Drove Tacoma, Colorado and Silverado in one day

I got my 2002 Tacoma on Craigslist, financing ready to go so I am kinda of stuck in that phase where I figure I better be testing as many trucks as possible.
I have tested the Tacoma a few times before. A manual once and auto a couple of other times. This time I tested a DCLB Tacoma (my ideal config). Dealer let me run it up the mountain pass (7200 ft to 9000 ft) and the Tacoma did a good job. I was going 80 mph at 3,000 RPMs and could have gone faster but I didn't.
Also got to the take it off road for a bit. Low range didn't feel that low but overall okay. Around town the Tacoma is a bit of a dog. I don't think the ECT does too much. It still starts you in a low RPM so getting to the power band takes some time. Tacoma doesn't feel bad, just not the instant gratification you might be used to in a truck.
I later tested a Colorado just for the fun of it. A crew cab long bed. The 3.6 is noticeably faster than the Tacoma. You feel like you are getting more pull at lower RPM's. Feels like a bigger displacement motor than 3.6 Liters. RPM's don't spike nearly as high compared to the Tacoma either. I think when I floored it it threw me up to 4,000 RPMs. Ride is a bit smoother too.
While I was at the dealer I decided to test a Silverado 5.3 V8 4x4. Honestly, the Colorado V6 felt much quicker on it's feet. Probably a power to weight ratio thing but like the Tacoma, the 5.3 liter felt relatively sluggish at lower RPMs and RPM's will spike to 4k rpm if you dig your foot in. I was really surprised that the big V8 felt kind of doggish. I am sure it pulls a trailer better but there is something to be said for a lighter vehicle.

As far as driving and power impressions go, I would give the Colorado an A-, the Tacoma a B- and the Silverado a solid B. I would give the Tacoma manual transmission an A- as well.
Before I get flamed I will acknowledge that the Tacoma has better resale and perceived build quality. I was pleasantly surprised by the Colorado however. I should be getting my new truck as soon as I sell my old 2002, which will hopefully be soon!

 

Did you like the seats in the Colorado? That was one of the first things I didn't like when I was test driving. I also own a 2014 Chevy Traverse that the wife daily drives and I can never get comfortable in that thing, seat always seem a bit different to me, same thing in the Colorado. Wife loves it and its plenty big to carry the whole family plus bags.

Taco felt right at home, newer and a lot more tech than my previous trucks but the driving position felt familiar and more definitely comfortable to me than the Colorado.

 

Seats felt fine to me. I guess contact points (seats, pedals, wheel etc.) are tastes highly specific to each person. To me seat comfort felt similar on both Tacoma and Colorado.

 

If you get the Chevy, promise you'll stick around here to complain about the Tacoma.

 

Anything for you, Swimmer. =)

 

I had the 6.2L in my GMC sierra... she scooted with over 400HP. Problem with the Colorado for off road is the approach angles and no easy front bumper mod.

 

I agree. Even if you removed the airdam the bumper hangs way too low. I have heard only great things about the 6.2 but the 5.3 did feel a bit underwhelming until around 4,000 RPMs.

 

Weird I bought the 16 Tacoma in December and seat comfort after a month I had to sell because I am in it over 3k miles a moth and my legs, butt and back were just sore. Could not get comfortable. Loved the truck every other way. Wife couldn't handle seats not adjusting up and down and she couldn't get them comfy either. I sold it and ordered a 16 Colorado crew z71 with diesel and seats are much better. Had it little over month and 3200 miles so far. They are not near as nice as my Tundra seats were but ok for sure. Wish they were little bigger and had 10 way seats. That sais I really like the Colorado I have a lot. Especially the diesel package just fits great. I will say the Tacoma off road was lots better angle but I do not off road hard too much and nothing a 2.5 kit wont fix. I will say to the poster that I really believe that you will like the truck a lot. I would also say if seats were comfy in the 16 Tacoma to you as they are good on many others it is a great truck too. I loved that Tacoma but for me it didn't pan and the Colorado is working great so far. I think that we are all different and fit different. I also believe on the road the Colorado rides better on streets in my opinion as far as ride quality. Both are quite inside and the Tacoma to me I still like I had sunroof/blind spot monitoring mirror/ both have great stereos/ like the interior looks better on Tacoma. Both are great small trucks and both can do better in my opinion on seat comfort!

 

ok.

 

It can be the greatest truck in the world but if the seats or interior don't make you happy to be in it every day, I don't think there's any point in buying it.

 

Seats in the Colorado felt like setting on bricks to me.

 

Yeah I am still leaning towards Tacoma. Got a bite on my 2002 today after one day on CL. Guy wants to come look tomorrow with cash in hand. Either wants to buy it or he wants to murder me and take my truck. Not sure I could sleep with myself at night with a Chevy in the driveway. Although I will credit GM for making decent quality strides post-bailout.

 

Don´t get the Silverado
https://www.yahoo.com/news/gm-asks-owners-stop-driving-152600874.html

 

I can say if the seats would of worked for me id still have it for sure. I would think they will make them better or at least more adjustable by the 18 model year. I love the Tacoma and wish i hadn't had that issue. By the way yes the seats in the Colorado are not great either but with the adjustments it just worked. I added Katskin leather also that added 1/8 in more padding than stock on seats on the Colorado too because yes they was like hard. Everyday i see a new 16 i still get mad that i couldn't get comfortable. Loved ever other thing about the truck. Still do!!!

 

A very close friend of mine whom I work with purchased a new canyon a few weeks ago (personally I like the canyon a LOT more than the colorado). It's a really nice truck and I really like it. He let me drive it and it feels like it has more bottom end for sure, but I will say that the tacoma pulls much harder than the gmc after ~3500rpm. I have the sport model and I feel like there is much less body roll than the gmc as well. His seats were one thing I was not a fan of. SUPER hard seats. First thing I noticed when I test drove a new taco was how much more comfortable it was. Anyway here are a few quick comparrison shots for the approach angle:

 

Approach angle on sport not that much better with air dam. Need to remove if it were mine. Canyon looks better from front end than the tacoma.

 

The back seats are like park benches.

 

Wow, and the 3rd gen owners think they have problems....

 

looks good on both. I do agree are firm in Gm but to me with the adjustments made the difference. I wish I hadn't had issues on my 16 Tacoma and seat comfort because it cost me and I liked it. I like my Colorado also with the diesel a lot too. I think whichever way you go you will be happy and whichever is comfortable to you.

 

The GMC just looks more bulky, at first glance I thought it was the 1500