The Chevy Colorado takes on some of its rivals toe to toe and comes out a winner time after time. The popularity of compact trucks helps boost sales, but if you’re looking for a similar pickup with just a few more options without the hefty price tag, what should you check out? You could turn to its cousin, the GMC Canyon, but why not browse some comparable Chevy Colorado alternatives at a lower price? Here are three of the best choices to take a closer look at. 

1. Ford Ranger

Ford’s Ranger pickup runs on only one powertrain, which is a 2.3-liter Inline-four cylinder. It can produce 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Towing capacity maxes out at 7,500 lbs, while the payload offers 1,609 lbs of hauling capacity. 

Fuel economy is pretty standard for a pickup. You can get an estimated 19 mpg combined for the V6 and 22 mpg overall for the four-cylinder. The price starts at around $25,980 for the base model, which is the XL Supercab SB, according to Edmund’s. 

2. Nissan Frontier

With the Nissan Frontier, there’s one powertrain for all trim levels. The 3.8-liter V6 engine offers 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. When it comes to towing, you can pull approximately 6,270 lbs. Its payload capacity is rated at 1,230 lbs. 

For fuel economy, you can expect about 19 mpg combined with 17 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway. Starting price for this model begins at around $28,690 for the base and can go as high as $38,120 before adding any optional features. 

3. Toyota Tacoma

This model comes with two powertrain options to choose from. The lower trims offer a 2.7-liter four-cylinder, which generates 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. The higher trim models have a 3.5-liter V6 producing 278 hp and 265 lb-ft.

When it comes to towing, you’ll want the V6 engine because it can haul up to 6,400 lbs. The four-cylinder can only handle 3,500 lbs. Payload capacity is rated at 1,155 for the V6 and 1,445 for the 2.7 engine. 

The fuel economy of the Toyota Tacoma is comparable to the Frontier and the Ranger. The Tacoma can get around 20 mpg combined, 18 mpg in the city, and 22 mpg on the highway. Price begins at around $27,150 for the base model and can go as high as $49,290 before any packages are added. 

How do the three models compare as alternatives to the Chevy Colorado?

The Chevy Colorado offers two powertrains, just like the Tacoma. You get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which produces 200 hp and 191 lb-ft. You also get a 3.6-liter V6 generating 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, which is a bit better than the Toyota pickup, but a little less with the Frontier’s six-cylinder. Its four-cylinder option is less than what the Ranger offers in horsepower and torque. 

When it comes to towing, the Colorado offers the most hauling capacity out of all the trucks. With its 7,600 lbs towing capacity, only the Ranger comes close with its 7,500 lbs towing figure. Both the Tacoma and the Frontier can haul over 1,000 lbs less. 

Fuel economy for the Chevrolet is rated for 22 mpg combined on the four-cylinder, which is the same as the Tacoma and the Ranger, but a few more mpg than the Frontier. The V6 gets 19 mpg overall, the same as the Ranger and the Frontier, one less than the Tacoma. 

If you compare the prices, you’ll notice that the base on the Colorado starts at around $25,200, which is the cheapest of all the pickups. Ranger does come close but is offered at around $700 more. However, this price is for the work truck trim, which doesn’t provide much for options. 

The Chevy Colorado is a good pickup, but if you want to get a little more out of your truck purchase, you have three alternatives to choose from. You can opt for the Ranger, Frontier, and the Tacoma. Each one offers some decent features for a comparable price.