If you're cross-shopping mid-size pickup trucks in Park City, Utah, two names keep coming up. The Chevy Colorado and the Toyota Tacoma both have loyal followings, but they take different approaches to power, off-road capability, and everyday comfort. The team at Karl Malone Chevy Park City put together this guide to help you compare the two.
Meet The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado
The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado comes in five trim levels:
- WT and LT: 237 horsepower, standard 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder
- Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2: 310 horsepower, 430 lb-ft of torque with the upgraded TurboMax engine
All five trims share the same 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder platform, just tuned differently depending on trim.
All Colorado trims pair with an 8-speed automatic transmission. There's no manual transmission option on this truck. Every Colorado also comes in a crew cab body style, so you get four full doors and seating capacity for five no matter which trim you choose.
Meet The 2025 And 2026 Toyota Tacoma
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma arrived as a full redesign, dropping the old V6 engine in favor of turbocharged four-cylinder power, including the i-FORCE MAX hybrid. The 2025 model carried that redesign forward, and the 2026 Tacoma keeps the same core engines with some styling and equipment updates.
Engine options:
- i-FORCE 2.4L turbo (SR trim): 228 horsepower
- i-FORCE 2.4L turbo (SR5 and higher): 278 horsepower
- i-FORCE MAX hybrid: 326 horsepower, 465 lb-ft of torque, standard on TRD Pro and Trailhunter
Trim levels: SR, SR5, TRD PreRunner, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Trailhunter, Limited, and TRD Pro. That's eight trims total, more variety than the Colorado offers.
Transmissions: Most trims pair with an 8-speed automatic. The SR, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road also offer a six-speed manual for drivers who want more control.
Towing Capacity Compared
Towing capacity is one of the biggest differences between these two trucks. The Colorado's TurboMax engine gives it a towing capacity of up to 7,700 pounds on the WT, LT, Trail Boss, and Z71 trims. The off-road-focused ZR2 drops to 6,000 pounds because of its heavier suspension gear.
The Tacoma tops out lower, with a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds on the gas-only i-FORCE engine. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid trims max out around 6,000 pounds. If towing a heavier trailer or camper is your top priority, the Colorado has the edge.
Fuel Economy And Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency leans slightly in Toyota's favor. The gas-only Tacoma gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city and up to 26 mpg highway in rear-wheel drive form. The i-FORCE MAX hybrid pushes fuel economy even further, with some trims reaching the low-to-mid 20s combined.
The Colorado's TurboMax engine gets around 19 to 20 mpg city and 23 to 24 mpg highway, depending on the trim and drivetrain. It trails the Tacoma slightly on fuel economy, but it makes up for it with a higher towing capacity and stronger low-end torque.
Off-Road Capability: ZR2 Vs TRD Off-Road And TRD Pro
Both trucks offer serious off-road capability if you pick the right trim. The Colorado ZR2 rides on a 3-inch lift with Multimatic dampers, giving it 10.7 inches of ground clearance. The ZR2 Bison pushes that to 12.2 inches with even more rugged hardware.
The Tacoma TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims counter with Toyota's Crawl Control system, which manages throttle and braking automatically on tough terrain. The TRD Pro offers around 11 inches of ground clearance. Toyota also redesigned the Tacoma's rear suspension with coil springs instead of the old leaf-spring setup, which improves ride quality both on and off the trail.
Cabin Comfort And Seating
Dimensions are close between the two trucks. The Colorado's wheelbase measures about 131.4 inches, while the Tacoma comes in just a bit longer at 131.9 inches.
The Colorado's crew cab body style seats five and offers more front leg room than the Tacoma, by a few inches according to independent comparisons. It also edges out the Tacoma slightly in rear legroom.
The Tacoma counters with more configuration options. Buyers can choose a Double Cab that seats five or an XtraCab body style for a smaller footprint. Higher trims like the Limited add a heated steering wheel and other comfort touches not found on the Colorado.
Technology And Safety Features
Both trucks come standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Beyond that, the tech packages differ:
- Colorado: 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in
- Tacoma: 8-inch screen standard, 14-inch display available on higher trims
- Wireless charging: available on upper trims of both trucks
Safety features on both trucks include automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. Chevy includes more of these as standard equipment across the Colorado lineup, while some Tacoma trims need an upgrade to get the full suite.
Performance And Reliability
Horsepower:
- Colorado: 310 horsepower standard on higher trims
- Tacoma gas engine: 278 horsepower
- Tacoma i-FORCE MAX hybrid: 326 horsepower, more torque than any Colorado trim
Neither truck is built to set quarter mile records, but the extra torque in both the TurboMax and i-FORCE MAX engines gives them a strong feel off the line.
Reliability is where Toyota has built its reputation over the years, and the Tacoma continues that trend among truck buyers who want a vehicle built to last. The Colorado holds its own with a straightforward single-engine lineup that keeps maintenance simple.
Which One Fits Your Driveway?
If towing capacity, horsepower, and value are your top priorities, the Chevy Colorado is worth a serious look. Trim levels like the Trail Boss and Z71 offer real off-road hardware without pushing you into ZR2 territory, and every Colorado seats five in a crew cab.
If you want more trim levels to choose from, better fuel economy, and a reputation for long-term reliability, the Toyota Tacoma is worth cross-shopping too. Either way, both trucks hold their own in the mid-size pickup trucks class.
Karl Malone Chevy Park City has the Colorado lineup in stock and ready to test drive, from the work-ready WT to the trail-ready ZR2. Stop by our Park City lot or reach out to our team to see how the Colorado compares in person!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which truck has more towing capacity, the Chevy Colorado or the Toyota Tacoma?
The Chevy Colorado tows more, with a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds compared to the Tacoma's 6,500 pounds.
Does the Toyota Tacoma still offer a V6 engine?
No. Toyota dropped the V6 engine when it redesigned the Tacoma for the 2024 model year. The current Tacoma uses turbocharged four-cylinder engines, including the i-FORCE MAX hybrid.
Can I get a manual transmission in either truck?
Only the Tacoma offers one. A six-speed manual is available on the SR, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road trims. The Colorado comes only with an 8-speed automatic.
Which truck gets better gas mileage?
The Toyota Tacoma generally gets better fuel economy, especially with the i-FORCE MAX hybrid engine. The Chevy Colorado trails slightly but offers more towing power.
Which is more capable off-road, the Colorado ZR2 or the Tacoma TRD Pro?
Both are serious off-road trucks. The ZR2 Bison offers more ground clearance at 12.2 inches, while the TRD Pro counters with Crawl Control and a coil-spring rear suspension for a smoother ride on rough terrain.