Starting at
Starting at
13,000 | Towing (lbs) | 12,000 |
2,240 | Payload (lbs) | 1,940 |
Avl. | Diesel | No |
When it comes to full-size pickups, North Americans most definitely have favorites. Depending on where you live, your occupation, and your recreational activities, the choice of pickup can be difficult. Luckily for you, we've got all the exciting details on one of North America's favorite full-size pickups. In order to show you just how great this truck is, we're comparing it to yet another driver favorite, and then we'll see how they match up. Comparing the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2023 Toyota Tundra is a debate rife with history and strong feelings, but ultimately it's up to you to decide whether the new GMC Sierra 1500 is a pickup you'll be buying.
The GMC Sierra 1500 was introduced to the world in the late 1980s and is often ranked alongside Ford and Ram. It shares a platform with its cousin, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, but stands out for its additional features and classic good looks. Ranked third overall when it comes to towing capacity against other half-ton trucks, with the attractive design of a modern vehicle and the ability to configure the cab, bed, and engine to create the perfect truck, the GMC Sierra 1500 is tough to beat. With the introduction of the 2023 model, GMC continues the tradition of the full-size pickup with a surprise bonus that is sure to make any pickup driver drool. Are you ready to see what the 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 has in store?
GMC's Sierra 1500 is every inch a full-size pickup, but where the extra space is depends on you. Do you need more room for passengers? You can extend the cab. Do you want a longer bed? You can opt to have fewer seats inside the cabin. Do you desire a diesel or gasoline engine? Being able to choose what fits your lifestyle best is one of the biggest perks of the Sierra 1500.
Engine options for the 2023 Sierra 1500 include a 2.7L High-Output Turbo, a 5.3L V8, a 6.2L V8, and a 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel. The 2.7L Turbo will give you 310 hp, while the V8 engines will give you 355 hp or 420 hp, respectively. The 3.0L Duramax was redesigned for 2023 and now delivers 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. Do you want power? Then you want the Sierra 1500. Other configurable items include wheel size (up to 22 inches), transmission, and four-wheel drive.
The 2023 Toyota Tundra, on the other hand, does not offer a V8 or diesel engine option. The two options engine-wise are a 3.4L twin-turbo V6 and a 3.4L twin-turbo V6 hybrid. With only one transmission available, this isn't the best option for those who want to be able to customize their new pickup. While it may look rough and tumble, it's simply for show. This disappointing revelation occurs even after Toyota's 2022 revamp of the full-size truck. Though it remains to be seen whether this will cause it to fall down the list of pickups popular among a variety of customers, it isn't likely to help it rise to the top. We'll have to wait and see if Toyota considers another redesign for the Tundra sooner rather than later.
One of the biggest reasons people buy pickups is that they need a vehicle to haul and tow, whether for work or play. Cars, vans, and even SUVs can struggle with the weight of a camper, trailer, or boat, and whenever anyone moves, they always look for a friend or family member with a pickup. It's convenient, easy, and powerful enough to handle just about anything you want to take with you.
That's why the GMC Sierra 1500 delivers excellent performance when it comes to hauling and towing. Whether you need to haul a new kitchen appliance home or tow a camper to the state park for a weekend of outdoorsy fun, you've got the space and power to do so. The 2023 Sierra 1500 can haul 2,240 lbs of payload and can tow 13,000 lbs. The Sierra 1500 also offers the largest and most versatile bed in its class, with 89.1 cu.ft. of cargo space, so you will never run out of room. No matter what your life calls for, the Sierra 1500 is ready and waiting.
Unfortunately, that's not the case for the Toyota Tundra, which lags behind its competitors in both hauling and towing. Most other half-ton pickups can haul and tow more than the Tundra, so unless you just want a pickup for the novelty, you're better off going with something you know has the power to back up its size. The most the Tundra can haul is 1,940 lbs, and it can only tow up to 12,000 lbs. That's a difference of 1,000 lbs when it comes to towing and 300 lbs when it comes to hauling. These numbers are just too big to ignore, so if you want to be able to take what you need with you for short or long trips, the Sierra 1500 is your best bet.
Driving can be anxiety-inducing even for the most seasoned of drivers. Inclement weather, traffic jams, accidents, construction, law enforcement, and blind spots all seem to conspire against drivers who just want to run an errand, pick up a meal, or go home to rest from the day's activities. Off-road traveling is also sometimes necessary, and not many vehicles have a standard off-road setup. Once again, the Sierra 1500 sails over the competition to provide drivers with more than the basics, recognizing that each driver could use assistance with one concern or another and that safety features should not be kept away from the general populace by a paywall.
The standard GMC Pro Safety suite includes Automatic Emergency Braking, Following Distance Indicator, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning. If you want additional features, you can add Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert and a multiview camera system, which not only covers your blind spots but can look "through" your trailer or camper to see what's behind you. On the other hand, Toyota's 2023 Tundra has fewer truck-specific driver-assist features, instead focusing on basic items like adaptive cruise control. Toyota may need to brush up on its driver-assist offerings if it wants to compete with the likes of GMC.
No matter where you live, chances are you've had the opportunity or have wanted to take the opportunity to explore the wilder spaces of Georgia. Full-size pickups are often capable enough to get you over some dirt, gravel, brush, and possibly even dry creek beds, but some are better than others. While GMC's older Sierra 1500 models weren't built specifically for off-roading adventures, GMC has given its full-size pickup some upgrades lately. There is even an exciting new trim level for 2023 that will take your off-roading escapades to the next level.
If you've decided on one of the classic trim levels, you'll still be able to add off-road features like four-wheel drive, Terrain Mode, and more. New for 2023, however, is the AT4X AEV Edition, a project built in partnership with American Expedition Vehicles, famous for their overland and off-road packages, parts, and accessories. This Sierra 1500 special edition comes with additional steel skid plates, steel front and rear bumpers with recovery points, 33-inch mud-terrain tires, and a winch at the front of the truck. The Sierra 1500 AT4X trim was only created last year, and with the AEV Edition package, it is bound to become an off-roader's dream pickup.
The 2023 Toyota Tundra has the TRD Pro trim that is technically suited for off-road activities, but it can't match the Sierra 1500's beefy AT4X trim. The TRD Pro only offers a locking rear differential compared to the segment-exclusive front and rear lockers in the AT4X, so you will lack the traction often needed when traversing unpaved ground. Plus, while the Tundra's Fox shocks and 1.1-inch leveling kit are not terrible, they simply don't compare to the Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers and two-inch factory lift found in the Sierra 1500 AT4X.