Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Vs. Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro: How We Scored
Posted by Mark Williams | August 2, 2017
As many have noted in the comments section of our 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Vs. 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro story, it was a closely contested head-to-head comparison test.
If you only look at the category outcomes, you'll notice that the Toyota won four categories by a slim margin, the Colorado ZR2 won three others outright and two other categories were a virtual tie — all of which was noted at the end of the story.
Although we did include the final totals — each category was rated on a 10-point scale — we did not include the judges' scores for each category. Here are the scores, category by category, from each judge.
Cars.com photos by Evan Sears
Comments
Looks like a blow-out for the ZR2. Good choice PUTC.
Weak GM product propped up again.
Still like to see you do gas vs gas, as I will not buy no stinking diesel. So the Value thing is a moot point. I'm not going to pull a large trailer to justify a diesel.
I also would like to see the gas vs gas comparison. It should have been done that way anyways!
Brian talked about more articulation in the chevy. Where are the numbers to show that? How much suspension travel does each truck have front to rear? Why did Brian think the interior of the taco was so bad to give it a 3 point difference on the judging vs Marks's? Why did he also score the acceleration of both trucks the same, when the taco was quicker?
The ZR2 wins, but it has lower VALUE Score. That speaks volume of GM products. I'd bet Toyota will still outsell it, just like Ford outsells the Silverado and Sierra.
Seems like a poor scoring system, wouldn't best in test get a 10 and pro-rate the other truck based on the performance?
Like for example in the rock crawling section. Was the Tacoma really 8/10's or 4/5's as good as the Colorado?
Seems like random numbers being assessed with no real reason..
GMS/Johny, sorry you guys have to keep defending the crap that GM puts out....now that GMs car sales have tanked badly, they are back to trying to sell the trucks, since those are also tanking in sales, I see bankruptcy on the horizon, I have a feeling this admin will let them go done with no bailout.....
The ZR2 wins, but it has lower VALUE Score.
Posted by: Frank | Aug 2, 2017 2:34:12 PM
Better then Fords value, can't have value on a make belive ranger. Now that speaks volume of Ford products and lack of products to customers HAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
Nitro sorry you have to keep defending the crap that Ford puts out and doesn't put out. You must feel really bad having to write this same comment on ever story. Don't worry though, I'm sure there is a GM dealer near by you. When you can finally pull yourself up by the boot straps and deal with reality I'm sure a GM dealer will sell you a real truck.
And the two judges were P U T C guys oh yeah the Tacoma had a chance! The only way you remove bias is to do it with neutral judges not two guys who hate Toyota. These monkeys would have scored the win for a 1989 Ford Escort against the Tacoma.
Why were the rear tires spinning so much if the Colorado was in 4x4, do the front tires do anything?
The Tacoma stops faster than the ZR2, that is already proven for braking. What happened to the Tacoma's better body clearance all around and matched fuel economy of a diesel ZR2 per EPA standards.
The softer suspension is a big plus for the ZR2 however in my books and it has a 4Hi mode that allows you to run on pavement which is a big plus. I would have tied the two but would have a hard time staying away from the resale value of the Tacoma traditionally speaking.
Both motors are complete junk regardless, they both need a V8 or they have to move to battery electric. Bollinger makes a 4.5s all electric truck with shocks and capability that will walk these two trucks back to kindergarten school where they belong.
So refreshing to see you left "styling" out of the equation.....most tests put it in . Styling is COMPLETELY up to the individual.
Now , put the V6 in the ZR2 and the victory margin is wider....more acceleration, better trans, less weight and lower cost (though less low end power and less fuel mileage as well).
Where is the Ranger?????? OH if you need a truck you need a F-150
Congratulations, PUTC and Mark and Brian - - -
You are the ONLY website and/or magazine, that I know about, that rates vehicles, ---- AND gives the individual quantitative rater's scores, so we can get a feel for how variable the ratings may be among people.
GOOD JOB!
Finally, someone has listened.
The only thing I can recommend is that you do the ratings with THREE (3) people, not just two. That would allow us the calculate a mean and standard deviation to see if the ratings overlap...
