2024 Chevrolet Colorado Review: Going Taco Hunting
The mid-size truck market is really heating up, with brand-new redesigns of the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma for the 2024 model year joining the class-leading Chevrolet Colorado and its GMC Canyon sibling, which were both redesigned last year. An all-new Nissan Frontier arrived two years ago, so the segment is awash with fresh metal. It's safe to say mid-size truck buyers have never had it this good. Now that Ford's Ranger Raptor is finally available in the USA, the new Tacoma TRD Pro has been aimed right at it, so Chevy shoves its new-for-2024 ZR2 Bison into the ring for a slice of the action. With trick DSSV dampers, the fattest tires in the segment, and tons of overlanding gear, this range-topping new Chevrolet Colorado's price now knocks on $60k - more than the Raptor - so it had better be brilliant.
All trims get a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with either 237 horsepower in the base trims or 310 hp and a huge 430 lb-ft in the rest, ZR2 trims included, which may disappoint Chevy fans hoping the bowtie brand would have an answer to the 405-hp Raptor. But the car has a tough new frame and sharp driving manners far removed from its forebear, so it's quickly become our favorite mid-size truck. Can it remain at the top now that various competitors have rebooted their 2024 offerings?
Best Deals on Colorado
New for 2024
The big news for the 2024 Colorado is the arrival of the new Bison package for the range-topping ZR2 trim, taking the truck's price to nearly $60k. Built in partnership with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) and fitted with 35-inch mud-terrain tires, Multimatic DSSV Jounce Control dampers, and a host of other overlanding equipment, the ZR2 Bison aims to be the ultimate off-roading mid-size truck. It only comes with 4WD and the TurboMax 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. Last year's TurboPlus 2.7-liter with the same 310 hp but a lower 390 lb-ft is no longer offered for 2024, which means there are now only two engine choices, the second being the 2.7-liter in base 237-hp/259-lb-ft tune, as used in the WT and LT. The Trailboss and Z71 trims that used the TurboPlus engine last year are now upgraded to the TurboMax engine.
The only other change of note is that the 11-inch digital gauge cluster that was previously only fitted at the top of the lineup becomes standard on all trims this year. In more good news, the price of the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado increases only incrementally, and the cheapest trim still costs less than $30k.
2024 Chevrolet Colorado Price: Which One to Buy
For MY2024, the starting price of a new Chevrolet Colorado Work Truck still sneaks in below the $30k mark at $29,500, just $300 more than before. From there on, you get the LT at $31,900, the Trail Boss at $37,300, the Z71 at $40,200, and the ZR2 at $46,800. These are the trims in their most basic configurations; for the WT and LT, this means RWD and the 237-hp engine. Upgrading either of these to 4WD will cost you $3,300, and speccing them with the 310-hp TurboMax engine will cost you $1,050. All the other trims come with these two items added as standard. Adding the Bison package to the ZR2 will set you back a full $11,700. The prices are MSRP and don't include the destination charge, which increases by $100 to $1,595 this year.
Everybody wants a ZR2 Bison, but that's a $60k truck after destination. The Trail Boss makes for the perfect Bison Lite and offers more than enough all-roading ability for most folks, with its 4WD, LS diff, higher stance, and aggressive adventure looks. It's a bit bare, but only costs $37k and already comes with the powerful TurboMax engine, so you can add all the missing extras, such as $545 Convenience Package II (power driver's seat, EZ Lift StowFlex tailgate), the $505 Safety package (blind-spot steering assist, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic braking), and the $950 Technology package (surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, rear pedestrian alert) and still pay less than $41k for your truck, destination included.
