Toyota Tacoma or Chevrolet Colorado: Which Small Pickup Truck Is Right for You?
The Toyota Tacoma is a perennial favorite among small/midsize pickups, but the Chevrolet Colorado is a strong competitor. If a full-size truck is too big and you’re shopping small pickup trucks, these two will be on your shortlist. Here’s a side-by-side to help you decide.
Cabin
Toyota Tacoma: Two cab sizes. Access Cab: ~34.9 in rear headroom. Double Cab: ~38.3 in rear headroom.
Chevy Colorado: Two cab configs. Extended Cab: 41.4 in front headroom / 45 in front legroom. Crew Cab: 38.3 in rear headroom / 35.8 in rear legroom.
Bottom line: Colorado is generally longer overall; Tacoma Double Cab has competitive rear headroom.
Cargo & Towing
Tacoma: Max towing up to ~6,400 lb with V6 (˜3,500 lb with 4-cyl). Toyota doesn’t publish bed volume figures for 60.5/73.7-in beds.
Colorado: Short box ˜41.3 cu-ft; long/extended up to ˜49.9 cu-ft. Max towing up to ~7,000 lb (properly equipped).
Bottom line: Colorado can tow ~600 lb more and publishes larger bed volumes.
Tech & Features
Tacoma: TRD Pro & Limited include dual-zone climate as standard; available on TRD Sport/Off-Road; SR/SR5 = manual A/C. 7-in infotainment (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto) standard; 8-in from SR5 up. Navigation/JBL standard on TRD Pro (AT) & Limited; optional on SR5–TRD Off-Road. Analog cluster with 4.2-in MID; off-road trims add inclinometer (roll/pitch).
Colorado: 7-in touchscreen (CarPlay/Android Auto) standard on WT; most trims get 8-in. Wi-Fi hotspot available; power driver’s seat from LT (six-way from LT+), climate control standard from Z71 (optional on LT, manual on WT). 4.2-in cluster MID on Z71/ZR2.
Bottom line: Feature sets are broadly comparable; specifics vary by trim.
Powertrains
Tacoma: 2.7L I-4 (159 hp/180 lb-ft, 6-AT); 3.5L V6 (278 hp/265 lb-ft) with 6-AT or 6-MT (manual limited to 4WD TRD trims). 2WD or 4WD; both cab styles.
Colorado: 2.5L I-4 (200 hp/191 lb-ft), 3.6L V6 (308 hp/275 lb-ft, 8-AT), or 2.8L diesel (181 hp/369 lb-ft, 6-AT). 2WD/4WD availability varies by cab/engine; no manual option.
Bottom line: Tacoma offers a manual; Colorado offers a diesel and higher V6 output.
Fuel Economy (example ranges)
Tacoma: 2.7L 2WD ~20/23 mpg (city/hwy); 3.5L 2WD ~19/24; 4WD typically -1 mpg; 6-MT TRD ~17/20/18.
Colorado: 2.5L 2WD ~19/25 mpg; 4WD ~19/24. V6 2WD ~18/25; 4WD ~17/24. Diesel generally most efficient of the lineup.
Bottom line: Slight edge to Colorado on efficiency, especially with diesel.
Safety
Tacoma: Toyota Safety Sense (pre-collision w/ pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, radar cruise) standard range-wide; rear sensors/BSM standard on upper trims, optional on lower.
Colorado: Airbags/ABS/traction control standard. Many active driver-assists packaged as options from LT upward; not standard across all trims.
Bottom line: Tacoma leads on standard active safety tech.
Pricing (illustrative trim ladders)
Tacoma: Starts around upper-$20Ks (SR 2.7L). V6, 4WD, and TRD packages increase price; TRD Pro at the top. See Tacoma prices by model.
Colorado: Starts just under ~$30K (WT 2.5L). LT, Z71, and off-road ZR2 step up; diesel/V6 add cost.
Conclusion: Which Truck Wins?
It’s close. Colorado offers stronger towing numbers, a potent V6, and an efficient diesel. Tacoma counters with standard active safety, a lower starting price in many configs, available manual transmission, and a reputation for long-term reliability. If safety tech and resale are priorities, Tacoma edges it. If you need maximum towing and want a diesel option, Colorado may be your pick.
Also compare: Tacoma vs. Jeep Gladiator.
Next Steps
Still deciding? Get a free consult from the Car Plus Finance team to match trims to your needs. As a leading Used Toyota Tacoma Dealership in Long Beach, we stock multiple years/trims and offer a complete finance department. Prefer other models too? Browse our used inventory or contact us.
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