Nissan Frontier Vs. Chevy Colorado

The midsize pickup segment is booming as of late with plenty of new options hitting the market. One oldie but goodie is the 2019 Nissan Frontier, but the 2019 Chevy Colorado has a lot to offer you and your Saginaw area family. Which is the better option? Continue reading to find out. 

Exterior

The Nissan Frontier went through its last redesign way back in 2005 and has seen no significant updates since. While it shows its age, the pickup segment is a slow-moving beast, so it doesn’t stand out. What this long production cycle means, though, is lower prices for buyers and a design that Nissan’s perfected over the years. 

The Chevy Colorado marched back onto the scene in 2015 after taking two model years off. This new-look Colorado rejuvenated the midsize pickup segment that has grown into one of the more popular classes of vehicles. The Colorado’s looks are relatively simple, as a pickup truck should be, but it more modern-looking than the aging Frontier. 

Both models have their more rugged-looking models and those built to handle off-road trekking. The 2019 Frontier has its Desert Runner model that adds an off-road-tuned suspension, a V-6 engine, and all-terrain tires. Those looking for go to match the off-road show, the Frontier PRO-4X adds standard four-wheel drive, skid plates, and more to the mix. 

The Colorado Z71 adds off-road suspension and all-terrain tires to the two-wheel-drive model, but true off-road enthusiasts will prefer the four-wheel-drive ZR2 trim. This model pushes the bounds of style with a special bumper that helps reduce the approach angle, all-terrain tires, a lifted suspension, and tons more. Plus, there are special packages to rugged up the ZR2, including the Bison package that adds a bold grille, an updated grille, and special wheels. 

Advantage: 2019 Chevy Colorado

• Modern design
• Super-rugged ZR2
• Stylish Bison package

Advantage: 2019 Nissan Frontier

• Simple design language
• Rugged PRO-4X model

Interior

Pickup trucks are supposed to be simple, and the 2019 Colorado and Frontier put this simplicity front and center inside their cabins. The Frontier is the simpler of the two with its older design that appeals to buyers who seek just the basics. Despite its low-impact design, the Frontier boasts a large 7-inch touchscreen as part of its standard equipment. Move up to the PRO-4X model, and you get exclusive gauges and “PRO-4X” embroidered seatbacks. 

The 2019 Chevy Colorado also boasts relatively basic cabin, but it also includes a 7-inch touchscreen and Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System that includes standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This high-tech infotainment system combines with rubberized vinyl flooring to make a work truck that also offers some extra entertainment. Move into the higher trims, and the Colorado pulls away from the Frontier with an 8-inch HD touchscreen, 4G LTE Wi-Fi, and more. 

Advantage: 2019 Chevy Colorado

• More standard tech
• Roomier cabin
• More premium features in higher trims

Advantage: 2019 Nissan Frontier

• Standard 7-inch touchscreen at a lower price
• No-frills cabin

Performance

The midsize truck segment is loaded with four-cylinder and V-6 engines to fit many buyers’ needs. The 2019 Colorado and 2019 Frontier are no exceptions. The 2019 Frontier’s base engine is a 2.5-liter four-pot with 152 horsepower, but it is also available with a 261-horsepower 4.0-liter V-6. These engines connect to two dated transmission options: a standard five-speed manual and an optional five-speed automatic. 

The Colorado’s engine lineup is more robust and powerful with a 200-horsepower standard 2.5-liter and a 308-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6. Setting the Colorado apart is its 2.8-liter inline-four turbo-diesel engine with 186 horses and 369 pound-feet of torque that delivers up to 30 mpg highway. This line of engines gives the Colorado a towing advantage in its upper trims, though its four-pot falls a little short. 

The 2019 Chevy Colorado also boasts more advanced transmissions, including a standard six-speed manual, and two optional automatics: a six-speed and an eight-speed. 

Both models have tons of off-road capability in their respective off-road trims, the Colorado ZR2 and Frontier PRO-4X. The former adds an off-road suspension, autotrac two-speed transfer case, and full-locking front and rear differentials. The Frontier PRO-4X tackles tough terrain with a DANA 44 rear axle, switch-operated two-speed transfer case, electronic-locking rear differential, hill-descent control, hill-start assist, oil pan, fuel tank, and transfer case skid plates

Advantage: 2019 Nissan Frontier

• Higher standard towing capacity

Advantage: 2019 Chevy Colorado

• More power
• Available diesel engine with great torque
• Up to 30 mpg highway

Pricing and Features

The 2019 Nissan Frontier has six trim levels — S, SV, Desert Runner, Midnight Edition, PRO-4X, and SL — and their starting prices range from $19,090 to $34,110.

