Compare 2019 Toyota Tacoma vs. Colorado

Building on the heritage of the Toyota Hilux first debuting in 1969, the 2019 Toyota Tacoma has been in production since 1995. The Chevrolet Colorado debuted in 2004 as a mid-size truck option.

In addition to a long history, Toyota trucks also come with a number of accolades: Toyota was the Best Resale Value Brand in 2018 according to Kelley Blue Book®⁴¹. In fact, the Tacoma is the best-selling compact pickup truck for the last 14 years according to estimates of CY sales 2005-2018. Tacoma also won Kelley Blue Book®’s 2019 5-Year Cost to Own Award: Best Mid-Size Pickup Truck⁵⁷.

With Toyota, a major advantage is the safety package. Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴ comes standard on every 2019 Tacoma. Chevy Colorado has a Safety Package with some similar features, including Lane Departure Warning, Rear Vision Camera, and Forward Collision Alert, but these are not available on Colorado Z71.

When it comes to comfort and off-road capability⁵⁶, Tacoma has features that are missing from the 2019 Colorado such as a power tilt/slide moonroof and better ground clearance. A power tilt/slide moonroof and sliding sunshade are available on Tacoma’s TRD Off-Road 4x4 Double Cab and standard on the Limited 4X4 Double Cab.

In this head to head comparison of the 2019 Toyota Tacoma and the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado, we take a look at safety features, performance, and reliability of these two trucks.

The biggest advantage for the Tacoma is the standard Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴ suite of advanced active safety features. These innovative features were designed to help protect you and your passengers from harm. Toyota Tacoma's standard Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴ is a major advantage over the safety features available on every 2019 Colorado. Some of the key active safety features included in Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴ are described below:

Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)²³²² is designed to help to mitigate potential collisions by using an in-vehicle camera and radar to help detect a preceding vehicle and, under certain daytime conditions, a pedestrian. If the system determines that the possibility of a frontal collision with a vehicle or a pedestrian is likely, an audio and visual alert is given. If the driver then applies the brakes, the system may provide additional braking force using Brake Assist (BA)²⁸. If at this time the driver does not apply the brakes, the system may automatically apply the brakes, reducing speed of the vehicle to help mitigate the impact or avoid the collision altogether.

Lane Departure Alert (LDA)⁶² with Sway Warning System (SWS)⁵³ is designed to use an in-vehicle camera to detect lane departure when traveling on relatively straight roads with clear lane markings. The system's current operating status is indicated through colored lane marking illustrations on the vehicle's Multi-Information Display (MID). If LDA determines that the vehicle is starting to unintentionally deviate from its visibly marked lane, the system alerts the driver with an audio and visual alert.

Automatic High Beams (AHB)¹⁸. This feature uses an in-vehicle camera to detect headlights or taillights ahead of your vehicle. The function then toggles between high or low beam lights to help ensure that you have an appropriate amount of light ahead of your vehicle.

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)¹⁹. DRCC helps to maintain a preset distance between your car and the car ahead. DRCC can automatically slow your vehicle to maintain the preset distance and then detect when the vehicle ahead of you is no longer in your lane. It will then resume your vehicle’s speed.

The $690 additional-cost Safety Package includes Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Alert but is only available on the 2019 Colorado LT grade.

The reliability and comfort of Toyota is displayed in even the small details of the Tacoma. For greater off-road capability⁵⁶, Tacoma has 1.2 inches of greater ground clearance than the 2019 Colorado, which also makes getting in and out of the vehicle easy. A power tilt/slide moonroof on some Tacoma models brightens the cabin and brings in fresh air. A power tilt/slide moonroof and sliding sunshade are available on Tacoma’s TRD Off-Road 4x4 Double Cab and standard on the Limited 4X4 Double Cab. The 2019 Chevy Colorado doesn't have a sunroof option.

You’ll also have more room to move inside the cabin of a Tacoma. Tacoma features more hip and shoulder room at 57.2 inches and 58.3 inches respectively; Colorado’s hip and shoulder room measurements come in at 55 inches and 57.5 inches respectively.

