F-150 vs Tundra
Two makers, one class, one decision: the F-150 from Ford or the Tundra from Toyota. Your answer depends on what you value. The F-150 does better on fuel economy & range, and the Tundra does better on engine & performance.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Tundra wins
- Fuel Economy & Range F-150 wins
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Safety & Tech Tundra wins
- Price F-150 wins
- Engine & Performance1.4
- Fuel Economy & Range10.0
- Engine & Performance1.9
- Fuel Economy & Range4.2
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Tundra has 23 hp more power
Think of it as a tiebreaker rather than a deal-breaker: 348 hp for the Tundra, 325 hp for the F-150. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
-
The F-150 has better fuel economy
On paper, the F-150 is a touch ahead here, listing 21 mpg against 20 mpg. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
-
The Tundra has a bigger 14 in touchscreen
A modest but measurable lead goes to the Tundra: 14 in compared with 12 in. Screen size isn’t everything (physical controls and software speed matter too), but bigger is easier to read.
-
The F-150 has better highway fuel economy
The F-150 is slightly stronger on fuel economy (highway). The gap, 25 mpg versus 23 mpg, won’t change your life, but it isn’t nothing. Speed, wind and load affect highway use a lot, but the official rating is a fair comparison point.
-
The F-150 has better city fuel economy
If everything else were equal, this small edge would favor the F-150: 19 mpg against 18 mpg. City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | F-150 | Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 233.6 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 80.2 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 78 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 145.7 in |
Engine & Performance
Tundra leads
On balance, the Tundra leads the engine & performance section, just not by much. The Tundra makes its case with 23 hp more power. More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board. For anyone who cares most about engine & performance, the Tundra is the safer choice.
Total system output
F-150: 325 hp Tundra: 348 hp The Tundra’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
Fuel Economy & Range
F-150 leads
If fuel economy & range is high on your list, the F-150 makes the stronger case by a wide margin. The F-150 gives you better fuel economy. The F-150 uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot. Prioritize fuel economy & range, and the F-150 is where you should land.
Fuel economy (combined)
F-150: 21 mpg Tundra: 20 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (highway)
F-150: 25 mpg Tundra: 23 mpg The F-150 uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
The off-road & towing specs are close enough that neither gets the point. Treat off-road & towing as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Safety & Tech
Tundra leads
The Tundra takes safety & tech by a nose. Choose the Tundra and you get a bigger 14 in touchscreen. A bigger touchscreen makes maps and phone mirroring easier to read at a glance. Net result: the Tundra leads this part of the comparison.
Largest touchscreen
F-150: 12 in Tundra: 14 in The Tundra’s larger display gives navigation and menus more room.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | F-150 | Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.7L twin-turbo V6 (EcoBoost) | 3.4L twin-turbo V6 (i-FORCE) |
| Total system output | 325 hp | 348 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 400 lb-ft | 405 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | RWD (4x4 available) | RWD (4WD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | F-150 | Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 21 mpg (winner) Most efficient in class | 20 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 19 mpg (winner) Best city economy | 18 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 25 mpg (winner) Best highway economy | 23 mpg |
| Fuel tank | N/A (not specified) | 32.2 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | F-150 | Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | N/A (not specified) | 5 seats |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | F-150 | Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Max towing | N/A (not specified) | 12,000 lb Best towing in class |
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | F-150 | Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 12 in Smallest touchscreen | 14 in (winner) |
| Driver-assist suite | Ford Co-Pilot360 | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | F-150 | Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 233.6 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 80.2 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 78 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 145.7 in |
Price
| Spec | F-150 | Tundra |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $37,450 (winner) | $41,260 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The launch prices are close, with the F-150 just $3,810 below the Tundra. The $3,810 difference buys some advantages, not all of them, so weigh the areas you actually care about.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked launch. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the F-150 if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (21 mpg vs 20 mpg)
- you cover long highway distances (25 mpg vs 23 mpg on the highway)
- you want better city fuel economy (19 mpg vs 18 mpg)
- you’d put the $3,810 saving toward something else
Choose the Tundra if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (348 hp vs 325 hp)
- you want the bigger touchscreen (14 in vs 12 in)
- you’re comfortable with how Toyota does things
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the F-150 or the Tundra?
It depends on your priorities: the F-150 is stronger on fuel economy & range, while the Tundra leads on engine & performance.
Which costs less, the F-150 or the Tundra?
Going by launch prices, the F-150 costs $3,810 less than the Tundra. Prices as of launch; current offers may differ.
Executive Summary
Let me cut through the brand noise around the F-150 and the Tundra. I keep coming back to one thing: the F-150 gets better fuel economy. There’s a bonus as well: the F-150 has better city fuel economy. I’ll admit the Tundra has a point with 23 hp more power.
I think of the F-150 as the one for fuel economy & range and the Tundra as the one for engine & performance.
My pick: the F-150 for fuel economy & range, the Tundra for engine & performance, and no wrong answer between them.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.