There are five trim levels in the 2019 Colorado lineup — Base, WT, LT, Z71, and ZR2 — and their starting prices range from $22,395 to $42,395. 

2019 Nissan Frontier Key Features and Pricing by Trim

S: $19,090

• 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine
• Rear-wheel drive
• Five-speed manual transmission
• 15-inch six-spoke steel wheels
• Chrome grille
• Body-color upper and black lower front bumper
• Body-color rear bumper
• Black door handles
• Black mirrors
• Tinted rear glass
• Tailgate spoiler
• 7-inch touchscreen
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Hands-free text messaging
• Siri Eyes Free
• Air conditioning
• Cruise control
• Variable-intermittent windshield wipers
• Two 12-volt power outlets
• Second-row under-seat storage
• Overhead console with sunglasses storage
• Four-way manual driver’s seat
• Four-way manual passenger’s seat
• Rear flip-up seats
• Cloth seats
• Four-speaker AM/FM audio system
• Steering-wheel-mounted controls
• USB port
• Bluetooth streaming audio
• Rearview camera

SV: $23,960

• All S features, plus
• 16-inch six-split-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels
• Body-color front bumper
• Chrome rear bumper
• Power mirrors
• Sliding rear window
• Remote keyless entry
• Power door locks
• Power windows with driver’s side one-touch-down
• Vanity mirrors
• Tilt steering column

• Vehicle immobilizer system

Desert Runner: $26,400

• All SV features, plus
• 4.0-liter V-6
• Five-speed automatic transmission
• Larger disc brakes
• Bilstein off-road performance shocks
• 16-inch six-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels
• All-terrain tires
• Fog lights
• Satin-chrome grille
• Body-color rear bumper
• Bed-rail caps
• Multifunction trip computer
• Eight-way manual driver’s seat
• Embroidered cloth seat trim

• White contrast stitching
• White-faced gauges with chrome bezels

Midnight Edition: $29,735

• All SV features, plus
• 18-inch Midnight Edition black alloy wheels
• Black front grille
• Black step rails
• Black Midnight Edition badging
• Fog lights
• Black step rails
• Body-color rear bumper
• Class-IV tow-hitch receiver
• Utili-Track Channel System with four adjustable tie-down cleats
• Spray-on bed liner
• Sliding bed extender
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Digital compass
• Outside temperature gauge
• Heated front seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Leather-wrapped shift knob
• Vehicle security system
• Rear parking sensor

PRO-4X: $33,530

• All Desert Runner features, plus
• Four-wheel drive
• DANA 44 rear axle
• Switch-operated two-speed transfer case
• Electronic-locking rear differential
• Hill-descent control
• Hill-start assist
• Oil pan, fuel tank, and transfer case skid plates
• Automatic-on/off headlights
• Front tow hooks
• Splash guards
• Black door handles 
• Body-color mirrors
• Utili-Track Channel System with four adjustable tie-down cleats
• Spray-on bed liner
• NissanConnect infotainment system
• 5.8-inch touchscreen
• Navigation
• NissanConnect mobile apps
• Nissan Voice Recognition
• SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Rear parking sensors
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Digital compass
• First-aid kit
• PRO-4X-embroidered cloth seat trim
• Heated front seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Chrome vent accents
• Six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system
• MP3/WMA playback
• SiriusXM
• Security system

SL: $34,110

• All SV features, plus
• 18-inch six-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels
• Automatic-on/off headlights
• Fog lights
• Step rails
• Body-color side moldings
• Chrome front bumper
• Chrome door handles
• Chrome, heated mirrors
• Power moonroof
• Utili-Track Channel System with four adjustable tie-down cleats
• Spray-on bed liner
• NissanConnect infotainment system
• 5.8-inch touchscreen
• Navigation
• NissanConnect mobile apps
• Nissan Voice Recognition
• SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• HomeLink universal garage door opener
• Auto-dimming rearview camera
• Digital compass
• Temperature display
• Illuminated vanity mirrors
• First-aid kit
• Eight-way power driver’s seat
• Four-way power passenger’s seat
• Fold-down rear center armrest
• Leather seating
• Heated front seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Leather-wrapped shift knob
• Chrome vent accents
• Satin-chrome gauge bezels
• 10-speaker Rockford Fosgate audio system with subwoofers
• MP3/WMA playback
• SiriusXM
• Vehicle security system
• Rear parking sensors

