Compare the2026 Chevrolet ColoradoVS 2025 Toyota Tacoma

The Colorado has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the Tacoma’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Colorado has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Braking automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Toyota charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Tacoma.

Both the Colorado and the Tacoma have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Colorado is safer than the Toyota Tacoma:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Colorado is safer than the Toyota Tacoma:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Colorado’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Tacoma’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are over 2 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Toyota dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Colorado’s warranty.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Colorado has a standard 800-amp battery. The Tacoma’s 776-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in initial quality. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

The Colorado’s 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 82 more horsepower (310 vs. 228) and 187 lbs.-ft. more torque (430 vs. 243) than the Tacoma SR’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Colorado’s 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 40 more horsepower (310 vs. 270) and 120 lbs.-ft. more torque (430 vs. 310) than the Tacoma’s optional 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder. The Colorado’s 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (310 vs. 278) and 113 lbs.-ft. more torque (430 vs. 317) than the Tacoma’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Colorado is faster than the Toyota Tacoma turbo 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Colorado’s fuel efficiency. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The Colorado has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Tacoma (21.4 vs. 18.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The Colorado has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Colorado higher (6 out of 10) than the Toyota Tacoma (4 to 6). This means the Colorado produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Tacoma every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Colorado’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Tacoma:

The Colorado stops much shorter than the Tacoma:

For better traction, the Colorado has larger standard tires than the Tacoma (255/65R17 vs. 245/70R17). The Colorado ZR2 Bison’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Tacoma (315/70R17 vs. 265/70R17).

The Colorado Trail Boss’ optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tacoma Double Cab TRD Sport/Limited’s 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Colorado Trail Boss offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Tacoma’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

The Colorado has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Tacoma doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Colorado LT 4x4 handles at .78 G’s, while the Tacoma 5-ft. bed TRD Pro Double Cab pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Colorado LT 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.6 seconds quicker than the Tacoma 5-ft. bed Trailhunter Double Cab (27 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 29.6 seconds @ .55 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Colorado’s turning circle is tighter than the Tacoma’s:

For greater off-road capability the Colorado ZR2 Bison has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Tacoma 5-ft. bed TRD Pro Double Cab (12.2 vs. 11.5 inches), allowing the Colorado to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Colorado WT is 1 foot, 1.5 inches shorter than the Tacoma 6-ft. bed Double Cab, making the Colorado easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Colorado uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Tacoma doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Colorado has a much larger cargo box than the Tacoma Double Cab shortbed (41.9 vs. 39 cubic feet).

The Colorado’s cargo box is larger than the Tacoma’s in every dimension:

The Chevrolet Colorado has a standard CornerStep, which allows for much easier access to the cargo area. The Toyota Tacoma doesn’t offer a rear cargo step.

Both the Colorado and Tacoma have bed indentations that accommodate 2x4’s for two-tiered loading, but the Colorado also has indentations to separate the cargo box into three different sections length-wise.

The Colorado has stake post holes, to allow the containment of tall, light loads. The Tacoma doesn’t offer stake post holes.

The Colorado’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Tacoma’s (7700 vs. 3500 pounds).

The Colorado Trail Boss/Z71/ZR2 can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Colorado can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Tacoma can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Colorado has a much higher standard payload capacity than the Tacoma:

The Colorado has a much higher maximum payload capacity than the Tacoma (1710 vs. 1495 lbs.).

When two different drivers share the Colorado (except WT/Trail Boss/LT), the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Colorado (except WT/LT/Trail Boss)’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Tacoma doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Colorado’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Tacoma doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system, and its Safety Connect™ can’t unlock the doors if the vehicle doesn’t have cell phone reception or the driver can’t contact the service.

The Colorado offers an optional center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Tacoma doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

Both the Colorado and the Tacoma offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Colorado has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Tacoma doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its April 2024 issue and the Chevrolet Colorado LT 4x4 won out over the Toyota Tacoma 5-ft. bed TRD Sport Double Cab 4x4.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Colorado second among midsize pickups in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Tacoma isn’t in the top three.

Motor Trend selected the Colorado as their 2024 Truck of the Year. The Tacoma has never been chosen.