Comparing Chevy Colorado VS Nissan Frontier
Chevy Colorado VS Nissan Frontier
Power, Performance, and Practicality Collide - The battle between the Chevy Colorado and Nissan Frontier has long defined the midsize truck segment—and in 2025, that rivalry is more exciting than ever. Both trucks are built for drivers who demand capability in a smaller, more maneuverable package than full-size models, but when you look closer, Chevrolet’s engineering, technology, and design refinements put the Colorado firmly ahead of the competition.
Chevy’s latest Colorado lineup offers advanced turbocharged performance, impressive towing capacity, and cutting-edge off-road trims like the ZR2 that show just how versatile a midsize truck can be. Meanwhile, the Frontier, though refreshed in recent years, sticks closer to its old-school formula—solid but dated in key areas like tech and overall refinement. The difference becomes clear the moment you step into the cabin: the Colorado delivers a modern, driver-centric interior filled with intuitive technology, premium materials, and comfort features that make every drive feel like an upgrade.
From daily work duty to weekend adventure, the Chevy Colorado brings more to the table in power, performance, and value. It’s engineered to meet modern expectations for both toughness and technology, proving that midsize doesn’t mean middle-of-the-road.
Comparing Colorado VS Frontier
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| Engines and Power |
Colorado's 2.7L TurboMax engine with auto start/stop control, coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission, is powerful and ready to perform with 310 horsepower, 430 lb-ft of torque, and Highest-In-Class max towing of 7700 lbs. StabiliTrak, Colorado's stability control system with Proactive Roll Avoidance and traction control includes electronic trailer sway control and hill start assist. The Colorado is available in 2WD and 4WD with a comprehensive trailering app, hitch guidance, and trailer camera views to assist with towing. Flexride mode offers a smooth and comfortable ride with 22 MPG highway EPA fuel efficiency.
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Frontier's 3.8-liter V6 engine and 9-speed automatic transmission performs with 310 horsepower, 281 lb-ft of torque, and maximum towing capacity up to 7,150 lbs with a rating of 6,760 lbs in the Crew Cab 4x4 long bed. Frontier comes with rear wheel 4x2 or with 4x4 drive. Nissan Frontier offers optional Utili-track® Channel System with adjustable cleats, 120-volt outlet in the bed, Intelligent Around View Monitor, and Trailer Sway Control. EPA Fuel efficiency in the Frontier 4x2 models is 19 mpg city / 24 mpg highway, and in 4x4 models is 17 mpg city / 21 mpg highway.
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| Cargo Capacities & Truck Bed Size | Colorado's ZR2 Bison, equipped with factory-installed 35" tires and extra underbody protection, tops all contenders with an amazing Off-Road ground clearance of 12.2 inches. Ground clearance for other ZR2 models is 10.73" high, Trail Boss is 9.51" high, and Z71 is 8.90" high. The Colorado offers optional underbody camera views to help navigate tricky trails and Off-Road Lighting and Front Bumper packages. The ZR2 also comes equipped with Rocker Panel Protection, Hill Descent Control, Front Red Recovery Hooks, advanced Multimatic DSSV spool-valve jounce control dampers which are proven in motorsports and offer superior ride control over various terrain, plus front and rear electronic locking differentials for maximum off-road traction.
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Frontier's best ground clearance is in the PRO-4X Crew Long Bed truck at 8.6 inches, while ground clearance for the Pro-4X2 is 8.4", S model is 7.8" and SV model is 7.5". The Pro-4X Off-road features include a Shift-on-the-fly 4x4 with switch-operated 2-speed transfer case for low-range gearing, an electronic locking rear differential, Bilstein® off-road shocks, All-terrain tires, and Underbody skid plates. And electronic locking rear differential. The PRO-4X has rugged all-terrain tires, mounted on 17-inch PRO aluminum-alloy wheels. PRO-4X adds tech like Hill Descent Control for managing steep grades in 4WD. Optional Intelligent Around View Monitor, with an off-road mode to help navigate in tight areas. PRO-4X EPA rating is 16 mpg city / 20 mpg highway.
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| Cargo Capacities and Truck Bed Size | Colorado has maximum payload capacity of 1,846 lbs and Best-In-Class truck bed functionality with 49.1 cu ft of cargo volume, 61.7" cargo box length, 58.8" cargo box width (45.5 at wheelhousings), an available spray-in bedliner, and cab mounted cargo box light. Colorado also rates Best-In-Class tailgate with EZ-Lift & lower tailgate, Stowflex lockable storage compartment, remote locking, plus a key-locking cylinder. Colorado's 4-door crew cab has 57.40" front and 56.13" rear shoulder room, 40.29" front and 38.28" rear headroom, 45.17" front and 34.70" rear legroom. The Colorado with its front seat console seats five.
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Frontier is available in 2 truck cab sizes: the King Cab with 59.5" bed and the Crew Cab with 59.5" bed or optional 73.3" bed. Frontier's payload capacity for the King Cab 4x2 is 1,620 lbs, for King Cab 4x4 is 1,450 lbs, for Crew Cab 4X2 is 1,490 lbs, and Crew Cab 4X4 is 1,330 lbs. Truck box cargo volume is 40.1 cu ft in the King Cab bed and 49.2 cu ft in the Crew Cab bed. Colorado's Crew Cab has front legroom of 42.3" and rear legroom of 33.2". The King Cab seats four, while the Crew Cab seats five.
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| Safety & Technology
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Chevy Colorado comes with automatic emergency braking, LED reflective windshield collision alert, forward collision control, front pedestrian and bicyclist braking, rear park assist, rear cross traffic braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, following distance indicator, StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System with traction control, Tire Pressure monitoring, tire fill alert, rear vision camera, hitch view, rear child security door locks, rear seat belt warning, Buckle TO Drive. Colorado offers optional Safety Package, blind zone steering assist with trailering, rear pedestrian alert, LED or Halogen daytime running lights, underbody cameras, OnStar Services, highway safety kit, remote start and keyless entry, IntelliBeam Headlights, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
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Frontier safety features include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning, rear automation braking, rearview monitoring, remote keyless entry, NissanConnect, Vehicle Dynamic Stability Control, Traction Control, and optional Intelligent Around View for 360 degree virtual composite view.
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Why Drivers Choose Colorado Over Frontier
When all the specs are compared side by side, the Chevy Colorado’s superiority isn’t just measurable—it’s unmistakable. Chevy’s turbocharged engine lineup offers the perfect balance of horsepower and efficiency, while the Frontier’s single V6 option limits both choice and flexibility. Add in the Colorado’s refined interior, digital display suite, and advanced driver-assist features, and you’ve got a truck that’s not only stronger but smarter for the long haul.
Beyond the numbers, owning a Colorado means joining a legacy of dependability that’s built into every Chevy truck. With its proven resale value, class-leading safety tech, and bold design language, the Colorado stands out as the midsize truck that truly does it all—without compromise.
At Bob Fisher Chevrolet, we invite drivers in Reading and Hamburg, PA to see firsthand what sets the Colorado apart. Explore our inventory online or visit our showroom to experience its power and comfort up close. Take a test drive today and discover why more Pennsylvania drivers are choosing the Chevy Colorado as their trusted midsize pickup..