Work Truck | Trail Boss | ZR2 |
---|---|---|
Workhorse | Sweet Spot | Overlander |
$ 29500 | $ 37300 | $ 46800 |
2.7L turbo-four (237 hp/260 lb-ft), eight-speed auto, 2WD (4WD optional) | Equipped with the LT’s features, plus: | Equipped with the Z71’s features, plus: |
17-inch steel wheels, halogen headlights | 310 hp/430 lb-ft | Lockable front & rear differentials |
Cloth upholstery, manual seats, single-zone climate control | 4WD, 2-speed transfer case, LS rear diff | DSSV Multimatic dampers, three-inch suspension lift |
11-inch & 11.3-inch displays, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 6-speaker audio | Gloss-black 18-inch alloys with 32-inch all-terrain tires | 17-inch Graphite/Oxide Gold alloys, 33-inch all-terrain tires |
Chevy Safety Assist driver-assistance suite | Wheel-arch moldings | Heated front seats, 8-way power driver’s seat |
Two-inch suspension lift, hill-descent control | Optional Bison package |
Interior and Features
A modern cockpit with big digital displays greets the driver, and we’re happy to report that the tech has been democratized across the lineup.
The Colorado sports a fully digital cockpit right down to the humble Work Truck, with all trims featuring large dual screens. The dashboard is as modern as anything in this segment, and the quality of the materials is vastly better than the old one, but there are still many hard plastics about the place, even if they are all of solid construction. The top trims disguise these more skilfully with tasteful decor and textures, not to mention plusher materials in key places. Our biggest gripe must be the touchscreen-heavy ergonomics, with too few buttons retained for important functions. At least there are still hard buttons for the HVAC system. Interior space is on par with typical rivals - so it's a bit tight in the second row. Getting inside requires a bit of clambering on the high-riding trims - especially the ZR2 Bison with its huge 12-inch-plus ground clearance - but once settled, the seats are comfortable and sightlines free of major blindspots, except on the ZR2 Bison, whose vertical bed-mounted spare tire blocks a huge portion of the rear glass.
Space
When Chevrolet redesigned the Colorado, it did not make use of the opportunity to endow it with more cabin space. It's decidedly average in this class, with a rear seat that's too tight to comfortably accommodate anyone approaching six feet in height and well behind class leaders such as the Honda Ridgeline and Jeep Gladiator. Seating comfort is decent, with bucket-style front seats holding occupants securely, but the rear bench is quite flat and featureless to allow a center rear passenger to fit, but that passenger won't be comfortable, with the transmission tunnel robbing foot space and hip/shoulder space at a premium.
Cargo
Bed space is a little below average for the class as well. There is only one body style with a crew cab and a standard five-foot-two bed that is 61.7 inches long and 58.2 inches wide, giving a total bed volume of 41.9 cubic feet. This figure is worse than the Ranger's 43.5 cu. ft and the Frontier's 49.6 cubes, but better than the Ridgeline's 33.9 cu-ft. Payload capability maxes out at 1,720 lbs, which is among the best in the class, though the Ranger edges it out with up to 1,805 lbs.
Configurable bed rails are available on certain trims. A spray-on bedliner is only standard on the ZR2 trims but precludes the fitment of the optional structural bedliner that contains integral storage compartments. A StowFlex tailgate with a lidded compartment 45 inches long and four inches deep is standard on the ZR2 trims and optional on the rest. It has a measuring tool and two cupholders molded into its surface, and it has a drain, so it can be used as a cooler. Because the ZR2 Bison's full-size 35-inch spare tire doesn't fit underneath the truck, it's mounted vertically in the bed, eating up more bed space.
In the cabin, passengers have access to a glovebox and four door pockets. The center console contains a space for your phone, which is also the wireless charging pad when equipped, as well as two cupholders and a storage box - uncovered on the WT and lidded on the rest. A passenger seatback pocket is standard on the LT, Z71, and ZR2s, but a driver's seatback pocket and a rear center armrest with two cupholders is only available as an option on these trims. The rear seatback folds in a 60/40 ratio to make better use of the in-cabin trunk space when you need to move larger items.