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The Tacoma stops faster than the ZR2, that is already proven for braking.
Posted by: Rambro | Aug 2, 2017 2:59:42 PM
True, the outdated drum brakes pulled through for the Tacoma. Unfortunately, as the reviewers pointed out, the Tacoma's brakes struggled to keep the truck stopped when in 4LO and
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What happened to the Tacoma's better body clearance all around...
Posted by: Rambro | Aug 2, 2017 2:59:42 PM
You must be forgetting that the Tacoma's transfer case hangs well below the bottom edge of the frame, with practically no protection. Hard to claim a better ground clearance when such an important part of the drivetrain is at constant risk of major damage while off-roading. Also, looking at the pictures here:
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2017/07/head-to-head-photo-gallery-2017-colorado-zr2-vs-tacoma-trd-pro.html
It looks like the clearance differences are within half an inch, something that's quite easy to change. As GM engineers mentioned a few months ago when asked about their ZR2 with a utility box and 33" tires, a 1" body lift is all that's required. Both 33" tires and a 1" body lift would likely swing every single ground clearance measurement in favor of the ZR2.
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and matched fuel economy of a diesel ZR2 per EPA standards.
Posted by: Rambro | Aug 2, 2017 2:59:42 PM
Considering the TRD Pro lacks a front locker which would decrease fuel economy, and the fact that Toyota decided to put mild highway AT's on an off-road truck, it's not at all surprising that the Tacoma gets better fuel economy.
Unfortunately, that fuel economy advantage is at the cost of off-road performance. The decision to put Goodyear Wranglers AT's, barely considered an offroad tire in general, on an offroad-focused truck like the TRD Pro is extremely disappointing. Especially when you consider that Toyota raised the price of the Tacoma TRD Pro by over $7000 for 2017 and that BF Goodrich KO2's, a much more suitable tire for the Pro package, used to be the standard tire on a TRD Pro truck in the past.
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I would have tied the two but would have a hard time staying away from the resale value of the Tacoma traditionally speaking.
Posted by: Rambro | Aug 2, 2017 2:59:42 PM
The 1st and 2nd gen Tacomas have good resale value. BUT it's too early to say that the 3rd (AKA "Turd Gen" according to many long-time members of TacomaWorld). Already, Consumer Reports rated the 2016 Tacoma the least reliable midsize truck on the market as well as put it in their Top Ten Worst Vehicles of 2017. And since it doesn't have the reliable 4.0 V6 and the automatic has so many ongoing issues, you really can't point to 2nd gen resale values and assert that the 3rd gen will be the same. Not looking all that likely at all.
Not to mention, the 2nd gen Colorado has made Kelly Blue Book's Top Ten list for best resale in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In fact its resale value is within 10% of the Tacoma. Guys looking for the best offroad midsize truck would probably give up a 10% difference in resale for a much more capable offroad truck with modern disc brakes, a diesel engine option, advanced spool valve shocks, and a locking front differential (I highly doubt a ZR2 will have 10% less resale value vs a Tacoma, in fact I bet it'll match or even beat a Tacoma of the same age and mileage).
https://www.kbb.com/new-cars/best-resale-value-awards/best-resale-top-10-cars/
https://www.kbb.com/new-cars/best-resale-value-awards/best-resale-top-10-cars-2016/
https://www.kbb.com/new-cars/best-resale-value-awards-2015/
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Both motors are complete junk regardless, they both need a V8 or they have to move to battery electric. Bollinger makes a 4.5s all electric truck with shocks and capability that will walk these two trucks back to kindergarten school where they belong.
Posted by: Rambro | Aug 2, 2017 2:59:42 PM
HAHA! Are there a lot of battery charging stations out in the middle of the desert, in the middle of Moab, or along the Rubicon Trail?
Love how one can sense the jealousy from the Ford fanboys commenting. Ford loses to GM in every head to head performance based comparison. This time it was no different.
