2016 Tacoma vs 2016 Colorado Turbo Diesel (Polite conversations only)

Hopefully I don't get too much crap but here is my opinion.

I had a 2013 Tacoma TRD Sport DCSB (and still lurk on this forum because the people are good and threads are amusing) and I now have a 2015 Colorado Z71 CCSB.

Summary:

Tacoma (2nd Gen) Positives
- Quality: I knew I could rely on that truck to start every time I turned the key. Biggest testament to the Tacoma's build was when I used my '13 to move from Atlanta to Anchorage last January. That was a 5,000 mile drive over 10 days over some very rough roads up here in the north and the Tacoma just kept on truckin'. It's going to take GM several years before they can prove they are as reliable as a Taco.
- Modifications: The plethora of aftermarket support for the Tacoma is astounding.

Tacoma Negatives
- Interior finish. I know it's a truck but the interior felt kind of bland on my 2nd Gen. Although, it got much better when I installed Katzkin leather.
- Payload. A truck shouldn't hit the bump stops with ~600 pounds in the bed. Although, it makes since. Toyota wants the Taco to perform well off-road, so a softer rear suspension will allow for more flex and better traction.


Colorado Positives
- Looks: I really liked the way my super white Taco looked when I modded it, but the Colorado has a sleek look from all angels of the showroom floor.
- Interior: It's hard plastic like the 2nd gen Taco, but the little things win here. Everything, and I mean everything is lit at night. The MyLink system is better than entune. The cab is super quiet at highway speeds and the leather on the steering wheel is nice and soft.
- Payload/Tailgate: I can haul a bed full of lumber and the truck barely squats. Also, I can use the tailgate as a bench for multiple people without fearing it will bend.
- Power: The 3.6 V6 does not leave me wanting more. It actually reminds me a little of my WRX when I pull away from a light and I see everyone else 4 - 5 car lengths behind.
- Fuel Economy: If I am conscious of my right foot, I can achieve an average of 20 MPG all city driving of 35 MPH or less.

Colorado Negatives
- Auto-Locking Differential: I knew when I traded my Taco that I wanted an off-road package due to the rough Alaskan roads here. While GM did an okay job programming the auto-diff to lock when needed, I'd rather have manual control over it.
- Transmission: This thing can't decide if it wants to be in a sports car or a Cadillac. It constantly tries to get in the highest gear as soon as possible to get the best MPGs, and then hunts for a gear when you try to accelerate. Supposedly GM has sent a software update to change the shift points, but the transmission always hunting is annoying.
- Modifications: At this time there is almost no aftermarket support for the Colorado. It makes since as the twins are only about a year old, but it does make for a cookie cutter truck.


Overall, I chose the get the Colorado over a new Tacoma because I felt that GM really captured everything I want out of a truck. The 2015 Tacoma I drove was no different than my 2013 and I don't really care for the looks of the 2016 Tacoma and in addition 3rd gen really seems to be a 2nd gen with some new sheet metal and a couple of extra gadgets. I don't doubt that the new Tacoma is a great truck, I just think Toyota could have done more to it.

Sorry for the long post, but I thought my perspective could shed some light on the subject.

 

I was seriously considering the canyon at first, but I really wanted sunroof, keyless start, ect.in the end I just decided that reliability, resale, and offroad performance (which I probably won't do a whole lot of) won.

 

Interesting comparison. Just remember you are comparing a new Colorado vs a ten year old designed Taco......the one that should be compared to the previous Colorado. If you never actually drove the 2016, you're guessing. I did inspect it with mine next to it. Though the shape is the same, part for part it is totally different. Make no judgement of the 2016 without driving it. It's no more valid then me comparing a 2016 with the Colorado 5 cylinder they stopped making years ago.

 

I've driven both the 2016 Tacoma and the 2015 Canyon. It's close, but the Taco's hood doesn't rattle, the plastic trim around the door handle never came off, and the driver's seat never jumped its track. Engines sound similar, and both scooted rather effectively when mashing the gas. Haven't seen the Tacoma blind-spot monitoring yet (it's coming on mine), but the Canyon's lane departure warning system is an unholy abomination on narrow surface streets (it's an Austin thing). Overall quality goes to the Taco.

 

I haven't driven one, came close, but did compare mine on the exterior (2015) to an SR and an SR15. The bed, the trim, everything I could see as they sat side by side seemed more substantial then my truck even though mine is an OR and they were both lower end models. The quality and detail was as significant as you would see in any two cars or trucks 10 years apart. I especially liked the SR with NO badges whatsoever and black surround the grill.

 

If you could get an SR with the power package, V6, and 4x4 all together I would be looking at trading my Tacoma right now and starting my build over. Sadly Toyota set things up so that the poverty level of Tacoma has no V6 4x4 option to stop people from going that direction.

