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Silverado vs Tundra...my thoughts after 1 week of ownership

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by BamaBen, Nov 24, 2021.

  1. Nov 24, 2021 at 7:17 AM
    #1
    BamaBen

    BamaBen [OP] New Member

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    BLUF: I LOVE this truck!!!

    The Silverado finally broke the camel's back. After a 5th rear window leak and dealer saying 'not our problem', I let it go and got a 2020 1794 with 25k miles.

    Bought the Chevy brand new in 2019. First year of new design and was awed by the styling and interior. It was lipstick on a pig. 1 week after I got it the infamous rear window leak appeared. 6 repair attempts and 2 yrs later, it was still leaking. The infotainment system was full of quirks and bugs, the transmission is all over the place trying to find the right gear, had a bad towing shake, and the tailgate wouldn't open reliably. Most dealer responses were 'cannot replicate'.

    Driving: there's no comparison to driving the Silverado vs the Tundra. The Toyota has better handling, better throttle response, better transmission shifts, and more power. The Chevy felt huge even though it was a 1/2 ton. It drove like a pig. The steering ratio, body roll, and trans response were awful. The Tundra 'feels' way smaller than it is. The Chevy mpg wasn't all that either. 19 mpg with stock tires. Putting on 285 tires dropped the hwy mpg to 14.

    Interior and infotainment: Tundra wins hands down. The 1794 trim is fantastic. Everyone who's ridden in the Tundra comments on the quality. The Chevy infotainment had so many bugs and quirks it almost wasn't worth using. Climate control regularly showed "Climate OFF" on the screen even though it was on, the radio would freak out sometimes and go full blast and then mute without any inputs, phone connection wasn't reliable. Plain black interior was underwhelming and the seats were awful for long trips (my whole family agrees).

    I hated driving the Chevy so much I bought a 1997 Z3 for $7000 just so I didn't have to drive it. Sat in the driveway most days and only used it for Home Depot runs or to pull our ski boat, which was an awful experience due to the shaking.

    Now I make excuses to drive the Tundra anywhere I can.
     
  2. Nov 24, 2021 at 7:24 AM
    #2
    Kung

    Kung Dead sexy

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    Yep, your experience mirrors mine, except with a 2013 F150. It wasn't *terrible* but I had numerous small issues...but more concerning was the fact that they tried to claim stuff that was clearly covered under warranty....wasn't.

    On paper, supposedly the Tundra doesn't tow as much, maybe isn't as fast, etc.....but 99% of the time, when I see claims like that, it's obvious people haven't actually *driven* both trucks for extended amounts of time. When I traded in my F150, it was after 7 years of ownership, and I owned THAT truck after 9 years of owning a 2004 F150, so it's not like I hate(d) Ford. I just was tired of small issues over 7 years, with questionable support from the dealer.

    Meanwhile, I've had exactly one issue (a sensor) with my Tundra, and it was resolved ASAP. :)
     
  3. Nov 24, 2021 at 7:46 AM
    #3
    Clemsonman14

    Clemsonman14 New Member

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    Same experience. Came from a 2018 Silverado. Knew I was getting the tundra after the first test drive. Its a night and day difference in quality
     
    twotundra, IsaiahCanada and OHwendTrd like this.
  4. Nov 24, 2021 at 8:33 AM
    #4
    Refusuck

    Refusuck New Member

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    Si Tres
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    I learned in the early 80's to never own a chevy/gmc. They look good I'll give them that - but....dam the quality stinks.
     
  5. Nov 24, 2021 at 8:34 AM
    #5
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    Alberta, Canada
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    Boost Auto mirrors, RSB, Leer Legend canopy, Line-X bed liner
    Which transmission did you Chevy have? 8 speed?
     
  6. Nov 24, 2021 at 11:06 AM
    #6
    BamaBen

    BamaBen [OP] New Member

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    @Cpl_Punishment Yes. The 8 speed. I've never had a truck that would struggle to find a gear so much. Plus the towing shake. There's a TSB for fluid change that is supposed to help. My son manages a modern repair shop and they did the fluid swap and it did nothing.

    I've owned every brand of truck except Nissan. 3 Silverados, 2 Rams, a Dakota, and an F150. My 90s Chevys were pretty good. The 2000 Ram ok / 2009 Ram was crap. The Dakota was great. The F150 was bad. My brothers 1987 Tacoma had 287k and still going when he sold it in 1997. He towed a 20 ft camper across the country 6 times as an iron worker. Should have known then to get a Toyota and be done.
     
