2020 Nissan Titan vs 2019 Chevrolet Colorado

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 with the Midnight Edition option package was a triple-black truck that was difficult to keep clean. It had a clean and balanced design, with the rugged ZR2 version adding functional styling changes. Inside, the Colorado emphasized practicality with basic materials and an organized control layout, though the plastic panels were prone to scuffing and scratching. The Midnight Edition added aggressive Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires, enhancing the truck's purposeful appearance.

The 2020 Nissan Titan was described as handsomely generic, with a stocky and masculine build. For 2020, Nissan introduced new exterior paints, wheels, and grille choices, along with restyled LED headlights and taillights. The interior of the lower-trim SV King Cab 4WD impressed with better materials, a comfortable cloth-lined cabin, and a new 9-inch touchscreen. The Titan showcased real quality, with features like a panoramic moonroof and a larger instrument panel display.

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado offered three engine choices: a 200-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, a 308-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, and a 181-horsepower 2.8-liter turbo-diesel 4-cylinder. The turbo-diesel engine provided the highest torque at 369 lb-ft and the maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds. The V6 engine could tow up to 7,000 pounds. The Z71 trim had off-road suspension tuning and Chevy’s Autotrac system, making it capable off-road. However, the V6 engine's throttle response was sluggish, and the steering felt heavy and numb. The Z71 suspension made the ride bouncy on rough roads, but the truck handled well on twisty mountain roads.

The 2020 Nissan Titan featured a powerful 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, paired with a new 9-speed automatic transmission. The Titan could tow up to 9,370 pounds and carry a 1,680-pound payload with the towing package. The Titan XD, a tweener truck, had a reinforced frame and upgraded suspension for higher weights, with a towing capacity of 10,880 pounds and a payload of 2,450 pounds. The Titan's ride was composed, and it was quiet with standard double-pane front windows. The Titan averaged 16 mpg over a 500-mile week.

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado had a no-nonsense interior with easy-to-use controls and ample storage. The front seats offered power adjustment and durable leatherette upholstery. The rear bench seat was cramped, lacking air conditioning vents. The Colorado featured corner-step bumpers, an EZ Lift and Lower tailgate, and a spray-in bed liner. The truck's maximum payload was 1,557 pounds, and it offered various accessories for added utility.

The 2020 Nissan Titan's King Cab had double-hinged rear doors that could lock at 90 degrees or fold back 180 degrees. The Crew Cab offered more rear legroom. The Titan's rear passengers had six cupholders, air vents, power outlets, and USB ports. The optional cargo organizer on the rear floor provided lockable bins and a flat parcel shelf. The Utility package included a spray-on bed liner, LED lights, cargo hooks, a rail system, and a fold-down tailgate step. The Titan also had a 400-watt AC outlet and removable storage bins.

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado featured the new Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with a 7- or 8-inch display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice recognition. Upgrades included navigation, a Bose premium sound system, and a wireless phone-charging pad. The tuning knob's user experience was frustrating, but the steering-wheel buttons provided a better alternative.

The 2020 Nissan Titan's infotainment system had an 8- or 9-inch touchscreen with higher resolution and faster response. The 9-inch display supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. NissanConnect data services included emergency dialing, stolen vehicle alerts, and remote capabilities. The Titan also featured a 7-inch color display in the instrument panel and the new Fender stereo. Nissan Safety Shield 360 was standard, offering front and rear automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and auto high beams.

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado had limited advanced safety technologies, with a reversing camera and Teen Driver monitoring system as standard. The LT trim could be optioned with forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning. OnStar subscription services provided additional safety features. The Colorado received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a 3-star rollover resistance rating and a Marginal score from the IIHS for front passenger safety.

The 2020 Nissan Titan had not been tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review. The 2019 Crew Cab scored 4 out of 5 stars from the NHTSA and Good ratings in all six IIHS crash tests. The Titan featured standard driver assists, two additional airbags, and two more seatbelt pre-tensioners. Optional safety features included adaptive cruise control, a driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, and 360-degree cameras.