Midsize trucks are the smaller version of full-size trucks. They have powerful engines and high towing capacity.
They are ideal for off-roading. They resemble SUV crossovers.
The sale and demand for compact pickup trucks are high in the automobile industry. The two most popular mini pickup trucks are Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado.
Key Takeaways
- Toyota Tacoma has a better off-road capability than Chevrolet Colorado due to its high ground clearance and advanced suspension system.
- Chevrolet Colorado has a higher towing capacity than Toyota Tacoma, making it a better choice for those needing heavy loads.
- According to various surveys and ratings, Toyota Tacoma has a better reputation for reliability than Chevrolet Colorado.
Toyota Tacoma vs Chevrolet Colorado
The difference between Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado is that Toyota Tacoma is the primitive version of a midsize pickup truck, while Chevrolet Colorado is the newer version of the compact truck. Toyota Tacoma is available in three generations, while Chevrolet Colorado is available in two generations.
Toyota Tacoma was launched in 1995. It is available in Access and Double Cab variants.
Toyota can tow up to 6400 lb of cargo. It has a standard control system.
Tacoma provides the option of availability in two engines and two transmissions. It also caters to a six-speed automatic transmission.
While Chevrolet Colorado was launched in 2003, it is available in two cab configurations. Colorado is large and spacious.
It can tow up to 7000 lb of cargo. Chevrolet offers power-adjustable driver’s assistance.
Colorado can be operated with a choice of three engines and two transmissions. Gasoline engines give average fuel efficiency.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of comparison | Toyota Tacoma | Chevrolet Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Toyota | General Motors |
| Awards | Tacoma won the Truck of the Year title in 2005 | Colorado has won the title “Truck of the Year” from Motor Trends for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016) |
| Pros | It is durable and configurable. It is ideal for off-roading. Tacoma has good driving assistance. | The interior is spacious and the seat of the driver provides control and comfort as it is lifted and wide. |
| Cons | The interior is not spacious and the seats are small. Automatic transmission is poor. Features are primitive. | It produces noise and the four-cylinder engine is weak. The cabin materials are low-grade. The safety features are not active. |
| Price | Starts from $26,150 | Starts from $25,200 |
What is Toyota Tacoma?
Toyota Tacoma is a compact pickup truck launched by Toyota in 1995 to perform heavy duties. It was initially available only in Mexico and the United States.
Tacoma won the Truck of the Year title in 2005. Tacoma is available in three generations.
The layout of the body is of a 2-door regular cab, 2-door extended cab, and 4-door crew cab. It consists of a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, or four-wheel drive.
The length of the truck ranges from 174 – 225 inches, the width is about 66.5 – 75.2 inches and height is 67.7 – 75.2 inches. depending upon the generation. The power output ranges from 142 hp to 278 hp.
The model looks like an SUV and consists of a large grille and projector-beam headlamps. It is built for smooth rides in rough terrain like loose rock, sand, mud, and off-road.
All three generations consist of 16 inches wheels, driver assistance technology, over-fenders, and an entertainment system.
The interior is small and offers both manual and automatic transmission. But the automatic is not much refined. It has a 270-hp V-6 engine and intelligent LED elements.
It starts from $26,150. Toyota offers a warranty of three years over Tacoma.
What is Chevrolet Colorado?
Chevrolet Colorado is a midsize pickup truck manufactured by General Motors in 2003. The name is inspired by the US state of Colorado.
It has a twin called GMC Canyon. It has two generations launched.
It has replaced Chevrolet S-10 and Sonoma. It has won the title “Truck of the Year” from Motor Trends for two consecutive years (2015 and 2016).
The layout of the body is of a 2-door regular can, 4-door extended cab, and 4-door crew cab. It consists of a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, or four-wheel drive.
The length of the truck ranges from 192-224 inches, the width is about 68-74.3 inches, and the height is about 69.1 – 70.5 inches depending upon the generation.
The model is available in both 8-speed changeable to manual and automatic transmissions. It lacks modern driving assistance.
The interior cockpit is spacious and has an easy-to-use infotainment system. The intelligent LED system warns about forwarding collisions, lane departure, and parking.
It has a huge towing capacity with turbo powertrains.
It has a 308-hp V-6 engine, but the base engine is lacklustre. The Chevrolet Colorado starts from $25,200 and varies depending upon the generation.
Chevrolet provides three years warranty and complimentary maintenance service for the first visit.
Main Differences Between Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado
- Toyota Tacoma has a 4-cylinder of 159 hp and 180 pound-feet of torque, while Chevrolet Colorado has a 4-cylinder of 200 hp and 191 pound-feet of torque.
- Tacoma does not consist of an integrated trailer brake controller, while Colorado offers an integrated trailer brake controller.
- The safety and driving assistance of Toyota Tacoma are refined and have features like AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking), cruise control, blind-spot warning, cross-traffic warning, and pedestrian detection, while Chevrolet Colorado provides average driving assistance features with airbags and traction control.
- Toyota Tacoma provides a mounted bench, automated sliding windows, and dual-zone climate control, while Chevrolet Colorado provides storage compartments, LED bed lighting, and a single-zone climate system.
- Toyota Tacoma offers free maintenance services for the first two years, while Chevrolet Colorado offers free maintenance service only for the first visit.
Last Updated : 15 August, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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