Chevrolet Colorado | Nissan Frontier | Ford Ranger | |
---|---|---|---|
Seating | 5-seater | 5-seater | 5-seater |
Headroom | 40.3 in. front 38.3 in. rear | 39.1-39.9 in. front 38.6 in. rear | 41 in. front 38.3 in. rear |
Legroom | 45.2 in. front 34.7 in. rear | 42.3 in. front 33.2 in. rear | 43.7 in. front 34.6 in. rear |
Bed Space | Volume: 41.9 ft³ Max Payload: 1,720 lbs | Volume: 49.6 ft³ Max Payload: 1,480 lbs | Volume: 43.5 ft³ Max Payload: 1,805 lbs |
Materials and Colors
The WT, LT, and Trail Boss get cloth upholstery, but you can opt for Evotex leatherette for $1,250. You don't get a choice of interior colors, with black being your only option in most Colorado trims. The Z71 gets seats upholstered in a combination of cloth and leatherette, but the cabin is lifted by the addition of Adrenaline Red stitching and accents on the seats, steering wheel, door panels, and dashboard. You can opt for leather upholstery in the same color scheme, but this requires the addition of the Z71 Convenience Package II with lots of extra features for a total outlay of over $3,000. The ZR2 trims come with leatherette/cloth or leather in a gray hue called Artemis, with yellow stitching and accents in place of the Z71's Adrenaline Red. The ZR2 Bison has AEV logos embroidered on the front headrests.
Features and Infotainment
The Work Truck is not too basic inside, and unlike some other workhorses, you get carpeting on the floor, an electronic parking brake, a one-touch driver's window, and an 11-inch digital gauge cluster as standard. The air-conditioning and front seats are manually operated, though, and you have to make do with basic cloth upholstery. The steering column can only tilt, not telescope. You have to move up to higher trims to get a proximity key with push-button start, leatherette or optional leather upholstery, a telescoping steering column, rear-seat air vents, a power driver's seat, heated front seats, and more. Some items, such as a heated steering wheel, memory settings for the driver, and, strangely, a driver's seatback pocket, cost extra, even on the top trims.
The 11-inch digital gauge cluster is joined by an 11.3-inch touchscreen that is used across the lineup. The infotainment system is OnStar and Chevrolet Connected Services capable, with standard features including wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, two front USB ports, SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and a six-speaker audio system. The LT has one rear USB port, and the rest of the trims have two. A Bose premium audio system is available to the upper trims.
Work Truck | Trail Boss | ZR2 | |
---|---|---|---|
11" and 11.3" displays with 6-speaker audio | S | S | S |
Heated front seats | N/A | N/A | S |
8-way power driver's seat | O | O | S |
Cruise control | O | O | S |
Leather upholstery | N/A | N/A | O |
Performance
The default 2.7-liter turbo-four pulls strongly from low down, even in low-output format, while the eight-speed auto is unobtrusive and smooth.
The only engine in every Chevrolet Colorado is a turbocharged 2.7L inline four-cylinder in various states of tune. It delivers 237 hp and 260 lb-ft in the WT and LT, but the TurboMax version of this engine with 310 hp and 430 lb-ft is optional on these trims and standard on the rest. At the base level, 237 hp should be enough to give the Chevrolet Colorado a 0-60 sprint of around eight seconds, while the TurboMax should be good for 6.5 seconds. Top speed is limited to 100 mph. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the WT and LT, with four-wheel drive optional. All the other trims are 4WD by default.
Regardless of the drivetrain configuration, every Colorado gets the same eight-speed automatic transmission. Trailering performance is strong, with up to 7,700 lbs of towing capacity for the 310-hp trims with the factory tow package fitted. The 237-hp trims can tow up to 3,500 lbs. The ZR2 is rated for 6,000 lbs, and the Bison-equipped models for 5,500 lbs. The Trail Boss is the first proper off-road Colorado with its standard AWD, dual-range transfer case, two-inch suspension lift, a limited slip rear diff, and 32-inch tires. The ZR2 gains more serious off-road kit, with 33-inch tires, front and rear diff locks, and DSSV Multimatic dampers with a three-inch suspension lift. Adding the Bison package takes the ZR2 to the next level with a wider track, huge 35-inch tires on beadlock-capable wheels, unique Multimatic DSSV Jounce Control dampers, and a huge 12.2-inch ground clearance.