Seriously, they liked the Taco interior better? What was it they liked better, the uncomfortable seating position? The outdated look of the dash? The lack of technology? Just what was it that was better, because for the life of me, everyone that I've met that has sat in both trucks, regards the Colorado interior as far superior, with more comfort, more up to date and better technology.
just like Ford outsells the Silverado and Sierra.
Posted by: Frank | Aug 2, 2017 2:34:12 PM
Why are you comparing all the trucks Ford sells to a select group of trucks that GM sells? Why not compare all of Ford to all of GM?
I do believe the 10 point scale method used is very poor.
A point system is great, but the following methodology applied to what I would call proportionate scoring.
For example, some aspects of "performance" is rated higher than others.
So, let's say off road (since these are off road vehicles) a scoring of 12 should be used.
Ergonomics, even though significant would be based on the highest value of 8.
Acceleration could be 10, say.
This way a more accurate score and differentiation is realised.
Or, are the score fabricated in such a way as to not p!ss of the vehicle suppliers for the testing?
If one scores a vehicle too low is the publication worried that they will be banished from product testing?
@gms, because Ford still outsells GM
@Big Al
you over think it
Thank gosh most folks do not listen to the OPINION of just two humans!
Sales show the TRUE opinions of paying customers, and the Tacoma is destroying the Colorado when it comes to paying customers!
@ oxi
To your point, so far this year, it looks like both the Tacoma and Colorado are headed to record years, with the Tacoma likely to get close to 200,000 and Colorado above 120,000 units. That's a clear message that the mid-size segment is attracting people at a time when other segments are struggling. As to the value of these two specific opinions, it's always been our hope that they're just a starting point for anyone looking to get more information; not the end of an argument. Thanks for the great input and suggestions. It may not always seem like it, but we are listening and are looking to make the next test even better.
And the two judges were P U T C guys oh yeah the Tacoma had a chance! The only way you remove bias is to do it with neutral judges not two guys who hate Toyota. These monkeys would have scored the win for a 1989 Ford Escort against the Tacoma.
Posted by: Cooper | Aug 2, 2017 2:57:09 PM
Why would putc hate Toyota? Let me educate you. The founder of PUTC drove a Tacoma, Mark Williams had imports in his garage and just tells it like it is and Brian Wong drives a Toyota Tacoma in Nascar. Get over yourselves. The Toyota lost.
https://www.instagram.com/Bwong89/
im disappointed in the fact that every one of these "tests" you all do is decided by subjective scoring...... its based on emotional feelings of the scorecard holder and not based on facts at all.... but whatever. the consumers prove it with whos vehicle holds value better.
im disappointed in the fact that every one of these "tests" you all do is decided by subjective scoring...... its based on emotional feelings of the scorecard holder and not based on facts at all.... but whatever. the consumers prove it with whos vehicle holds value better.
Posted by: hemi lol | Aug 3, 2017 4:27:46 PM
Wow bitter much?
I guess that's why Rams awful residual value and why they're constantly lining the bottom of the annual CR Reliability Survey. Oooooh wellll...
I guess that's why Rams awful residual value and why they're constantly lining the bottom of the annual CR Reliability Survey. Oooooh wellll...
Posted by: Brick | Aug 3, 2017 5:12:44 PM
hemilol is a Toyota salesman. Not a Ram guy.
hemi lo! is far from being objective when it comes to Toyota. Not that Tacoma is a bad truck but it is seriously outdated. Toyota needs to do more than update the Tacoma. To start with maybe offer the newer version of the Hilux. When the new Ranger comes Toyota will need a new Tacoma or better a Hilux. The only midsize truck more outdated than the Tacoma is the Frontier but the Frontier has a lower price and offers a lot of value for the price. All of the midsize trucks are good but some are better.
Both are over priced garbage only a fool would buy them
Consumers reports will only recommend them it only recommends the Nissan Frontier
the other 2 have too many problems break downs and
will not do more off road than a Frontier
perhaps in the sunny south they squeak by but up here in rough country no one buys these pretenders.
IT is nissan and jeep wranglers that rule the off road up here in rough country.
Why do Toyota trucks all say "TURD" on the quarter panels?
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