Car and Driver Picks Colorado over 2016 Tacoma

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
10/10/2015

Sure Car and Driver's focus is not trucks, but they know a lot more about trucks than most. They always have a large SUV or truck in the fleet to tow cars and they also use them as photo and logistics vehicles on their shoots. In the just-released November 2015 issue* CD compares the new Tacoma and the Colorado in great detail. Their driving covered almost 2,000 miles and the trucks they compared were high-end models with the V6 engines and 4WD. The Colorado was $38,720 and the Tacoma $37,665 as-tested.

The Colorado comes out on top in every comparison category but two, interior fit and finish and as-tested price. The trucks both returned 19 MPG. The Tacoma was compared to a Camry with a rear deck, and its driving position bugged the drivers. The CD guys also liked the drivetrain of the Chevy better. The upshot was that CD said "The Colorado is also a better-driving and more comfortable truck..." Check out the print edition for yourself to see the details or wait for it to come on-line.

 

Car and Driver, November 2015 pages 54-59 (Not on the web yet)

[patriot]

OMG! Someone is going to get fired for not toeing the company line!

[Jimbo290]

Dear Friends,

 

I've driven both the Tacoma and the Colorado and was disappointed with both. Currently drive a 2000 Silverado 5.3 L V-8 and the Colorado just doesn't compare. I'm thin, 6'2" but have a broad frame and was uncomfortable in both the Colorado and Tacoma. A mid-sized truck with V-6 should be able to get close to 30 MPG on the highway, yet the Colorado only got 1-2 MPG better than the full sized Silverado with 5.3L V-8, an excellent engine with tons of power. It's time that trucks incorporated far better aerodynamics with a sleeker more sports car like front end design to "slice" through air with less drag. Poor aerodynamics is the number 1 reason why trucks get such poor fuel mileage. Guys, we need to get over the Macho squared front end look of a truck and tell the automakers we want a more space age design that's got less air noise, drage and which is not pushed around so much when passing big rigs because of the high front end aerodynamic drag. Something should be done to the tailgate too to reduce aerodynamic drag. I would like to see Hybrid versions available in both the Colorado, Silverado and Tacoma that would deliver over 30 MPG and a sunroof option that's built like a double hung window and opens up the entire roof off both the Silverado and Colorado. The Silverado sunroof is pathetic....it's no larger than the sunroof in a Honda Accord....and for over $1000 option. What's wrong with GM engineers that they don't get with the program.

 

Jimbo

[patriot]

Jimbo,

 

Maybe you should apply for a job at GM engineering and work on "fixing" these "problems"?

 

I'm averaging a little over 20MPG right now in my '14 Silverado 5.3 4x4, and that's with a massive grille guard up front. Not bad for a truck with a 7,000lb GVWR.