With four ride heights and various powertrain configurations, the driving experience very much depends on the spec you choose. The regular Colorado handles with such deft and precision that it feels like something half its weight and sets a high bar for other mid-size trucks. It is now right at the top of the class, exhibiting excellent agility for something so utilitarian and proving refined and quiet on the move, though the WT, with its less sound deadening, is noticeably noisier. The odd shudder that filters into the cabin on uneven surfaces reminds you that this is still a ladder-frame truck, but it's hardly obtrusive.
The off-road trims range from extremely competent to superb, with the new ZR2 Bison worthy of that last description, as we experienced in our test drive. Ultimate suspension travel is no more than on the ZR2, but the superb damping and dedicated Baja mode give you the confidence to push so much harder, and the hydraulic bump stops and trim-specific DSSV Multimatic Jounce Control dampers mean the landing after a jump is always cushioned and controlled. The wider track means there is still enough steering lock, despite the 35-inch tires, and its ground clearance makes it almost unstoppable in rough, slow going. With beadlocks fitted, the tires let down, the front and rear diffs locked, and low range engaged, its rock-crawling ability is nearly unmatched.
Fuel Efficiency
The Chevrolet Colorado's mpg figures are better than would be achievable with a V6 engine, but this is still a truck, so the best gas mileage you can expect from the thriftiest 2WD WT and LT with the base engine is 20/25/22 mpg for the city/highway/combined cycles, according to the EPA. With 4WD, those figures drop to 19/23/21 mpg. The 4WD Trail Boss and Z71, with their fatter 32-inch tires, return 17/21/19 mpg, while the ZR2, with its 33-inch tires, returns 17/19/18 mpg. The figures for the ZR2 Bison with its high stance and 35-inch rubber are a predictably poor 16/16/16 mpg.
All Colorados have a fuel capacity of 21.4 gallons, sufficient for the 2WD WT to achieve a range of around 470 miles on a tank while, at the other end of the scale, the ZR2 Bison won't manage more than 342 miles.
2.7L Turbo Inline-4 Gas 8-Speed Automatic RWD | 2.7L Turbo Inline-4 Gas 8-speed Automatic 4X4 | 2.7L TurboMax Inline-4 Gas 8-Speed Automatic RWD | 2.7L TurboMax Inline-4 Gas 8-Speed Automatic 4X4 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Power | 237 hp | 237 hp | 310 hp | 310 hp |
Top speed | 100 mph | 100 mph | 100 mph | 100 mph |
MPG | 20/25/22 mpg | 19/23/21 mpg | TBA | 17/21/19 mpg (Trail Boss, Z71) 17/19/18 mpg (ZR2) 16/16/16 (ZR2 Bison) |
0-60 | Est. 8 sec. | Est. 8 sec. | Est. 6.5 sec. | Est. 6.5-7 sec. |
Towing Capacity | 3,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs | TBA | 5,500-7,700 lbs |
Safety
So far, the Colorado’s crash results have been middling, but the standard safety spec is impressive, with all the crucial driver assists standard on all trims.
The Chevy truck is untested by the IIHS at the time of writing, and even the NHTSA's safety review of the Chevrolet Colorado is only partial, with the frontal crash garnering four stars out of five and the side crash getting full marks.
