2022 Chevrolet Colorado

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.

The Colorado pickup has always had a no-nonsense design, but the most recent facelift really brooks no argument. The front fascia is bold and aggressive thanks to a large center bar hosting a Chevy golden bowtie. The bar divides the ridged black grille in two and runs between a pair of large, blocky headlights, which are complemented by daytime running lights. These are halogen units on the base WT and LT, and upgraded to projector beams on the Z71 and ZR2. Fog lamps are also added from the Z71 up. The top-of-the-line and super aggressive ZR2 gets a much larger grille, unique badging, and a black bowtie (the Z71 also has a black bowtie), instead. Wheels start out as 17-inch silver-painted steel items on the WT, upgraded to alloys of the same diameter on the LT. These two trims are also available with 18-inch alloy wheels, but the Z-trims are not - they both run on 17-inch alloys only. Beyond all this, the exterior looks wildly different depending on whether you select the extended or crew cab, and your choice between the short and extended cargo bed.

The truck's dimensions depend on whether you opt for the Extended or Crew Cab, and the short or long box bed. This is because the short bed measures 61.7 inches in length, while the long bed is 74 inches. Similarly, the wheelbase varies from 128.3 inches to 140.5 inches depending on the configuration.

The Extended Cab comes equipped with the long bed only, for an overall length of 212.7 inches. The larger Crew Cab retains the same length with the short bed, but this grows to 224.9 inches when the long box is swapped in. Width is 74.3 inches without the mirrors regardless of these factors. Height and ground clearance range from 70.3 to 70.7 inches and 8.1 to 8.3 inches, respectively.

The off-road-focused ZR2 not only has the most aggressive styling, but deviates from the rest of the range in terms of its dimensions. It gets a 128.5-inch wheelbase, and length varies between 212.4 and 212.7 inches, depending on Extended Cab/long box or Crew Cab/short box configuration. It is 2.4 inches wider than the other trims, and stands taller at 72.4 to 72.5 inches, which gives it a greater ground clearance of 10 inches. Curb weight ranges from 3,845 lbs for the 2WD Work Truck Extended Cab with the long box to 4,533 lbs for the 4WD ZR2 Crew Cab with the long box.

The paint palette for the Chevy Colorado pickup is somewhat limited, with only six colors available to the first two trims, and one additional choice for the Z71 and ZR2. The standard palette comprises Summit White, Black, and Satin Steel Metallic. For $395, you can also choose Crush or Bright Blue Metallic, while Cherry Red Tintcoat will cost you $495. Exclusive to the Z71 and ZR2 is Sand Dune Metallic, which forms part of the no-cost standard selection and can be seen in many of the photos of the new Colorado. The base gold bowtie on the lower trims can be swapped out for the blacked-out version found naturally on the Z71 and ZR2, or even an illuminated variant.

Straight-up performance is not the pickup's strong suit. The base engine is a four-cylinder that develops a measly 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque. This is barely enough to get the Colorado pickup around town, and heavy work is out of the question. The V6 is far more capable, and it is available across the range. With 308 hp and 275 lb-ft, acceleration is a lot smoother, but 0 to 60 mph sprint times will never be athletic, no matter how hard you push the truck. That said, the V6 can power the four-wheel-drive truck to 60 mph in a little over seven seconds according to independent tests, which isn't bad. The downside to both the gasoline motors is their limited towing capacity. The four-pot can manage up to 3,500 pounds of conventional trailering, while the V6 maxes out at 7,000 lbs.

If heavy work is your main reason for buying the new Chevy Colorado, then you'll no doubt want the most capable powertrain. True, the turbo-diesel four-cylinder is a bit low on horsepower at 181 hp, but it more than makes up for it with 369 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration is about as sluggish as the standard four-pot, but the greater amount of torque allows it to tow up to 7,700 lbs.

One of three engines sit under the hood of the Colorado, with power and capabilities varying widely between. The most basic is the 2.5-liter four-cylinder that comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission to develop 200 hp and 191 lb-ft. Both components are old and unimpressive, but they supply enough power to move the pickup around town or perform light-duty work.

