2023 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2024 Toyota Tundra

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss was designed to impress with its rugged off-road appearance. It featured a factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders with charcoal gray trim, and a deeply sculpted hood, all contributing to its popular blacked-out look. The styling was well-balanced, with expressive detailing that didn't go overboard, and the interior echoed hints of the Camaro with dashboard toggle switches and round air vents. However, the base Work Truck (WT) and Trail Boss trims had a gray front fascia and a cheap interior that dampened enthusiasm. The Trail Boss did have a purposeful front skid plate, but the interior lacked color contrast. The Colorado offered both two-wheel and four-wheel drive options, with prices ranging from $30,695 to $48,295, including destination charges. Our Trail Boss test model, with several options, had an MSRP of $42,150.

The 2024 Toyota Tundra, on the other hand, had a massive grille designed for powertrain cooling, resulting in a polarizing appearance. Despite this, the Tundra's industrial design theme with camo-pattern detailing conveyed durability and strength. However, the cabin's plastic elements detracted from the overall build quality. The Tundra was available in Double Cab and CrewMax styles with various cargo bed lengths and trim levels, all equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine. The i-Force Max powertrain added a hybrid version of the V6 with standard four-wheel drive. Base prices ranged from $39,665 to $78,845, excluding the $1,850 destination charge. Our TRD Pro test truck, with additional features, had an MSRP of $74,295.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado was powered by a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. In the WT and LT trims, it produced 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the Trail Boss and Z71 trims offered 310 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. The ZR2 model matched the 310-hp rating but boasted 430 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, and the Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 featured an Autotrac 4WD system with a two-speed transfer case. The Trail Boss had a 2-inch suspension lift, while the ZR2 had a 3-inch lift and exclusive Multimatic DSSV dampers. The Colorado offered up to five driving modes, including Normal, Tow/Haul, Off-Road, Terrain, and Baja. The Trail Boss excelled off-road, with its all-terrain tires and Off-Road mode contributing to its capability. On pavement, the Colorado was quiet and handled well, with a comfortable steering effort and responsive brakes. However, its fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 17 mpg compared to the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2024 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro was built for off-road performance but also excelled on-road. It featured a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine producing 358 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. The TRD Pro's hybrid version of the V6, known as the i-Force Max powertrain, delivered 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. It had a towing capacity of 11,175 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,600 pounds. A 10-speed automatic transmission was standard, along with a part-time 4WD system. The TRD Pro included a 1.1-inch front suspension lift, skid plates, and various off-roading features. The Tundra performed well in desert environments, but its size and poor forward visibility were drawbacks. On highways, it provided an open-air driving experience, but its fuel economy was also disappointing, averaging 17.1 mpg compared to the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss offered comfortable seating for four people, with the option to squeeze a fifth passenger in the back. The test truck had standard cloth upholstery and an eight-way power driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support. The back seat provided enough room for six-footers, and the air conditioning system cooled the cab quickly. However, soft-touch surfaces were limited, and storage space was lacking. The cargo bed measured 41.9 cubic feet and featured an EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate with a StowFlex storage panel.

The 2024 Toyota Tundra offered a spacious interior, but the i-Force Max's battery eliminated rear underseat storage and a flat rear cab floor. The Tundra lacked some helpful features found in rival trucks, such as adjustable cargo tie-down cleats and a power outlet. Loading the cargo bed was manageable, but the tailgate release was less convenient. The Tundra provided decent storage space, but a dashboard shelf would have been useful. The seats were wide and comfortable, but the driver's seat caused some tailbone pain during long drives. The TRD Pro's heated and ventilated front seats were appreciated.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado came equipped with digital instrumentation and an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology. The system included Google Assistant, Google Maps, and access to various apps. It supported Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, OnStar, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Trail Boss's interior looked basic, but the digital screens were refined. The infotainment system offered real-time off-roading data and trailer-towing technology with high-definition cameras.

The 2024 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Toyota offered complimentary trial subscriptions to connected services, including Wi-Fi Connect, Remote Connect, Drive Connect, Service Connect, and Safety Connect. The infotainment system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the TRD Pro had a 12-speaker JBL premium audio system. Other tech features included wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera, and trailering assistance.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado offered a range of standard and optional safety features. OnStar provided SOS emergency calling and automatic crash notification. Chevy Safety Assist included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the forward-collision warning system was prone to false alerts, which could be frustrating for drivers.

The 2024 Toyota Tundra came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. Blind-spot monitoring and parking sensors were available as options. The TRD Pro's driver aids worked well, except for the lane-centering assist feature, which was less reliable on winding roads. The Tundra received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.