A Tacoma, Frontier, and Colorado walk into a bar....

I'm tired of tinkering on daily stuff so me and the wife are car shopping. I think we settled on a CX5 for her and I'm looking for a pickup shortly after. I narrowed things down to the Frontier, Colorado, and the Tacoma for myself. I'm hoping you all can help me out.

The Colorado on my list would need to be a new leftover 2022. I've read quite a few complaints about the 8 speed having issues. Maybe less now than previous years but still something to think on. The 2023 is a new update so I don't think it's something I want to be a guinea pig on. I've found a couple of the WT 4x4 versions for $32k kitted exactly how I'd want it.

The Frontier appears to be a good option as well. It's priced similar to the Tacoma though in the $36k-40k territory so a little more cost up front. I believe this is the second year since the 22 update so still a little leery about getting a model that may not have all the kinks worked out. I know quite a few folks that have had the previous generation over the years and have had really good experiences with them but again new generation is a whole other scenario.

The v6 SR quad cab 4x4 Tacoma is at the top of my list. Resale value on these are bonkers so I feel like there's no downside to buying other than initial cost and it only has a 6 speed. If I understand this is basically the same truck they've had for quite a few years now with only a facelift. I like the idea of just getting what is known to work, has great resale value, and does all the things I need it to do. 

Anything else to consider or what I may have missed or gotten wrong?

I'm on my second Tacoma; 2005 and 2019. No regrets. The other two trucks don't even exist to me, based mostly on reliability and resale value. I got $12,000 for my 2005 200,000 mile Tacoma. 

I've got a 2019 Colorado and it's been good. It initially had the stuttering transmission issue but the fluid spec change fixed that. I like it.

The smaller Fords might be worth a look, the Ranger and Maverick.  Not sure what your goals are, but if usual runabout duties are what it'll be used for, those may fit the bill.

The Jeep Gladiator is another one, but may be a bit polarizing.  I have one, and really like it, but recognize it's not for everyone.  

In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :

How many miles do you have behind the wheel of your Colorado? I assume it's the v6?

In reply to Puddy46 :

Trying to stay away from anything not naturally aspirated so the Ranger and Maverick are out. I also need to do some towing which I failed to mention which also knocks out the Gladiator. I like the Gladiator with some big meaty 35" or bigger tires though, just trying to be pragmatic on this purchase.

Having only tangentially paid attention to the medium truck market lately, seems like the ranger should at least be on the list. Maybe maverick too but only if you can wait a year (after whenever orders open again) to get one.

I don't think there's anything really new about the colorado/canyon, that engine has been in use in the silverado for multiple years now and I doubt the transmission is anything special.

How much do you need to tow? I'd buy a Maverick if it's less than 4000 lbs, otherwise the Colorado would be my pick of the three you listed. 

In reply to captainawesome :

In regards to the Gladiator, it can tow up to 7600 lbs. with the 'max tow' package, which is more than the Frontier is rated at (6,700 max.).  The Gladiators have a maddeningly wide range of towing capacities, but on the big end are quite comparable to anything in the midsize market. 

In reply to Tom Suddard :

My FRS if need be or anything similar in weight. Nothing crazy far or super heavy but I'd rather not be at the limit with a big dual axle trailer and a 2750 pound car. Otherwise it would all be light duty. I really want to steer away from anything turbocharged so the Maverick would be out.

Any reason for the Colorado over the others?

I've driven the previous generation Frontier, and the current Colorado and Tacoma as rentals. I can only give driving impressions, no actual ownership experiences.

The Tacomas I've driven were the worst driving truck of the three. Ponderous, clumsy driving dynamics of an old school truck. Lots of people like them because they drive like a truck, but I don't. Also awkward to get in and out of (I'm, 6' 1"). Both of the examples had a strange shudder as they came to stop, it didn't feel like a brake issue, but a powertrain thing. Also seemed gutless to me. Not for me, but my son-in-law loved his, but then he drives like an old grandma. 

The Colorado was much better to drive than the Tacoma, because most of the truck-like driving dynamics weren't there. It also drove great on the highway - when I rented one it was in Montana and I drove it about five hours at highway speeds (80 +). I liked it more than I expected to.

The Nissan actually was my favorite, even though it was a really old design, but the new ones are clean sheet, so my opinion probably isn't valid. 

In reply to Puddy46 :

Looks like I glossed over that a little. Unfortunately price wise they are so much more around here than any of the other 3 by a wide margin. I think they look a bit strange without the big wheels so then I'm going down a rabbit hole I'd rather not go down.

captainawesome said:

In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :

How many miles do you have behind the wheel of your Colorado? I assume it's the v6?

It's about 17K in four years. I don't drive a lot of miles. It's a V6, crew cab, long bed. 

Edit: And to be accurate it's actually a GMC Canyon, but no real difference from the equivalent Colorado.

In reply to RacerBoy75 :

Good points on driving characteristics which I probably haven't given much consideration. My biggest concern is which one would make it to 200k miles without a fuss and still hold some value. I don't want to spend $40k and get a great driving truck for only the first 100k miles an things go downhill from there.

I did 50k in my 2019 Colorado Z71. It's honestly the best daily driver I have ever owned.  I switched mostly because my commute distance went way up.

