Compare the2023 Chevrolet ColoradoVS 2023 Nissan Frontier

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Payload and Towing
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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Full-time four-wheel drive is optional on the Colorado. Full-time four-wheel drive gives added traction for safety in all conditions, not just off-road, like the only system available on the Frontier.

The Colorado’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the Frontier.

Both the Colorado and Frontier offer Rear Cross Traffic Alert, but the Colorado has Rear Cross Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Frontier’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Colorado and the Frontier have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and around view monitors.

Warranty

The Colorado’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Frontier’s (6 vs. 5 years).

There are almost 3 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Nissan dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Colorado’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Colorado has a standard 800-amp battery. The Frontier’s 510-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are better in initial quality than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 20 more problems per 100 vehicles, Nissan is ranked 10th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Chevrolet vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Chevrolet above average in long-term dependability. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

Engine

The Colorado’s optional 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (391 vs. 281) than the Frontier’s 3.8 DOHC V6. The Colorado ZR2’s standard 2.7 turbo 4-cylinder produces 149 lbs.-ft. more torque (430 vs. 281) than the Frontier’s 3.8 DOHC V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Colorado gets better mileage than the Frontier:

			MPG
Colorado
	RWD	2.7 turbo 4-cyl. (237 HP)	20 city/25 hwy
	AWD	2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	19 city/23 hwy
Frontier
	RWD	3.8 DOHC V6	18 city/24 hwy
	AWD	3.8 DOHC V6	17 city/22 hwy

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Colorado’s fuel efficiency. The Frontier doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Colorado’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Frontier doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Colorado has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Frontier doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Colorado’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Frontier:

	Colorado	Frontier King Cab	Frontier Crew Cab
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	11.1 inches	11.7 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	11.3 inches	11.3 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Colorado ZR2’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Frontier (285/70R17 vs. 265/70R16).

The Colorado Trail Boss’ optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Frontier SV/Midnight’s 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Colorado has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Frontier. The Colorado Trail Boss’ optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Frontier PRO-X/PRO-4X.

Suspension and Handling

The Colorado has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Frontier Crew Cab suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Colorado is 1.7 inches wider in the front and 1.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Frontier.

For greater off-road capability the Colorado ZR2 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Frontier PRO-4X Crew Cab (10.7 vs. 9.8 inches), allowing the Colorado to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The Colorado is 11.4 inches shorter than the Frontier LWB Crew Cab, making the Colorado easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Colorado uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Frontier doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Cargo Capacity

The Colorado has a much larger cargo box than the Frontier Crew Cab shortbed (41.9 vs. 40.1 cubic feet).

The Colorado’s cargo box is larger than the Frontier’s in almost every dimension:

	Colorado	Frontier Crew Cab	Frontier King Cab
Length (short/long)	61.7”	59.5”/72.7”	73.3”
Max Width	58.2”	61.4”	61.4”
Min Width	45.5”	44.5”	44.5”

The Chevrolet Colorado has a standard CornerStep, which allows for much easier access to the cargo area. The Nissan Frontier doesn’t offer a rear cargo step.

The Colorado has stake post holes, to allow the containment of tall, light loads. The Frontier doesn’t offer stake post holes.

Payload and Towing

Maximum trailer towing in the Nissan Frontier is limited to 6720 pounds. The Colorado offers up to a 7700 lbs. towing capacity.

The Colorado Trail Boss/Z71/ZR2 can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Colorado can be unhitched and driven around locally. The Frontier can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Colorado has a higher standard payload capacity than the Frontier:

	Colorado	Frontier
Crew Cab	1500 lbs.	1460 lbs.
Crew Cab 4x4	1490 lbs.	1260 lbs.

The Colorado has much higher optional payload capacities than the Frontier:

	Colorado	Frontier
Crew Cab	1710 lbs.	1480 lbs.
Crew Cab 4x4	1710 lbs.	1290 lbs.

Ergonomics

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Colorado (except WT) offers a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The Frontier doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

When two different drivers share the Colorado Z71/ZR2, the optional memory seats and mirrors make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position and outside mirror angle. The Frontier doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Colorado Z71/ZR2’s optional easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Frontier doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Colorado’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Frontier’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the Colorado and the Frontier have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Colorado is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Frontier prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Colorado’s standard front and rear power windows all open with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Frontier’s passenger windows don’t open automatically. The Colorado LT/Trail Boss/Z71/ZR2’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches, and its driver’s window also automatically closes.

On a hot day the Colorado’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Frontier can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Colorado has standard power remote mirrors. The Frontier S doesn’t offer either a remote driver side or passenger side mirror. The driver will have to roll down the windows and reach across the car to adjust the mirrors.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Colorado Z71/ZR2 keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Frontier doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the Colorado has available rear heat vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The Frontier King Cab doesn’t offer rear vents.

Both the Colorado and the Frontier offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Colorado offers optional rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Frontier Crew Cab doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Recommendations

The Chevrolet Colorado outsold the Nissan Frontier by 17% during 2022.