2023 Toyota Tacoma vs 2024 Chevrolet Colorado

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma was a midsize truck that offered a more compact alternative to full-size pickups like the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado. Despite being nearly two feet shorter than the Toyota Tundra, the Tacoma maintained an assertive stance with its upright grille and tall bed, giving it a substantial look without appearing overly large. Toyota provided a variety of trim levels, from the base SR to the off-road-oriented TRD Pro, and introduced new packages like the SR5 SX and Chrome Package to cater to different aesthetic preferences. The TRD Pro trim, tested in bright Solar Octane paint, featured underbody skid pads, a TRD-tuned suspension, and a unique grille, making it a standout in snowy conditions outside Salt Lake City, Utah.

Inside, the Tacoma ranged from basic fabric-and-plastic interiors in the SR trim to more luxurious options with leather upholstery in the Limited trim. The TRD Pro model came with Softex leather-trimmed upholstery, heated front seats, and all-weather floor mats. The physical knobs for climate control and buttons flanking the infotainment system were user-friendly, even when wearing gloves. However, the Tacoma's interior design and technology felt somewhat dated compared to newer competitors.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado took a bold approach with its redesign, adopting aggressive, futuristic styling reminiscent of the Camaro muscle car. The truck featured rakish headlights and a sharply angled grille, giving it a distinctive look. Inside, the Colorado continued the Camaro-inspired design with circular climate control vents and a clean, horizontal dashboard layout. The trim levels ranged from the base WT to the off-road-focused ZR2, with each offering a variety of features to suit different needs.

The WT trim, despite being the base model, came well-equipped with a fully digital instrument panel, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, and an 11.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims like the LT added more convenience features, while the Trail Boss and ZR2 offered enhanced off-road capabilities. The ZR2 Bison, tested with additional off-road protection, featured AEV-stamped steel bumpers, underbody skid plates, and 35-inch mud-terrain tires, making it a formidable off-road vehicle. On paved roads, the ZR2 Bison provided a comfortable ride, although its off-road suspension resulted in a firmer feel compared to typical SUVs.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma came with two engine options. The lower-level models were equipped with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine producing 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. However, this engine was generally considered underwhelming. Most buyers preferred the 3.5-liter V6 engine, which delivered 278 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. This engine also came with a six-speed automatic transmission, with an option for a six-speed manual. The TRD Pro model, tested with the V6 and 4WD, offered decent acceleration in city driving but struggled to impress on highways, with noticeable wind and engine noise. Fuel economy was also a concern, with the V6 4WD model delivering an EPA-estimated 18/22/20 mpg and a disappointing 16.3 mpg during testing.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado offered a more modern powertrain lineup, featuring two turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines. The base version produced 237 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the Turbo Max version delivered an impressive 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth power delivery. The ZR2 Bison, tested with the Turbo Max engine, offered strong acceleration and a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds. The Bison's Multimatic DSSV dampers provided exceptional shock absorption off-road, while maintaining a comfortable ride on paved roads. The truck handled corners with stability, although some body roll was present due to its higher ride height.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma offered various configurations, including the access cab with clamshell-style doors and a six-foot-one-inch bed, and the double cab with a choice of a long bed or a shorter five-foot bed. The access cab's rear seats were tight and uncomfortable, making the double cab a better option for carrying passengers. The front seats provided ample cubby space, legroom, and headroom, but the steering wheel's limited extension made it challenging for tall drivers to find a comfortable position. The five-foot bed was sufficient for carrying gear, including multiple bags, groceries, and skis.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado was available in a single body style: a four-door quad cab with a 5-foot, 2-inch bed. The bed offered decent space for gear but was not as spacious as a full-size pickup. The Colorado's car-like seating position provided a comfortable driving experience, with plenty of front-row legroom, headroom, and shoulder room. The user-friendly layout of the shifter and controls was a highlight, although the low placement of the cup holders was a minor inconvenience. Second-row legroom was tight, especially for taller passengers, but the truck could accommodate five adults for short trips. The high bed wall and floor made loading items more challenging, but the larger bed steps in the rear bumper were a practical addition. The ZR2 Bison's bed space was reduced due to the spare tire mounted in the bed.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma featured a 7-inch touchscreen in the base SR trim and an 8-inch touchscreen in higher trims. Standard tech included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The interface was simple but outdated compared to newer competitors. The TRD Pro model tested came with a premium six-speaker JBL audio system and two USB-A ports. While the Tacoma offered essential tech features, it lacked the advanced options found in rivals like the Chevrolet Colorado.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado boasted an 11.3-inch touchscreen across all trims, with a logical layout and a digital dock of buttons for easy navigation. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital home button, and a volume dial for straightforward operation. Standard tech also included an 11-inch fully digital instrument panel, two front USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and satellite radio. Higher trims added features like wireless device charging, additional USB ports, and wall-style power outlets, making the Colorado's tech offerings more comprehensive and user-friendly.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma came with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and automatic high beams. The TRD Pro model also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear- and side parking distance sensors, and a surround-view camera. However, the Tacoma lacked more advanced features like lane-keeping assist and rear automatic emergency braking. It received four out of five stars overall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with five stars in side-impact tests but lower scores in frontal crash and rollover tests.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The LT Convenience Package III added reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The ZR2 trim included an underbody camera feature, and adaptive cruise control was available on certain trims. The Colorado earned four out of five stars for frontal crash testing and five out of five stars for side crash testing from the NHTSA, with three out of five stars for the rollover test.