Every year when manufacturers have released their latest additions, truck enthusiasts are eager to see which vehicles come out on top. Two of the most popular pickup truck options on the market, with good reason, are the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma. Both are excellent and reliable vehicles, so it's important to understand the details of each in order to determine which truck is the right choice for your professional or personal needs.
Chevrolet Colorado vs. Toyota Tacoma
If you're interested in the differences between the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma, here are the key takeaways:
- The Tacoma is available in more trims, with a lower baseline price and higher premium trim price.
- Both vehicles have comparable towing capabilities, with the Colorado holding a slight capacity edge and improved fuel economy.
- The Colorado features a larger maximum bed size, while the Tacoma has a slightly higher maximum payload capacity.
- The Colorado offers a larger cabin size for more comfortable riding.
Chevrolet Colorado vs. Toyota Tacoma: Price & Trim Levels
When shopping for your next truck, it's important to look into the different trim options available for the models you consider. Finding the right trim can be as important as finding the right make and model, with different options allowing you to customize your truck to meet your needs as accurately as possible.
The Toyota Tacoma offers seven different trims for you to choose from, providing you with plenty of options in order to tailor your truck to your needs. The base SR trim has an MSRP of $26,150, with multiple trim options offering different perks and amenities. The high-end Limited trim begins retailing at $38,905, while the top-of-the-line TRD Pro offering checks in at $44,075.
Although the Chevrolet Colorado does not have as many options, with four different trims to choose from there is still plenty of room to customize your next purchase to match your preferred uses. The baseline WT trim retails for $27,100, while the slightly more comfort-oriented LT trim increases that base by $600. The Z71 retails for $35,500 and is the optimal choice for anyone looking to tow, while drivers seeking an off-road experience can try the ZR2, beginning at $41,600.
Chevrolet Colorado vs. Toyota Tacoma: Performance
There are few considerations higher on the average pickup truck owner's list of priorities than its performance. What's going on under the hood of your truck has a significant impact on what you can use your truck for and the capabilities it provides. While both the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma offer strong performance, there are significant differences to consider.
The Toyota Tacoma comes with two engine options, with both capable of operating in rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. The 2.7-liter inline four-cylinder engine delivers 159 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, while earning fuel economy marks as high as 20 mpg city and 23 mpg highway in rear-wheel drive. The 3.5-liter V-6 engine increases the horsepower and torque to 278 and 265, respectively, in exchange for a dip in fuel economy. Towing capacity is an important consideration for any pickup truck, with the Tacoma ranging from 3,500 pounds to 6,800 pounds depending on configuration.
Like the Tacoma, the Chevrolet Colorado has two engine options, with a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder and a 3.6-liter V-6. The inline four-cylinder engine generates 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, while the V-6 improves those numbers to 390 horsepower and 275 pound-feet. The Colorado also improves on towing capacity slightly, with the same 3,500 pound limit for base configurations, but with a maximum upgrade of up to 7,000 pounds. It also offers significantly improved fuel economy, with performance as high as 20 mpg city and 30 mpg on the highway.
Chevrolet Colorado vs. Toyota Tacoma: Exterior
When it comes to exterior features on a pickup truck, it all comes down to one thing — your truck bed. Finding a truck that has the bed size and payload capacity you need for your work ensures that you get maximum functionality out of your next truck. Anytime you're comparing two pickups, it's beneficial to look at what each one is packing behind the cab to determine if it can meet your needs.
The Toyota Tacoma offers some excellent marks when it comes to its bed, with options ranging from a 60-inch bed to a 73.2-inch bed depending on the size of your cab and the trim that you choose. The Tacoma also has a broad range of payload capacity, spreading from 1,050 pounds all the way up to 1,685 pounds.
The Chevrolet Colorado improves on those truck bed numbers, increasing both the low-end and high-end numbers slightly, with marks of 61.2 inches and 74.4 inches, respectively. One area where there is significantly less variation between the trims on the Chevrolet Colorado is in payload capacity, with the minimum performance starting at 1,270 pounds, while a Colorado set for maximum payload capacity can handle up to 1,560 pounds.
Chevrolet Colorado vs. Toyota Tacoma: Interior
When the time comes to load your truck up for a drive, whether it's to a work site or a weekend away with friends, the interior cabin is an important consideration. Both the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma have seating for four or five depending on the configuration. While the Tacoma checks in with rear seating and cargo space ranging from 28.1 cubic feet to 42.6 cubic feet, the Chevrolet Colorado offers an expanded interior size with up to 49.9 cubic feet of interior cargo capacity.
Discover the Chevrolet Colorado in Dayton
If you think that the Chevrolet Colorado might be the right truck for you, let the staff at White Allen Chevrolet in Dayton help you find out. Our team can get you behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Colorado for a test drive so you can see how it feels, then discuss your options with you to help you find a new or used Chevrolet Colorado that you love. If you have any questions, feel free to call us or contact us online and a member of our staff will answer them as soon as possible.