Chevy Colorado vs. Nissan Frontier
When comparing the Chevy Colorado to the Nissan Frontier, you see two similar pickups with perky engines and decent starting price points. Many truck drivers and shoppers go between the Chevy Colorado vs. Nissan Frontier, new and used, so we figured it would be helpful to break this down for you. We'll compare the Colorado and Frontier to each other, focusing on performance, comfort, safety, build quality, and everything else someone looking into these vehicles would find interesting. Stick around, and let's get started!
Overview of Both Models
Getting right into it, the Chevy Colorado vs. Nissan Frontier is a close battle, especially considering their current generations are very similar in size and capability. However, that doesn't mean one won't beat the other in certain categories, which we're here to help decipher.
Chevy Colorado
The Chevy Colorado is a boxy, rugged-friendly pickup from the brand that first came onto the scene in 2003. Since then, we've gotten plenty of redesigns, new engines, and enhanced comfort, tech, and safety, with current models feeling work-ready. Notable features include:
- MPG: Up to 20 city / 24 highway
- Engine: 2.7-liter 4-cylinder
- Horsepower: 310 horses
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Towing capacity: 7,000+ pounds
Nissan Frontier
For the Nissan Frontier, you have a sporty yet rugged pickup that first debuted in 1977. With this truck, drivers see a classic body style with little frills, although that's never been the idea behind Frontier. It's a good work truck option, and it is sleek enough to be your everyday car as well.
- MPG: Up to 18 city / 24 highway
- Engine: 3.8-liter V6
- Horsepower: 310 horses
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Towing capacity: 6,000+ pounds
Exterior
The exterior of the Chevy Colorado vs. Nissan Frontier will be slightly different, although both pickups have a boxy, rugged look. For example, the Chevy Colorado has a more prominent grille and front face, giving it a heavy-duty-inspired aesthetic. The Frontier is smaller at the front end, following a sporty, everyday pickup truck vibe. Both are designed well, but with the Chevy Colorado, you can expect a classic truck that makes a bigger impression.
The exterior dimensions for the Colorado:
- Length: 213.00 inches
- Wheelbase: 131.4 inches
- Width (Mirrors Folded): 74.9 inches
- Height: 78.8 inches
- Ground Clearance: 7.9 – 10.7 inches
The exterior dimensions of the Frontier:
- Length: 210.2 inches
- Wheelbase: 126 inches
- Width, without mirrors: 73 inches
- Height: 71.5 inches
- Ground Clearance, Front 7.8 inches
Interior
The inside of the Chevy Colorado vs. Nissan Frontier is another thing to note, with the Colorado feeling just a bit more luxurious across its trim levels. That said, you see a similar cabin layout in both trucks, with the Colorado offering slightly more space for front and second-row riders. We can thank its longer wheelbase and generally bigger size for that. However, the Frontier is comfortable enough and should be able to squeeze 4-5 people in comfortably.
The total passenger volume in a Chevy Colorado will be 103.7 cubic feet, while the Nissan Frontier offers roughly 85.6 to 100.1 cubic feet. Again, the Chevrolet truck is bigger, so expect more inside room for guests and groceries, luggage, boxes, and whatnot.
Engine and Performance
For the engine and performance of the Chevy Colorado vs. Nissan Frontier, you have similar configurations in recent releases. For instance, current-gen Colorado trucks have a standard turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder, which makes 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. In contrast, the Nissan Frontier sees a standard 3.8-liter V-6 with 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque.
Towing Capacity and Payload
Your towing for the Colorado currently offers the highest capacity in the mid-size pickup segment, with a max rating of 7,700 pounds. However, standard towing is between 3,500 and 6,000 pounds, respectively. In the Nissan Frontier, you see a maximum towing of 6,180 to 6,690 pounds, which is still impressive for its mid-size status.
For most newer generations, the Nissan Frontier's payload is 1,150 to 1,620 pounds, while Colorado offers an average of 1,310 to 1,610 or 1,700 pounds.
Fuel Economy and MPG
Another category to note is the fuel economy and MPG ratings for the Frontier vs. Colorado. The newer-gen Frontier offers up to 18 city / 24 highway miles per gallon, while Colorado boasts up to 20 city / 24 highway miles per gallon. Therefore, Colorado edges out Frontier slightly in MPG ratings.
Safety Features
Safety in both the Colorado and Frontier will be comprehensive. Since 2020, both trucks have enhanced their standard and optional safety offerings, with Chevrolet taking the lead in standard, entry-level options. Here is a breakdown of safety for these trucks:
Chevy Colorado
- Forward collision alert
- Lane departure warning
- Lane keep assist
- Automatic emergency braking
- Rear vision camera
- Teen driver
- Pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Adaptive cruise control
- Surround-view camera
- Blind-spot monitoring
Nissan Frontier
- Blind spot warning
- Lane departure warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Rear automatic braking
- Intelligent cruise control
- Intelligent forward collision warning
Infotainment and Connectivity
Finally, your infotainment and connectivity inside the Chevy Colorado or the Nissan Frontier will be exciting, especially in 2020-current vehicles. Here's what you get per trim as of 2022/2023:
Nissan Frontier:
- 9.0-inch infotainment display size
- AM/FM stereo
- Six total speakers
- Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
- USB connection
- Auxiliary audio input and USB with external media control
- Satellite radio satellite radio
Chevy Colorado:
- 11.3-inch infotainment display size
- AM/FM stereo
- Six total speakers
- Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay
- USB connection
- USB with external media control
- Satellite radio satellite radio
- 3 months of provided satellite radio service
- Speed-sensitive volume control
Get the Chevy Colorado or the Nissan Frontier at Tim's Truck Capital
With this Chevy Colorado vs. Nissan Frontier comparison post finished, there is no better dealer to head than Tim's Truck Capital. We are here for your next pickup truck sale, and our staff is ready to hand you a set of keys for a test drive. See you soon in Concord, NH!
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