Toyota Tacoma vs Chevrolet Colorado
Midsize pickups · head to head, 2010–2027
The Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the Tacoma's own years, its best bet is 2023; years to avoid: 2024–2025; the newest year rated a good buy is 2023. Among the Colorado's own years, its best bet is 2022; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Toyota Tacoma
Pickup · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2023
- Newest good buy 2023
- Avoid 2024–2025
- Be careful 2012, 2016, 2018–2019
Chevrolet Colorado
Pickup · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2022
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2015–2016, 2023–2024
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy Tacoma year says nothing about whether it beats a Colorado. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Toyota Tacoma | Chevrolet Colorado | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | Not rated | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.1× usual, mostly structure and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | AVOIDSerious complaints 3.1× usual, mostly power train and brakes | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly brakes and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2023 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly collision avoidance and brakes | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2019 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly fuel system and brakes | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly brakes and fuel system | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2016 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly power train and engine | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly steering and power train | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.2× usual, mostly steering and stability control | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2012 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly engine and fuel system | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2011 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2010 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2027: the newest shared year, at a glance
| 2027 Toyota Tacoma | 2027 Chevrolet Colorado | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | Not rated | Not rated |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $32,245 to $64,450 base price by trim, 8 trims | — |
| Engines and horsepower | — | — |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | — | — |
| Seats | 2–5 | — |
| Third row | No | — |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| Max towing | 3,500–6,500 lb | — |
| Bed length | 60.3–73.5 in | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | — | — |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | — · — | — · — |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2027 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| Tacoma SR lowest price, $32,245 | Tacoma TRD Pro highest price, $64,450 | Colorado Work Truck 2WD first listed | Colorado ZR2 4WD last listed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | — | — |
| Adaptive cruise control | Varies | Standard | No | Optional |
| Blind-spot warning | — | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | — | Standard | No | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | — | Standard | No | Optional |
| Sunroof or moonroof | — | Standard | No | Optional |
| 360-degree camera | — | Standard | No | Optional |
| Remote start | Varies | Standard | Optional | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2027 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2027 page (Tacoma, Colorado).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Toyota Tacoma
27 manufacturer programs on file: 15 extended coverage, 12 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the condition described above. (23TE08, 2016–2022 models)
- Extended coverage Toyota has received a number of reports regarding vehicle frame corrosion perforation on certain 2011-2017 model year Tacoma vehicles. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to vehicle frame corrosion perforation. (Z1, 2011–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Toyota has received reports regarding vehicle frame corrosion perforation on certain 2011-2017 model year Tacoma vehicles. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to vehicle frame corrosion perforation. (2011–2017 models)
- Extended coverage On December 20, 2022, a settlement of claims for certain low pressure fuel pumps was approved by the federal court. The purpose of this Customer Support Program letter is to help clarify how to administer this coverage in accordance with… (23TE04, 2017–2020 models)
Chevrolet Colorado
40 manufacturer programs on file: 8 extended coverage, 32 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Coolant leaks from the radiator hose quick connect at the radiator inlet. This special coverage covers the condition described above for a period of 5 years or 60,000 miles (100,000 km), whichever occurs first, from the date the vehicle… (N262546590, 2023–2026 models)
- Extended coverage On some various model year vehicles, the throttle-position sensor may cause the engine to run rough, cause the malfunction-indicator lamp and/or an engine reduced power message to illuminate, and reduce the engine's power. 14582A - Special… (GCUS-9-1009, 2010–2012 models)
- Extended coverage On some 2008 model year (MY) Saturn Outlook; 2008-2009 MY Buick Allure, Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac G8, Pontiac Montana SV6, Pontiac Torrent, and Saturn VUE; 2008-2010 MY Hummer H3 and Pontiac G6; 2008-2011 MY Cadillac… (GCUS-9-939, 2010–2012 models)
- Extended coverage The throttle position sensor may cause the engine to run rough and cause the malfunction indicator lamp and/or and Engine Reduced Power message to illuminate. 11273A - Special Coverage (additional population added). (G-169310, 2010–2011 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2010–2011, 2017, 2020–2022. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2025: the Colorado is rated good buy (serious complaints 1.1× usual), while the Tacoma is rated avoid (serious complaints 3.1× usual, mostly structure and power train). Each against its own other years.
- Shopping around 2023: the Tacoma is rated best buy (serious complaints 0.4× usual), while the Colorado is rated careful (serious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly collision avoidance and brakes). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: Tacoma 2024–2025.
- Newest year rated a good buy: Tacoma 2023; Colorado 2025.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.