2025 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2026 Nissan Frontier

The midsize truck segment is chock full of options to entice buyers, and the 2025 Chevrolet Colorado is a strong entry. We expect some buyers will have sticker shock when they see the price tag attached to this medium-sized crew cab truck, but it’s mostly priced on par with its primary competition.

Verdict: If you’re in the market for a right-sized truck that will fit in your garage and won’t be too hard to park in town, the 2025 Chevrolet Colorado is an appealing package. With a powerful standard turbocharged engine and multiple option packages designed to appeal to the off-road crowd, including the top-spec ZR2 Bison, the only thing the Colorado lineup is missing is a long-bed option to compete on level footing with the sales-leading Toyota Tacoma.

The Frontier is built on bones that date back more than two decades. Nissan re-skinned this midsize pickup truck for the 2022 model year, carrying over its relatively new powertrain and primarily changing only what you can see and touch, which is why it drives more like an old-school truck than most of its rivals. Nevertheless, Nissan has continually improved the Frontier, a process that continues for the 2026 model year with extra standard equipment, including a newly standard drive mode selector.

Verdict: We like the 2026 Nissan Frontier despite its old-school nature. It feels solid, it's simple, it exudes quality, and it's reasonably fuel efficient. Plus, it can tow more than a Toyota Tacoma. An obtuse digital assistant and a concerning crash-test rating are primary reasons to consider alternatives.