Comparison shopping: Colorado, Gladiator, Tacoma

[spectre6000]

I read everything I could find, and recently saw a new MotorTrend article about the Colorado, Tacoma, and Gladiator in my news feed... They republished this article. Disappointing.

I've been keeping my eyes peeled for newer mid-size trucks. I've seen maybe a half dozen Gladiators, quite a few Colorados (no particular trim), and Tacomas are everywhere. Sorta makes sense. ZR2s are still a small minority, and I don't think I've seen a single Bison in the wild.

 

[spectre6000]

I'm seeing 2020 on the Chevy site for the Colorado for the first time this morning. There's nothing new at the top of the line, but it's finally there. I was honestly hoping for some new color options. I did see that GMC will be getting a ZR2-based trim level soon, so there's that, but it honestly seems like a step backward. I'm not exactly after luxury appointments in a truck intended to get dirty. I do see they made the Chevy Performance Parts diesel exhaust relocation a factory option, so that's a positive!

 

[calicamper]

I'm seeing 2020 on the Chevy site for the Colorado for the first time this morning. There's nothing new at the top of the line, but it's finally there. I was honestly hoping for some new color options. I did see that GMC will be getting a ZR2-based trim level soon, so there's that, but it honestly seems like a step backward. I'm not exactly after luxury appointments in a truck intended to get dirty. I do see they made the Chevy Performance Parts diesel exhaust relocation a factory option, so that's a positive!

Good luck Specter! My search seems to be narrowing to an end. I nearly cut a check for a 2019 Yukon Denali but GM had some bizarre discounting only available to GM owners through Sept 3rd. The 19’s might be interesting if you have a 05 or newer GM and qualify for their odd heavy discounts right now. Given I’m switching brands I did not so we put the checkbook away and left.

The positive side is I looked at the Expedition Platinum wow seating design and functionality just crushes the Yukon. The tech is really impressive. And the dealers are hungry!!! Especially on these stupid expensive beasts. Headed back later this week to see what kind of deal we can hash out.

Oh and it has electric locking rear diff yay!! Ha ha
Thats what has got my Sequoia stuck a few times no rear locker?‍♂️. The 400hp and 400+ftlb of torque is nutz. Gotta love these new engines and transmissions. I’m not telling my wife the expedition is a F150 wagon.. Shhhhh!!!! Us guys need to keep that a secret.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The positive side is I looked at the Expedition Platinum wow seating design and functionality just crushes the Yukon. The tech is really impressive. And the dealers are hungry!!! Especially on these stupid expensive beasts. Headed back later this week to see what kind of deal we can hash out.

I have about had it with IRS... my wife wants one and all I can say is ick. Between that and still being pretty low slung I am not a big F-150ish station wagon fan.

 

[phsycle]

I have about had it with IRS... my wife wants one and all I can say is ick. Between that and still being pretty low slung I am not a big F-150ish station wagon fan.

Expedition isn't bad. Nearly 10" ground clearance stock. Not the best approach/dep angles, but hey, places you'll be taking that behemeth, I don't think it'll be a problem. Same with IRS.

Good luck Specter! My search seems to be narrowing to an end. I nearly cut a check for a 2019 Yukon Denali but GM had some bizarre discounting only available to GM owners through Sept 3rd. The 19’s might be interesting if you have a 05 or newer GM and qualify for their odd heavy discounts right now. Given I’m switching brands I did not so we put the checkbook away and left.

The positive side is I looked at the Expedition Platinum wow seating design and functionality just crushes the Yukon. The tech is really impressive. And the dealers are hungry!!! Especially on these stupid expensive beasts. Headed back later this week to see what kind of deal we can hash out.

Oh and it has electric locking rear diff yay!! Ha ha
Thats what has got my Sequoia stuck a few times no rear locker?‍♂️. The 400hp and 400+ftlb of torque is nutz. Gotta love these new engines and transmissions. I’m not telling my wife the expedition is a F150 wagon.. Shhhhh!!!! Us guys need to keep that a secret.

Are you sure about the e-locker? I thought they only had an LSD.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Expedition isn't bad. Nearly 10" ground clearance stock. Not the best approach/dep angles, but hey, places you'll be taking that behemeth, I don't think it'll be a problem. Same with IRS.

They look pretty low slung for as long as they are.

I had enough fun dragging my wife's Edge out of snow last winter, I don't really want bigger/heavier with similar ground clearance to drag out of snow.

And pulling knuckles off to press sealed wheel bearings in/out is not fun.

I would rather have something taller with a real rear axle and preferably leaf sprung... like a Tahoe/Suburban. Or even a first gen Expedition.

 

[phsycle]

They look pretty low slung for as long as they are.

I had enough fun dragging my wife's Edge out of snow last winter, I don't really want bigger/heavier with similar ground clearance to drag out of snow.

