2025 Toyota Tundra vs. GMC Sierra

Shopping for full-size pickup trucks puts you face-to-face with some major players. The 2025 Toyota Tundra and GMC Sierra 1500 sit at opposite ends of the truck-building spectrum. Toyota brings its modern hybrid know-how, while GMC sticks with V-8 muscle and engine variety. In this car specifications comparison, we’ll break down everything from towing strength to gas mileage so you can decide which truck suits your lifestyle and budget.

Key Differences at a Glance

These trucks are both popular in the full-size pickup category, making them an ideal starting point to compare trucks before buying. Money-wise, the Sierra 1500 wins the first round with a starting price of $39,145, while the Tundra asks for $40,090 to get you in the driver’s seat.

Power is a priority in this class, and here the Sierra pulls slightly ahead. It can tow up to 13,300 pounds versus the Tundra’s 12,000 pounds. This difference highlights the drivers each truck targets: the Sierra appeals to those who need serious pulling power and want engine choices, including diesel, while the Tundra speaks to drivers who want hybrid technology and solid performance without paying extra.

Engine Performance and Powertrain Comparison

Toyota keeps it simple with the Tundra. You get two versions of the i-FORCE Twin-Turbo V-6. The regular setup delivers either 358 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque (base version) or 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque (upgraded). The i-FORCE MAX hybrid, which pairs the 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 with a 1.87 kWh nickel-metal hydride battery and electric motor, delivers 473 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, which can easily get you up to speed on I-605.

GMC offers more options with four engine choices. The 2.7-liter TurboMax I-4 delivers 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, enabling towing of 9,500 pounds and hauling 2,260 pounds. You can upgrade to the 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V-8 for 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, with 11,300 pounds of towing and 2,180 pounds of payload ability.

The powerful 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V-8 delivers 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, with 13,200 pounds of towing capacity and 1,980 pounds of payload. For diesel fans, the 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel I-6 delivers 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque, with 13,300 pounds of towing capacity and 1,970 pounds of payload.

In the top trims, the Sierra Denali V-8 provides 420 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque, while the Tundra Platinum V-6 has 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. Add the hybrid i-FORCE MAX system, and the Tundra jumps to 437 horsepower with 583 lb-ft of torque, outperforming all Sierra engines in torque output.

Towing and Payload Capabilities

If hauling large loads tops your list, the GMC Sierra 1500 has an edge. It can tow between 13,200 and 13,300 pounds based on how you set it up. The Tundra achieves 12,000 pounds with regular power or 11,450 pounds with the hybrid system, which can easily haul your camper and gear to Sycamore Lake. That gives the Sierra about 1,000 pounds more pulling muscle. In the bed, the Sierra can handle up to 2,441 pounds, while the Tundra can handle up to 1,940 pounds.

Fuel Economy and Efficiency

Fuel efficiency is where the Tundra really shines, especially with its hybrid technology. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid in rear-wheel drive gets 20 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. Four-wheel-drive versions manage 19 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. Even nonhybrid Tundra rear-wheel-drive models manage 18 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. Overall, the 2025 Tundra averages 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, beating the GMC Sierra, which gets 15 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway.

The Sierra’s best fuel numbers come from its 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine: 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway in two-wheel drive, or 23 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway with four-wheel drive. The gas engines aren’t as thrifty: the 2.7-liter turbo gets 18 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, the 5.3-liter V-8 manages 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway, and the 6.2-liter V-8 is less efficient at 15 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. When you’re dealing with LA traffic, the Tundra’s hybrid shines in stop-and-go driving.

Interior Design and Technology Features

Both trucks offer ample space but take different approaches. The Tundra offers two cab styles, Double Cab and CrewMax, both seating up to five people, with a choice of bed lengths, including options that provide nearly 78 cubic feet of cargo room and beds up to 8 feet long. Inside, the front seats offer ample space, with 41 inches of headroom and legroom. The Sierra offers three cab styles: Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab, seating up to six people. The Sierra Crew Cab is slightly smaller than the Tundra, with about 63 cubic feet of bed space and a wide range of bed lengths to suit your needs.

Technology features make or break modern trucks. The Tundra has a large 14-inch touch screen with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. You get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus optional JBL sound. A 10-inch head-up display and 10-way power seats add comfort. The Sierra counters with a 13.4-inch screen with Google built in, a 12.3-inch driver display, a larger 15-inch head-up display, and 16-way power seats. Bose audio is optional, and the Denali Ultimate model goes all out with 40 inches of combined digital screens.

Safety gives the Tundra an edge. The 2025 Tundra Crew Cab earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+ award and five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Every Tundra includes Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which adds automatic braking, road sign detection, auto high beams, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.

Which Truck Delivers the Best Value for Your Needs?

Your truck choice boils down to what matters most to you, and the 2025 Tundra makes a strong case. Its base engine outmuscles the Sierra’s starter motor and main V-8 engine. If you want serious power, the Tundra is a smart choice.

Despite costing slightly more upfront, its top safety ratings, stronger reliability scores, fuel efficiency, and cheaper long-term costs help you save money over time. Contact us at Longo Toyota in El Monte, California, to test-drive the 2025 Tundra and discover why more truck buyers are making the switch.

Tags: 2025 Toyota Tundra, GMC Sierra
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