  7. Nov 24, 2021 at 11:26 AM
    #7
    Kung

    Kung Dead sexy

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    Spiffy console tray Spiffy N-Fab steps Spiffy Katzkin seats
    Out of curiosity, what year F150? I had a 2013, and while I wasn't the biggest fan of the 5.0L (it had plenty of power but the 3.31 gears hamstrung it), the transmission itself never gave me any issues. It'd occasionally shift a bit more harsh, but that as almost invariably when it was below 20 degrees or so, and it only occurred until things got up to speed. The 2020 Tundra I own does the sme thing, but it's far more behaved. :)
     
  8. Nov 24, 2021 at 12:04 PM
    #8
    damabo

    damabo New Member

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    Yup, absolutely agree. I bought a 2020 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss LT and it had the 10 speed transmission. Wasn't happy with it and did have a couple leaks from the rear window and the 3rd brake light. Traded it in for a 2020 Tundra Limited that had 5k miles on it. Could not be happier with the Tundra. Heads and tails above the Chevy.
     
  9. Nov 24, 2021 at 12:05 PM
    #9
    Hightide

    Hightide SSEM #88 - 3MW - ASCM #2 RGBA#Q

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    chadington von banks
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    RTR!
     
    Tileguy and BamaBen[OP] like this.
  10. Nov 24, 2021 at 1:17 PM
    #10
    BamaBen

    BamaBen [OP] New Member

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    @Kung It was a 1998 F150. We had 2003 models for work and they were ok, but my 98 was so bad I only had it for a year.
     
  11. Nov 24, 2021 at 2:09 PM
    #11
    poheller

    poheller 2018 Platinum

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    Scot
    The great state Ohio
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    Read up on this man, the father of lean manufacturing. We studied the hell out of him and Toyota. He is why Toyota make a great vehicle. Makes for a good read
    Taiichi Ohno: Hero of the Toyota Production System
     
    blanchard7684 and Pig Rig like this.
  12. Nov 24, 2021 at 2:57 PM
    #12
    Akaklutz

    Akaklutz New Member

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    I have been a Chevy guy all my life. But after several friends having major issues with their Silverado's and doing alot of research. I decided to buy a 2021 sr5 base Tundra last week.
    I'm 51 and this was my choice for the first new truck I've ever had.
    You nailed it Bamben. (Lipstick on a pig)
     
    DeesCrewMax, cowboyjack and Pig Rig like this.
  13. Nov 24, 2021 at 3:01 PM
    #13
    eagleguy

    eagleguy New Member

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    There is this guy named "Scotty" on you tube. He is a mechanic for many years and claims that around 2014 GM did a study and found that their truck was 25% better made than Ford. They then cut back on quality at 25% to save money and as an end result the newer GM trucks are crap or at least he says so! Just sayin.
     
  14. Nov 24, 2021 at 3:02 PM
    #14
    eagleguy

    eagleguy New Member

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    Good choice!
     
    Akaklutz[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Nov 24, 2021 at 3:02 PM
    #15
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    Scotty may be a good mechanic but he's very biased in favour of Ford.
     
  16. Nov 24, 2021 at 5:46 PM
    #16
    eagleguy

    eagleguy New Member

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    Likes Toyotas too.
     
    Cpl_Punishment likes this.
  17. Nov 24, 2021 at 10:49 PM
    #17
    johnvan

    johnvan OG

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    Rensselaer,New York
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    That's Scotty Kilmer I like him and also Sarah n tuned's channel,check her review on the 2022 Tundra:
    https://youtu.be/yQtkd4s0_Yk
     
  18. Nov 25, 2021 at 1:55 AM
    #18
    CMikeB

    CMikeB New Member

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    My "shifting issues" stopped as soon as I started using my Tundra's Sequential Shifter. On cold starts, I lock it into 3rd or 4th gear, depending on road conditions and speed limit. Another added benefit is brake-wear, my Mechanic tells me I'll get 100,000+ miles from my original brakes. Truck has 86,000 issue-free miles now.
     
  19. Nov 25, 2021 at 2:05 AM
    #19
    War Machine

    War Machine SSEM # 5 3MW

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    Never heard of that brand.
     
    Hightide[QUOTED] likes this.
  20. Nov 25, 2021 at 3:40 AM
    #20
    batman900

    batman900 Yep

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    I can also mirror OP with the 19 and 20 Silverados I had. Huge steaming piles of cost cutting. Almost a year and 8k miles with my Tundra, zero issues.
     
