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Toyota Tacoma vs Chevrolet Colorado: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Toyota Tacoma is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $2,800 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Tacoma Hybrid, 23 MPG combined), against $3,090 for the Chevrolet Colorado (Colorado, 21 MPG combined). That is $290 a year, or $1,450 over five years.

A frequently cross-shopped pair of rivals. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

Illustration: Small pickups
  • Hybrid
  • Small pickups

Toyota Tacoma

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Tacoma Hybrid

23 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
City
24 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$2,800

$18.67 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

10 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Standard pickups
  • Gas
  • Standard pickups

Chevrolet Colorado

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Colorado

21 MPG
Combined
19 MPG
City
24 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$3,090

$20.60 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

5 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Toyota Tacoma$2,800 a year · $18.67 per 100 mi
  • Chevrolet Colorado$3,090 a year · $20.60 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$290

Toyota Tacoma costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$1,450

$290 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Toyota Tacoma Chevrolet Colorado
Lowest-cost configuration Tacoma HybridColorado
Powertrain HybridGas
Combined rating 23 MPG (better)21 MPG
City rating 22 MPG (better)19 MPG
Highway rating 24 MPG24 MPG
Annual fuel cost $2,800/yr (better)$3,090/yr
Cost per 100 miles $18.67 (better)$20.60
Annual cost range, all configurations $2,800–$3,310$3,090–$4,150
Configurations in MY2026 105
EPA class Small pickupsStandard pickups

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado
Powertrain Toyota Tacoma Chevrolet Colorado
Gas 23 MPG · $2,880/yr Tacoma SR5/Sport/PreRunner 21 MPG · $3,090/yr Colorado
Hybrid 23 MPG · $2,800/yr Tacoma Hybrid Not offered in MY2026

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Toyota Tacoma

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $2,800 vs $3,090
  • Higher combined rating: 23 MPG vs 21 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 22 MPG vs 19 MPG
  • Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,880 vs $3,090
  • Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Chevrolet Colorado does not

Chevrolet Colorado

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Level on: highway rating (24 MPG)

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado
Model year Toyota Tacoma Chevrolet Colorado
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 20–23 MPG $2,800–$3,310 16–21 MPG $3,090–$4,150
2025 20–23 MPG $2,800–$3,310 16–20 MPG $3,190–$4,150
2024 20–24 MPG $2,780–$3,310 16–22 MPG $3,040–$4,150
2023 18–21 MPG $3,100–$3,570 16–22 MPG $2,980–$3,980
2022 18–21 MPG $3,100–$3,570 17–23 MPG $3,030–$4,860
2021 18–21 MPG $3,100–$3,570 17–23 MPG $3,030–$4,860
2020 18–21 MPG $3,100–$3,570 17–23 MPG $2,990–$4,860
2019 18–21 MPG $3,100–$3,570 15–23 MPG $2,970–$4,860
2018 18–21 MPG $3,100–$3,630 15–25 MPG $2,970–$4,700
2017 18–21 MPG $3,130–$3,570 15–25 MPG $2,980–$4,700
2016 18–21 MPG $3,120–$3,560 16–25 MPG $2,930–$4,150
2015 17–22 MPG $2,910–$3,880 16–22 MPG $2,930–$4,090
2012 17–22 MPG $2,940–$3,870 16–21 MPG $3,130–$4,090
2011 16–22 MPG $2,910–$4,200 16–21 MPG $3,120–$4,110
2010 15–22 MPG $2,970–$4,360 16–21 MPG $3,110–$4,080
2009 16–22 MPG $2,970–$4,080 16–20 MPG $3,270–$4,080
2008 16–22 MPG $2,970–$4,080 15–20 MPG $3,270–$4,360
2007 16–22 MPG $2,970–$4,080 15–20 MPG $3,270–$4,360
2006 16–21 MPG $3,110–$4,080 17–21 MPG $3,110–$3,840
2005 16–21 MPG $3,110–$4,080 17–21 MPG $3,110–$3,840
2004 16–22 MPG $2,970–$4,080 17–21 MPG $3,110–$3,840

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Toyota Tacoma or the Chevrolet Colorado?

The Toyota Tacoma is cheaper: about $2,800 a year against $3,090 for the Chevrolet Colorado, a difference of $290 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Toyota Tacoma save over five years?

About $1,450 ($290 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Toyota Tacoma or the Chevrolet Colorado?

The Toyota Tacoma is rated 23 MPG combined against 21 MPG for the Chevrolet Colorado. City: 22 MPG vs 19 MPG. Highway: 24 MPG vs 24 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Toyota Tacoma and the Chevrolet Colorado in the same class?

The EPA classes the Toyota Tacoma as Small pickups and the Chevrolet Colorado as Standard pickups, so they are listed as rivals.

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More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles