Chevrolet Colorado vs. Toyota Tacoma: Mid-Size Truck Comparison
If you're searching for a light-duty pickup truck that can help you haul several thousand pounds while delivering impressive interior amenities and safety features, our Chevy Colorado vs. Toyota Tacoma review may be what you need to make the final call. Our toss-up will compare configurations, performance information, interior perks, dimensions, and reliability. After seeing how the Toyota Tacoma beats out many of its contenders, we hope to see you in our Toyota of Marin showroom.
Toyota Tacoma vs. Chevrolet Colorado:
Configurations
The first stop in comparing these two light-duty pickup trucks is a look at their available configurations. The Toyota Tacoma immediately wins with eight total configurations available for the 2024 model year. Each trim level has unique interior perks and features that can enhance your lifestyle and stand up to the challenge of your hauling needs. Choose among these options:
- SR
- SR5
- TRD PreRunner
- TRD Sport
- TRD Off-Road
- Limited
- Trailhunter
- TRD Pro
In comparison, the Chevrolet Colorado comes with three less than the Toyota Tacoma, meaning fewer options and less opportunity for various combinations of features. These five available trim levels include:
- WT
- LT
- Trail Boss
- Z71
- ZR2
As with many pickup trucks on the market, the trim level isn't the only aspect of building the perfect configuration. However, these two models differ regarding how much you can customize them. The Toyota Tacoma comes available with a 5-foot or 6-foot truck bed, allowing you to choose which length makes the most sense for your hauling needs. The Chevrolet Colorado, on the other hand, lacks the same flexibility by only offering a 5-foot truck bed.
Another point in favor of Tacoma is its diverse cab sizes. You'll have two options: a Double Cab or an XtraCab. The Double Cab option is pretty standard, offering seating for five passengers and ample space for any personal effects.
The XtraCab is a versatile option designed for drivers who need more cargo room from their pickup truck as opposed to passenger seating since it always comes standard with the 6-foot bed. This cab option uses a lockable rear panel and a pegboard to help you keep things organized. Plus, the additional floor storage comes with reinforced side panel pockets that allow the passenger seat to fold flat. Although a smaller size than some other cab options on the market, it offers great overall function.
The Chevy Colorado lacks the same versatility with only one cab option. This four-door option offers seating for five, like the Double Cab in the Toyota Tacoma.
Toyota Tacoma vs. Chevrolet Colorado:
Specs, Performance & Towing
Among the most fascinating differences between the Toyota Tacoma and the Chevy Colorado is the available engines. Both models in today's comparison have two engine options. The Toyota Tacoma comes with a standard i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbocharged engine capable of producing 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. On higher trims, the engine shifts from this standard outfitting to a more powerful i-FORCE MAX 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with a hybrid powertrain, offering drivers 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain enjoys greater fuel efficiency, but does not require charging like plug-in hybrids.
The Chevy Colorado offers impressive values but doesn't keep up with the Toyota Tacoma regarding power. The standard 2.7-liter turbo engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and produces only 237 horsepower, which is 41 horsepower less than the standard Toyota Tacoma engine. The Chevy Colorado uses its standard engine outfitting to offer 260 pound-feet of torque, which is 57 fewer pound-feet than the Toyota Tacoma.
The higher-tier TurboMax engine also fails to keep up with the higher-level engine for the Toyota Tacoma, offering only 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Although this engine option closes the gap between that of the Chevy truck and that of the Toyota model, it simply offers less power and less impressive engine specs.
A point in favor of both models, however, is their versatile drivetrain options. Both rear-wheel and four-wheel drivetrains are available in the lineup, allowing you to decide which type of vehicle you prefer depending on your hauling and terrain management needs. For those who like going off the beaten trail, the Toyota Tacoma has trims made especially for off-roading.
So far, our Chevy Colorado vs. Toyota Tacoma comparison has shown the Tacoma to be the winner in nearly every category. However, we have to give it to the Colorado: this light-duty pickup truck can certainly tow. While both models are capable of towing 3,500 pounds in their entry-level trims, the Chevy Colorado can tow more than the Toyota Tacoma overall.
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma is capable of towing a maximum of 6,500 pounds when properly equipped, while the Chevy Colorado is capable of towing up to 7,700 pounds when properly equipped. This is quite the difference in size. Thankfully, our showroom has a selection of used Chevy trucks for sale that can help you take on more adventures with similar towing capacity from previous model years if that's your top priority.
For all other drivers, we have the highly capable Toyota Tacoma, which keeps pace with the Chevy Colorado wonderfully.
Toyota Tacoma vs. Chevrolet Colorado:
Interior & Features
We've already talked about the different trim levels available for each model in our Chevy Colorado vs. Toyota Tacoma comparison, but how do these trims stack up against each other? The Toyota Tacoma may already be a more appealing choice due to its numerous options, allowing you to get more unique combinations of features. However, let's dive into specifics about the comparable trims for each.
Although both lineups of features are compelling, we see the Toyota Tacoma simply offering more. For one, The Toyota Tacoma SR comes with a standard smart key system and push-button start, while the standard Chevrolet Colorado does not include keyless entry and start on the standard WT model. Instead, you'll need to move up to the LT to get the same features. A manual tilt and telescopic steering wheel is another feature available on the base model for the Toyota Tacoma that the Chevy Colorado only offers on higher trims.
You can also find some similarities when evaluating Chevy Colorado vs. Toyota Tacoma trucks. Both have an available power tilt and slide moonroof and standard 17-inch wheels. However, the Toyota Tacoma also contains performance seats, which the Chevy Colorado doesn't offer on any trim level, and wireless charging, which the Chevy Colorado ZR2 offers only with an additional upgrade.
