The 2023 Toyota Tundra is the Japanese automaker’s only full-size pickup truck option on the market, and on paper, it offers some advantages over its segment rivals. One of those rivals is the 2023 GMC Sierra, and it’s an almost identical pickup truck to the more popular Chevy Silverado.

There are many differences between the 2023 Tundra and Sierra, but when it comes to the cost of ownership, it’s clear that one truck is more affordable in the long term.

Here’s how the 2023 Toyota Tundra compares to the 2023 GMC Sierra

Edmunds compared the standard versions of the Tundra and the Sierra, and it’s an even matchup in terms of their powertrains. The Tundra comes with a brand-new 3.5-liter turbo V6 engine, and it gets 348 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. In comparison, the standard Sierra comes with a 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder that gets 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. 

Both come with rear-wheel drive as standard. The Toyota gets 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on highways, for 20 mpg combined. The GMC, on the other hand, gets 19 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on highways, which adds up to 20 mpg combined as well.

That being said, the Sierra beats the Tundra in several key truck-related areas. For example, it starts with a 5-foot 10-inch bed, compared to the Tundra’s 5-foot 6-inch bed. The standard Sierra has a max towing capacity of about 9,800 pounds when it’s properly equipped. The standard Tundra, meanwhile, can tow 8,300 pounds when properly equipped. 

The 2023 Toyota Tundra will be cheaper and more affordable long-term

As far as pricing goes, the base Sierra starts at almost $43,000. That’s compared to the $40,000 base price tag that the Tundra comes with. This makes the Tundra the cheaper truck off the lot, but this doesn’t tell the whole story in terms of how much it’ll cost to own the truck.

Edmunds analyzed the two trucks and gave them an estimated five-year ownership cost. The Tundra came out ahead in this comparison too.

Over five years, the car critic said the Tundra has a true cost of ownership of $59,360. That’s compared to the $66,328 number that the Sierra got.

Since the two trucks have the same fuel economy, owners of both trucks are expected to spend over $20,000 on fuel across five years. But since the Tundra is cheaper than the Sierra, owners are expected to pay less taxes and less financing costs. 

In terms of maintenance, repairs, and insurance, the Tundra also has the advantage. However, the main reason why the Tundra is expected to be cheaper to own long term is because of depreciation. In five years, Tundra owners may lose about $13,389 to depreciation, and that’s compared to the $18,736 that Sierra owners are losing.

These estimates shouldn’t be taken as gospel though

It’s no surprise that the Toyota performed better in terms of its maintenance, repair costs, and depreciation. Toyota models are well-known for being reliable machines, and that helps them retain their value over the years. That also means that, in general, owners don’t lose as much money to depreciation, and they can sell their car for a good return in a few years.

That being said, just because it’s true in general, it doesn’t mean it will always be true. Car ownership costs can be impacted by how owners treat their cars. If Sierra owners take good care of their trucks, then their cost of ownership may be lower than a Tundra that’s being neglected by its owner.