When you need a rugged off-road ride, nothing beats a pickup truck. The epitome of automotive engineering, they’re built to perform, making them one of the most popular vehicle choices in the USA. If you’re in the process of purchasing one, you might be weighing up the Toyota Tundra and the Ford F-150. But which of the two is worth your money?

To help you make the most informed purchasing decision, we’ve put together this comprehensive comparison. From brand reputation and build quality to safety features and fuel economy, keep reading for everything you need to know.

History and Reputation

Toyota and Ford are two of the oldest automotive brands in the world. And their vehicles have a rich history, too:

Toyota Tundra

The Toyota Tundra was introduced in May 1999 and was the first full-size pickup from a Japanese manufacturer to be built in North America. There are currently three generations of Tundra, with the most recent beginning in 2021. Current generation Tundras are offered in seven distinct trim levels: SR, SR5, Tundra Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition, Tundra TRD Pro, and the luxury Capstone trim.

Expert reviews of current-gen Tundras are generally quite favorable; for example, Car and Driver gave the 2024 model an 8/10 rating. With the Toyota brand being founded almost 100 years ago, it’s no wonder they know how to make a reliable automobile.

Ford F-150

As one of the world’s oldest automakers, Ford is even more established than Toyota — beginning their journey way back in 1903. It wasn’t until just after the Second World War that the first F-Series trucks began production, with the F-150 as we know it being introduced in 1975. This was a turning point for pickups, which became about more than just hard work. 

Ford designed the F-150 with an updated suspension and cabin to give drivers a more car-like experience. Fast-forward to 2021, and the 14th generation of Ford F-150s refined the formula to add better towing and payload capacities, as well as the latest technology and connectivity. While the Toyota Tundra certainly reviews well, experts are even more positive about the Ford F-150. 

Car and Driver gave the 2024 model a very respectable 9/10 rating. The least you’d expect from one of the most iconic pickup models in the world.

The winner in this category: Ford F-150

Design and Comfort Specs

The Tundra and F-150 have both been designed as full-size pickup trucks with comfort in mind, featuring spacious, comfortable seating. However, the Tundra’s seats stand out for their generous headroom and legroom. When purchasing a Tundra, you have the choice between an extended Double Cab model and a full four-door CrewMax model. 

There’s slightly more variety from the F-150, with Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew (crew cab) styles to choose between. Looking at interior trims, both brands range from basic to high-end luxury. The base F-150 XL and Tundra SR feature plenty of hard plastics, but the top-end Tundra Capstone and F-150 Limited are incredibly refined pickups. It really is a close call in this category.

Winner in this category: Ford F-150

Performance and Capabilities

The Ford F-150 offers a wide range of powertrain functionality. The standard option is a 290-horsepower V6 engine, with upgrades including a twin-turbo V6 engine, a 400-horsepower V8, or the 700-horsepower V8 of the range-topping Raptor R. In comparison, the Toyota Tundra offers a choice of twin turbo-charged V6 engines. 

The base twin-turbo V6 has 348 horsepower and 405 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque, with an upgraded version increasing that to 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. If you’d like even more power, there’s also a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 that puts out 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. While all three offer fantastic acceleration, none of them come close to the Ford F-150 Raptor R.

As for handling, the Tundra offers a steady ride with minimal body roll when taking corners. Steering is responsive, and you’ll barely feel any bumps in the road. The Ford F-150 does a fantastic job, too, but it’s not quite as good a job as the Tundra. Switching to fuel efficiency, however, the most efficient version of the Toyota Tundra returns 20 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, whereas the closest Ford F-150 alternative returns 25 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

Winner in this category: Ford F-150

Technology and Safety Features

As you’d expect from such reputable automakers, both vehicles are packed with the latest technology and safety features. The Toyota Tundra comes with a push-button start, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-sliding rear window, satellite radio, multiple USB ports, and even a Wi-Fi hotspot. All trims also come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The F-150 has plenty of similar features, though as many of them are optional upgrades, the Tundra wins here.

The Tundra also comes first when it comes to safety and is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense. This system’s advanced features include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warnings, lane-keep assist, pedestrian detection, and traffic sign recognition. You also have the option to add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, a heads-up display, a surround-view parking camera system, and more. 

Again, the Ford F-150 doesn’t include many of the same standard safety features as the Toyota Tundra — adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and traffic sign recognition are all optional upgrades.

Winner in this category: Toyota Tundra

Price and Value

The base MSRP for the 2024 Toyota Tundra is $39,965 for the SR trim. Moving up the ladder to the SR5 trim moves the price to $45,500, then $51,855 for the Limited, $62,105 for the Platinum, and $62,460 for the 1795 Edition. The higher-end TRD Pro trim starts at $72,130, with the range-topping Capstone trim hitting $78,845. RepairPal estimates that average annual ownership costs for the Tundra should be around $606, which is significantly lower than the $936 average for full-size trucks.

