Chevrolet Colorado vs Toyota Tacoma — The Battle Between Midsize Trucks

The midsize truck segment is more competitive than ever, with the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma going head-to-head, combining rugged capability with advanced technology and real-world practicality. Below you’ll find a detailed look at each truck, followed by a clear conclusion about why the Chevrolet Colorado is the smarter pick for most drivers. 

Chevrolet Colorado — Modern, Capable, Tech-Forward

Starting Price

The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado starts at an attractive entry point, with the WT beginning around $31,900 and higher trims ( LT, Trail Boss) stepping up from there, giving buyers excellent value across work and off-road oriented models.

Exterior Design

The Colorado’s design balances ruggedness with modern, clean lines. Trail-ready trims ( Trail Boss, Z71, ZR2) add aggressive wheel and tire packages, a factory lift on some models, and protective skid hardware, so you get authentic off-road capability without sacrificing everyday driveability and comfort. The styling reads contemporary and purposeful, projecting capability at a glance.

Interior Design & Comfort

Inside, Chevrolet prioritized driver-first ergonomics and easy to use tech. The Colorado offers generous driver information displays and well-laid-out controls; available options like cloth or upgraded leather-appointed upholstery and smart storage (including EZ lift/lower tailgate with StowFlex on some trims) make it practical for work and daily life. Standard driver information screens and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen on many trims bring a modern feel usually found in higher segments.

Technology & Features

Chevy loads the Colorado with tech as standard: large digital driver information center, an 11.3" central touchscreen display with Google built-in, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and available wireless charging. Even base trims get a suite of connected and convenience features most rivals reserve for higher trim levels. 

Safety

Chevrolet includes advanced driver-assist tech across the lineup, such as Chevy Safety Assist and other available active safety systems. Some of these features include forward collision alert lane keeping assist with lane departure alert, and automatic emergency braking. These systems help with highway driving confidence and low-speed urban safety, contributing to the Colorado’s day-to-day usability.

Performance & Capability
The Colorado’s drivetrain lineup is tuned to deliver strong real-world performance. The Colorado uses Chevrolet’s 2.7L TurboMax four-cylinder, with higher-output TurboMax calibrations producing up to around 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque in tuned configurations, enough to reach a class-leading maximum towing capacity of up to about 7,700 pounds when properly equipped. That towing capability places the Colorado ahead of nearly every competitor in the midsize segment.

Why the Colorado Stands Out

• Class-leading towing for hauling trailers and work gear.
• Modern standard tech (large touchscreens, digital driver displays) even on lower trims.
• A comfortable, refined ride that works for daily commutes as well as weekend adventures.

Toyota Tacoma — Redesigned and Rugged

Starting Price

The 2025 Tacoma’s base pricing is competitive and comparable to that of the Chevrolet Colorado, with reported starting MSRPs in the low-to-mid $30k range depending on cab/bed configuration and trim It is closer to the Colorado’s pricing on base trims, with a starting price of $31,590, but often rising quickly as you add options and higher off-road packages.

Exterior Design

The Toyota Tacoma features a sharp, aggressive stance with pronounced off-road cues, including available Fox shocks, large all-terrain tires, and rugged bumpers on TRD models.

Interior Design & Comfort

The Tacoma’s interior includes premium seating and available big infotainment screens, yet many of those upgrades are optional and can push the sticker price up. Toyota focused on durable materials and off-road comfort, but buyers pay extra for premium tech and convenience features that are standard on the Colorado.

Technology & Features

Toyota equips the Tacoma with a modern infotainment system, available off-road performance tools, and an optional hybrid i-FORCE MAX powertrain on select trims that enhances performance and efficiency. Higher trims also offer advanced driver-assist technologies and larger touchscreen displays for a more connected driving experience.

Safety

The Tacoma comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, a comprehensive suite of driver-assist and safety technologies that includes features such as dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, and the pre-collision system with pedestrian detection.

Performance & Capability

The Tacoma does offer potent powertrains, including the Toyota’s i-FORCE and i-FORCE MAX hybrid systems which push output as high as the mid-300s in horsepower on certain trims. However, the Tacoma’s maximum published towing sits lower than the Colorado’s top number, typically around 6,000–6,500 pounds depending on configuration. In short: Tacoma is tough and capable, especially off-road, but when it comes to pure towing and payload breadth the Colorado gains the edge.

Why Tacoma Doesn’t Beat the Colorado Here

• Premium Tacoma features and hybrid power are often tied to higher-cost trims.
• Lower maximum towing than the Colorado’s best-equipped configurations.

Why the Chevrolet Colorado is the superior choice (and the smarter buy at Thomas Chevrolet)

Both trucks are competent, but for most buyers the Colorado represents a more complete package: strong standard tech, a refined interior, broader towing capability (up to about 7,700 lb when equipped), and a value-focused lineup that keeps high-value features available without forcing buyers to step into top trims. The Chevrolet Colorado’s superior balance of capability, comfort, and everyday usability make it the better pick for drivers who want a modern, powerful midsize truck without paying extra for options that should be standard.

Ready to experience the difference? Visit Thomas Chevrolet to see Colorado trims in person, compare features side-by-side, and take a test drive. Our team will help you pick the Chevrolet Colorado configuration that fits your needs, whether that's for work, the weekend, or both.