quality Ford models. There is no better time to find yourself behind the wheel of a new 2023 Ford F-150.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
