Pickup trucks have long held the hearts of American drivers, and the Chevrolet Colorado has had a place within them for over 15 years. This is largely due to its capability as a rugged off-roader that boasts impressive towing capacity for the midsize class without wasting time or money on frills. Naturally, this means that premium competitors have it beat in terms of class and quality, but the Chevy is still very well balanced at a reasonable price. The base-level engine doesn't garner much interest, developing a measly 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque, but the available V6 or turbo-diesel four-pot have more than earned the respect of shoppers. With a maximum payload capacity of 2,181 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 lbs, as well as genuine off-roading capability, new Colorado trucks still offer stiff competition for the likes of the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger, as well as an array of rival midsize pickups.
Chevrolet is making no changes to the 2022 Colorado, but it is adding a new package. The dealer-installed Trail Boss package becomes available this year on the 4WD LT and Z71 trims and includes red tow hooks, a one-inch suspension-leveling kit, black 17-inch ZR2 wheels, black exterior badging, and mid-vehicle skid plates. The front air dam is also deleted when this package is specified.
With so many options for customization, the price of the Chevy Colorado varies extensively. Generally, the cheapest configurations are those that combine the Extended Cab with the Long Box and the 2.5-liter base engine. In this guise, the WT starts at $25,200, with the LT adding $2,500. The Z71 and ZR2 are only available in Extended Cab guise when equipped with the four-wheel drivetrain, priced at $36,500 and $42,600, respectively. The Crew Cab/Short Box combo is slightly pricier, aside from the 2WD version of the Z71, which starts at $34,800. Swapping the base powertrain out for the V6 on the WT or LT adds $1,485 to the bill. The Duramax engine adds $6,915 to the starting price of the 2WD LT, $4,595 to the 4WD Z71, and $3,720 to the ZR2. The all-wheel drivetrain is available to every trim, bumping up the price of the entry-level WT by $3,515 and the LT by $3,215. There are, however, numerous restrictions on which engines and drivetrains can be combined when building your perfect truck. These prices are MSRP and do not include tax, registration, licensing, and Chevrolet's $1,195 destination charge.
See trim levels and configurations:
Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Work Truck |
2.5L Inline-4 Gas
3.6L V6 Gas
|
6-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
|
Rear-Wheel Drive
Four-Wheel Drive
|
$26,135 |
LT |
2.5L Inline-4 Gas
3.6L V6 Gas
|
6-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
|
Rear-Wheel Drive
Four-Wheel Drive
|
$28,935 |
Z71 |
3.6L V6 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
Rear-Wheel Drive
Four-Wheel Drive
|
$35,800 |
ZR2 |
3.6L V6 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
Four-Wheel Drive
|
$43,600 |
While pickup trucks may be the modern-day equivalent of a pack mule, that does not mean they have to handle like one. That being said, the Chevy Colorado truck is a little more mulish than we'd like. It is a heavy machine, no doubt about it, but the steering is light enough to maneuver around town with some degree of dexterity. It just does not communicate very well, which can be a little problematic if you want to take it off-road.
Luckily, the ZR2 has a variety of mechanical tweaks to help it overcome this, such as its Multimatic DSSV position-sensitive dampers and electronic locking differentials. These work very well with the four-wheel-drive drivetrain and dual-range transfer case, which come standard on 4WD models. The ZR2's extra two inches of ground clearance doesn't hurt, either. Braking is average for such a bulky vehicle, but adequate considering the lackluster acceleration. The feel is great, and the response is quick. When traveling at top speed, though, you should give yourself plenty of room.
Still, comfort is quite good across the range, with the suspension soaking up most bumps without causing any bruises. Even over longer drives, it maintains adequate levels of comfort, although it could hardly be called luxurious. However, opting for the more off-road oriented tires results in more road noise in exchange for the improved grip and handling.
The Chevrolet Colorado is an oldie but a goodie. It looks more rugged and aggressive than ever, but it is more than just a pretty face; the Chevy pickup delivers, too, with class-leading towing capacity.
It has sturdy construction, adequate handling, and at least two capable engines out of three. However, it is a little light on standard features, and possesses almost no advanced driver aids. Nevertheless, the reliability ratings of the Chevrolet Colorado are very impressive. It can also be equipped with some of the desirable features that most modern cars offer, if you're willing to pay for them. However, this takes it from being a relatively affordable truck to an extremely overpriced one, so beware.
True, there are more luxurious and comfortable options, or others that can venture off the beaten track with greater ease, but the Colorado does an excellent job of combining these seemingly disparate qualities to create a pickup that is good enough at a variety of jobs while still being affordable. Even after all these years, it is still a great choice.
With multiple body and engine options, choosing the correct Chevy pickup for your needs can be daunting. The base-level WT is very sparsely equipped, but it does get access to all the body styles and a choice between both gas engines. It should suit those who want the practicality of a truck but do not have the budget to splurge on a luxurious ride. If your wallet has a little more padding, the Z71 or ZR2 are definitely more appealing. Both come standard with the stronger V6 powertrain, though they also have access to the Duramax turbo-diesel engine. With improved ground clearance and hardier construction, the Z trims are the better offroaders, but they also have more premium interiors and more standard features. With so much more to offer, we strongly suggest saving up for one of these rugged pickups, assuming you aren't enticed away when you test drive a more modern rival.
One of the top sellers in the USA, the Ford Ranger is stiff competition for every truck out there, including the Colorado. Both models are old, but the Ranger is almost ancient in the States. The Ford's EcoBoost four-pot with 270 hp and 310 lb-ft is far better than the base power plant on the Colorado, but this is the only engine choice on offer. Still, it can't compete with the Chevy's available V6 in terms of sheer power or the turbo-diesel in terms of towing capability. Chevrolet has done a better job of keeping its tech updated over the years, such as the easy-to-use infotainment suite, and offers a lot more customization options. So while the two pickups are similarly capable, the Colorado offers more value for how much you have to pay.
Since the two pickup trucks share similar DNA from their US-based parent company, General Motors, they naturally have quite a few similarities. Among these is the same trio of engines, from the middling 2.5-liter four-pot through to the torquey Duramax. This means that the Canyon can match the Chevy pound for pound in the towing department. However, it does have a slightly higher cost than the Chevy Colorado, with a base price of $26,800. In exchange for this extra investment, you get a more premium cabin, especially on the expensive Denali trim. The Colorado is the more rugged of the two, though, with the ZR2 boasting superior off-roading capabilities. Thus, it all comes down to your specific needs. If you want a hard worker that will get the job done while still pampering you with comforts, the Canyon is the clear winner. But, if you'd rather get your hands dirty playing in the mud, the Colorado has the edge.
The most popular competitors of 2022 Chevrolet Colorado: