The 2021 Chevy Silverado delivers a powerful performance and quick acceleration. Let’s compare it to the 2021 Chevy Silverado with its towing power and upgraded powertrains.

Design/Pricing

Chevy Silverado 2500 Off Roading

The 2021 Chevy Silverado 2500 has a more distinctive look on the outside from a redesign in 2020. It is roomy and comfortable on the inside, but lacks interior quality materials and design as other rivals. The Silverado offers three cab configurations: regular cab, double cab (a four-door crew cab but with a smaller rear seating area), and a full crew cab. The three available bed sizes are an 8-foot-long bed, a 6.5-foot bed and a shorter 5-foot-8-inch bed. Depending on the configuration, you can choose between five trims: WT (Work Truck), Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country, with a starting price of $41,185 for the WT and ranging to $77,485 for the High Country. The WT trim comes with some basic features, but higher trims will include cloth or available leather upholstery, LED headlights, power-adjustable, heated front seats, power tailgate, ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, and a heated steering wheel.

The Sierra 2500 HD comes in 2WD and 4WD Crew Cab and Double Cab models, with a 6’9” standard bed or available 8’ long bed that is standard in the Regular Cab. Sierra’s bold design is shown in its sculpted headlamps, prominent hood, and distinctive grilles. The Sierra has a roomy interior with high quality materials, extra-wide beds, and handy built-in steps for easy access, as well as 12 cargo tie-downs. It seats five comfortably and offers plenty of head- and legroom, with crew models providing nearly three inches of additional rear-seat legroom. Convenient and spacious storage solutions include a lighted center console storage with available lockable console vault accessory, rear seat back storage, and rear-folding split bench with under-seat storage (Crew Cab). A leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated leather-appointed front seats, HVAC system with dual-zone climate control and rear-seat outlets, and heated rear outboard seats are available. You can choose between four trims: SLE, SLT, AT4 and Denali. Starting price is $44,595 for the SLE trim and ranges to $66,495 for the Denali trim.

Safety and Tech

Chevy Silverado 2500 Technology

The basic Silverado WT trim comes with a locking tailgate, trailering mirrors, and manual door locks and window. A 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and Bluetooth are standard. Higher trims will come with an 8-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and electronic variable steering assist. An 8-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system is also available. High Country trim will come with a bed-view camera, surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional options include a head-up display, forward collision mitigation, lane departure warning, trailering camera system, and a digital rearview mirror.

The Sierra 2500 HD offers smart driver assistance technology, though none of it is standard. It is equipped with a comprehensive camera system that features up to 15 different viewing modes, including a transparent mode that allows the user to virtually see through an attached trailer as if it wasn’t there. Available key safety features include, forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert, and available lane-departure warning. Every Sierra HD has a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A larger touchscreen can be upgraded with built-in navigation, a Bose audio system, Sirius XM with 360L and satellite radio, Amazon Alexa Built-In, and a rear-seat entertainment system. GMC also offers a smartphone app that can be used to remotely control trailer functions. Also, the infotainment system allows users to store different trailer profiles to monitor maintenance.

Performance

Chevy Silverado 2500 Towing

Chevrolet offers a standard 6.6-liter V8 with 401 horsepower and 464 lb-ft. of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission on each trim. A turbocharged 6.6-liter V8 with 445 horsepower and 910 lb-ft of torque is optional, and it is paired with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine will take you where you want to go with power and quick acceleration. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is optional. The Silverado and tow up to 18,500 pounds of conventional or gooseneck trailer and haul as much as 3,979 pounds of cargo. Additionally, a Z71 off-road package that includes upgraded suspension, skid plates, and hill descent control is an option.

The Sierra comes standard with a gas-powered 6.6-liter V-8 that makes 401 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a six-speed automatic transmission and rear- or all-wheel drive. An optional Duramax diesel 6.6-liter V8 will give you 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque and comes with an Allison 10-speed automatic transmission. Both engines are confident and propel the truck easily, but the diesel engine is more confident with a trailer attached. The Sierra can tow up to 18,500 pounds and a payload of 3,979 pounds.

Conclusion

The 2021 Chevy Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 will treat you well with their performance and available off-road packages and trims. Whether you’re looking to haul a trailer and go to the job site or drive around town, there is an option for you. The Chevy Silverado offers great performance with quick acceleration at a better starting price for its base trim, and the Sierra features a higher quality interior.

Redesigned for 2021, the Silverado has revamped styling, a revised engine lineup, and an updated features list. The 2021 GMC Sierra doesn’t see many changes for this model year, but offers plenty of features with quality design and comfort, as well as a broad range of engine options and towing capability.

Design/Pricing

Chevy Silverado Interior

There is plenty of room in your 2021 Chevrolet Silverado. The Regular Cab Silverado models seat up to three, while Double and Crew Cab models seat up to six. Synthetic leather upholstery comes standard and leather upholstery is available. The seats aren’t the plushiest, with hard plastics throughout the cabin, but seating is comfortable and it features lots of head- and legroom, especially in crew cab models. It is available with a 5-foot-10inch, a 6-foot-7-inch, or an 8-foot-2-inch bed. Available features, such as a multifunction tailgate and an in-bed power outlet will improve the bed’s versatility and usability and it also offers a wide and deep bed. The Silverado is available in eight trims: WT (Work Truck), Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, LT Trail Boss, RST, LTZ, and High Country. The WT starts at a base price of $28,600, while the Double Cab models start at $32,500 and the Crew Cab models start at $34,900. Pricing ranges to $53,400 for the Silverado High Country, with added pricing for different cab styles on select trims. Chevrolet Silverado also offers several Work packages options for added costs.

