2019 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2020 Toyota Tundra

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 with the Midnight Edition option package was a striking vehicle, though its triple-black color scheme made it a challenge to keep clean. The Colorado lineup offered a range of trims, from a basic extended cab with rear-wheel drive and a 4-cylinder engine starting at $22,395, to a fully loaded ZR2 crew cab with 4-wheel drive and the rugged Bison Package, which could cost over $52,000. My test vehicle, a 4WD Colorado Z71 crew cab, started at $37,000 and reached $41,765 with the Midnight Edition treatment and side-step running boards. The Colorado's design was clean and balanced, with the ZR2 trim adding functional styling changes. Inside, the cabin emphasized practicality with basic materials and an organized layout, though the plastic panels were prone to scuffing. The Midnight Edition added aggressive Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires, enhancing the truck's purposeful appearance.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra was available in multiple trims, including SR, SR5, Limited, TRD Pro, Platinum, and 1794 Edition, with prices ranging from $33,425 to $52,930 before options. My test truck was the top-tier TRD Pro CrewMax with 4WD, featuring an exclusive Army Green color and black 18-inch forged aluminum wheels, giving it a tough, military-grade look. Inside, the TRD Pro had black leather seats with red stitching and "TRD Pro" embroidery. The Tundra's interior design had aged well, but the industrial-grade plastic was hard to accept at higher price levels. The TRD Pro's off-road capabilities were enhanced by BBS forged aluminum wheels, heavy-duty Fox shocks, a TRD-tuned dual exhaust system, and an aluminum skid plate. The V8 engine provided robust power, and the transmission was flawless, though the truck's size could be a liability on narrow trails.

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado offered three engine choices depending on the trim. The base engine was a 200-horsepower, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 191 pound-feet of torque. Most Colorados featured a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. A 2.8-liter turbo-diesel 4-cylinder engine, available on LT, Z71, and ZR2 trims, delivered 181 hp and an impressive 369 lb-ft of torque. The maximum tow rating was 7,700 pounds with the turbo-diesel engine, while the V6 could tow up to 7,000 pounds. The Colorado's payload capacity reached 1,557 pounds. The Z71 trim included off-road suspension tuning, but 4WD was not standard. My test truck had Chevy’s Autotrac system with multiple drive modes, hill descent control, and Goodyear Duratrac tires, making it capable off-road. On pavement, the V6 engine provided strong acceleration, though the throttle response was sluggish. The 8-speed automatic transmission performed well, and the steering offered good stability. Fuel economy averaged 18.6 mpg, close to the EPA rating of 19 mpg. The Z71 suspension made the ride bouncy on rough roads, but the truck handled well on twisty mountain roads.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra came with a 5.7-liter V8 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission, producing 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque. The maximum towing capacity was 10,200 pounds, and the payload capacity was 1,730 pounds for the SR Double Cab with RWD. The TRD Pro trim included standard 4WD, BBS forged aluminum wheels, heavy-duty Fox shocks, a TRD-tuned dual exhaust system, and an aluminum skid plate. The V8 engine sounded sensational with the TRD exhaust, and the transmission was flawless. The Tundra's steering and brakes performed well, and the turning radius was tight. Off-roading was limited to a short trail, but the TRD Pro handled it with grace. On highways, the Tundra was stable, though wind noise was excessive at high speeds. Fuel economy was unimpressive, averaging 14.3 mpg, close to the EPA rating of 14 mpg combined. The Tundra's size made it challenging on narrow roads, but it was easy to place on the pavement.

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado's interior was designed for functionality, with easy-to-use controls and ample storage. The front seats had power adjustments for height and lumbar support, and the leatherette upholstery with cloth inserts felt durable. The rear bench seat was cramped, but Chevrolet provided cup holders, USB charging ports, and a power outlet. However, the lack of rear air conditioning vents was noticeable on hot days. The Colorado's utility features included corner-step bumpers, an EZ Lift and Lower tailgate, a spray-in bed liner, and an overhead cargo light. The truck's maximum payload rating was 1,557 pounds, and it offered a range of accessories to enhance utility.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra's interior was spacious, with a Texas-sized rear seating area in the CrewMax model. The rear bench was low and flat, while the front seats were large and supportive. Storage was plentiful, though the glove compartment was small, and the backseat offered few practical storage spots. The rear seat cushions flipped up to create extra floor space. The Tundra's bed was basic, with an optional spray-in bedliner, tie-down hooks, and bed rails for additional accessories. The truck lacked advanced utility features like locking storage wells or multifunctional tailgates found in competitors. The Tundra emphasized simplicity and practicality.

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado featured the new Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, which was user-friendly and similar to a smartphone. It included a 7- or 8-inch display, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and voice recognition. The system supported OnStar services, including a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Upgrades included navigation, a Bose premium sound system, and a wireless phone-charging pad. The tuning knob's functionality was frustrating, but steering-wheel buttons provided a better user experience.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra's infotainment system looked outdated but offered modern features. Lower trims had a 7-inch display, while higher trims upgraded to an 8-inch screen. The system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, USB ports, and connected services. The TRD Pro trim featured dynamic navigation, voice recognition, point-of-interest search, and a 12-speaker JBL premium sound system. The system had stereo knobs and shortcut buttons, but virtual buttons for radio presets were challenging to use in a truck. The Tundra lacked advanced towing technology, offering only a reversing camera.

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado had limited advanced safety features. Standard equipment included a reversing camera and a Teen Driver monitoring system. Crew cab versions had a rear-seat reminder. The Colorado LT could be optioned with forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning. OnStar Safety & Security plan added automatic crash response and emergency services. The Colorado received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with excellent side-impact protection and good frontal impact protection. However, its rollover resistance rating was 3 stars, and the IIHS rated its headlights poorly and gave it a Marginal score for front passenger safety in a small overlap collision.

The 2020 Toyota Tundra came standard with Toyota Safety Sense, including a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. It also included a free year of Safety Connect services. However, the Tundra's crash-test performance was lacking. The IIHS rated it Marginal for driver safety and Poor for front passenger safety in small overlap frontal-impact tests. The truck's headlights were rated Marginal. The NHTSA gave the Tundra favorable ratings, with 5 stars for side-impact protection, 4 stars for frontal-impact protection, and 4 stars for rollover resistance with 4WD. The RWD model received a 3-star rollover resistance rating.