The other four-pot option is the 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel, which can be outfitted to all but the base trim. It gets the same wishy-washy six-speed auto, sadly, but a whole lot more torque - 181 hp and 369 lb-ft, to be exact. It is still quite a way from being described as quick and responsive, but this power plant allows the Chevy to do some serious work. In fact, it is this set-up, with the front-wheel drivetrain, that delivers the best towing capacity of 7,700 lbs.

If you don't mind losing a bit of torque, a 3.6-liter V6 is available across the range. Mated to a far superior eight-speed automatic transmission, it produces 308 hp and 275 lb-ft. So, while it loses out on some towing capability, it offers a lot more power on tap for quicker acceleration and overall maneuverability.

Every power plant pairs well with rear- or four-wheel drive, but the ZR2 does not allow you to spec the former.

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.

With various engine and drivetrain options, gas mileage ranges from average to terrible. In its most basic configuration, which is 2WD paired with the four-cylinder gas engine and six-speed automatic gearbox, the pickup returns an EPA-estimated 19/25/22 mpg city/highway/combined, while swapping out for the diesel engine increases this to the best figures of 20/30/23 mpg. Opting for the 4WD drops one to two mpg across all three cycles. The thirstiest variant is the ZR2, which comes standard with 4WD and offers a choice between the diesel or V6 engines, returning 18/22/19 and 16/18/17 mpg, respectively. The V6 gets its best figures of 18/25/21 mpg when paired with 2WD. Equipped with a 21-gallon fuel tank, the pickup has a maximum range of 483 miles in mixed driving conditions when equipped with the diesel engine and 2WD.

The interior is just as rugged as the outside, with loads of hard plastic and a simple yet durable design. The amount of cabin space depends on the cab you choose, and the features increase as you move up the trim levels. Similarly, build quality and materials improve, too. With its no-nonsense, workmanlike aesthetic, it makes sense that the controls are laid out for practicality and ergonomics. With leather seats on the upper trims, the truck is semi-luxurious, but it's starting to show its age. Sadly, the truck's recent makeover did not extend to the interior.

There is space for up to five inside the Colorado. However, the Extended Cab only offers seating for four and those in the back are not spoiled for space, with an awkward entry and exit too, thanks to the two small rear-hinged doors. Legroom is extremely restrictive, too. The Crew Cab is definitely preferable if you intend to haul the family around regularly, since ingress and egress are a lot easier and there is enough legroom for adults. Those up front have plenty of space in both set-ups, and the high seating position grants a commanding view of the road. As standard, the driver's seat is four-way power-adjustable, but this increases to six-way on the upper trims. The passenger-seat gains power-adjustability, too.

The interior of the truck is not overly impressive and nor is the color palette. The entry-level WT is dressed in either vinyl or cloth, although both come in a basic combination of Jet Black and Dark Ash. A step up to the LT gets you cloth in Jet Black as standard, with leather of the same hue available with the Crew Cab if you opt for some of the packages on offer. Similarly, the Z71 gets Jet Black cloth/leatherette in its standard guise, with leather available for an additional $950 on the Crew Cabs. The top-line ZR2 gets leather upholstery, but no additional color options are added. As the upholstery is upgraded through the trim levels, so too are the trimmings. Hard plastics are commonplace among the lower trims, and are slowly traded out for softer materials as you work your way up to the ZR2, which also gets metallic finishes. Only the base trim misses out on a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Since there is no conventional trunk, cargo space is dependent on bed length. The long box can be paired with either the Extended or Crew cabs, measuring 74 inches long and 57.8 inches wide at the floor. This offers a total cargo capacity of 49.9 cubic feet. The shorter box can only be combined with the Crew Cab, and has a reduced length of 61.7 inches. This, in turn, reduces the overall cargo capacity to 41.3 cubic feet. In comparison to the rest of the segment, these figures are quite competitive, and allow the pickup to haul payloads of up to 2,181 pounds - applicable to the 4WD Extended Cab with the long box and diesel engine.