Those more impressed with the functionality of the cargo bed interior may be drawn to the Toyota Tacoma, which comes standard with four fixed cargo bed tie-down points, while the Chevrolet Colorado offers their own tie-down rings at an additional cost on the base model.
As evidenced by our deep dive into the interior features and perks, the Toyota Tacoma reigns supreme, offering more standard features and amenities than the Chevy Colorado. Additionally, some features available on the Tacoma simply are not included anywhere on the Chevy Colorado – and, if they are, you may need to pay more for upgrades, while the Tacoma offers many of the same perks at no additional cost.
Toyota Tacoma vs. Chevrolet Colorado:
Size, Dimensions & Cargo
If you're looking for a pickup truck based solely on exterior dimensions, both vehicles in our Chevy Colorado vs. Toyota Tacoma may be appealing. These two worthy models boast comparable sizes that are hard to distinguish at first glance. For example, the Toyota Tacoma is 213 inches long with the 5-foot bed, while the Chevrolet Colorado is 212.69-213.21 inches long, depending on your chosen trim.
As we mentioned earlier, the two vehicles have different bed sizes, with the Tacoma offering a 5-foot and 6-foot option, while the Colorado only comes with a 5-foot option. You can expect the length on some models of the Toyota Tacoma to, therefore, outpace the Chevy truck. For example, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma SR model with either a 5-foot or 6-foot bed is always 213 inches, but the Trailhunter model with a 6-foot bed and Double Cab comes out to 226.2 inches long, making the Tacoma truck a more appealing choice for drivers who want more interior space, capability, and cargo area.
Looking to the other dimensions, we see that the Toyota Tacoma is 76.9-80.1 inches wide, and the Chevy Colorado is 74.91-78.09 inches wide. The Tacoma rests at 73.8-74.6 inches tall, but the Chevy Colorado is 78.79-80.1 inches tall.
You may be wondering how these 2024 Toyota Tacoma vs. 2024 Chevy Colorado exterior dimensions translate on the inside. The Toyota Tacoma legroom depends on which trim you have selected. However, either Toyota cab offers more shoulder room than the Chevy alternative for a more comfortable driving experience.
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma is a slightly lighter vehicle. Its curb weight starts at 4,145 pounds. Alternatively, the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado weighs around 4,164 pounds in its entry-level trim. Overall, however, this is a negligible difference in weight between them.
Which one of these vehicles is your favorite in terms of dimensions and size? If you're looking for a nimble, agile, and versatile model that showcases its most important features in an efficient amount of space, we think the Toyota Tacoma may be the ideal match for you. Don't take our word for it, though. Book an appointment with our Toyota of Marin advisors and explore all the model's perks, trim options, cab sizes, and bed options today! We'd love to take you on a tour and test drive.
As you can see from the chart, the Toyota Tacoma has greater maximum ground clearance, which can also help with off-roading.
Toyota Tacoma vs. Chevrolet Colorado:
Safety & Reliability
We understand that drivers choosing among two light-duty pickup trucks want to ensure they're safe and reliable. We think these drivers will be impressed by the suite of features in both models. However, as of this writing, neither model has received their reliability score by J.D. Power for the 2024 model year. Therefore, we would like to focus on the technology embedded in each vehicle that might offer drivers more peace of mind.
Jump inside the Toyota Tacoma SR model, the entry-level trim, to enjoy standard Proactive Driving Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. While the base model Chevy Colorado WT comes with the Chevy Safety Assist suite – with Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Alert, and Automatic Emergency Braking – we find the Toyota Tacoma technology to be a bit more compelling and intuitive.
That being said, both vehicles come with a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Automatic High Beams, and a Backup Guide Monitor.
Perhaps a Chevy Colorado vs. Toyota Tacoma comparison of the warranty coverage you can expect from each model will help you decide which vehicle best suits you. Both models come with three years or 36,000 miles of Basic Warranty Coverage3 and five years or 60,000 miles of Powertrain Limited Warranty coverage.3 Rust Perforation Coverage and Emissions Coverage are also included with both trucks.
That said, the Chevy model offers one free scheduled maintenance visit. The ToyotaCare plan included on all new vehicles covers normal factory scheduled service for two years or 25,000 miles4 to help you keep your truck running like a dream.
Frequently Asked Questions
The better vehicle depends on your preferences, but the Toyota Tacoma certainly blows the competition away in a few ways. For one, the 2024 Toyota Tacoma offers more standard and available horsepower and torque than the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado. You also have more options with the Toyota truck, including two cab types, two bed types, and more trim levels, so you can customize your truck to your needs.
The Toyota Tacoma and the Chevrolet Colorado are comparable sizes, and some of their dimensions depend on which trim level you select. The Toyota Tacoma is longer if you choose both the Double Cab and 6-foot bed. However, they have almost identical lengths if you choose either the Xtra Cab or the 5-foot bed. That being said, the Toyota model is also generally a wider vehicle.
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma has the larger bed size. This pickup truck comes with 5-foot and 6-foot-long options, allowing you to pick a truck bed size that matches your needs. The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado offers only a 61.7-inch truck bed length, which translates to just over five feet of space. Therefore, if you have more to carry with you, choose the Toyota model.
In terms of reliability, the Toyota Tacoma and Chevy Colorado are similar. They are both built to be rugged vehicles that can handle towing a utility trailer or heading off-road. However, the Toyota Tacoma comes with ToyotaCare, which covers normal factory scheduled service for two years or 25,000 miles, to help you keep it in top shape.4 The Colorado offers coverage for one scheduled maintenance visit.