Nissan Frontier vs Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevrolet Colorado is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 25 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Nissan Frontier, a 4 mpg advantage and costs about $150 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Chevrolet Colorado leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2026
Nissan Frontier
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD · 57 configurations
2015–2026
Chevrolet Colorado
Small Pickup Trucks 4WD · 91 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Nissan Frontier | Chevrolet Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 21 mpg | 25 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 19 mpg | 22 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 24 mpg | 30 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,950 | $2,800 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 423 g/mi | 396 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI, SIDI; ISS and AGS, 2.5, 4.0 | SIDI, SIDI; Late Model Year, SIDI; Stop-Start, 2.8 |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S9), Automatic 5-spd, Manual 5-spd | Automatic 8-spd, Automatic 6-spd, Manual 6-spd |
| Drivetrains | Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive | 4-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Gasoline or E85 | Regular, Diesel |
| EPA class | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 57 | 91 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Frontier vs Colorado: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Nissan Frontier or the Chevrolet Colorado?
The Chevrolet Colorado is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 25 mpg combined versus 21 mpg for the Nissan Frontier, a 4 mpg advantage and costs about $150 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Chevrolet Colorado runs about $2,800 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $2,950 for the Nissan Frontier — a difference of roughly $150 per year.
What engines do the Frontier and Colorado offer?
Nissan Frontier: SIDI, SIDI; ISS and AGS, 2.5, 4.0. Chevrolet Colorado: SIDI, SIDI; Late Model Year, SIDI; Stop-Start, 2.8.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Nissan Frontier as Small Pickup Trucks 2WD and the Chevrolet Colorado as Small Pickup Trucks 4WD, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More Frontier comparisons
Comparison id: nissan-frontier-vs-chevrolet-colorado