The Sierra offers a quiet, well-built cabin with plenty of quality materials. Your choice of cab style will decide your seating and comfort but the Crew cab will give you the most space and legroom. The Sierra comes in three cab styles and bed lengths – Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab and 5 feet, 8-inch bed available in Crew Cab models, 8 feet bed available in Regular Cab models, and 6 feet 6-inch bed available with Double and Crew Cab models. Cloth upholstery comes standard, and a rear-seat reminder comes in models with rear seats. A dual glove compartment, angular air vents, and a bold steering wheel come on all trims. Leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel are available on SLT and higher trims. An available GMC MultiPro Tailgate has six distinct functions to help improve loading, unloading and accessing the cargo box. It is standard on the SLT, AT4, and Denali and available on the SLE and Elevation trims. Trims include: Sierra, Sierra SLE, Sierra Elevation, Sierra SLT, Sierra AT4, and Sierra Denali. Pricing starts at $29,700 for the Sierra and ranges to $55,200 for the Sierra Denali.

Safety and Technology

Chevy Silverado Technology

Silverado’s standard advanced safety features include a rearview camera and Teen Driver that lets you set limits on speed and audio. The Silverado also offers plenty of available advanced safety features include a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, forward collision, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane change alert, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, surround-view parking camera system, rear camera mirror, and a safety alert seat. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system is easy-to-use with a touch screen that responds quickly to inputs. Standard features include a 7-inch touch screen, two speakers, two USB ports, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. It is available with an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, a six-speaker audio system, a seven-speaker Bose Audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, wireless device charging, additional USB ports, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

With standard and available advanced safety features, the Sierra will keep you safe on the road. Standard features include Teen Driver, and a rearview camera. Available features on the SLE trim and above include adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, lane change alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, a surround-view parking camera system, a rear camera mirror, and a head-up display. A safety alert seat that vibrates to alert you of hazards is also available and its ProGrade Trailering system along with the new Jackknife alert will add more security. Sierra’s infotainment system is easy to use and responds quickly to inputs. Controls are within easy reach of the driver and the menu layout makes it simple to adjust settings. Standard is a user-friendly 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, Bluetooth, a USB port and a six-speaker audio system (two speakers in Regular Cab models). Available in all but the base trim: wireless device charging, an 8-inch touch screen, a seven-speaker Bose audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, additional USB ports, voice recognition, and navigation. Other available features include a sunroof, keyless entry, automatic climate control, remote start, and two 120-volt household-style power outlets.

Performance

Chevy silverado Towing

The Silverado offers several powertrain options. The base engine features a 4.3-liter V6 with 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. This engine comes in the WT, Custom, and Custom Trail Boss. Available in all trims is a 4.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. A 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque is available in Custom Trail Boss, LT, Trail Boss, RST, LTZ, and High Country. Lastly, a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbodiesel with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque is available in the LT, RST, LTZ, and High Country. Rear-wheel drive is standard and four-wheel drive is available. Towing capacity reaches 13,300 pounds and it can haul up to 2,280 pounds. It gets an estimated 20/23 mpg in the city and on the highway, and 17/23 mpg city highway with its 5.3-liter V8 engine.

The Sierra is full of power and offers improved fuel economy and ample low-down torque (rear-wheel drive is standard and four-wheel drive is available). The base Sierra comes with a 4.3-liter V6 and 285 horsepower with a six-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 310 horsepower and 348 lb-ft of torque is available in Sierra, SLE, and Denali, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A 3.0-liter inline-six turbo diesel engine with 277 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque is available in SLE, Elevation, SLT, and Denali. A 5.3-liter V8 with 366 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque that is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission is available in Sierra, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. A 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque and a 10-speed automatic transmission is available in SLT, AT4, and Denali. It estimates 16/21 mpg in the city and on the highway with its base V6 engine. The Sierra can tow up to 11,800 pounds and haul up to 2,250.

Overall

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado provides plenty of power and features to keep your work on the road, along with a higher towing capacity; while the GMC Sierra 1500 includes a fuel-efficient diesel, quality interior, and an off-road trim for all your adventures.

The Chevy Suburban introduced an all-new generation for 2021 and is Chevrolet’s biggest, most advanced SUV ever. Jeep is bringing back the Wagoneer for 2022: it is large, powerful, and luxurious. Let’s take a look at both.

Design/Price

Chevy Suburban Interior

The Suburban is larger than ever before with more cargo and passenger space. It seats up to nine in its three-row SUV, but eight seats are standard. A front-row bench seat is optional on the LS trim and second-row bucket seats in the Premier trim drops capacity to seven passengers. Its second and third rows have a couple more inches of legroom, and cargo area expands by 23 cubic feet, totaling 145 cubic feet. Also, its new independent rear suspension and design make the load floor flatter and lower. The Suburban also gets sliding second-row seats for the first time and an optional power-folding functionality for the rear seats that can be controlled from multiple places inside the SUV. Its Z71 trim is paired exclusively with four-wheel drive and its features are capable for your off-road adventures. It comes with cloth upholstery, power adjustable front seats, and manually adjustable second- and third-row bench seats. Leather upholstery is available, as well as heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, power-folding third-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Suburban is offered in six trim levels: LS, LT, RST, Z71, Premier, and High Country. Pricing starts at $51,700 for the LS trim and ranges to a starting price of $72,300 for the High-Country trim.

The Jeep Wagoneer is a spacious three-row, body-on-frame SUV with seating for up to eight people or seven if you opt for second-row captain’s chairs. A power-folding third row and dynamic storage options give you the flexibility for all your gear. It features plenty of standard luxury items such as leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, ambient interior lighting, and three-zone automatic climate control. Cargo space is generous with the third row folded down, expanding to a maximum of 116.7 cubic feet when all seats are folded down. The Wagoneer is offered in six model choices: Series I, Series II, Series III, Series II Premium, Series III Premium, and Series III Offroad. Pricing starts at $59,995 for the Series I trim and ranges to $88,665 for the Series III Offroad.

Safety and Technology

Chevy Suburban Technology

The Suburban offers standard advanced safety features to help you feel secure on the road. Standard advanced safety features include a rearview camera with hitch guidance, rear parking sensors, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, Teen Driver, and rear-seat alert. Lane departure warning with lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, front parking sensors, surround-view parking camera system, and safety alert seat are available. The Premier and High-Country trims feature adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, and a rearview mirror with an integrated camera display. It features a large touch-screen infotainment system and a user-friendly control layout. It is standard with Apple CarPlay and Android auto compatibility, a 10.2-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, eight USB ports, HD Radio, satellite radio, six speakers, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 120-volt household-style power outlet.

The Wagoneer is covered by screens in its interior, with a 10.1 -inch infotainment display, a 10.3-inch digital gauge display that offers updates to drivers, and an optional 10.3-inch on the dashboard for the front-seat passenger that will provide navigation and entertainment functions. It features Uconnect 5 software interface with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, integrated navigation, Amazon Fire TV and Alexa, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Higher models will enjoy a 19-speaker stereo with high-end audio equipment. It also comes standard with several driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and pedestrian detection. Also included is standard adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring, standard automated emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Series II Premium model adds quite a bit to the total package, including a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, a panoramic sunroof, a self-parking feature, a 360-degree exterior camera system, and a head-up display.

Performance

Chevy Suburban Towing

The Suburban comes standard with a 5.3-liter V8 engine with 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque; and it is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive is available on all trim levels and standard on the Z71. The High-Country trim gets a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. An optional turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine with 277 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque is available on every Suburban trim except the Z71. The Suburban has a maximum towing capacity of 7,300 pounds. The Max Trailering package will give you a towing capacity of 8,300 pounds. Its 5.3-liter V8 engine will give you 16/20 mpg in the city and on the highway and the 6.2-liter V8 will give you 15/20 mpg city/highway.

The Wagoneer delivers a 5.7-liter V8 engine with 392 horsepower and 404 lb-ft of torque that is supported by a 48-volt hybrid system and a cylinder deactivation feature to help save fuel. This comes with a standard eight-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. An optional adjustable air suspension can raise the Wagoneer an additional 3.6 inches of ground clearance, and a drive-mode selector system includes sand/mud, snow, and rock modes for its off-road capabilities. The Wagoneer can tow up to 10,000 pounds with either rear- or four-wheel variants and gets an estimated 16/22 mpg in the city and on the highway. All-wheel drive will drop those numbers to 15/20 mpg city/highway.

Overall

The Chevy Suburban does a lot of things right. It’s capable, comfortable and packed with intuitive tech and advanced safety features, as well as more cargo room and a better price tag. The Jeep Wagoneer delivers more power in its standard engine plus a hybrid system and a cylinder deactivation feature, along with more towing power.

The fully redesigned 2021 Chevy Tahoe stands out in the large SUV class, with its best-in-class predicted reliability rating, generous cargo hold, and its well-equipped infotainment system. The brand new 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is a midsize SUV with impressive off-road ability and cushioned ride; basically a larger version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Let’s compare the two.

Design

Chevy Tahoe Exterior

Newly designed for the 2021 model year, the new Tahoe is more spacious with an additional 10 inches of third-row legroom. The Tahoe can seat seven people; eight people if you opt for the second-row bench and the base LS trim can seat up to nine. Cloth upholstery is standard, as well as an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat. Options include leather seating, heated and 10-way power adjustable front seats, perforated leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable front seats, ventilated front seats, heated second-row outboard seats, power-folding second and third rows, and a heated and power-adjustable steering wheel. Its interior quality is nice with some soft leather, but also features some faux-wood trims and hard plastics. Cargo capacity has increased to 25.5 cubic-feet of space behind the third row, 72.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 122.9 cubic feet with both rows folded down. The Tahoe comes in five trims: LS, LT, Z71, Premier, and High Country.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee L is a three-row midsize SUV that seats six people in its base configuration and seven if you opt for a second-row bench seat. The seats are roomy and comfortable and offer support on long drives in all three rows. The Jeep provides 17.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 46.9 cubic feet with the third row folded down, and 84.6 cubic feet with the second and third rows folded down. It features one of the finest interiors in its class with plenty of soft touch materials throughout the cabin and a blend of modern styling with the rugged functionality. Cloth upholstery and a power-adjustable driver’s seat come standard; leather upholstery, a power-adjustable passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, massaging front seats, heated and ventilated second-row seats, power-folding third-row seats, and a heated steering wheel are available. The Jeep Grand Cherokee L comes in six trims: Laredo, Altitude, Limited, Overland, Summit, and Summit Reserve.

Safety and Technology

Chevy Tahoe Technology

The Tahoe is loaded with plenty of standard and available safety and tech features, with one of the most user-friendly infotainment systems out there. Its standard advanced safety features include a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, following distance indicator, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and GM’s Teen Driver that lets you set limits on speed and audio. Available safety features include surround-view parking camera system, rear camera mirror, front parking sensors, reverse automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, lane change alert, head-up display, and lane departure warning. The Tahoe features Chevrolet’s Infotainment 3 Plus system that is easy to use and read with a large 10.2-inch touch screen displayed on the dash. Standard tech features include wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, six USB ports, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, six-speaker sound system, satellite radio, and HD Radio. You will also have the option to add navigation, a rear-seat entertainment system with two 12.6-inch touch screens and Wi-Fi capability, wireless device charging, and a 9-or 10-speaker Bose stereo.

