2024 Chevrolet Colorado
Overview
The pickup truck is as American as apple pie and there are few sweeter than the mid-size Chevrolet Colorado. Built for driving to work as reliably as it can drive through mud, the Colorado’s chassis and offering of equipment support even the bravest off-road shenanigans. All Colorados are powered exclusively by a turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four engine and an eight-speed automatic. While WT and LT base models get a 237-hp version of that powertrain, the off-road-focused ZR2 gets 310 ponies and 430 pound-feet of torque. Every Colorado is four-door cab with a five-foot bed, and it can be optioned with either rear- or four-wheel drive depending on the trim level. With up to 7700 pounds of maximum towing capacity, the Colorado can haul campers, boats, and snow machines with ease. While it was the newest kid on the block for a year, the Colorado now faces worthy competition from newer trucks such as the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma.
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What’s New for 2024?
On the heels of celebrating last year’s debut of its next-generation mid-size pickup, Chevy delivers its highly-anticipated Colorado ZR2 Bison for 2024. The Bison is a more off-road intensive ZR2 that gains 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory Mud Terrain tires and aftermarket support from American Expedition Vehicles (AEV). To fit the largest tires offered in the mid-size truck segment, Chevy opened up the wheel arches and gave the ZR2 Bison a wider track.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
WT
$31,000 (est)
LT
$34,000 (est)
$39,000 (est)
Z71
$42,000 (est)
ZR2
$49,000 (est)
ZR2 Bison
$63,000 (est)
While our heart beats for the high-flying ZR2 trim with 10.7-inches of ground clearance, 33-inch tires, and enough LED lighting to work the stage at a techno concert, we think the budget-minded Trail Boss delivers almost as much mud-flinging fun and does it for a lot less. The Trail Boss comes with 32-inch all-terrain tires and fender flares that make it look like a tough guy. In fact, it’s even got an extra 1.5 inches of front suspension travel versus the WT, LT, and Z71 trims, with an additional inch of travel in the rear. It doesn’t have the sweet Multimatic spool valve dampers and lockable front and rear diffs of the ZR2, but it shares its rear limited-slip diff with the Z71.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Every Colorado is powered by Chevy’s turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four engine with various outputs determined by trim level. An eight-speed automatic serves as the transmission for all Colorados. WT and LT models come standard with 237 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque. That’s far more than the 159-hp four-cylinder in the base Toyota Tacoma. The better-equipped Z71 and Trail Boss models use the 310 horsepower version of the same turbo 2.7-liter with 390 pound-feet of torque, giving it more power and torque than the V-6 powertrains found in the Jeep Gladiator, Ridgeline, and Tacoma. It’s also available as optional equipment for WT and LT trims. The crown-jewel ZR2 powertrain delivers 310 horsepower but raises torque to 430 foot-pounds. If those numbers sound familiar, it’s because it’s the same engine offered on Chevy’s full-size Silverado 1500. The V-6 and the Duramax Diesel that were available in the previous Colorado are no longer offered. The new Colorado continues to use an independent front suspension with a solid rear axle with leaf springs. The ZR2 however, mounts big Mutlimatic DSSV dampers up front, with the rear DSSV’s now mounted to the outside of the frame. WT and LT trucks use an open rear differential, while Trail Boss and Z71 pickups get a limited-slip unit; only the off-road ZR2 comes with power-locking front and rear diffs. The toughest of off-road Colorados is the ZR2 Bison, which rides on mondo 35-inch tires, the largest in the mid-size pickup segment. At 12.2-inches of ground clearance, the Bison has better break over and departure angles for getting past the rocky stuff, and even uses hydraulic front and rear bump stops to soften the landing from jumps. That’s right, we said jumps.
More on the Colorado Pickup
Towing and Payload Capacity
The Colorado offers the most towing in the mid-size pickup segment, with a max capacity of 7700 pounds. While the 237-hp base engine found in WT and LT trims manages just 3500 pounds of pull, Colorado Z71 and Trail Boss can pull up to 7700 pounds. That’s more than any Jeep Gladiator, Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger, or Toyota Tacoma. Max towing drops to 6000 pounds for the Colorado ZR2.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The Colorado earns its best EPA fuel economy rating for rear-wheel-drive models with 20 mpg city and 25 mpg on the highway. Colorados with four-wheel drive earned an EPA estimated 19 mpg city and 23 mpg on the highway. For ZR2 off-road models, these ratings drop to 17 mpg and 19 mpg respectively. When we have the chance to run one on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route—part of our extensive testing regimen—we can evaluate its real-world mpg. For more information about the Colorado’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The new-generation Colorado made leaps in terms of interior design. Every Colorado is a four-door crew cab. Inside, there’s a new center console, the shifter moves closer to the passenger side of the cab, and the cupholders are located directly in front of the center console instead of being tucked opposite the gear selector. A new gauge cluster, infotainment screen, and steering wheel complete the updated design. Overall, headroom has dropped by an inch versus the last Colorado, but legroom and shoulder space are roughly the same. Taking a slice from the Honda Ridgeline book of tricks, ZR2 models come standard with a shallow 45-inch-wide lockable storage box in the tailgate.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
All Colorado get a large 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard equipment. The 2023 Colorado also gets wireless phone-charging capability but still retains USB ports should your devices require them. Available as a subscription service, the Colorado can be equipped with Google Built-In to handle navigation, music, and other vehicle functions personalized through your Google account. Every Colorado comes standard with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
A list of driver-assistance features for the Colorado, as part of its standard Chevy Safety Assist package, is generous and includes basics such as forward collision warning as well as more advanced tech such as lane-keeping assist. For more information about the Colorado’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features are likely to include:
Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking Standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Chevrolet provides a competitive limited and powertrain warranty for the Colorado. While Toyota has better complimentary maintenance, General Motors covers the first visit for free.
Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visitArrow pointing downArrow pointing down
Specifications
Specifications
2023 Chevrolet Colorado
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear- or rear/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup
PRICE
Base: WT 4×2, $30,695; LT 4×2, $33,095; WT 4×4, $33,995; LT 4×4, $36,395; Trail Boss, $38,495; Z71, $41,395
ENGINES
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.7-liter inline-4, 237 or 310 hp, 259 or 390 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 131.4 in
Length: 212.7-213.2 in
Width: 74.9-76.3 in
Height: 70.7-71.9 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 58/43 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 4300-4700 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 6.0-7.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.7-15.9 sec
Top Speed: 100 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST)
Combined/City/Highway: 20-23/17-20/24-26 mpg
2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup
PRICE
Base ZR2, $48,295; Desert Boss Special Edition, $58,285
ENGINE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 166 in3, 2727 cm3
Power: 310 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 430 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 131.4 in
Length: 212.7 in
Width: 76.3 in
Height: 81.8 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 58/43 ft3
Curb Weight (C/D est): 5000 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST)
60 mph: 6.5 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.0 sec
Top Speed: 100 mph
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 18/17/19 mpg
More Features and Specs
