2023 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2022 Nissan Frontier

The 2022 Nissan Frontier emerged as a key player in Nissan's "Nissan Next" strategy, marking a significant redesign in the midsize pickup truck segment. With its blocky, rugged styling reminiscent of the classic Nissan Hardbody pickups from the 1980s and 1990s, the Frontier presented a bold new look. The design process, led by Hiren Patel, involved crafting the truck's shape from a solid block of metal, resulting in a robust and distinctive appearance. Available in nine exterior colours, including the exclusive Baja Storm for the PRO-4X trim, the Frontier offered a choice of two interior shades, enhancing its appeal. Despite being slightly longer than its predecessor, the Frontier maintained a manageable size, fitting comfortably in garages and parking spots. It positioned itself as a competitor to the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, and Toyota Tacoma, with a focus on targeting the Tacoma.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss exuded a rugged off-road persona with its factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders, and deeply sculpted hood. The Radiant Red Trail Boss model showcased a popular blacked-out look, emphasizing its off-road readiness. The Colorado's design struck a balance between stance, visual appeal, and expressive detailing, both inside and out. However, the base Work Truck (WT) and Trail Boss trims featured a grey front fascia and a less appealing interior, with the Trail Boss offering a purposeful front skid plate. The interior, while lacking colour contrast, provided a functional layout with hints of Camaro-inspired elements. The Colorado's trim levels, including the LT, Z71, and ZR2, offered varying levels of refinement, with the ZR2 boasting the most advanced features.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 engine, delivering class-leading power specs of 310 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque. This engine, retuned for the heavier 2022 model, provided strong acceleration and ample passing power at highway speeds. The nine-speed automatic transmission, coupled with a tow mode, enhanced performance under load. The Frontier's maximum payload was 635 kilograms, with a towing capacity of 2,944 kilograms. While not class-leading, these figures were competitive. The Frontier's 4WD system, with 4-Hi and 4-Lo modes, was standard in Canada, complemented by features like hill start assist and hill descent control. However, its hydraulic rack and pinion steering system resulted in a heavier steering feel compared to competitors. The PRO-4X trim offered off-road capabilities with features like an electronic locking rear differential and Bilstein shock absorbers.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado featured a turbocharged 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine across its trims. The WT and LT trims produced 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the Trail Boss and Z71 offered 310 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. The ZR2 trim matched the 310-hp rating but boasted 430 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with the Trail Boss and ZR2 featuring a two-speed transfer case for enhanced off-road performance. The Trail Boss's 5-centimetre suspension lift and all-terrain tires contributed to its off-road prowess. The Colorado offered up to five driving modes, including an exclusive Baja mode for the ZR2. Despite its off-road capabilities, the Trail Boss excelled on pavement, providing a quiet and comfortable ride. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with an average of 13.8 L/100 km during testing.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier excelled in combining comfort and capability, particularly in the front seats. Nissan's Zero Gravity seats provided exceptional comfort, setting a new standard in the midsize pickup segment. The Frontier offered convenient storage options, surpassing competitors like the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. While the Crew Cab provided adequate headroom and legroom, the King Cab's rear seats were more suitable for storage than passengers. The Frontier featured eight cupholders, with additional storage beneath the rear seat in the Crew Cab. Overall, the Frontier felt ahead of its competitors in terms of comfort and utility.

In the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss, seating for four was comfortable, with the option to squeeze in a fifth passenger. The standard cloth upholstery, while comfortable, attracted pet hair. The eight-way power driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support ensured a proper driving position. However, wider individuals might find the front seats less accommodating. The back seat offered sufficient headroom and legroom, with standard rear air conditioning vents in most trims. The Colorado's air conditioning system performed well during hot weather testing. Storage space was limited, with small trays and bottle holders in the door panels and a narrow storage compartment under the centre armrest. The cargo bed, with a length of just over 1.5 metres, featured an EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate with Chevy's StowFlex storage panel.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier saw significant advancements in technology, with a standard 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 9-inch screen on the PRO-4X. The infotainment system featured physical knobs and buttons for easy navigation, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The PRO-4X trim offered wireless charging and Wi-Fi hotspot capability. Crew Cab models included four USB ports, and the optional 10-speaker Fender audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado impressed with its digital instrumentation and 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Google Built-in technology. Even the base WT trim included these features. The system offered natural voice recognition, navigation through Google Maps, and access to various apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot were standard. The Trail Boss's infotainment system allowed real-time off-roading data viewing. However, the transition to Google Assistant required some adjustment, and the voice recognition system occasionally produced unexpected responses. The Colorado also introduced enhanced trailer-towing technology with high-definition cameras.

The 2022 Nissan Frontier had not yet been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features under Nissan Safety Shield 360. These included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and more. Eight airbags were standard, and the PRO-4X trim added traffic sign recognition.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado boasted an impressive array of standard and optional safety features. OnStar provided emergency calling and crash notification, while the Teen Driver system offered a driving report card. Chevy Safety Assist included forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. However, the forward-collision warning system was prone to false alerts, requiring adjustment to the gap setting for improved performance.