The Jeep comes prepared with plenty of standard advanced safety features that include a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert. There are just as many available advanced safety features, including a head-up display, traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness monitoring, intersection assist, front parking sensors, surround-view parking camera system, night vision assist, parallel and perpendicular park assist, and active driving assist. It features the new Uconnect 5 infotainment interface with sharp graphics and an 8.4-inch touch screen. A six-speaker stereo, satellite radio, HD Radio, USB ports, Bluetooth, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard. An available 10.1-inch touch screen, a 9-speaker Alpine audio system, a 19-speaker McIntosh audio system, wireless device charging, and navigation are options.

Performance and Pricing

Chevy Tahoe on the Road

There are three engine choices on the Tahoe: a 5.3-liter V8 that makes 355 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque and is standard on the LS, LT, and Z71 trim, a 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque that is featured on the High-Country trim, and a new 3.0-liter inline-six that makes 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission is standard with each engine and can tow up to 8,400 pounds when properly equipped with the larger engine. The Tahoe estimates 16/20 mpg in the city and on the highway; 15/20 mpg with the larger engine and 14/19 mpg 4WD. Pricing starts at $49,000 for the LS trim and ranges to $69,600 for the High Country.

The Jeep’s engine choices are a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 horsepower and 257 pound-feet of torque, and an available 5.7-liter V8 with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. Both are capable and are paired to a smooth shifting eight-speed automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel drive or available four-wheel drive. The V8 will have better acceleration and give the Jeep its maximum towing capacity of 7,200 pounds. It performs well on the off-road and adds a number of off-road oriented features. It gets an estimated 19/26 mpg city/highway with the V6 and rear-wheel drive and will drop a little with four-wheel drive. The V8 four-wheel drive will give you 14/22 mpg city/highway. Pricing starts at $36,995 for the Laredo trim and ranges to a starting price of $61,995 for the Summit Reserve.

Conclusion

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and Jeep Grand Cherokee L are two great SUVs. The Tahoe is larger and features a more modern infotainment system with a larger touchscreen, as well as a better performance; whereas the Jeep features a smooth ride with an upscale interior and excellent off-road abilities.

The 2021 Chevy Colorado and Ford Ranger are solid off-roaders with powerful engines and good towing and hauling capabilities for its class. They handle well, offer comfortable seating, and get good gas mileage. Let’s compare the two.

Design

Chevy colorado Interior

The 2021 Chevy Colorado offers a smooth, comfortable ride around town or adventures on the off-road. For 2021, Colorado’s Base trim is discontinued, and now features the WT, LT, Z71, and ZR2 trims. The WT and LT trims offer available Crew Cab/short bed and Crew/long bed configurations. The Z71 and ZR2 feature off-road abilities and are capable of tackling trails and terrain, available in Extended Cab/long bed and Crew Cab/short bed configurations. Extended Cab models seat four and Crew Cab models seat up to five passengers, with spacious, comfortable seating up front. There are plenty of available bed features, including multiple tie downs, a step built into the corners of the rear bumper, and an EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgate. There have been some updates to the exterior, but there are plenty of hard plastics and low-grade materials throughout the cabin. Higher trims will offer a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and optional heated front seats. The Extended cab seats four and the Crew Cab models seat five.

The 2021 Ford Ranger is a mid-size pickup that comes in two body styles with two bed lengths. The SuperCab provides seating for four occupants and has two smaller half-doors, while the SuperCrew seats up to five and comes with four full-size doors. Its cabin is quiet and comfortable, with easy-to-use controls, but the materials inside are mostly plastics with small bits of trim to make it look more upscale. Its trim levels range from the base model XL to the top-of-the-line Lariat. New for 2021 is the Black appearance package which adds black 18-inch wheels and grille, black Ford oval badges, and new bedside decals. Four new exterior colors have also been added: Cactus Bray, Carbonized Gray, Cyber Orange, and Velocity Blue. Cloth upholstery comes standard, and leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, and heated front seats are available.

Performance/Fuel and Price

Chevy Colorado on the Road

The Chevrolet Colorado features a fuel efficient 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. With plenty of power, this is great for everyday driving needs. There are two available engines: a 3.6-liter V6 with 308-horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque or a 2.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine with 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel comes with a six-speed automatic. The Z71 and ZR2 models offer four-wheel drive, along with heavy-duty suspension and locking rear differential but the ZR2 is even more capable with driver-selectable full-locking front and rear differential. When equipped with the turbodiesel engine, maximum towing capacity reaches 7,700 pounds and it can haul up to 1,578 pounds. Fuel is estimated at 19/25 mpg city/highway for the base four-cylinder and rear-wheel drive. The WT has a starting price of $25,200 for the Extended Cab/long bed and ranges to a starting price of $43,200 for the ZR2 Crew Cab/short bed configuration.

The Ranger features a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It comes standard with a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing shifts that are smooth and quick. The Ranger is available with a Terrain Management System that improves the engine’s responsiveness and transmission gearing to optimize the truck’s performance in different types of terrain. There are four drive modes that are offered: Normal, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, and Sand. A new optional Tremor off-road package includes special off-road tires, a locking rear differential, skid plates, crawl control, and an off-road-tuned suspension. The Ranger and tow up to 7,500 pounds and has a payload of up to 1860 pounds. Fuel is estimated at 21/26 mpg city and highway with rear-wheel drive and 20/24 mpg with four-wheel drive. The base Ranger XL has a starting price of $25,000 and ranges to a starting price of $33,000 for the Lariat.

