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Every year, it's an all-out fight as automobile manufacturers strive to deliver a superior product to their competitors. When it comes to pickup trucks, the competition heats up as each make and model offers an array of features, performance, and capabilities that rival one another as they strive for supremacy. While much has been made about the heavy-duty trucks that deliver the goods and earth-shaking power, the smaller-sized pickups compete just as hard as each one attempts to prove that the big things can still come in small packages. Comparing the 2022 Chevy Colorado vs 2022 Nissan Frontier will reveal two vehicles that are striving to prove their worth, and that size doesn't matter.
While Nissan deserves credit for being on the cutting edge of innovation and design, Chevrolet possesses a pedigree and lineage that goes back over a century, and its trucks consistently prove it. As we'll see ahead, the Chevy Colorado is able to outmatch the Nissan Frontier in economy and versatility, offering a variety of trims that accommodate any type of job and driver. Nissan brings a lot to the table and has a reputation for thinking outside the box with trucks, but it can't match up to the prestige that Chevrolet has built over time.
If you're looking to tow a fifth wheel or massive trailer, you go for horsepower. If you need something practical that can be reliable on the road and save you money at the pump, you shop for efficiency. First off, when you want an engine that is economical in terms of saving you gas money, do you opt for something extravagant? Of course not. Big engines need big amounts of money and gas to keep them running. To save money at the pump, you look for an economical 4-cylinder engine or a diesel, and that's exactly what Chevrolet is bringing to the table.
The Chevy Colorado is equipped with a standard 2.5L 4-cylinder engine, one of the best offerings that GM has manufactured in recent years. While the Colorado might not have as many ponies underneath the hood, it makes up for this with a reliable track record that speaks for itself. Compared to other motors in the industry, the 2.5L is cheaper to maintain, and with its 22 MPG combined rating, Chevy certainly gives you more bang for your buck.
Coming standard with the Nissan Frontier is a 3.8L V6. While Nissan's motor offers substantially more standard power than the standard 2.5L in the Colorado, that power comes at a cost. Not only is the Frontier a more expensive truck to purchase, but it has a lower fuel economy rating of 20 MPG combined. While that large V6 may be good for some users, it is not an economical choice, and Nissan doesn't provide you with any other options. And since both vehicles come with 21 gallon gas tanks, that lower fuel economy means the Frontier can cover just 420 miles between gas station stops while the Colorado can travel 483 miles without stopping.
Chevy, on the other hand, does provide you with options–and they give you both power and efficiency. If you want a V6 engine in your Colorado, you can have one, a 3.6L V6, to be precise. Chevy's V6 offers over 300 horsepower, just like Nissan's, but it also offers a 21 MPG combined fuel economy rating. Finally, the top engine option for the 2022 Colorado is a 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel not only provides the truck with its best-in-class tow rating but also gives it best-in-class fuel efficiency at 23 MPG combined. Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too? Because this fuel-sipping diesel with its 369 pound-feet of torque certainly proves them wrong.
A wise man once said, "you need the right tool for the right job." This analogy also works when it comes to finding the right pickup truck. While not everyone needs to go off-roading, four-wheel drive holds a unique advantage for navigating the elements and weathering the storm. Not everyone needs a big block V8, but some people want something that pulls just enough weight to get their groceries from the store and occasionally some wood from the hardware store. The point is, the more versatile a truck can be, the better. Chevy has fully embraced this mindset, making the 2022 Colorado the most versatile truck in its class. From towing to off-roading and beyond, there isn’t much that the Colorado can’t accomplish.
While midsize trucks may not be considered towing powerhouses, many buyers enjoy knowing that they can hitch up a trailer when needed. However, a quick look at the spec sheet reveals that the Colorado offers substantially better tow ratings than the Frontier. While Nissan's truck tops out at 6,720 pounds of towing, the Colorado offers an even 7,000 pounds with its V6 engine. Opt for Chevy's Duramax turbo-diesel option, and that tow rating soars to a best-in-class 7,700 pounds, putting it in the same region as some full-size trucks. While this tow rating may not let you pull a large horse trailer or a luxurious camper, it is more than enough to confidently tow your boat to the lake or a side by side to the trails for a weekend of fun.
Like towing, off-roading isn't something every midsize truck owner does every day. But when it comes time to get some mud on the tires (or just slog through a patch of bad weather), you want a truck that can keep up. Both the Frontier and the Colorado can be optioned with four-wheel drive for improved off-road traction, but when it comes to real trail riding, you will want to compare the Frontier PRO-4X with the Colorado ZR2. These two trucks come equipped with long lists of off-road features, but a quick comparison of those lists shows the ZR2 comes out on top. With class-exclusive front and rear locking differentials, a 2-inch suspension lift, and a 3.5-inch wider track, this is one midsize pickup that was built to take on the trails.
An aspect that some people overlook when comparing vehicles is the warranty coverage offered by the manufacturers. You can browse and compare the specs until you're blue in the face, but the coverage that's extended to you can provide peace of mind. And much like staying safe on the road, that's something that's impossible to put a price tag on.
On the surface, the coverage for these two trucks may look rather similar. Chevrolet and Nissan both offer a powertrain warranty that covers a period of 5 years or 60,000 miles. This covers many of the major systems that are responsible for the mobility of your vehicle. Both manufacturers also offer their drivers a limited warranty that lasts for 3 years or 36,000 miles. This is standard as far as most manufacturers are concerned, but its the added services where Chevy pulls out ahead.
First off, Chevrolet offers 24-hour roadside assistance for an unbelievable period of 5 years or 100,000 miles. This is coverage that goes above and beyond expectations and shows the type of care and courtesy that Chevrolet is known for extending to its customers. In comparison, Nissan's roadside assistance only lasts for 3 years or 36,000 miles, which could end up leaving you in the lurch just as that new vehicle smell starts to wear off.