2019 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2019 Nissan Frontier
Two midsize trucks, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2019 Chevrolet
Colorado
6/10
Great bones, mediocre transmission, and infotainment that ages like milk.
VS
2019 Nissan
Frontier
8/10
Buy it for what it is: a 20-year-old truck design with a bulletproof drivetrain, not for what it isn't — a modern, refined pickup.
Milo scores the 2019 Nissan Frontier higher — 8/10 against 6/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Chevrolet Colorado |
Nissan Frontier |
| Known failure points | 6 | 6 |
| NHTSA complaints | 146 | 28 |
| Safety recalls | 0 | 1 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 58 | 83 |
| Cheap to own | 55 | 78 |
| Fun factor | 62 | 58 |
| Holds value | 68 | 75 |
| Enthusiast cred | 57 | 62 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2019 Chevrolet Colorado
8-speed automatic (8L45/8L90) harsh shifting, shudder, or torque converter shudder
$150–$4,50030k–60k mi
2019 Nissan Frontier
5-speed automatic transmission fluid degradation leading to harsh shifts if never serviced
$150–$2,50080k–120k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2019 Chevrolet Colorado
2019 Colorado ZR2 with the 3.6L V6, crew cab, and Duramax diesel option if towing is a priority — get one with a documented transmission fluid service history.
✅ 2019 Nissan Frontier
2019 Frontier PRO-4X, Crew Cab, 4x4, with the factory tow package and preferably the 5-speed automatic — it's the most capable, best-equipped, and easiest to resell configuration.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
Run my free report →
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.