Safety and Technology

Chevy Colorado Exterior

The Chevy Colorado’s available OnStar System provides emergency crash notification, stolen-vehicle notification, and remote locking and unlocking. This safety package comes standard on the LT and above. Also available on the LT and Z71 models includes forward collision and lane departure warning systems. A rearview camera and the Teen Driver Mode comes standard on all models and lets you have custom key settings for secondary drivers and provides in-vehicle reports. Chevrolet’s Infotainment 3 system comes standard in the Colorado and includes a 7-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker audio system. Its infotainment system is easy-to-use with easy to reach controls and an intuitive menu layout. An 8-inch touch screen, a seven-speaker Bose audio system, HD Radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, additional USB ports, and navigation are available, as well as remote start and automatic climate control.

Standard advanced safety features on the Ford Ranger include a rearview camera, MyKey that lets you set speed and audio volume limits, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Available advanced safety features include front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert with trailer coverage. Standard technology features include an infotainment system with a USB port, Bluetooth, four speakers, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Available features include SYNC 3 system, a 4.2-inch display, an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, a six- or 10-speaker audio system, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, satellite radio, HD Radio, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, and push-button start are also available.

Conclusion

The 2021 Chevy Colorado and Ford Ranger are two off-road vehicles with capabilities for your next adventure. However, the 2021 Chevy Colorado can tow slightly more, with dedicated off-road trims while the Ford Ranger is capable on the off-road with its new Tremor off-road package and its Terrain Management System.

The 2021 Chevy Trax and Buick Encore are sporty, small SUVs that are designed to move easily in and out of traffic and into tight spaces. Attractively priced, they will provide you with intelligent technology to keep you connected on the road. Let’s compare the two.

Design

Chevy Trax Exterior

The 2021 Chevy Trax features an attractive interior with many soft-touch surfaces and a surprisingly spacious interior for a compact vehicle. It seats five comfortably and has plenty of rear-seat space, even for adult passengers. It comes with cloth upholstery, a four-way adjustable driver’s seat, and a two-way adjustable passenger seat. Heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, deluxe cloth upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel are available. You’ll also get 18.7 cubic feet of space behind the back seat of the Trax and the second-row folds down almost completely flat to open up a maximum of 48.4 cubic feet. With the front seat folded flat, there is room for items up to eight feet long, making room for all your gear. The 2021 Chevy Trax comes in two trims: LS and LT, with a starting price of $21,400 for the LS trim and $23,200 for the LT trim.

The 2021 Buick Encore SUV features a spacious cabin for passengers and cargo. It seats up to five people and has a maximum cargo space of 48.4 cubic feet, with 18.8 cubic feet of room behind the back row. The seats are supportive and comfortable, with both rows having plenty of head- and legroom for adults. Standard features include cloth and synthetic leather upholstery and a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Additional features include a fold-flat front passenger seat and folding second row seats, as well as premium LED lighting, standard aluminum wheels, and a power sunroof on the Preferred trim. It comes in two trim levels: Base 1SV and Preferred, with a starting price of $24,195 for the Base 1SV and $25,595 for the Preferred.

Safety and Technology

Chevy Trax Technology

The Chevy Trax comes standard with a rearview camera and ten standard airbags. Optional driver assistance features include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. All Trax models come with Chevrolet’s user-friendly Infotainment 3 System and a 7-inch touch screen that has clear graphics and an intuitive menu structure. It also includes standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, along with a Wi-Fi hotspot, satellite radio, Bluetooth, six speakers, voice command, two USB ports, and remote keyless entry. An optional sunroof and a seven-speaker Bose premium stereo is available, as well.

The Encore is equipped with 10 standard airbags and available advanced safety technology including, rear cross-traffic alert, OnStar Safety and Security, rear vision camera, and side blind zone alert. The Preferred trim offers safety packages that include blind-spot monitoring, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, and rain-sensing wipers. Additional technology includes an easy-to-use 8-inch infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, keyless open and start technology, and available myBuick mobile app. A 120-volt power outlet and remote start is available on the Preferred trim.

Performance and Price

Chevy Trax on the Road

The Chevrolet Trax is easy to drive and has just enough pep to get up and go or maneuver in and out of tight spaces. All models on the Chevrolet Trax feature a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a six-speed automatic transmission that makes 138 horsepower. Front-wheel drive is standard and an all-wheel drive system is available to help when road conditions are less than ideal. Trax offers an impressive 26/31 mpg on the city and highway.

Both trims featured on the Encore are powered by the same engine – a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 138 horsepower and 148 feet of torque; and it is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It is a comfortable cruiser that maneuvers well, but is short on engine power. Front-wheel drive is standard on both trims, and all-wheel drive is available for the Preferred trim. Estimated city/highway fuel economy ranks at 26/31 mpg.

Conclusion

The 2021 Chevy Trax and Buick Encore are sporty subcompact SUVs that are similar in many ways. They are affordable and offer plenty of cargo space for a small SUV, along with equal power and fuel economy. So, ultimately it comes down to the style and look that you want in a small SUV.

The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is a small-size SUV that is fun to drive, with plenty of active safety features and infotainment technology and a great predicted reliability rating. The 2021 Kia Sportage is a compact SUV that offers some impressive features and a high-quality cabin. It also ranks high in the compact SUV rankings. Let’s look at both.

Design

chevy Equinox interior

The 2021 Equinox features a striking exterior, offering aerodynamic sculpting and accents that combine style and function. This five-seat compact SUV offers tremendous rear-seat legroom and ample headroom that allows tall adults to sit comfortably. The front seats will keep you supported on a long drive with its well-shaped seats. It is mixed in its interior quality because of hard plastic surfaces, but soft-touch accents are also present. Standard features included are cloth upholstery and four-way manually adjustable front seats. Standard and available features on the LT and Premier trim include leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated fronts, heated rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a heated steering wheel, and driver’s seat memory seat. You will get about 30 cubic feet behind the rear seats and around 64 cubic feet with the second row folded down.

The 2021 Kia Sportage is filled with upscale materials and comfortable and supportive seating for five. Both rows offer plenty of space for adult passengers, with generous head and legroom. The Sportage offers 30.7 cubic feet of space behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the row folded down. Cloth upholstery and manually adjustable front seats are standard, while a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats are available.

Safety and Technology

Chevy Equinox Technology

The Equinox offers plenty of driver’s assistance features to feel confident on the road. A lot of features are standard on all trims, but you’ll need to move up to the LT and Premier trim to get the available Confidence and Convenience packages that include added safety and convenience features; such as a power liftgate and a universal garage door opener. Standard features include forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, following distance indicator, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic high-beam headlights, rearview camera, Teen Driver system, and rear-seat reminder. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system comes standard with some great technology features. The L and LS offer standard features and the LT and Premier add a little bit more. Standard features on all trims include a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, four USB ports, a Wi-fi hotspot, Bluetooth, voice recognition, and a six-speaker stereo.

The Sportage features standard advanced safety features that include a rearview camera, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, driver attention monitor, and high beam assist. Available safety features include blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and frond and rear parking sensors. The Sportage offers user-friendly technology, using Kia’s standard UVO infotainment interface and an 8-inch touch screen that is positioned toward the driver. Additional standard features include Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, six speakers, Bluetooth, a USB port, and voice recognition. An eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system is available, along with navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

Performance/Trims and Pricing

Chevy Equinox on the Road

Equinox dropped its more powerful 2.0-liter engine this year, making the only power the Equinox offers for this model year a 170-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. The transmission shifts smoothly, but acceleration is a bit lackluster in its only engine. The Equinox delivers a comfortable ride and takes turns with composure but opting for larger wheels, will give you a jittery experience, especially over large bumps in the road. Some class rivals are more agile and athletic. The Equinox will tow up to a maximum of 1,500 pounds with its only engine and front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is available on all trims. Fuel economy is estimated at 26/31 mpg city and highway. The Equinox comes in four trim levels: L, LS, LT, and Premier. Starting price is $23,800 for the Equinox L and ranges to a starting price of $31,400 for the Premier.

The Sportage offers two engine choices and delivers a comfortable ride, poised handling, and responsive steering. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 181-horsepower is standard and drives well for most driving situations. If you want something with a little more power and quicker ride, you can opt for the top-of-the line SX Turbo trim, which will give you a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with 240-horsepower. Estimated fuel economy is 23/30 mpg for the base engine and 20/28 mpg for the turbocharged engine. The Sportage comes in four trims: LX, S, EX, and SX Turbo, with a starting price of $24,090 for the LX trim and ranging to $33,750 for the SX Turbo trim.

Overall

The 2021 Chevrolet Equinox is a solid crossover with an excellent predicted reliability rating. It offers an array of standard safety features and technology, as well as plenty of room for comfortable seating and cargo space. It lags some in its performance and cabin quality, offering one engine choice and hard plastics for its interior. The 2021 Kia Sportage on the opposing side, offers a stronger engine choice, an upscale interior, and average fuel economy.

The 2021 Chevy Blazer is a midsize SUV that features style and performance at an affordable price tag, with a drive mode for your off-road experience. The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers excellent off-road and towing capability. Let’s see how they both compare.

Design/Price

Chevy Blazer Interior

The 2021 Chevy Blazer offers spacious seating and cargo room, with 2 rows of comfortable seating up front and enough room for up to five people. The seats are supportive and it is easy to enter and exit the SUV, but it’s Camaro-like styling slopes the roofline making it harder for taller passengers to sit in the rear. Cloth upholstery is standard, and leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, power-adjustable front seats, and heated rear seats are available. An additional option is a heated or power adjustment steering wheel. Cargo capacity is 30.5 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 64.2 cubic feet behind the front seats. The Chevy Blazer features six trim levels: L 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, RS, and Premier, with a starting price of $28,800 for the L trim and ranging to $43,000 for the Premier trim.

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a two-row SUV that features an upscale interior with comfortable, supportive seating in both rows. It seats five people, with ample head- and legroom up front, even for taller occupants. Cloth upholstery is standard and synthetic leather upholstery, genuine leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel are available. There is 36.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 68.3 cubic feet when the seats are folded down. Trims have grown to ten, with a new 80th Anniversary and Laredo X trim. Other trims include Laredo E, Limited, Trailhawk, Overland, High Altitude, Summit SRT, and Trackhawk. Pricing starts at $34,200 for the Laredo E trim and ranges to a starting price of $87,895 for the Trackhawk.

Safety and Technology

Chevy Blazer Technology

The Blazer features plenty of available advanced safety features, including lane keep assist, lane departure warning, lane change alert, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, high-speed automatic emergency braking, rear camera mirror, adaptive cruise control, safety alert seat, and a surround-view parking camera system. A rearview camera and Teen Driver come standard. Chevrolet offers an easy-to-use Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system and 8-inch touch screen, with graphics that are crisp and easy to see. It also has a handy shortcut bar and responsive touch controls. It comes standard with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, four USB ports, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker audio system.