I dislike Toyota and their preference for very limited customization of options.

 

You got it ! The expected limitations made me buy a 2015 over waiting for the 2016. As much as I would like one, the difference in what I got for a 2015 v6 off road I get a basic four cylinder SR5...couldn't do it.

 

Was hoping you could help me out with a link for the article or video of this. My googlefu is weak.

 

It's old. Sweers said it right at the Tacoma release in Detroit. He's right for now. Maybe if Diesel catches on he'll be wrong later.

Funny thing is this morning I ran into a GM sales guy I know at the pumps and we shot the shit for a while. He's really not sure what to expect with the Diesel. All he knows is that allocations will be low and at his dealer they haven't been moving many Colorado's yet so they might never see one.

 

I know its old. I got another guy on a different forum that wants me to back up where I got the information is all.

 

http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_s...016-toyota-tacoma-chief-engineer-mike-sweers/

My goolgefu is strong.

 

I'm sorry but Dodges suck guys. I've heard and seen more nightmare stories with Dodge. Not to mention you cant trust them over the first year. Toyota is accountable for their trucks and will fix anything. Not to mention you don't have to worry about anything for 250K until you glace at the chain.

 

Just to reinforce what you are saying. My Toyotas have not been trouble free. But, there have been three issues that I felt were related to poor quality even thought the Toyotas were each well beyound warranty. I talked with Toyota customer service, not the dealer, directly. They resolved all three issues to my satisfaction.

Wtf do I have to complain about ? I still go to Toyota first for new cars and trucks. My wife thinks I'm a genius cause she likes the cars I have her try out and she thinks I do a great job keeping them trouble free....well, first you read CR, secondly, put Toyota trucks and cars on your shopping list.

 

New review of the Colorado diesel: http://truckyeah.jalopnik.com/2016-chevy-colorado-diesel-all-the-right-sounds-and-da-1734638569

except from the article:

"I grabbed a 2WD Colorado with a tonneau cover over the bed to maximize aerodynamics and minimize weight. In my first 25 miles of driving I averaged 25.3 MPG according to the truck’s trip computer. With a featherfoot on the highway, I squeezed out a 33.5 MPG run over another 25 miles with a max of 35.1.

On a 55.1 mile mixed loop, with about 50 percent highway, 40 percent backroad, 10 percent city conditions I ended up at 29.5 MPG."

Sounds promising. Will be interesting to see some stats coming up on Fuelly.com

Toyota won't ever bring a diesel to N.A. The only hope for a Japanese product to do this will be the new Frontier (likely 2017).

 

30 mpg...

I seem to remember throwing that number out there when the Diesel fanboys were throwing out 35-40 mpg highway . It makes perfect sense. It pushes almost the same amount of air as the Ram Ecodiesel with roughly 3/4 of the power to the wheels. At that number it'll take 3-5 years, depending on driving habits and miles driven, for most people to pay back the extra investment. It'll be interesting to see how well it sells.

 

I'm guessing when the official #'s come out it will be 32 highway and 25 city for 2WD. Probably 30-31 highway and 24 city for 4 wd.

 

Yup, that's probably about right. Not to shabby at all. Not the type of numbers though that make me want to burn my Tacoma to get into one though.

 

The way I see it, name another truck that is the favorite of your average terrorist. They need dependable trucks ! TACOMA !

 

If the guy from Jalopnik got 35 MPG on Highway I will get that too. MY Tdi was rated for 49 MPG and I was getting way north of that.
So if this guy got 35 MPG on brand new truck I can beat that easily.

That is insane, with 21 gallon tank that would be 735 miles range..
And whats important thats the numbers you get year round not in the summer only.

 

So no oil, belts, brakes, tires, filter, or fluid changes until 250K?

When they make it, I'll buy it.

All vehicles require maintenance. While I think Toyota makes a very fine automobile, I don't think they walk on water compared to other manufacturers. Dodge is special with their trucks. They seem to not be able to resolve a simple design flaw with the body that leads to horrendous rusting. That being said, other automakers have had serious rust problems too *cough**cough*. Not every vehicle problem can be fixed. I would be upset to be one of those people who had to give up my first or second gen tacoma for rust issues. People lost a lot of money on that deal. Toyota also only cared to deal with the issue when facing lawsuits. All major car companies sit on about the same level of the totem pole (just above a car salesman and below a lawyer).

It's best to avoid issues 100% but when they do come up, have a company that deals with it appropriately. Dodge is having to buy back hundreds of thousands of trucks because of rust. So did Toyota. Who ever is effected by the rust isn't getting back the money they put into the truck. So either way, someone is getting screwed. When Toyota gives people a brand new equivalent Tacoma to replace their old one, let me know. Until then I don't see how Dodge takes less care of it's customers than Toyota. IDK I'll let you know when my BIL gets his official buy back offer from RAM.