Around the cabin, there is a fair number of storage solutions. A standard glove compartment supplies space for larger items, while the door pockets can accommodate smaller items. Along with the expected door pockets, the Extended Cab comes with rear underseat storage. Naturally, cupholders are standard, too, with two up front and two in the back. An overhead console is added on every trim from the LT upwards.

The list of features on the truck is not overly impressive, even on the most expensive model. Comforts are lacking, with manual single-zone climate control on the base trim and LT. There are a few more standard convenience features on the WT, like power accessories, a four-way power driver's seat, a rearview camera, a monochrome 3.5-inch driver-information display, and a manually tilting steering column. The LT expands on this with a six-way electrically adjustable driver's seat, illuminated vanity mirrors in the sun visors, cruise control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a manually tilting/telescoping leather-trimmed steering wheel, an overhead console, and keyless entry. Z trims add a color 4.2-inch driver-information display, reading lights, powered driver-seat lumbar adjustment, remote start, cloth/leatherette upholstery, automatic single-zone climate control, and an HD rearview camera. Aside from the rearview camera, one of the few standard safety features is a teen driver system, while rear parking sensors are added to the Z71. Available packages can improve upon this with lane departure warning and forward collision avoidance.

A Chevrolet Infotainment 3 suite comes standard on the base model, comprising a seven-inch touchscreen and six-speaker sound system. This is programmed with Bluetooth streaming for two actively connected devices, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The LT replaces the smaller screen with an eight-inch display and its system is Wi-Fi capable, while the Z71 further enhances it with a high-definition display, voice recognition, in-vehicle apps, and HD Radio. A pair of front USB ports offer smart device charging and two rear USB ports are added on Extended Cab and Crew Cab models from LT level and up. Wireless charging is optionally available. The entire system can be upgraded to one that has built-in navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot, paired with a seven-speaker Bose premium sound system, though this is not available on the base-level WT.

The Colorado is a highly dependable pickup. Its most recent recall was in 2021, for incorrect bolts used to secure the seat belts. Still, the 2020 report was almost spotless and so far, the 2022 model has been recall-free too, so it seems the automaker may have finally ironed out all the issues. In terms of quality and reliability, the J.D. Power review for the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado returned a score of 82 out of 100.

The warranty plan is nothing special, with three years/36,000 miles of limited coverage, while the powertrain warranty and roadside assistance are valid for five years/60,000 miles. There is also one scheduled maintenance visit included within the first year of purchase.

The NHTSA's safety reviews of the Chevy Colorado for 2022 show that it earned an overall rating of four out of five stars. Top marks were awarded in each of the side crash tests, the overall front crash test attained four stars, while the rollover test returned a discouraging result of just three stars. At the IIHS, crash-safety reviews of the Colorado returned some disappointing results. While the Extended Cab attained Good scores for its roof strength, moderate front overlap, and seats / head restraints, the side test and small-overlap front driver-side test scores were merely Acceptable. The headlights, meanwhile, were rated as Poor. The Crew Cab did better for the side and small overlap front driver-side tests with Good scores for both, but it was curiously worse for the latter on the passenger side, with a Marginal result. Once again, the Crew Cab disappointed with the worst Poor score for its headlights.

The safety suite on the pickup is nothing to write home about, but it is sufficient to keep everyone safe. The standard features are truly barebones by modern standards, with a rearview camera, stability control, electronic traction control, tire-pressure monitoring, and a teen driver function included. The top trims only really benefit from the standard addition of an HD rearview camera and rear parking sensors, but all other modern driver aids require an extra outlay. These include forward-collision warning and lane departure warning, but there is no sign of adaptive cruise control or blind-spot monitoring. The airbag system consists of dual front, front side, and side curtain bags for a total of six.

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 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.