The Jeep features a user-friendly Uconnect infotainment and comes with a standard 7-inch touch screen or an available 8.4-inch touch screen. Its layout displays simple menus, large icons, and additional buttons, for easy operating while driving. A six-speaker stereo, two USB ports, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, and satellite radio are standard. Navigation, a Wi-Fi hot spot, HD Radio, a nine-speaker stereo are available. Safety features a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Available advanced safety features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, hands-free park assist, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Power

Chevy Blazer on the Road

The Blazer will give you the choice of three engines. Its base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 193 hp but if you want more power, there’s a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 230 horsepower or a top-of-the-line 3.6-liter V6 with 308-horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Both engines are paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. This 3.6-liter V6 engine will be powerful enough for most driving situations and can tow up to 4,500 pounds. There are several drive modes available, including Tour, Sport, and Snow/Ice, as well as available Off-Road and Tow/Haul. Front-wheel drive is standard, and Chevy’s twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system is available. It delivers a 21/27 mpg city and highway rating with its base engine.

The Jeep comes standard with a 295-horsepower V6 engine or three available V8 engines. A 360 horsepower 5.7-liter V8 is optional in the Trailhawk, Overland, High Altitude, and Summit trims. The SRT features a 475-horsepower 6.4-liter V8, and the Trackhawk packs a supercharged 707-horsepower V8. An eight-speed automatic transmission provides smooth and prompt gear changes while rear-wheel drive is standard, and four-wheel drive is available. It’s Trailhawk comes standard with all-terrain tires, multiple skid plates, a two-speed transfer case, a limited-slip rear differential, and Jeep’s Quadra-Lift air suspension, making it perform well off-road (these features are optional in other trims). The Jeep can tow up to 6,200 pounds when equipped with its V6 engine and Class IV tow package; V8 models can tow up to 7,200 pounds when properly equipped. Fuel economy is estimated at 19/26 mpg in the city/highway and 18/25 with four-wheel drive. Higher performance engines will give you 14/22 to 11/17 mpg.

Conclusion

The 2021 Chevy Blazer and Jeep Grand Cherokee are built with plenty of class-leading designs and capable off-road abilities. The Chevy Blazer is designed for your drive around town with an off-road drive-mode for your adventures, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee gives you more power options and towing capabilities.

The all-new 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer is bold, spacious, and capable, with multiple trims and style options that set it apart from the crowd. Let’s compare it to the Toyota RAV4.

Design/Price

2021 Chevy Trailblazer Interior

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer is a four-door SUV with five seats and offers an upscale, spacious interior, with comfortable seating and ample cargo space. The front seats are roomy with enough room for taller occupants; and your passengers will stay comfortable with plenty of rear-seat leg room and places to store their things. Cloth upholstery and manually adjustable front seats are standard, and heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and synthetic leather upholstery is available. The Trailblazer offers 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and 54.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down. Front passenger seat folds forward, allowing long items to fit, and a hands-free liftgate is available for your convenience. The Trailblazer comes in five trims: L, LS, LT, Activ, and RS. The entry-level Trailblazer L has an affordable starting price of $19,000 and ranges to a starting price of $26,900 for the all-wheel drive Trailblazer RS trim.

The Toyota RAV4 seats up to five people with comfortable seating and ample front and rear legroom even for tall passengers. It offers quality cabin materials with a modern design, cloth upholstery, a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, and a four-way manually adjustable passenger seat. You can upgrade to additional features, including an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, synthetic leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The RAV4 gets 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 69.8 cubic feet with its back seats folded down. It comes in six trims: LE, XLE, XLE Premium, Adventure, Limited, and TRD Off-Road model. Pricing starts at $26,150 for the LE trim and ranges to $35,880 for the TRD Off-Road trim.

Safety and Technology

2021 Chevy Trailblazer Technology

The Trailblazer features a user-friendly 7-inch screen, with an available 8-inch screen, both with simple menus that react quickly to inputs. It comes standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, two USB ports, a four-speaker stereo, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. Safety features include a rearview camera, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights are standard.

Standard safety features on all RAV4 models feature a rearview camera and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 bundle of technologies. Included in this bundle are pre-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. Additional standard advanced safety features include adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. Available advanced safety features include a surround-view parking camera system, front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, rain-sensing windshield wipers and rear cross traffic alert. An easy-to-use 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Amazon Alexa integration, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Satellite radio, a USB port, Bluetooth and voice recognition are also standard. You can upgrade to an 8-inch screen, four additional USB ports, an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo, and navigation. Other available features include a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, proximity keyless entry, and push-button start.

Power

2021 Chevy Trailblazer on the Road

The Trailblazer has the capability to take you wherever you want to go; you can get the traction you need with Normal, All-Wheel Drive and Sport drive modes. It has two engine choices: a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder that makes 137-horsepower and a 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder that makes 155 horsepower. Front-wheel drive comes with a continuously variable automatic transmission and is an option with either engine. All-wheel-drive models however, only come with the 1.3-liter engine and a nine-speed automatic transmission that maneuvers well around turns and has quick steering to help you in and out of parking spaces. The Trailblazer gets an estimated 28/31 mpg in the city and on the highway with its 1.2-liter engine, and it gets slightly higher ratings with the 1.3-liter engine.