Rely on the Tacoma to champion your off-road lifestyle rather than the Colorado⁵⁶. Tacoma is offered in TRD Off-Road and Pro trims which come with an available manual transmission option for those who want maximum control. When you’re out on the trail, TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims with automatic transmission include standard Multi-Terrain Select (5 modes) and Crawl Control⁶⁵ which can help you get out of even the stickiest situations. You can also expect standard electronically-controlled locking Rear Differential, and Hill-start Assist Control. While the 2019 Colorado Z71 and ZR2 do not have a feature similar to Crawl Control, it does include a Hill Descent Control feature which is comparable but for downhill driver assistance only. The Colorado Z71 and ZR2 do include a standard locking rear differential but lack a standard skid plate as compared to 2019 Tacoma TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims.

Plus, with standard ToyotaCare¹¹, all leases and purchases of new Toyota vehicles receive complimentary 24-hour Roadside Assistance³⁸ for two years/unlimited miles plus no-cost scheduled maintenance for 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. Chevrolet offers 1 year/1 visit scheduled maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance for five years/60,000 miles.

When it comes to performance, Tacoma’s available 6-speed manual transmission enables the driver to choose which gear best suits traffic conditions.

Part-time 4WD, Active Traction Control as well as Multi-terrain Select and Crawl Control⁶⁵ are all available to help ensure Tacoma remains planted. Multi-terrain Select gives Tacoma drivers five modes to choose from to help adjust engine throttle and traction control; the 2019 Colorado has no comparable feature.

Tacoma’s off-road performance⁵⁶ advantages also come with a more reasonable price tag. For example, the 2019 Tacoma TRD Off-Road Double Cab 4x4 Short Bed has a starting MSRP of $36,615¹², which undercuts the 2019 Colorado Z71 Crew Cab 4X4’s short box starting MSRP of $38,095.

Tacoma offers a better off-road feel with an available 6-speed manual transition and Multi-terrain select. Both trucks have the option of including a rear locking differential: offered on the TRD Off Road Tacoma model, and on the WT and up models of the Colorado. Tacoma also comes with Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), which is not an option on Colorado.

The Colorado Z71's towing capacity of 7,000 lbs. allows it to haul slightly more than Tacoma, but the advantage is marginal as a 4X2 V6 Tacoma’s capacity sits at 6,700 lbs⁶¹. Upgrading the Colorado Z71 to a 2.8L Duramax Turbo-Diesel 4-cylinder engine will up the max towing capacity to 7,700 lbs.— but it comes at an additional cost of $3,730.

With the Tacoma, one of the biggest benefits is the legacy Toyota brings. Toyota has the heritage of 50 years in trucks and a legendary reputation for quality, dependability, and reliability.

When comparing the 2019 Tacoma to the 2019 Colorado, you can depend on longevity, safety, and comfort with Toyota. The Tacoma features more off-road friendly options⁵⁶, and the TRD Off-Road Double Cab 4X4 trim comes in cheaper than Colorado’s Z71 Crew Cab 4x4 trim.

Toyota has an award-winning reputation. The 2018 Toyota Tacoma is named Best Resale Value for the Midsize Pickup Truck category. Toyota was the best resale value brand in 2018 according to Kelley Blue Book⁴¹. Tacoma also won Kelley Blue Book®’s 2019 5-Year Cost to Own Award: Best Mid-Size Pickup Truck⁵⁷.

Tacoma’s advanced active safety features surpass those of the 2019 Colorado. Standard Toyota Safety Sense® P (TSS-P)²⁴ includes twice as many driver assistance features than the 2019 Colorado’s Safety Package, which is only available on Colorado LT grade and for an additional $690. In addition, Tacoma has more thoughtful comfort features including an available moonroof and better ground clearance.

Considering these advantages, it’s easy to see why the 2019 Tacoma is our winner when compared head to head to the 2019 Chevy Colorado.