The base XL Trim of the F-150 is just $33,385, jumping up to $41,940 for the XLT. The Lariat starts at $57,480, and the King Ranch starts at $63,225. The higher-end Platinum trim starts at $64,915, the Raptor trim starts at $76,775, and the range-topping Limited trim starts at $83,010. The average annual cost to own a Ford F-150 is quite a bit higher than the Toyota Tundra at $788 per year.

It’s a tough decision all-in-all, but the Ford F-150’s lower starting price makes it the winner here.

Winner in this category: Ford F-150

Extended Warranty Considerations

Pickup trucks can be a great way to get around, but they aren’t cheap to buy, maintain, or repair. When you’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars just to get the keys in your hand, you don’t want to empty your wallet just to keep it running. Invest in an extended car warranty (more accurately called a vehicle service contract), however, and you can drive with total peace of mind.

If your vehicle still has an active Garantía de Fábrica, you can usually purchase an extended warranty contract via your dealership or directly from your manufacturer. While it might seem like the most straightforward option, these more traditional coverage plans can be extremely expensive for what you get in return. Because of this, a vehicle service contract from a third-party provider is the universally preferred option, offering almost as comprehensive coverage at an even better price point. Better yet, third parties usually throw in extra perks to sweeten the deal and allow you to have repairs carried out at any certified auto shop.

At Endurance Warranty, we have a range of planes de protección de automóviles perfect for pickup owners, from basic stated coverage to fully comprehensive exclusionary protection. Whether you want to protect your powertrain only with our Secure plan or need the all-encompassing coverage of Supreme, call us, and we’ll customize a contract to suit your vehicle and needs.

Truck Comparison FAQs

Do you still have questions about which truck to purchase? You might find the answers right here:

Which truck offers better towing capacity, the Toyota Tundra or Ford F-150?

If you need your pickup truck to have great towing and hauling capability, look no further than the Ford F-150. When properly equipped, it has a towing capacity of 14,000 pounds, much more than the Toyota Tundra’s 12,000-pound towing capacity.

Can extended warranties from Endurance cover both new and used models of these trucks?

Put simply, yes, they can. You may be aware that all new Toyota and Ford vehicles come with a factory warranty, but by signing up for an extended warranty before it expires, you’ll never need to worry about not being covered. Endurance’s wide range of plans includes plenty of options suitable for the Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150, from basic powertrain protection to fully comprehensive coverage.

Which truck is more fuel efficient, and how does this impact overall value?

Overall, the Ford F-150 is the most fuel-efficient (unless you opt for the range-topping Ford F-150 Raptor R). The most efficient version of the Toyota Tundra returns 20 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon on the highway, whereas the closest Ford F-150 alternative returns 25 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. In theory, a vehicle that’s cheaper to run is worth paying more for, as you’ll ultimately save money in the long run. More efficient vehicles should also put less strain on their components, meaning fewer trips to the auto shop and fewer unwanted repair bills.

Peace of Mind for Pickup Owners

Pickup trucks can put up with a lot, but no matter how tough they’re built, all components fail eventually. Unexpected breakdowns almost always happen at the very worst possible moment, leaving you stranded at the roadside and faced with an eye-watering repair bill. The only way to drive with total confidence is with an extended warranty watching over you — and Endurance is the country’s most trusted provider.

Since 2006, we’ve helped thousands of American drivers save serious money on the cost of car ownership. We offer vehicle protection plans designed to cater to an even wider range of people, with something for casual commuters, avid roadtrippers, vehículos de alto kilometraje, and even select luxury car models. Whatever your situation, we’re always willing to be flexible, so if our base plans don’t quite meet your specific needs and budget, we’ll customize a plan that’s more suitable.

Along with industry-leading coverage, you can expect some of the best-added benefits to the business. All Endurance plans come with Asistencia en carretera 24 horas al día, 7 días a la semana (including towing, fuel delivery, and lockout services), rental car reimbursement, and trip interruption costs as standard. 

New Endurance customers also get a year’s access to our Paquete de beneficios Élite, adding on tire repair or replacement, key fob replacement, up to $500 in collision discounts, and up to $1,000 in total loss protection. All you need to do is pay a nominal activation fee, and they’re all yours to use.

We’re also the direct administrator of most of our plans, so you won’t have to deal with pesky middlemen when you make a claim. Our award-winning customer service team is always available to answer questions or queries via phone or email, and the Aplicación móvil Endurance puts all of the most important information right in the palm of your hand. And, if you sell your vehicle, Endurance plans are also fully transferable to subsequent owners.

Automotive experts agree across the internet that Endurance is the best extended warranty protection money can buy. Call (800) 253-8203 para solicitar un Cotización Gratis, o tienda en linea para ver su precio ahora. 

If you’d like to read more, like how the Dodge Ram 1500 o Chevy Silverado stack up against the F-150, explore the Blog de garantía Endurance.