Compare the2026 Chevrolet ColoradoVS 2025 Nissan Frontier

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

Safety

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In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Chevrolet Colorado achieved a “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Nissan Frontier has not been tested.

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.

Both the Colorado and Frontier have 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chevrolet Colorado is safer than the Nissan Frontier:

	Colorado	Frontier
OVERALL STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	3 Stars
HIC	194	371
Neck Injury Risk	26.1%	29%
Neck Stress	330 lbs.	360 lbs.
Neck Compression	10 lbs.	148 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	150/71 lbs.	578/791 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	293	407
Neck Stress	178 lbs.	258 lbs.
Neck Compression	92 lbs.	140 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	39/149 lbs.	383/260 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Chevrolet Colorado is safer than the Nissan Frontier:

	Colorado	Frontier
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	64	137
Spine Acceleration	30 G’s	55 G’s
Hip Force	285 lbs.	796 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	251	351
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	44 G’s
Hip Force	586 lbs.	674 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Chevrolet Colorado is safer than the Frontier Crew Cab:

	Colorado	Frontier
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	55	64
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.63 in	.79 in
Torso Max Deflection	.79 in	.98 in
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	136	427
Neck Tension	22 lbs.	134 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	1.02 in	1.81 in
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	469 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	.71 in	1.18 in
Torso Deflection Rate	3 MPH	9 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	424 lbs.	848 lbs.
Head Protection	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL

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’ 2025 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 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Nissan is rated below average.

Engine

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

As tested in Motor Trend the Chevrolet Colorado is faster than the Nissan Frontier:

	Colorado	Frontier
Zero to 60 MPH	6.7 sec	7.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.9 MPH	87.9 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Colorado
	AWD	2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/22 hwy
		Trail Boss/Z71 2.7 turbo 4-cyl.	17 city/22 hwy
Frontier
	AWD	3.8 DOHC V6	17 city/21 hwy
		PRO-4X 3.8 DOHC V6	16 city/20 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.

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.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Chevrolet Colorado higher (6 out of 10) than the Nissan Frontier (5). This means the Colorado produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Frontier every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Colorado	Frontier
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	11.7 inches
Rear Rotors	13.3 inches	11.3 inches

The Colorado stops much shorter than the Frontier:

	Colorado	Frontier
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Colorado ZR2 Bison’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Frontier (315/70R17 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/SL’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 S. 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 2.7 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Frontier.

The Colorado LT 4x4 handles at .78 G’s, while the Frontier PRO-4X Crew Cab pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Colorado LT 4x4 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the Frontier LWB SV Crew Cab 4x4 (27 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.9 seconds @ .56 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Colorado’s turning circle is tighter than the Frontier’s:

	Colorado	Frontier
Crew Cab Standard Bed 4x4	41.5 feet	46.5 feet

For greater off-road capability the Colorado ZR2 Bison has a 2.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Frontier PRO-4X Crew Cab (12.2 vs. 9.5 inches), allowing the Colorado to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

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

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 King Cab	Frontier Crew Cab
Length (short/long)	61.7”	73.3”	59.5”/73.3”
Max Width	58.8”	61.4”	61.4”
Min Width	45.5”	44.5”	44.5”
Height	21.1”	19.4”	19.4”

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

The Colorado’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Frontier’s (7700 vs. 6760 pounds).

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 much higher standard payload capacity than the Frontier:

	Colorado	Frontier
Crew Cab	1710 lbs.	1490 lbs.
Crew Cab 4x4	1700 lbs.	1330 lbs.

The Colorado has a higher maximum payload capacity than the Frontier (1710 vs. 1620 lbs.).

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Colorado (except WT/Trail Boss/LT), 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 (except WT/LT/Trail Boss)’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.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Colorado’s available exterior PIN entry system. The Frontier doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

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.

The Colorado’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Heated mirrors cost extra on the Frontier and aren’t offered on the Frontier S.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Colorado (except WT/LT/Trail Boss) 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 standard rear a/c 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 has standard 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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Colorado second among midsize pickups in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Frontier was rated third.

Motor Trend selected the Colorado as their 2024 Truck of the Year. The Frontier has never been chosen.

The Chevrolet Colorado outsold the Nissan Frontier by 41% during 2024.

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