Chevy Colorado vs RAM 1500

When it comes to trucks in the United States there’s no shortage of options. But with so many options it can be a challenge trying to narrow it down to exactly what you need.

You don’t want to overpay for more truck than you need, but you also don’t want to get a truck that can’t handle everything you want. We understand, and that’s why we wanted to take the time to highlight both the Chevy Colorado and the RAM 1500 for you here.

They’re two of the most popular trucks on the market today, but they fit entirely different needs. We’ll break down what each one can do for you here that way you can make your own decision about which truck is right for you.

The Chevy Colorado

If you only need a smaller truck then the Chevy Colorado is a great small pickup truck. However, they’re certainly a smaller truck, and an area where that really shines through is the payload.

Depending on the model year and package you choose it has a maximum payload anywhere between 987 and 1,560 pounds. We’ll break down everything else you need to know about this small but versatile truck for you here.

Engine and Performance Specs

While the Chevy Colorado is a smaller truck, it packs quite a punch compared to other small trucks. But it all depends on the engine option you go with and what you’re looking for in a truck. There’s an option with over 350 ft/lb of torque, and there’s an engine option with over 300 horsepower.

Of course, it all depends on the engine option you go with. To help you sort it out, we highlighted each of the five engine options the Colorado has had throughout the years, what model years you can find them in, and the performance specs for each.

Towing Specs

There’s an extremely wide range of towing specs here depending on the engine option and towing package you go with. The lowest-rated Colorado can only tow up to 1,900 pounds, which means plenty of SUVs out there can tow more.

However, the highest-rated Colorado can tow up to 7,000 pounds, which is more than enough for most recreational drivers. Do your research before you pick a Colorado and know what you need it for.

The RAM 1500

If you’re looking for a truck a little bigger than the Chevy Colorado, then the Dodge RAM 1500 is an outstanding choice. It’s a half-ton pickup truck and over the years it’s gone through a ton of changes.

Because of this it can be a challenge to keep up with everything. We’ve highlighted some of the major engine and performance changes through the years, but always check the exact specifications for the truck you’re looking at before making a purchase.

Engine and Performance Specs

There are a lot of RAM 1500 engines throughout the years. We tracked down 13 different engine options that RAM has put under the hood of their 1500, but that’s not even counting every time Dodge tweaked each specific engine.

We’ve highlighted each engine option you can find in a RAM 1500, what model years you can find it in, and the performance specs in each option for you in our chart here.

Towing Specs

While the Chevy Colorado is a compact and versatile little truck, it simply can’t compete with the RAM 1500 when it comes to both payload and performance. The smallest RAM 1500 has a payload capacity of 1,238 pounds, while the largest 1500s have a payload of 2,335.

But while that means the 1500 has more vehicles with a higher payload, it also means that some Colorados have a higher payload than some 1500s.

And when it comes to towing specs it’s pretty much the same way. The smallest 1500 can tow up to 4,800 pounds, while the largest 1500s can tow up to 8,320 pounds. Not only does this give the largest RAM 1500 a larger towing capacity than the largest Colorado, but it’s also a smaller gap between the lowest and highest towing capacities.

Still, you can’t just assume the RAM 1500 has a higher towing capacity than the Colorado, because that’s not always the case.

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering either a Chevy Colorado or a RAM 1500, Tim’s Truck would love to help. They can help you answer any questions you might have and help you find the best possible deal on your new truck.

Whether that’s a more powerful Chevy Colorado or a RAM 1500, the experts at Tim’s Truck can help you get behind the wheel of the perfect truck for you.