Car and Driver Comparison: 2016 Tacoma v. 2016 Colorado

I would be more interested in this comparison in a year or two when both have been out longer and we can get an idea of durability. Also, anyone who talks about "off road capabilities" being most important obviously doesn't know how 80%-90% of mid-size truck buyers are using their trucks.

 

As grocery getters?

 

I still want a Tacoma because of reliability and off road worthiness. But some things just bug the crap out of me. Why don't they get remote start? Why don't they have electric fans on their radiators instead of power robbing fans right from the engines? Seems like they cut corners on so many minor things that could make a big difference.

 

I'm sitting in a restaurant as I post this and out in the parking lot I see three second gens and two xterras with not a scratch on them . They look to be in mint condition.

So, yes.....but for Xtreme Grocery Getting and Costco Runs

 

If someone wrapped a Colorado in a bow and left it in my driveway I would sell it and buy a Tacoma in a NY second....Everything is great the first 1000 miles with GM LOL If it were a Canyon I would think about it for five minutes ...then sell it and buy a Tacoma

 

Why are you showing up in Tapatalk when I added you to my ignore list?

Since you buy a new vehicle every year why don't you just go GM?

When are you going g to preorder your 2017?

 

I like how because the Tacoma stopped 2 feet quicker, it is "proof" that rear discs don't matter. Not that it didn't have anything to do with vehicle weight, tire traction, suspension, or any other relevant factor.

 

Very interested to read this. I hate to admit that I was hopeful the Tacoma could pull out a win in such a comparison, even with Car and Driver (very on-road centric). I am most surprised the new quietness/refinement/interior amenities didn't get the Toyota a higher experience or vehicle score.

Things I am curious about:
- Was Tacoma's ECT on or off?
- How would a manual transmission change the Toyota's score? (not apples to apples, but...)
- Details on the MPG results (in what portions of the trip was it high/low)
- C&D opinion on power delivery with the 2GR
- What model did they test? (4x4 or 4x2, Cab? Trim?)

Things I find interesting or funny:
- Drum Brakes win the stop contest (surprise...it's about traction, etc)
- Tacoma is slower 0-60mph, finishes behind in the quarter-mile, but is at a faster speed....with less HP. Hmmm.

 

Reminds me of Consumer Reports recommending the Nissan Frontier over the 2nd gen Tacoma because it rides like a truck, then you check their own reliability data and the Tacoma's is stellar while the Frontier's is neck and neck with Mopar. WTF, man?

 

I don't think anyone was claiming them as better, but it clearly isn't a real issue either way as people have been clamoring about, and they do take the off-road crud better. If you are doing a 70-0 stop and 5 feet either way is a deal-breaker, I think you are overthinking your vehicle.

 

No, as general haulers, which is why the SR5 is the biggest seller.

 

If I could get the locker on a SR5, I would probably do that and save 4-5k.

 

The new Nissan redesigned stuff is Mopar reliability but they say the old stuff that has not been redesigned, like the Frontier, is fine.

 

Fair enough.

 

Toyota did not take a double page Tacoma ad out in Car and driver...Hmmmmm

 

I like the fanboys not even talking about some of the legitimate complaints by the magazine that owners have said here in the forum like the odd transmission shifting and the crappy engine. Say what you will about GM quality and I agree, I'd buy a Tacoma in a heartbeat based on QDR, but lets face it Toyota dropped the ball on the new powertrain, worse numbers, worse performance and worse MPG than the GM turd, as the magazine verdict says...."still much of the same".

 

Toyota has never been about the specs. In fact, Toyota always seems like it is 5 years behind the competition with their trucks in terms of tech/specs. The good part is Toyota always plays it safe and put in tech that was not as advanced as the competition. Each Toyota Tacoma update always disappoints people. Then as the months and years go by, word of mouth from satisfied customers reaches the masses. Kinda always been how Toyota rolls. I was ley down by the new Tacoma but then I realized Tacoma owners should never have super high expectations for a revision.

 

It's easy to be "reliable" when you don't take any risks to make a better product or be the first to accomplish a new benchmark.

 

I am sure Ford, Dodge, GM, etc could all be "reliable" if they go back in development to proven basic engine technology. But that loses a crap ton of customers who always want the next best thing. Most people want improvements over time as opposed to the same thing year in and year out so long as it simply functions correctly.