2023 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2024 Toyota Tacoma

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss presented a bold aesthetic characterized by a factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders with charcoal gray trim, a deeply sculpted hood, and a preferred blacked-out look, overall exuding the demeanor of a rugged off-roader. The new Colorado's styling was thoughtfully designed, exhibiting a balanced and expressive look without being overly flashy. Inside, the aesthetic drew some inspiration from the Camaro, as evidenced by dashboard toggle switches and round outboard air vents. While generally good-looking both inside and out, the design enthusiasm was dampened in its cheaper trim levels, like the base Work Truck (WT) and Trail Boss with their relentless gray front fascia and somewhat cheap interior materials. The Trail Boss, however, included practical elements like a front skid plate, enhancing its off-road readiness. In contrast, the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma embraced a more evolutionary than revolutionary design progression, retaining its Toyota truck lineage with slight updates. The addition of a hexagonal grille gave it a meaner, more imposing look, and the overall styling had become blockier and more angular while maintaining the familiar face of a Toyota truck. The base SR trim started with 17-inch steel wheels, moving up to alloys for higher trims. The most notable changes appeared inside the cabin, shifting towards a more squared-off, utility-oriented aesthetic that echoed the setups seen in modern Ford trucks. The MOLLE panels throughout the cabin emphasized functionality over form, even on the premium Limited trim.

The 2023 Chevy Colorado sported a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine across all trims. The performance varied by trim; WT and LT produced 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while Trail Boss and Z71 offered 310 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. The ZR2 model retained the 310 hp but enhanced the torque to a stout 430 lb-ft. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, and the Colorado featured a mix of drive modes and suspension lifts tailored for off-road prowess, especially well-demonstrated in the Trail Boss and ZR2 models. During testing, the Trail Boss displayed commendable off-road handling and impressive road manners, thanks to its robust suspension and forgiving tire setup. However, its fuel economy was slightly disappointing, averaging only 17 mpg compared to the EPA’s 19 mpg estimate. In 2024, the Toyota Tacoma switched to using turbocharged engines exclusively. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder i-FORCE engine was standard, delivering 278 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque across most trims, while the base SR was detuned to 228 hp and 243 lb-ft. An eight-speed automatic transmission replaced the previous six-speed, providing smooth and timely shifts, although it experienced slight turbo lag under hard acceleration. Toyota aimed to offer a distinctly different driving experience for each trim by installing varied suspension setups, ranging from sport-tuned shocks in the TRD Sport to bilateral FOX shocks in the TRD Pro and Trailhunter trims. Combined with newly standard disc brakes and electric power steering, the Tacoma delivered improved road manners and a more comfortable ride, irrespective of the trim selection.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss offered seating for four, though squeezing a fifth person into the rear was only advisable if they were a child. The cloth upholstery attracted pet hair easily but provided comfort, especially with the eight-way power driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support included in the Trail Boss Convenience Package II. Interior comfort might pose issues for wider individuals in the front seats, while the rear seats were adequate for taller passengers thanks to sufficient headroom and soft-padded front seatbacks. The cargo bed of the Colorado had a volume of 41.9 cubic feet, stretching just over five feet in length. It included features like the EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate with Chevy’s StowFlex storage panel and a Mid-Position tailgate capable of holding 500 pounds when partially raised. For the 2024 Toyota Tacoma, one significant change was the elimination of the Access Cab, replaced by the XtraCab, a two-door configuration designed solely as a cargo area with lockable storage. This area was cumbersome to reach via the manual-adjust driver's seat but more accessible around the flat-folding passenger seat. The new Double Cab models provided 41.8 inches of front legroom and 33.7 inches in the back, making better use of the space compared to the previous generation. The Tacoma’s cargo bed came in 5-foot or 6-foot options, with the XtraCab exclusively available with the larger bed. Enhancements included a higher bed volume, a camp fridge option, and increased beneath-seat storage for Double Cabs—features that streamlined utility and storage.

Every 2023 Colorado was equipped with digital instrumentation and an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, even in the basic WT trim. This system, powered by Google Built-in technology, offered state-of-the-art features like natural voice recognition via Google Assistant, Google Maps navigation, and access to apps via Google Play. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, OnStar services, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Trail Boss trim’s interior might have felt basic, but the digital interaction was unexpectedly sophisticated. Colorado also integrated enhanced trailer-towing technology, including high-definition cameras and surround views crucial for off-road excursions. The 2024 Tacoma made significant strides in its technology offerings. It now came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen with higher trims featuring a colossal 14-inch display. Running Toyota’s latest Audio Multimedia system, it delivered a responsive user experience, albeit minimally styled. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an optional Qi wireless charging pad, and USB-C ports elevated the infotainment setup. The 10-speaker JBL system with a detachable portable speaker was a standout feature, aligning it as a competitive tailgate vehicle. Additionally, the Tacoma offered pre-wired auxiliary switches for accessory control, a useful feature borrowed straight from Ford’s playbook.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma’s safety suite had seen significant upgrades. The truck now featured TSS 3.0, including advanced assistive technologies like Lane Tracing Assist and Proactive Driving Assist. New features such as road sign recognition and an emergency stop system added additional layers of security. Enhanced adaptive cruise control with four distance settings, standard blind-spot monitoring on most trims, and rear cross-traffic alert boosted the Tacoma’s appeal. Its newfound capabilities brought the truck up to modern safety standards, with the hope of earning top safety picks once official ratings were provided.