  21. Nov 25, 2021 at 4:05 AM
    #21
    mikesTundra77

    mikesTundra77 BRAAAAP BRAAAP

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    4 " ready lift kit General grabbers 35" Rock warrior wheels 17" Leather Clazzio seat covers KN intake StartX remote starter HRS sequential tails Custom grille+badge ME-SO map lights+dome light Lots of CHROOOOME
    I can't stand Scott Kilmer and his videos either. What an absolute tool.
     
    Rodtheviking likes this.
  22. Nov 25, 2021 at 4:15 AM
    #22
    maxdriver

    maxdriver New Member

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    Congrats OP...nice review! It handles even better with a rear TRD anti-sway bar.:thumbsup:
     
    Bulldog9 likes this.
  23. Nov 25, 2021 at 4:48 AM
    #23
    TundraMcGov.

    TundraMcGov. Your friend. Your foe. Not yo Ho.

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    It took 22 posts to get to THE ONE I want to bow to? Yup. It did. :woot:

    I would rather slide down a giant cheese grater, naked, after it has sat in the July Georgia sun for 2 hours than have to watch Scotty videos.
     
  24. Nov 25, 2021 at 5:13 AM
    #24
    Charliebrn

    Charliebrn New Member

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    Tyger Folding Tonneau cover Polished stainless running boards LED interior lighting VLED Footwell Kit LED Bed lighting
    Had a 2004 F150, V8. Pinion seal went out, the differential cover rusted through; went through 2 sets of calipers; vacuum relays were bad; door lock went; the 4WD actuator failed; and had to replace the blower motor. All in 3-4 years.

    Replaced it with a Nissan Titan, which ran well and towed like a beast. Liked that truck but it was a 2WD. Also, the interior was cheap, little stuff kept breaking like the window regulators, cup holder slide out, switches for lights, things like that.

    Absolutely love my Tundra. I haven’t had to fix a thing yet, though I did have to add the TRD sway bar in the rear to get it to tow well.
     
  25. Nov 25, 2021 at 5:42 AM
    #25
    eagleguy

    eagleguy New Member

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    I will keep my V8 2021.
     
    AircareTundra likes this.
  26. Nov 25, 2021 at 5:50 AM
    #26
    Bulldog9

    Bulldog9 "My other car is a Porsche"

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    see sig for mods.....
    GM took a nose dive after 2014.

    I've 60k and 4 years and my TRD pro rides and drives as new, better than my buddies 2021 GMC Sierra Denali.

    The only other truck I'd consider would be an F250 Tremor. A guy I work with just got one and it is impressive. Better be for 70k....
     
    AircareTundra and CMikeB like this.
  27. Nov 25, 2021 at 5:52 AM
    #27
    andnyleswillriot

    andnyleswillriot Not Remote Working

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    Toytec 3" w/2.5 Coilovers. SPC UCA's. Method Roost Bronze Wheels. 35" BFG KO2's. SPC Upper Control Arms. 2019+ TRD Pro Grill. LED headlight bulbs. 2020 OEM LED Fog lights. Tech12volts Remote Start. MobArmor Magnetic Phone Mount. Topo Topper.
    The "small" feel is why I love the Tundra. It's the only half ton that has a true off road feel to it, and I'm always amazed at how mine handles the trails with my camper on all summer. The short nose is also awesome, the downward vision is so much better than any other half ton.
     
    Bulldog9, Terndrerrr and BamaBen[OP] like this.
  28. Nov 25, 2021 at 6:33 AM
    #28
    2010bigdog

    2010bigdog New Member

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    I've been tossing around the idea of getting rid of my Tundra and actually went to test dive the GMC AT4 and the RAM and the interior on the GMC is so far behind and I don't understand but I think the RAM has the best interior by far. Just my opinion but I wouldn't get rid of my Tundra for the AT4
     
  29. Nov 25, 2021 at 6:39 AM
    #29
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    My brother has been happy with his 2019 SLT and I think the interior of the GM is laid out better than the Tundra with similar quality of materials. I don't need or want anything too fancy in a vehicle, though, so I'm probably an outlier.
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2021
    IsaiahCanada and Hoff like this.
  30. Nov 25, 2021 at 6:50 AM
    #30
    CMikeB

    CMikeB New Member

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    I'm keeping my 2010 till I see something that's good enough to get me out of it.
     
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