Aging Toyota Tundra Limited Gives All-New Ford F-150 Lariat a Run for Its Money

Available since 2007, the second generation of Toyota’s U.S.-built full-size pickup truck has gotten its last extensive upgrade in 2014 and will receive another starting next year.

Considering this, it’s easy to label it obsolete and cross it off the list if you’re looking for a new truck this year. Yet, if capability and reliability are more important to you than design and you’re on a tight budget, this truck deserves more attention.

We chose the 4WD Limited CrewMax trim with a short bed which has a starting MSRP (including destination charge) of $49,900, and we’re going to compare it with the F-150 Lariat Super Crew 4WD with the same bed length and a standard V6 EcoBoost. This model is available in dealerships for $53,810 (base MSRP including destination charge).

Although it uses the same design as the 2014 model, the Tundra doesn’t look that old from the exterior. This trim comes with a chromed front grille, door handles, as well as bumper and mirror covers, edging the Lariat in terms of bling (the F-150 pictured in the gallery features an optional 502A High package which includes the Lariat chrome appearance package).

It’s also equipped with 20-inch aluminum wheels as opposed to the Lariat’s standard 18-inch rims that can be upgraded to 20s for about $1,400. As standard, customers get automatic full LED headlights and fog lights, albeit without Ford’s cornering capabilities.

Under the hood, Toyota offers a single engine option, a 5.7-liter V8 that might be deemed ancient by many but considering it does not use forced induction to deliver its 381 hp and 401 lb-ft (544 Nm) of torque, it should prove more reliable on the long run than the F-150’s standard powertrain.

The Lariat comes standard with a 2.7-liter V6 EcoBoost good for 325 hp and 400 lb-ft (543 Nm) of torque, and although it can be equipped with more powerful engine options, including a 5.0-liter V8 or the new 3.5-liter PowerBoost V6 hybrid, these will add between $800 and $3,300 to the base price.

Considering the engine displacement and technologies, the F-150 Lariat is by far the most fuel efficient out of the two, with an EPA-rated economy of 21 MPG (11.2 liters per 100 km) combined, as opposed to the Tundra’s 14 MPG (16.8 liters per 100 km).

Equipped with the standard powertrain, the F-150 Lariat can tow up to 7,700 lbs (3,493 kg), much less than the Tundra, which can haul 8,800 lbs (3,992 kg) with the included towing package.

In terms of maximum payload capacity, the Ford can handle 1,762 lbs (800 kg), while the Toyota lags behind its rival with 1,520 lbs (690 kg).

For its truck, the Japanese carmaker offers the 4WDemand, part-time four-wheel-drive system with an electronically controlled transfer case, an automatic limited slip differential and Active Traction Control (A-TRAC). Ford provides a two-speed automatic four-wheel drive system which also comes with a electronically-controlled transfer case.

Inside, the two cabins are literally years apart in terms of design. Although it’s filled with cheap plastic panels, the Tundra Limited’s interior offers decent ergonomics, tech features, and enough comfort to satisfy your basic needs.

It features heated and ventilated full leather seats, a smart key system with push-button start, dual-zone climate control, and an 8-inch infotainment display with an archaic navigation system. Fortunately, the latter can be replaced by a smartphone-based navigation app, thanks to the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Limited also comes standard with a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system.

While far more modern, the F-150 Lariat’s cabin does not come standard with heated 2nd-row seats or a premium audio system (part of the $4,930 502A High package), but its 12-inch touchscreen with the SYNC 4 system is unquestionably superior.

As for safety, the Japanese carmaker upgraded the truck with a broad suite of standard safety features that can rival Ford’s Co-Pilot 360 2.0. The Limited trim comes standard with Toyota’s Safety Sense, which includes pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure alert, automatic high beams, or dynamic radar cruise control. The Lariat can be equipped with Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control through an optional $750 package.

Overall, it might look obsolete, but the aging Tundra will surprise many with the ample set of features it delivers as standard. Potential buyers can get everything they need on the Limited trim, without paying over $50,000. For the money, they get an extremely reliable truck that delivers plenty of power, convenience, and comfort, while also being equipped with a broad range of advanced safety features.

The F-150 Lariat might be newer and far more popular, but in order to exceed what the Tundra Limited has to offer, it must be equipped with optional packages that will widen the price gap even further.