Every Colorado comes with seven airbags, and the expected ABS, stability control, tire-pressure monitoring, and backup camera are all present and accounted for. To these basic safety features, Chevrolet adds the Chevy Safety Assist suite to all trims, which comes with forward-collision alert with a following-distance indicator, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. Other standard driver assists include Hitch Guidance with Hitch View, buckle-to-drive, and a teen-driver function. Automatic headlights are standard, but they are halogen on all trims except the Z71 and ZR2s; these trims also receive LED foglights.
An optional Safety package adds rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring with steering assist and rear cross-traffic braking. Buyers can get a surround-view camera system, rear pedestrian alert, and adaptive cruise control, but only via the Technology package. An auto-dimming rearview mirror is optional on all trims except the WT and Trail Boss as part of a package.
Work Truck | Trail Boss | ZR2 | |
---|---|---|---|
Front-collision alert with braking | S | S | S |
Lane-departure alert with lane-keep assist | S | S | S |
Blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic braking | O | O | O |
Adaptive cruise control | O | O | O |
Surround-view camera | O | O | O |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
Reliability
An evaluation of the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado's reliability isn't available from JD Power yet, but we're hoping that Chevy can build on the excellent result of 85 out of 100 that the previous generation achieved in 2022. The news has certainly been good on the recall front, with none so far recorded for the new Colorado's first two years of production.
There's nothing special about the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado's warranty, though. The standard limited warranty is valid for three years/36,000 miles, and the powertrain warranty is for five years/60,000 miles. At least the first maintenance visit is thrown in for free.
Warranty
Basic | Drivetrain | Rust-Through | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance | Drivetrain Note | Roadside Assistance Note | Maintenance Note |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | 6 Years / 100,000 Miles | 3 Years / 36,000 Miles | 5 Years / 60,000 Miles | Certain commercial, government, and qualified fleet vehicles: 5 years/100,000 miles | Certain commercial, government, and qualified fleet vehicles: 5 years/100,000 miles | First Visit: 12 Months/12,000 Miles |
Design
The latest Chevy Colorado has lost the previous generation's soft, generic lines in exchange for a muscular appearance with a square jaw and a buff front end, very much like its Silverado big brother. The WT and Trail Boss have a plain black bumper, body-color B-pillars, and halogen headlights. The WT has 17-inch steel wheels, but the LT is upgraded to 17-inch alloys and gets blacked-out B-pillars and a body-color front bumper insert. The Trail Boss runs on gloss-black 18-inch alloys with 32-inch all-terrain tires and gets a gray chin insert, tow hooks and wheel-arch moldings in black, and an increased ride height. The Z71 gets a combination of LT and Trail Boss exterior detailing but with blacked-out pillars and two-color 18-inch alloys.
The ZR2's unique shield grille, graphite/gold 17-inch alloys with 33-inch tires, performance hood, wide stance, skid plates, and red tow hooks are immediately obvious. Less obvious is its EZ-Lift tailgate and the deletion of the rear-bumper corner step, which is standard on the other trims. The ZR2 Bison's flared wheel arches, enormous 35-inch mud-terrain rubber, steel AEV bumpers, and massive 12.2-inch ground clearance make it stand out from the rest. It's the only trim with a bed-mounted spare and spray-in bedliner. A power sunroof is available on all trims except the WT and Trail Boss.
Verdict: Is The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado A Good Truck?
Last year, we said the freshly redesigned Chevrolet Colorado moved right to the top of its class with its hugely improved cabin, muscular looks, excellent driving manners, and sub-$30k starting price. Nothing has changed our minds in the meantime, but the Ranger comes close, with its superb Raptor arguably coming in cheaper than the ZR2 Bison and being even more powerful. The Ranger cannot match the sheer variety of suspension configurations the AWD Colorados offer, though, and nothing currently beats the way the regular Colorados drive. The new Tacoma might well upset the applecart, but we'd first like to try it out - especially the much-vaunted new TRD Pro - to see if it has what it takes to topple the Colorado from its throne. For now, the Colorado has done enough to remain the default choice in this class.