2024 Chevy Colorado vs. 2024 Toyota Tacoma: Which One Is Best For Me?

The 2022 Chevrolet Colorado and the 2022 Toyota Tacoma are two of the most popular small trucks ever made. Both of these trucks are back with their trademark performance and looks. If you are looking for a small truck that is functional, stylish, and can be a great family truck Tacoma has a lot to love. If you are looking for a small truck that can be a durable work truck with a lot of power in a small easy-to-handle body, then you probably want to look at the Colorado.

Both of these trucks are small, affordable, and have a lot that will appeal to people who owned the previous models of both.

At a Glance

Both the Chevy Colorado and the Toyota Tacoma are small trucks that serve as the downsized models of their full-sized counterparts. Since both of these models share the same niche, they have similar specifications. Let’s look at the main specs for both.

Overview of 2024 Chevy Colorado

The Chevrolet Colorado is the smallest truck that Chevy makes. It is perfect for people who are looking for a truck but do not want to deal with the larger models or bigger price tags. The Colorado starts at a reasonable price but has a lot of optional upgrades that allow the buyer to configure the truck exactly how they want. The options include a spacious crew cab, an upgraded V6 engine, or a diesel engine. This versatility allows drivers to choose a truck that is the best fit for them.

Despite being the smallest truck on the market from Chevy, the Colorado boasts appreciable power and performance. The base engine model comes with 200 HP with a max available towing capacity of 7,000lbs. These numbers are good enough to get most jobs done without issue. The maximum bed load is over a half-ton which is a marked upgrade from the old half-ton trucks that maxed out at around 1,000 pounds. The Colorado has a bed capacity of 1,500 pounds which is nearly as good as the bigger Silverado.

The 2022 Colorado’s appearance was recently redesigned to mixed reviews. Some will like the new aesthetic, while others will long for the more boxy appearance of the Colorados and Silverados of old.

The Colorado’s downsides include a barebones base package and questions about longevity. While Colorado’s starting price appears reasonable, the base model does not provide many of the most wanted features that the Colorado has to offer. The Chevy Colorado also has a history of not staying on the road for as long as its competitors. That being said, if you are looking for an affordable small truck that performs like a big truck, the Colorado definitely deserves a look.

Overview of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is a sporty small truck from the makers of the extremely popular Tundra. The Tacoma comes with a healthy number of options and a reasonable base package that includes Toyota’s new Safety Sense technology standard. All V6 models of the Tacoma also come with the tow package included, but upgrading to the V6 will cost you a few thousand dollars. Most of the most desirable Tacoma features can be had with the SR5 model, which has an MSRP price of just under $30,000, which is still very reasonable.

Totoya kept the same familiar look with the 2022 Tacoma that will be comforting to anyone who has had a Toyota truck in the past. Toyota did update the diesel engine design for the 2022 models, which some people have been clamoring for ages. If you are looking to get a diesel Tacoma the newest updates to the old engine will surely be a welcome change.

The Toyota Tacoma comes with a modest amount of horsepower (159 HP) and a lighter than average towing capacity that fails to crack 6,500 pounds. For light work or daily drives, the Tacoma is going to excel, but if you are trying to get a lot of power out of a small body, the Tacoma might disappoint.

What the Tacoma lacks in power it makes up for in longevity. Toyotas are some of the longest-lasting vehicles on the road, and the Tacoma has garnered top marks for expected road miles. If you are looking for a small light-duty truck that will last many years, the Tacoma is definitely a truck with a lot of upsides.

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How Do These Small Trucks Compare?

We chose five categories to break down and explain the basic differences between these two popular trucks. Each category has been given a winner. Hopefully, these comparisons help narrow down which truck is best for each individual driver.

Performance

Edge: Chevy Colorado

When it comes to overall performance, the Colorado has a noticeable advantage over the Tacoma. The Colorado has more horsepower, more towing capacity, and more options right out of the gate than the Tacoma. The Colorado will appeal to people who need the truck to work hard on a regular basis. The Tacoma’s performance is great for average people looking for a family truck but will leave workers and contractors looking for more. The Tacoma performs very well within its parameters, but it does not have the performance ceiling that the Colorado has. The Colorado does its best to perform like a large truck in a mid-sized body which is exactly what some people are looking for.