The Toyota RAV4 comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 203 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This transmission delivers well-balanced handling with smooth and timely shifts, and the engine supplies plenty of power and gets up to highway speeds with little effort. Front-wheel drive is standard, with two optional all-wheel-drive systems, and the base engine provides the RAV4 with the ability to tow 1,500 lbs. Its estimated fuel economy is 28/35 mpg in the city and on the highway.

Overview

The all-new Chevrolet Trailblazer has a great new look at an affordable price; it features a roomy interior and an easy-to-use infotainment system with lots of standard tech features. Both SUVs are designed with off-road capabilities and for your drive around town, but the Trailblazer has a better price tag with an off-road look while the RAV4 offers more power and towing capabilities.

The 2021 Chevy Colorado is a compact pickup truck with decent gas mileage, an energetic V6 engine, great towing capabilities, and some specialty off-road trims. The 2021 Toyota Tacoma has some great off-road capabilities of its own so, let’s look at both.

Design/Price

2021 Chevy Colorado Exterior

The 2021 Chevy Colorado offers a smooth, comfortable ride around town or adventures on the off-road. For 2021, Colorado’s Base trim is discontinued, and now features the WT, LT, Z71, and ZR2 trims. The WT and LT trims offer available Crew Cab/short bed and Crew/long bed configurations. The Z71 and ZR2 feature off-road abilities and are capable of tackling trails and terrain, available in Extended Cab/long bed and Crew Cab/short bed configurations. Extended Cab models seat four, and Crew Cab models seat up to five passengers, with spacious, comfortable seating up front. There are plenty of available bed features, including multiple tie downs, a step built into the corners of the rear bumper, and an EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgate. There have been some updates to the exterior, but there are plenty of hard plastics and low-grade materials throughout the cabin. Higher trims however, will offer a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and optional heated front seats (the Extended cab seats four and the Crew Cab models seat five). The WT has a starting price of $25,200 for the Extended Cab/long bed and ranges to a starting price of $43,200 for the ZR2 Crew Cab/short bed configuration.

The Toyota Tacoma has two available cab styles: the standard Access Cab seats four and has a small two-seat second row, while the larger Double Cab has an extended three-person second row and seats five. If you’ll be carrying passengers, the Double Cab is what you’ll want as there is just 24.6 inches of legroom in the Access Cab, and the seats are hard and upright with little cushioning or support. The Tacoma comes with either a 5-foot standard bed or a 6-foot-1-inch-long bed; Access Cab models are only paired with the long bed, while the Double Cab is available with both. The Tacoma offers six trim levels: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited and TRD Pro. Pricing starts at $30,853 for the SR trim and ranges to a starting price of $44,075 for the top-of-the-line TRD Pro trim. Additional Appearance Packages include added pricing.

Performance/Fuel

2021 Chevy Colorado on the Road

The Chevrolet Colorado features a fuel efficient 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower, a six-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive. With plenty of power, this is great for everyday driving needs. There are two available engines – a 3.6-liter V6 with 308-horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque or a 2.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine with 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel comes with a six-speed automatic. The Z71 and ZR2 models offer four-wheel drive, along with heavy-duty suspension and locking rear differential. While the ZR2 is even more capable with driver-selectable full-locking front and rear differential. When equipped with the turbo diesel engine, maximum towing capacity reaches 7,700 pounds, and it can haul up to 1,578 pounds. Fuel is estimated at 19/25 mpg city/highway for the base four-cylinder and rear-wheel drive.

The Toyota Tacoma is known for its outstanding off-road capability, especially in the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims; offering a unique suspension tuning and shock absorbers, a locking rear differential, and skid plates. With that said, the Toyota Tacoma comes standard with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 159 horsepower which delivers sluggish acceleration especially if you are carrying passengers and cargo. Your other option is a 278-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine that is stronger and delivers a quicker acceleration (both engines come with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission). Note, the six-speed automatic transmission gets some criticism as it hampers both engines to find the right gear. The 2021 Tacoma, with the base engine and rear-wheel drive gets an estimated 20/23 mpg in the city and on the highway. Models with the optional V6 get an estimated 19/24 mpg in the city and on the highway. Additionally, the maximum towing capacity of the Tacoma is 6,800 pounds and has a maximum payload of 1,685 pound. The Tacoma offers six trim levels: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited and TRD Pro.

Safety and Technology

2021 Chevy Colorado Interior

The Chevy Colorado’s available OnStar System provides emergency crash notification, stolen-vehicle notification, and remote locking and unlocking, which comes standard on the LT and above. Also available on the LT and Z71 models includes forward collision and lane departure warning systems. A rearview camera and the Teen Driver Mode comes standard on all models, and lets you have custom key settings for secondary drivers and provides in-vehicle reports. Chevrolet’s Infotainment 3 system comes standard in the Colorado and includes a 7-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker audio system. Its infotainment system is easy-to-use with reachable controls and an intuitive menu layout. An 8-inch touch screen, a seven-speaker Bose audio system, HD Radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, additional USB ports, and navigation are available, as well as remote start and automatic climate control.

The Tacoma comes standard with advanced safety features that include a rearview camera, forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and adaptive cruise controls. Available safety features include rear parking sensors, blind spot Monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. It also features an easy-to-use infotainment system that comes with both a 7-inch touch screen and physical controls. It includes Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa, as well as six speakers, Bluetooth, three USB ports, satellite radio, and voice recognition. Available features include an 8-inch touch screen, navigation, wireless device charging, and a six-speaker JBL stereo.

Conclusion

The 2021 Chevy Colorado and Toyota Tacoma are two compact trucks with off-road capabilities for your next adventure. However, the 2021 Chevy Colorado can tow slightly more, with more powerful engines at a lower base starting price.