The second part of our Tundra v. F150 comparison, Features and Pricing, will evaluate the relative costs of the two vehicles and compare the features found on both. We will only be highlighting the features that are unique — common features won’t be evaluated. Also, we’ll only be concentrating on features that a non-commercial “common man” user will probably desire. Last, features that are similar will be compared if and when the difference between them is significant.

Interior Features:

F150

F150 offers the “King Ranch” package, a unique saddle-leather interior featuring “King Ranch” engraved seats, unique badging, and the F150’s highest level of standard equipment. Very luxurious, only the leather in this truck is very delicate and extra care must be taken not to damage it. F150 also offers the “Harley Davidson” package, an interior designed to remind one of a motorcycle. Very cool.

Ford also has available, as an option, power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, which allow you to adjust the position of the pedals. These are pretty nifty, but they don’t seem to make much of a difference in making the vehicle more comfortable for someone of average or above-average height. However, they do make quite a difference in comfort for people of below-average height.

Tundra

Tundra has some nice utilitarian features the Ford is lacking, including dual glove boxes, flat folding passenger seat (Limited), and a very smart center console filing kit. Additionally, the Tundra has sliding and reclining rear seats in the Crew Max. The Tundra also has a standard Bluetooth system, something that will come in handy for anyone with a cellphone in the coming years.

WINNER: If you need or want a very luxurious truck, the F150 is probably the nicest one you can find. However, we like the spartan “let’s get down to business” interior features of the Tundra over the F150’s accouterments. Tundra by a hair.

Exterior Features:

F150

Again, Ford offers the most variety of exterior options. A variety of wheels (up to 22″ on the Harley edition), paint schemes (two-tone and monochromatic), chrome upgrade packages, etc. But perhaps the best exterior feature of the F150 is the ability to choose from almost all of the different options and purchase only the options you want (though you may have to special order).

Tundra

Tundra offers fewer options for the exterior of the Tundra than Ford offers on the F150. However, Toyota’s lack of options is a blessing to anyone who’s tried to figure out just what every F150 option is. Sometimes, simple is just, well, simple. We also like the manually extending mirrors on the Tundra over the F150’s oversize standard mirrors, and Toyota’s deck-rail-system is nice for securing light loads.

WINNER: Who cares? We’re not buying a truck based on how it looks. But if you ask us, the Tundra looks cooler.

Safety Features :

F150 has excellent crash test ratings from both the IIHS and the NHTSA tests, with even a “Top Pick” to it’s name. Tundra has yet to be tested by the IIHS, but it seems they’ll be lucky to perform as well. As important as crash test ratings are, surviving a crash isn’t important if you never get in one. With the new Tundra you get vehicle stability and traction control systems that work to keep the truck glued to the road. The effectiveness of these systems is beyond question — so much so that Ford includes this system as standard equipment in their SUV’s (you know, the SUVs that everyone thought were rollover risks a few years back). In our opinion, Ford’s complete lack of any electronic stability and/or traction control systems on all but the Harley Davidson F150 is unforgivable. These features can mean the difference between staying on the road and flying off it.

WINNER: Tundra, by a mile.

Pricing:

It really shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that the Tundra has a higher up-front cost than the F150. Like the saying goes, you get what you pay for. But don’t let Tundra’s higher initial costs fool you — the Tundra is the less expensive vehicle to own. Because Toyota products enjoy higher-than-average resale value, you can rest assured that a previously-owned Tundra will always be worth more than a similar F150. How much more? Depending on time of ownership, mileage, and condition, Toyota trucks usually appraise about 12% higher than Fords.

Furthermore, Toyota’s high reliability means fewer repairs and expenses down the road. When you combine the higher resale with the lower estimated repair costs, the Tundra’s higher initial cost is almost always recuperated.

WINNER: Tundra’s higher price is offset by higher resale values and lower ownership costs. Unless you can’t afford it, the Toyota Tundra is the way to go.

Up next in our Tundra v. F150 comparision — Part III: Ride, Handling, and Comfort.

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