There are plenty of automakers who'd love a bigger slice of the lucrative full-size pickup truck market, but our big domestic manufacturers continue to rule supreme. Toyota is one of those trying to pinch sales from the usual suspects so let's see how the Toyota Tundra measures up to America's favorite vehicle of all: the 2018 Ford F-150.

2018 Ford F-150 vs Toyota Tundra

First Impressions

This year the F-150 has had a few revisions to make it more in keeping with its Super Duty big brothers. The Ford still has that iconic pickup truck look. And although the Tundra is from a foreign manufacturer, it looks a lot like a domestic truck. It has a hint of Ram about it with its big front grille, but it's not as appealing a design overall as that of the F-150.

Configurations

Toyota has adopted a simpler approach to trim levels and configurations than most full-size pickup truck manufacturers, for better or worse. There are two cabs, two engines and four trim levels to choose between with the Tundra, fewer choices compared to many of its rivals.

By way of complete contrast, the Ford has three cabs, three beds, seven trim levels, five engines and more options than you can name. Basically, if you want a full-size pickup to suit your exact needs, that truck will be a 2018 Ford F-150.

Capability

Outright capability might not be the be-all and end-all for trucks like these anymore as more and more people are buying them as family vehicles these days, but it still matters to a lot of buyers. The Ford has a maximum towing capacity of 13,200 pounds and a maximum payload rating of 3,270 pounds, which is likely more than enough for most. Unfortunately for the Toyota, its maximum payload is just 1,730 pounds, and the most it can tow is 10,200 pounds. Admittedly, that will satisfy plenty for many buyers, but it's a far short of what the F-150 has to offer.

Durability and Reliability

A truck doesn't become as successful as the F-150 if it's unreliable, but according to J.D. Power and Associates, the Ford gets a score of three out of five which is officially "about average." Toyota pickups have a reputation around the globe of being almost indestructible, and that's backed up by a rating for the Tundra of four out of five, meaning the Toyota is considered "better than most."

Conclusion

There's no doubt that if you want a pickup that will work hard and run forever you'll be well served by a Toyota Tundra. However, by just about every other measure we can think of the 2018 Ford F-150 is easily the better truck here and it's easy to see why it continues to be America's favorite vehicle of all. Oh yes, and the F-150 is more affordable than the Tundra too.