Is the Toyota Tundra more reliable than the Chevy Silverado?

3 Ways the 2022 Toyota Tundra Hybrid Engine Is Better Than the Chevy Silverado V8

The Toyota Tundra hybrid is better at some things, like making horsepower and torque. But is it a better option?

by Dan Mayfield

Published on June 17, 2022 5:17 pm

3 min read

Toyota is trying to differentiate itself in the full-sized truck and SUV world by dropping its venerable V8 and instead making its new 2022 Toyota Tundra pickups and the new Sequoia SUV all V6-powered. But they aren’t regular V6s. With an available hybrid system, they can pack a punch. But it’s hard to beat Chevy’s mighty 6.2-liter V8 in a truck. While the hybrid may have three very big advantages over the V8, does it make the Tundra a quicker or faster truck?

Is the hybrid Tundra worth it?

Is the Toyota Tundra more reliable than the Chevy Silverado? Is the Toyota Tundra Hybrid better? — The Toyota Tundra and the Chevy Silverado pickup trucks driving | Toyota, Chevrolet

The i-Force MAX is a $3,400 option over the regular twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 on Tundras, which Toyota calls i-FORCE. The new i-FORCE MAX combines the twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 with a motor-generator with a clutch between the engine and a 10-speed automatic transmission. The motor-generator provides power through the transmission.

That means that it’s smooth at engine start-up and easily drives in EV mode. It can also capture electric energy from the truck. The batteries are located under the rear passenger seats. The same engine and transmission are also available on the new-for-2023 Toyota Sequoia SUV.

The 6.2 liter V8 in the Silverado is a $2,370 option over the standard 5.3 liter V8 on the RST trim. It’s a $2,320 option over the 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 310 horsepower.

1: Toyota Tundra hybrid is better at making horsepower

Is The Toyota Tundra hybrid better than Chevy's V8? — 2022 Tundra TRD | Toyota

The 2022 Tundra TRD Pro uses a hybrid system in its new Tundra paired with a V6 that makes 437 horsepower. Toyota calls it i-FORCE MAX, the FORCE comes from the forced induction from the twin turbos on the V6. Ford uses a similar system in the hybrid F-150.

The 2022 Chevy Silverado comes standard with a 5.3-liter V8 that makes 355 horsepower. But if you want that big 6.2 you’ll get a healthy 420 horsepower. It’s an aluminum block engine, which saves weight. The 6.2 comes standard on the ZR2, and all big V8 trucks get Chevy’s 10-speed automatic.

2: More torque means better towing (usually)

Red Toyota Tundra pickup truck demonstrating its towing capacity by pulling a camper trailer. — 2022 Toyota Tundra SR5 | Toyota

The Toyota Tundra hybrid is better at making low-down grunt. The 2022 Toyota Tundra with the hybrid makes a very diesel-like 583 lb-ft of torque, which is great for towing and hauling. While that’s more torque, the Tundra tows less. The Tundra can tow a max of 12,000 pounds and has a max payload of 1,940 pounds.

The Silverado Makes 460-lb ft with the 6.2-liter. The Silverado V8 can tow up to 13,300 pounds in the double cab trim. With the crew cab – Tundras only come as a double cab – it can tow up to 13,200. It has a payload rating of 1,760 to 2,310 pounds, depending on the trim.

3: Hybrid power means better gas milease

Toyota i-FORCE MAX Hybrid motor in a Sequoia | Toyota

The Toyota Tundra hybrid is better on gas. It’s expected to get 20 mpg in the city, and 24 on the highway with the hybrid. Compared to Honda Civic, that’s not great. But, compared to Toyota’s previous V8? It gets a 7 mpg improvement, which is huge. The TRD Pro off-road and other four-wheel-drive versions pay a 1 mpg penalty.

The EPA estimates the Silverado with the 6.2-liter V8 will see 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. The lifted, and less aerodynamic, off-road ZR2 truck gets 14 mpg city and 17 highway with the 6.2-liter.

But is the Tundra faster?

Here's a blue 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 pickup truck splashing through a shallow creek. — 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 | Chevrolet

No. In a recent Car and Driver test, the 2022 Toyota Tundra was 0.3 seconds slower to 60 compared to the Silverado with the 6.2-liter engine. While 5.7 seconds to 60 miles per hour isn’t slow for the Tundra, it does weigh 6,107 with the extra hybrid powertrain.

Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.