Price

Edge: Chevy Colorado

When it comes to the base price, the Colorado gets the nod. The Chevy Colorado is almost $2,000 cheaper than the Tacoma at the base model level. These price differences generally carry up through the different packages. The upper-level packages for both the Tacoma and the Colorado are almost identical (around $42,000), which includes the diesel engines. If you are looking to get a fully loaded truck, then the price differences will be negligible, but if you are looking for a steal at the base model, the savings that the Colorado offer will be appreciated.

The Colorado is not vastly more affordable than the Tacoma, but the price difference is noticeable. The Colorado gets a slight edge in price.

Durability

Edge: Toyota Tacoma

The Tacoma wins the durability category by a mile. By a few thousand miles, actually. According to market data compiled by Motorbiscuit.com, the Toyota Tacoma is one of the most durable trucks on the market. With proper maintenance and care, the Tacoma has a reasonable shot at reaching 300,000 miles. In comparison, the same data showed that only 0.8% of Colorados will make it to 200,000 miles, much less 300,000 miles. For some people, longevity and durability in a truck are tantamount. However, not everyone wants to drive the same vehicle for the next 15 years.

In terms of expected lifespan and durability, the Tacoma wins hands down. And it is not even close.

Towing

Edge: Chevy Colorado

The Colorado has better towing ratings than the Tacoma. If you are looking for a truck to do regular towing or have heavy loads that need to be hauled, then the Colorado has better performance numbers than the Tacoma. However, Tacoma does come with standard towing packages included with every V6 engine at no additional charge, which is a plus.

The towing difference between the two is 600 pounds in favor of the Chevy Colorado. That might not sound like much, but that equates to an extra jet ski, ATV, or pony that can be pulled by the Colorado over the Tacoma.

Safety

Edge: Toyota Tacoma

Both the Toyota Tacoma and the Chevy Colorado have good safety ratings. However, Toyota edges out the Colorado in just a couple of categories, putting it over the edge. According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings, both the Colorado and the Tacoma get top marks for crashworthiness in every category save one. The problem area is a small overlap front: passenger side. The Tacoma got a grade of “Acceptable” in this area, one step down from the top mark of “Good”. The Colorado only received a “Marginal” rating for this area of the car. That is two steps below good. That discrepancy gives Tacoma the edge over Colorado in terms of overall safety. But both of these trucks are actually very safe overall.

What Drivers Say

Chevy Colorado

One of the biggest comments that drivers are making about the Colorado is the underwhelming interior. While some people will say that the interior of a truck is not as important as the guts, it is an important part of any car. Drivers say that the cab feels cramped, the seats feel small, and the finishes look cheap.

The biggest pluses come from the features we already mentioned. Best-in-class towing gives the truck a lot of versatility. The bed is very spacious and can hold a lot. The truck is small and maneuverable and fits nicely into most parking spots.

If those important performance features are the things that people want out of a truck, they will be very happy with the Colorado. Just don’t expect it to be a road trip truck.

Toyota Tacoma

Drivers of the 2022 Toyota Tacoma continuously praise its off-road capabilities. It is a rugged truck with a high clearance height that does very well on rough roads or off-road. They like the composite truck bed and how the truck handles when the roads are less than smooth. The truck bed also has a power outlet included which is not a huge upsell that people often highlight but that many people found useful.

However, some people find the step up into the cab a little too tall. The interior trim packages leave a lot to be desired, and some were looking for more upgrades across the board in terms of design. We said that if you have a history of Toyota trucks, you will appreciate the continuity that the 2022 model provides, but if you are looking for something fresh and new, you will be disappointed.

• See Also: Mazda vs Toyota: Comparing Quality, Style, and Sales

Conclusion

Both the 2022 Chevy Colorado and the 2022 Toyota Tacoma have a lot to love. The Colorado will appeal more to people looking for a work truck or a hauling vehicle perfect for job sites, camping, or trailering. The Tacoma lacks a little in the way of performance but functions great as a family truck for people who do not need to haul a lot on a regular basis. The Tacoma also takes the nod in the off-roading category for those who like to get their trucks dirty. Depending on your lifestyle and individual needs, the Colorado or the Tacoma could be the perfect truck for you.

Featured Image Credit: (Left) Pxhere, (Right) magwood_photography, Pixabay