Trying to choose between Tundra and F150

I currently have a 2017 Tacoma, SR5, with 35K miles and I need to upgrade to something that can tow more. I've been looking at SR5 Tundras, but I am also looking at an F150 XLT Powerboost. I have concerns about both Trucks: for the Powerboost, my main concerns are reliability and resale. For the Tundra. my main concerns are reliability (again) and gas mileage.

For those that have a newish Tundra, what are your thoughts? Are the engine problems fixed now? Is the gas mileage as bad as i am hearing?

Dave

 

Find a 14-21 with the 5.7. Gas mileage is not an issue when you are paying for reliability. I wouldn't even consider a Ford.

 

That is a hard one. I really like both trucks. I am not sure that either one is a "better pick". Buy what you like and fits your needs. I am biased toward the Toyota because they have been really good to me over the years. Both the vehicles and the company.

I worked in the automotive industry for over 20 years. I had the opportunity to work with the big three, most of the Japanese brands, the Koreans and the Germans. My default bias is toward the Japanese nameplates. I like the way they do things.

The Gen 3 has been bumpy. But, Toyota as a rule addresses its issues and as a rule has taken good care of its customers. Ford likes to let their issue linger and does not have a very good reputation for taking care of its customers. We can get into examples and exceptions of both but that would likely just make people grumpier.

 

if you are gonna get a Ford.

1. do NOT get the powerboost
2. get the 5.0

 

@GODZILLA

 

This is one of the reasons that a Ford is temping. Toyota dumped their NA V8.
The 5.0 is a good motor. It is not the 5.7 but then the 5.7 is gone.....

 

MPG will be within tenths of a mile per gallon when towing the same load. The smaller displacement engines will so slightly better unladen. I'd chose any Toyota over a Ford, GM or Ram.

 

Before any of that; what are you planning to tow?

If you are looking at an F150 be prepared for sub par build quality. Panel gaps, flimsy interior, weird rattles and pops. I could only stand it for 9 months before I came back to Toyota. Oh, and the powerboost is the LEAST reliable powertrain in the F150. Lots of issues, lots of recalls, though they all have that glitchy timebomb transmission. The transmission was the final push for me.

 

Yup. The 5.0 is also gets better MPGs than the TTV6 in the Toyota, both loaded or empty.

 

Ford w/the FP700 package for the win

 

and if you take this path....upgrade the oil pump at the time of install.

 

Reliability is the most important. MPG is secondary IMO. But you do you. I have a 2014 Tundra SR5 and it's freaking awesome!! Fords track record for reliability is nowhere near as good as Toyotas. Good luck in your search.

 

Normally, I tow either a utility or horse trailer which the Tacoma can handle. What's new is that I have a Kubota L Series tractor with a front loader and backhoe which, together, weigh about 6,000 lbs. I'm going to need a 2 axle trailer for that. I won't move that often, but when I do i need a vehicle that can handle it.

 

Reliably is paramount for me. I've learned that may not be the most important feature of a vehicle for some. There might be something that a Ford etc. may have that is a must have not offered by Toyota. I respect that.

 

If that's the requirement, honestly, I'd get a 2.5 Gen (2014-2021 - probably a 2018/2019) and be done with it. I semi-regularly tow 7K# with no issues, and part of that is through VA/WV mountains. Obviously gas mileage ain't great, but towing mileage ain't great regardless of the truck you get.

I owned a 2013 F150, and while I had no *huge* issues, fit/finish was nowhere near as good as my 2020 Tundra, and I constantly had little issues - almost all of which Ford *could not* 100% resolve. I've had *ONE* minor issue w/my 2020 and it was resolved ASAP.

 

Ditto. I've never been left stranded by any Toyota.

I HAVE been left stranded - in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of winter, with no cell connectivity - with 2 different Fords (F150 and F250).

 

Ok. We've had people come in with a similar question only to find out they were planning to haul their 10k lbs 5th wheel, which is too big for any half ton.

Back to the main point, the failure rate for engines in the 3rd gen has been declining with every model year. Things are getting better, but there are still some failures that have happened in the latest trucks.

Basically, every manufacturer is a gamble, some more than others. Pick whoever you think treat you best, or whichever has the best local dealership shop near you.

 

None of the above! Locate and purchase a nice restored classic F250 late 70's 460 gas or 80's, early 90's diesel. Built when trucks were trucks and still trucking decades later

 

I faced this dilemma also, had an F-150 before (1998-2005) and choose the Tundra Hybrid mostly based on too many friends and colleagues with F-150's in service for warranty issues, some of them significant and/or pestering issues and my good experience with the 2nd gen Tacoma. Also, even though I bought used, when shopping around the Toyota dealers were more realistic and reasonable with pricing/discounts. The Ford dealers I contacted were more challenging to talk to and get reliably accurate pricing info.

 

This new generation is amazing especially the hybrid powertrain. I used to have a 2020 sr5 4x4 and can honestly say that my 2025 is leaps and bounds better than my 2020 was whether it be ride comfort or performance. I also looked at a F-150 but found better deals on the tundra and also Toyota has way better deals on their extended warranties than Ford does. At the end of the day, I trust Toyota to take care of issues better than Ford would.

 

The only reason I'm willing to consider a Ford is that I had a 1997 Ranger 4x4 that I traded in 2017 for the Tacoma. That Ranger was a great truck, but maybe times have changed?

 

My buddy just went through the new truck carousel. No outstanding options. Recalls and warranty claims abound. The F150 was the cheapest feeling interior and the roughest suspension of all the trucks we drove together. The Ram Tungsten was tits. But it was buggy. He bought one, the engine took a dump 300 miles later. Swapped for a new one, electronic bugs abound. Couldn’t keep the lights off the dash after several ECU flashes. He just swapped for a Denali Ultimate. Can’t say I didn’t warn him. He did go babmax, so no 6.2 to worry about. All that to say, the F150 never came into serious consideration. He’s not a Toyota guy, so he wasn’t really considering the Tundra. If I were in the market for a new truck, I would buy Tundra.

 

They have. A lot.

 

What does "he did go babmax" mean?

 

Babymax is a 3.0L small displacement diesel option for 1/2 ton GM trucks.

Duramax is the GM name for its 6.6L Diesel offering in the HD trucks. Babymax is a nickname for the little one, not the official GM name for it.

 

Yep, sure! Me too.

 

Yes, the Ford Ranger was a great great truck!!

 

I heard the 6.2 just needs a new oil cap and its good!