And pulling knuckles off to press sealed wheel bearings in/out is not fun.

I would rather have something taller with a real rear axle and preferably leaf sprung... like a Tahoe/Suburban. Or even a first gen Expedition.

Edge? Just looked it up and the ground clearance is 7.8". Over 2" isn't similar GC.

The Suburban's GC is 7.8" as well. So really, the Expedition is on the taller side compared to other similar vehicles. And note: '20 Suburbans are going IRS as well.

But I think either platform will be just fine for most folks. I'm not taking either up any technical, tight trails. These vehicles are perfect for road trips and forest service roads. IRS will serve them better.

 

[Todd780]

. These vehicles are perfect for road trips and forest service roads.

Yes they are. I had a 2000 and 2009 Suburban. Loved them both.

 

[calicamper]

Expedition isn't bad. Nearly 10" ground clearance stock. Not the best approach/dep angles, but hey, places you'll be taking that behemeth, I don't think it'll be a problem. Same with IRS.



Are you sure about the e-locker? I thought they only had an LSD.

Certain packages have a locking rear diff via button on center console. The FX and Platinum have it for sure but I can’t tell if its tied to a options package beyond that.

My wife won’t do trucks so some of us married with money makers have to compromise. Its either this or go Highlander,Pilot,Telluride route and this is my ride not hers. Three days a week I’m currently hauling 5 kids to Volleyball practice in my Sequoia. I’m a bus driver dad not a Pickup dad. Lol

 

[calicamper]

Edge? Just looked it up and the ground clearance is 7.8". Over 2" isn't similar GC.

The Suburban's GC is 7.8" as well. So really, the Expedition is on the taller side compared to other similar vehicles. And note: '20 Suburbans are going IRS as well.

But I think either platform will be just fine for most folks. I'm not taking either up any technical, tight trails. These vehicles are perfect for road trips and forest service roads. IRS will serve them better.

Same here hell White Rim road a big portion is about the nicest graded road I’ve seen in a long time. LOL The built up jeeps on 35-37’s sporting hijacks, winches and armeggeddon gear looked silly out there. Lol

 

[calicamper]

They look pretty low slung for as long as they are.

I had enough fun dragging my wife's Edge out of snow last winter, I don't really want bigger/heavier with similar ground clearance to drag out of snow.

And pulling knuckles off to press sealed wheel bearings in/out is not fun.

I would rather have something taller with a real rear axle and preferably leaf sprung... like a Tahoe/Suburban. Or even a first gen Expedition.

Out of all the current 3 row options for 7-8 usable seats strangely 8inches is a stretch and the Expedition has 10. My 06 Sequoia is 10. In my case at 8.7 inches my Subaru has struggled in Sierra snow. So these larger cross over wagons that barely break 8 inches unloaded are pretty lame in Sierra snow.

Off road beyond graded roads stuff I’d rather ride a mountain bike, dirt bike or hike.

 

[AbleGuy]

Off road beyond graded roads stuff I’d rather ride a mountain bike, dirt bike or hike.

??

 

[jadmt]

so on Saturday I looked at Tacomas TRD's and a Gladiators back to back and I actually dozed off for a few minutes looking at the Tacomas it was nearly as boring as my wife's CRV. On the other hand the Gladiator image is stuck in my head still. It would have been an easy sale for them but no sales person would come out and wait on me and I was smart enough not to go inside and ask for help in my weakened state of mind.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Edge? Just looked it up and the ground clearance is 7.8". Over 2" isn't similar GC.

The Suburban's GC is 7.8" as well. So really, the Expedition is on the taller side compared to other similar vehicles. And note: '20 Suburbans are going IRS as well.

But I think either platform will be just fine for most folks. I'm not taking either up any technical, tight trails. These vehicles are perfect for road trips and forest service roads. IRS will serve them better.

There is more to ground clearance than ground clearance.

Our gravel road comes uphill to meet the highway. When the state pushes the highway after a good snow there is a 18-24" berm of snow anywhere from 2-4' thick at the end of our road. Edge gets high centered on that. Add two inches more clearance. Make it 5' longer (exaggerating but you know what I mean) Did we improve anything but make it harder for 85_Ranger4x4 to pull out?

And there is more to ground clearance than what you measure with a ruler too. I doubt my F-150's is stellar but I know what it is... the rear differential which really means nothing for snow. Otherwise the body is tucked up high. My wife's car is like a turtle. Whatever the ground clearance is the whole bottom of the car is right there too.

 

[rkj__]

Certain packages have a locking rear diff via button on center console. The FX and Platinum have it for sure but I can’t tell if its tied to a options package beyond that.

In this video, the dash seems to throw reduced torque or disabled messages for the limited slip differential, whether the "locker" is engaged or not.