Colorado ZR2 Vs. Tacoma TRD Pro: Everything You Need to Know
Posted by Mark Williams | August 13, 2017
In some ways, putting together a head-to-head competition between the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro was an obvious contest. After all, these are the two most impressive off-road packages offered in the mid-size pickup truck class. However, there are many ways in which these two pickups couldn't be more different: old-school lockers versus high-tech crawl control, diesel versus gas and drama versus stealth design.
The stories from our testing have generated a lot of reader interest, and many of those readers contributed top-notch comments. If you haven't read the comments, we recommend you do.
To make that easier, click on the links below.
- 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Vs. 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
- 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2: Photo Gallery
- 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro: Photo Gallery
- Head-to-Head Photo Gallery: 2017 Colorado ZR2 Vs. Tacoma TRD Pro
- 2017 Colorado ZR2 Vs. 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro: Video
- Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Vs. Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro: How We Scored
- Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Vs. Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro: How We Tested
- Colorado ZR2 Vs. Tacoma TRD Pro: Best Daily Driver
Cars.com photos by Evan Sears
Comments
Too bad the Tacoma does not have a diesel offering! It would add a lot to the off road excitement.
Too bad the Tacoma doesn't have staggered outboard shock mounts so the extreme wheel hop that is being reported in the Tacoma World forums would not be happening.
I really like how both vehicles perform. I just can't stand the looks of the new Tacoma's in person. I saw one this past week! They are hideous! They look like an old Tacoma mated with a 2005-07 dodge Dakota!
The older Tacoma's were a very edgy, raw, mean looking truck, but these new ones. UGH!
I have a buddy who has a 2013 and it is a very nice truck. Hasn't had a single problem with it. He said he doesn't like the looks of the new ones either!
I would have preferred a gas engine comparison, because I still feel GM screwed up by not putting in the 4.3L engine. Its a fantastic engine!
@tntgmc
I hear that GM cannot build the 4.3 litre six fast enough to satisfy demand on the 1500. For people who don't need a heavy duty hauler I bet the 4.3 feels fine, especially with the six speed auto. Unlike the other automakers six cylinder motors, the 4.3 was designed from scratch to be a truck engine.
The 2.8 diesel in Australia is not noted for it's performance either. The lighter weight of the Aussie Colorado is its advantage.
It's also good how GM improved the Colorado's off road performance.
I'd still rather a diesel ZR2 than a TRD.
Unlike the other automakers six cylinder motors, the 4.3 was designed from scratch to be a truck engine.
Posted by: papajim | Aug 13, 2017 10:53:35 AM
I hear that the 4.3 is more desirable for urban driving due to its immediate torque delivery.
the 4.3 is more desirable for urban driving due to its immediate torque delivery. Posted by: GMSRGREAT | Aug 13, 2017
@GMSRGREAT
I should think it would shine on the open road, considering that it has variable displacement---which if tuned properly would offer those obsessed over FE the best of both worlds. I had a truck with the old 4.3 back in the 1980s and it would have been much better with today's electronic six speed trans
Specially the Little SHAKY SHAKY.
Tacoma is way better than the little SHAKY SHAKY HAHAHAHAHAHA.LMFAO.
Chingon, Really? I guess you missed the part where Ford executives testified before the congress of the United States that if G.M. fails so does Ford. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.
Excuse me everyone, I'm a MORON,,, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Bankruptcy doesn't mean the company fails/fails to exist. If GM went bankrupt again, it would reorganize and renegotiate. Educate yourself.
Only the unions wanted GM to continue as it has. And it's competitors of course. They should have broken the union contracts in 2009 and ushered in a new era competitiveness instead of going the government bailout route.
Every reason in the book was used when the target to be saved wasn't the auto companies but the unions. Dems owe the union too much. It's the unions who are too big to fail. Too big = huge campaign contributions.
Hemi V8 is a Union drone.
Tacoma is way better than the little SHAKY SHAKY HAHAHAHAHAHA.LMFAO.
Posted by: Chingon | Aug 13, 2017 1:45:35 PM
That's funny, I noticed that the Tacoma is the one with vibration issues. Front diff vibrations have been a problem for well over a decade on them.
Excuse me everyone, I'm a MORON,,, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Posted by: Chingon | Aug 13, 2017 3:08:35 PM
That's funniest and truest comment you ever made. HAHAHAHAHA!!!
Tacoma is way better than the little SHAKY SHAKY HAHAHAHAHAHA.LMFAO.
Posted by: Chingon | Aug 13, 2017 1:45:35 PM
Ok , so you are uneducated, i get that, but please go to another site for help. Not one Colorado or Canyon has any shaking problems, as noted by the testers.
Everyone knows that FORD stands for Found. On .The. Road .Dead.!
FORD trucks all have transmission problems!
I know all of you heaters get scared when I post something bad against GOVERNMENT MOTORS SPECIALLY the Garbage motors FAN GIRLYS.
Get some real off road tires on the Tacoma, and it's unstoppable. Mine wears a set of 32" BFG AT KO2s and it will go anywhere you point it.
It's not an excellent daily driver, but an off road worthy truck isn't meant to be excellent on pavement.
I still can't believe Toyota chose street tread tires for their top of the line off road truck.....
Both of them over priced over hyped go with the Nissan Frontier
king cab pro4 x 6 SPEED MANUAL you'll save big $ and it will go where the others fear to tread.
not to mention it is more reliable THEN THE OTHER 2 YOU WOULDN'T WANT TO GET STUCK DOWN A LONG LONELY TRAIL NOW WOULD YOU ?
CONSUMERS REPORTS WILL NOT RECOMMEND THE gm OR THE TOYOTA TOO MANY PROBLEMS
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