2020 Chevrolet Colorado

The cheapest variant of the Colorado is $22,395. This is the base model with an Extended Cab and a long bed. The Crew Cab with the short bed starts at $27,795, while the Crew Cab with the long bed is $30,095. Opting for a 4x4 drivetrain adds around $3,515 to the price, depending on the selection of your chosen model. The WT trim starts at $25,895, with the V6 engine adding $1,485 to that sticker. The LT model starts a little higher, at $28,795, while the Z71 - only available with the V6 - costs at least $36,695. The range-topping ZR2 also gets the V6 and starts at $42,495, but opting for the turbodiesel engine brings that price to $45,995. Fully loaded, the final price can knock on the door of $60,000. Each and every model is subject to a destination fee of $1,095.

With modern pickups needing to be more and more versatile in order to satisfy a wider audience, the days of a truck being a rugged and uncomfortable vehicle that is fit for only one purpose are gone. The Chevrolet Colorado is not a stand-out performer, but its steering and on-road handling are accurate and sharp, if a little too numb to be engaging. Comfort is also impressive, with the suspension proving good enough for long drives. On the range-topper, you even have Multimatic DSSV dampers, allowing you to maintain decent ride quality and still go bashing over rocks and rough terrain without fuss. Typically, ride comfort and overall stability is vastly improved when the load bin is filled with something weighty, but even empty, it's not something we'd complain about. The braking is average and what we'd expect for the segment, with good overall feel and response that only wanes over numerous consecutive hard stops. With a 4x4 configuration available, and off-road drive modes on higher trims, the Colorado is just as capable on the trail as it is on the road. The Z71 and ZR2 both get all-terrain tires that are noisier on the road but grippier off it, while upgraded suspension components absorb more punishment than on lesser trims.

While its workaday charm and rugged styling are attractive, the Colorado is an expensive vehicle once you start loading the options on. However, this just means that it's versatile. The base pickup is a good starting point for runaround daily duties. Build quality is impressive, and the interior is comfortable. The suspension is good too, and the steering is more than responsive enough to be mistaken for that of a much smaller vehicle. This makes it easy to use in the city, and maneuvering it through narrow trail roads is a piece of cake too. With available off-road upgrades, it's a pickup that you can have fun with as well. Its segment-exclusive turbodiesel engine is another feather in the Colorado's cap, providing class-leading towing capacity and highly impressive fuel economy. There may be others that offer more features or a better off-road experience, but the Colorado is one of the best at blending off-road ability with comfort and hauling capacity with economy. Its load beds are also capacious. Essentially, finding a gripe with this pickup - at least one big enough to stop considering it - is practically impossible.

Depending on what you intend to use the vehicle for, your ideal Colorado could be any of those available. The base model is great for running errands, but lacks any grunt or comfort features. The WT is a little better and has access to a more powerful engine, but is still basic. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Z71 and ZR2 are epic for off-roading but can be rather pricey. Our choice would be the mid-range LT. It's a handsome looking spec, with body-color bumpers and mirrors, and blends capability with comfort, offering a six-way power driver's seat, satellite radio, cruise control, power mirrors and the option of navigation. Available with the V6 engine too, this is a great all-rounder.

Arguably one of the most-loved vehicles in this segment, the Tacoma is a seriously capable off-roading machine. However, the Tacoma is less economical and costs more, with the Toyota starting at a base price of $26,050 versus the Chevy's $21,300. The Colorado is also a better daily driver, offering smartphone integration across the range, a bigger interior, and a diesel engine not available on the Tacoma. The Colorado's base engine is also more powerful, offering 200 hp versus the Tacoma's 159, despite being smaller. It wins on torque too, with the Chevy producing 11 lb-ft more than the Toyota. It's nicer to drive on the road as well, with sharper steering and a more composed ride. Towing capability on the Chev is also unrivaled, and unless your focus is exclusively on off-roading, the Colorado will be a much more satisfying buy.

The Ford Ranger is one of the office favorites here at CarBuzz, as is reflected by its Buzz score of 8.8. It's a little pricier in base form than the Tacoma, starting at $24,410, but its turbocharged EcoBoost engine produces 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. It's also equipped with a brilliant eight-speed automatic across the range, and its interior feels more premium than that of the Toyota. The infotainment system in the Ford is starting to show its age with delayed responses versus the Chevy's excellent setup, but other than that, the Ranger's cabin is a nicer place to sit. Nevertheless, the Ranger is old for America, with a version of the pickup that has been available abroad for a few years now only just being released in the States. The available diesel engine of the Chevrolet is also hard to ignore, and its capability and no-frills simplicity mean that the Colorado is a better option for most buyers.