2019 Chevy Colorado Key Features and Pricing by Trim

Base: $22,395

• 2.5-liter four-cylinder
• Six-speed automatic transmission
• Rear-wheel drive
• 16-inch Ultra Silver Metallic steel wheels
• Black beltline moldings
• Black door handles
• Black mirrors
• Black tailgate handle
• Cab-mounted cargo-area light
• Chrome rear bumper
• CornerStep rear bumper
• Daytime running lights
• Halogen headlights
• Two-way manual passenger’s seat
• Four-way power driver’s seat
• 3.5-inch monochromatic driver-information screen
• Six-speaker audio system
• Black interior door handles
• Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System 
• 7-inch touchscreen
• Bluetooth audio streaming
• Voice command
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• Front center console
• Tilt steering wheel
• Power door locks
• Power windows with driver’s side one-touch up/down
• Rubberized vinyl flooring
• Rear seat delete
• Single-zone climate control
• Two USB ports
• Rearview camera
• Teen Driver

WT: $25,895

• All Base features, plus
• Dual rear seat with under-seat storage
• Carpeted flooring
• Carpeted front and rear floor mats

LT: $28,695

• All WT features, plus
• 17-inch Blade Silver Metallic aluminum wheels
• Body-color door handles
• Body-color, power mirrors
• Body-color rear bumper
• Chrome beltline moldings
• 4.2-inch color driver-information center
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi
• Six-way power driver’s seat
• Two charge-only USB ports on the rear of the center console
• Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus System
• 8-inch HD color touchscreen
• Chrome interior door handles
• Cruise control
• Illuminated vanity mirrors
• HD Radio
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Tilt and telescoping steering wheel
• Overhead console
• Remote keyless entry
• SiriusXM
• Steering-wheel-mounted controls
• Theft-deterrent system
• Chevrolet Connected Access capable

• HD rearview camera
• OnStar

Z71: $31,795

• All LT features, plus
• Automatic-locking rear differential
• Black recovery hooks
• Hill-descent control
• Off-road suspension
• 17-inch Dark Argent Metallic cast-aluminum wheels
• All-terrain tires
• Black beltline moldings
• Body-color, heated, power mirrors
• EZ Lift and Lower tailgate
• Fog lights
• Manual-sliding rear window
• Projector-beam headlights
• Four-way power passenger’s seat
• Automatic climate control
• Heated front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Remote ignition
• Wireless charging pad
• Rear parking sensors

ZR2: $42,395

• All Z71 features, plus
• 3.6-liter V-6 engine
• 3.42-to-1 rear axle ratio
• Four-wheel drive
• Eight-speed automatic transmission
• Autotrac two-speed transfer case
• Driver-selectable, full-locking front and rear differentials
• 17-inch aluminum wheels
• Integrated trailer-brake controller
• Off-road rocker protection
• Tow/Haul mode
• 2-inch receiver hitch
• Four- and seven-pin connectors
• Trailering assist guidelines
• Transfer case shield
• Black rear bumper
• Off-road appearance package
• Spray-on bed liner

Who Should Buy the 2019 Chevy Colorado?

Seeking more power in your pickup? The 2019 Colorado offers just that with its potent four-cylinder and V-6 engines. It also adds a thrifty wrinkle with its available diesel engine that also allows this pickup to tow up to 7,000 pounds. 

Who Should Buy the 2019 Nissan Frontier?

The 2019 Nissan Frontier isn’t the most modern pickup, but it offers a strong base price that is thousands cheaper than the Colorado. This trend continues through the entire lineup, adding value at each step. 

Whether you just need a work pickup to get the job done in Saginaw, a commuter truck to get to the office in Midland, or a five-seat pickup to drop the kids off at school in Bay City, the 2019 Nissan Frontier can handle it. Swing by our new-Nissan showroom serving the Saginaw and Midland areas to test drive the 2019 Frontier and see what it has to offer. Can’t make it to the Garber Nissan Hyundai showroom today? Can’t make it to our showroom today? Navigate to our online showroom to see our in-stock 2019 Frontier models, choose a few that suit your needs, and schedule a test drive at your convenience.