And if you get a Colorado you can watch Tacoma bros disappear in your rear view mirror when they annoy you and still get better fuel economy.  

In reply to captainawesome :

That's a fair stance.  

I'm a tall guy and want a Taco but it sits more like a car with seat low and I'm used to a Silverado couch type seat. I drove 360 miles yesterday and 325 today so comfort is key.  (Chicago to St. Louis to Cape Gerardeau to St. Louis all over with another 600+ by Friday night)

I rented the older Colorado versus the new '23 and sat higher but the butt cushion seemed thin in design.  Joliet Nissan has a base 4x4 Frontier that interests me except Nissan scares me.

I'm considering a new Colorado but I revert back to non-turbo too and like the V6's.  One of the 'Yotas has a manual transmission.  

I just bought a new tacoma last fall, i'm at about 4k miles so far. I haven't driven the latest versions of any competitors, but I don't doubt they drive much better than the taco, it's pretty old school.

I bought it for two reasons:

1. If you want a midsize truck with a manual that can tow a midsize car, it's the only game in town. Auto was a non-starter, the manual adds enough interaction that makes the old school suspension, chassis, & brakes (almost) charming. 

2. Reliability. In my experience with dozens of old, high mileage, and generally neglected vehicles, none have held up as well as toyota trucks & SUVs. They aren't fancy, get middling mileage, don't make a ton of power, but they just last. Their degradation curves look a lot like their depreciation curves. 

Didn't the colorado/canyon just get refreshed? The new motor is a turbo 4, I believe that leaves the Taco & Frontier as your only naturally aspirated options.

We had a 3.6 Z71 Colorado for a bit. I liked it plenty around town, on the highway and towing. It went great on the beach, comfy and quiet on the highway and returned just over 20mpg on regular. Towed my racecar on a Uhaul trailer "fine" but not like our new F150. Dad sold it out of spite after the local chevy dealer was trying to give him the run-around.

If you think you want a Tacoma, go drive one. It should cure you. Every control is numb and the highway manners are lacking. The 1st gen was good, 2nd and 3rd pale in comparison.

It might be worth keeping in mind that for one year only you could get the last generation Frontier but with the new truck's 3.8 liter which probably gets better mpg than the old 4 liter. I have a 2010 that I'm happy with other than mpg, it feels like a 90s truck in a pleasant way, and generally feels well put together. I couldn't get a Tacoma in the same price range for anywhere near the same condition, and I was cold toward the Colorado because the 06 model I had was so rattly. 

Nissan is not something I would ever consider unless it is under factory warranty and even then most Nissan dealers don't know how to fix them. Ford and Chevy have have some issues but generally are ok. Toyota is a bit of 3rd world feel and design but it is probably the best bet if your looking for long term vehicle. 

I had a 2011 Frontier Pro-4X, liked the truck the Rockford Fosgate system was pretty good. Of course in a truck that price range the leather felt stiff and cheap. But it drove and rode nice.

Multiple times I purposely tried to get it stuck in mid and such. Like drive in to the muck in 2WD until it stopped. 

Switch to 4WD, lock the rear diff (electronic) and it would pull itself right out like it wasn't buried to the diff in muck.

But I only had it about 15k miles from new, so as expected, no problems.

In reply to z31maniac :

I'd like to have the rear diff from the 4x, as that's the only way to get LSD on a Frontier other than the desert runner trim.

'16 Canyon SLT 4X4 CCSB Duramax 6-speed bought new, my first mid-size. Rode slightly truck like factory. Added a Hellwig rear sway bar and it rode SUV like on Goodyear Wrangler Fortitudes. I used 4WD Auto in most winter conditions in SW PA, 4WD in deep snow and it did fine. Factory tow package with hitch and integrated trailer brake controller, tow cap was 7500 or so, but I never towed. I loved that truck.

The earlier 8-speed 'shudder' complaints were resolved with a change in factory trans fluid as of 3/19, earlier models could get a flush and refill with the new trans fluid.

I needed a long box so I traded it in on a '22 Colorado ZR2 ECLB 3.6L V6 8-speed. Engine and trans have been fine. Only complaint now on the 8-speed is a hard 1-2 shift when cold, so don't do jack rabbit starts out the gate, after a block it's fine. Tow cap on the ZR2 is reduced to 5K because 2" factory lift/ suspension and cooling. Other trims are 7K or above. Get the factory tow package. This truck does everything I need it to do.

Go to the Tacoma, Frontier and Colorado forums for better owner responses, they can vent their spleens there over any issues.

Coloradofans.com has many threads on towing and these trucks across any topic.

Good luck.

I have a '22 Taco, trd sport, v6, auto, dual cab short bed. You know, the yuppie trim.

I really wanted to like the 6 speed manual, but it doesn't pair well with a truck, the gear ratios and the engine power curve in my opinion. Just test driving one around town and on the highway cured me.

Towing: I towed about 1800 miles round trip last summer with my dual axle trailer and former Europa. It was fine, but that was only a 4k tow. In the big hills in PA and GA, I dropped the trans to 4th and it pulled at 75 without issue. I've towed 6k twice, and that's not something I'd want to do regularly or for long distances. Road manners were fine, but the torque curve forces the revs up.

Being a short guy who's a car fan, I don't mind the driving position.

I'd drive them all in a day and then reevaluate.