The 2022 Chevrolet Colorado lineup comprises four trims: Work Truck (WT), LT, Z71, and ZR2. There are three engines: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with 200 hp / 191 lb-ft, a 3.6-liter gas V6 with 308 hp / 275 lb-ft, and a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder with 181 hp / 369 lb-ft. WT and LT trims can be had with either of the two gas engines, but the diesel engine also becomes available on the LT in Crew Cab guise. On the Z71 and ZR2, the V6 is the standard engine and certain configurations will allow the diesel engine. The ZR2 is 4WD only, but all other trims can be had in either 2WD or 4WD. The 2.5-liter gas engine and 2.8-liter diesel engine are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and the V6 gets an eight-speeder.

The WT gets silver-painted 17-inch steel wheels, black door handles and mirrors, a chrome rear bumper, halogen headlights, and a standard locking tailgate. Inside, either cloth or vinyl upholstery can be specified and standard features include a four-way power driver's seat, single-zone climate control, a manually tilting steering column, and a 3.5-inch monochrome driver-information display. The infotainment system has a seven-inch touchscreen and supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, Bluetooth streaming for two actively connected devices, two front USB ports, and a six-speaker audio system. Standard safety features include six airbags, a backup camera, stability control, a teen-driver system, and tire-pressure monitoring.

The LT gets 17-inch alloy wheels, a remote-locking EZ-Lift tailgate, and its rear bumper, door handles, and mirrors are in body color. Inside, it gains a six-way power driver's seat, cruise control, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a leather-trimmed and manually tilting/telescoping steering wheel, sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, keyless entry, and an overhead console. The infotainment system is the same as the WT's, but the screen size goes up to eight inches, it gains two rear charging USB ports on models with rear seats, and it becomes Wi-Fi capable.

The Z71 is differentiated on the outside by its black bowtie on the grille, machined 17-inch alloy wheels, projector-beam headlights, and front fog lights. It has a color 4.2-inch driver-information display, cloth/leatherette upholstery, power driver-seat lumbar adjustment, automatic single-zone climate control, remote start, and reading lights. The infotainment system gains an HD display, in-vehicle apps, and HD Radio. The backup camera is upgraded to an HD system and it has rear parking sensors too.

The flagship ZR2 trim is four-wheel drive by default and gets bolder styling, 17-inch Graphite and Oxide Gold alloy wheels, and a black grille and rear bumper. It comes with an Autotrac two-speed transfer case, Multimatic DSSV dampers, locking differentials front and rear, and an integrated trailer-brake controller. Inside, it gets genuine leather upholstery, a four-way electrically adjustable front passenger seat with power lumbar control.

Packages are available that contain driver-assistance features such as forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning and the infotainment system can be upgraded with navigation and a seven-speaker Bose audio system on all models save the WT.

While it may lack options in terms of upholstery or exterior paints, the Colorado has access to numerous packages. The Custom Special Edition ($1,135) for the WT adds 18-inch wheels, body-colored door handles, outside mirrors, and grille, as well as a spotter mirror. For $530, the WT Convenience Package will also add remote keyless entry, cruise control, an EZ-Lift tailgate with remote locking, and a theft deterrent system.

Two noteworthy packages for the LT are the Luxury and Safety packages. The former (not offered on the Extended Cab) adds power lumbar control on the driver's seat, automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel and front seats, and projector beam headlights, but it has to be specified with other equipment and pricing is dealer-dependent. For $690, the Safety Package adds rear park assist, forward-collision alert, and lane-departure warning. The Z71 also has access to this package for $395, as rear parking assist is already included by default on this trim.

The Power Package ($1,875) available across the range adds a performance air intake and a cat-back performance exhaust. The high-end ZR2 receives the most customization options, with the Sports Appearance Package ($350, but requires other extras as well), Dusk Special Edition ($3,215), Midnight Special Edition ($3,215), and Colorado ZR2 Bison ($5,750). Be sure to check the images of the updated Colorado in the online configurator to see how each of these packages alter the truck's appearance.

New for 2022 is the dealer-installed Trail Boss package that is available only on the 4WD versions of the LT and Z71 trims and adds mid-vehicle skid plates, a one-inch suspension-leveling kit, black 17-inch ZR2 accessory alloy wheels, red tow hooks, black badging, and the removal of the front air dam. Enquire with your dealer for more information and pricing.

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.