2016 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

• Full-size pickup truck
• Affordable MSRP from $20,100
• Best-in-class pickup truck horsepower
• New turbodiesel engine with up to an EPA-estimated 31 mpg highway

• Midsize pickup truck
• Best-in-class V8 towing up to 12,000 pounds
• Best-in-class pickup truck V8 horsepower
• Luxurious “High Country” trim level available

When it comes to engine choices, the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado are both top competitors in their respective segments. There are three different engine options on the Colorado, beginning with a 2.5L inline-four base engine that makes a composed 200 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque while returning up to 27 mpg highway and 20 mpg city.

New this year is a 2.8L turbodiesel inline-four that pumps out 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque while achieving up to an impressive 31 mpg highway and 23 mpg city. Topping out the lineup is a 3.6L V6 engine that doles out an impressive 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque while making up to 26 mpg highway and 18 mpg city. You’ll get best-in-class available towing with the V6, too, with up to 7,000 pounds when properly equipped.

Meanwhile, the Silverado 1500’s base engine is a 4.3L V6 that gets up to 24 mpg highway and 18 mpg city. Upgrade to the 5.3L V8 engine for a robust 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque while getting up to 23 mpg highway and 16 mpg city. Rounding out the list is an uncompromising 6.2L V8 engine that makes 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. This engine also achieves a best-in-class 12,000-pound towing capacity on properly equipped models.

The 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is available in WT, LS, LTZ, LTZ Z71, and High Country trim levels, with an MSRP ranging from $31,135 to $52,815. That’s a lot to choose from, with a fair price for everything you get. However, shoppers who don’t need quite those capabilities but still require a solid pickup at an affordable price might consider the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. It comes in Base, WT, LT, and Z71 trims with MSRP ranging from $20,100 to $33,030.

When you go with the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, you’ll have the option between Extended Cab and Crew Cab configurations up front. There are also two different bed sizes available, measuring just over 5 feet and just over 6 feet in length, respectively. On the other side of the equation is the 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, which is offered in Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab configurations up front and a short box, which offer up more interior space than their Colorado counterparts. The beds are also bigger and come in standard box and long bed versions measuring from just under 6 feet to just over 8 feet in length.

Deciding between two great pickup trucks is a good problem to have! It’s one you might want to spend a little time with, though. The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado is a great choice for those who need a pickup truck for small and medium sized jobs but who know that even those kinds of jobs still require power and durability. The Colorado is also excellent if you’re looking to save some money on your purchase and at the pump.

Those who work in teams, need a big work truck for daily jobs, and know they’ll need to haul plenty of cargo on a consistent basis may want to consider opting for the larger 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.