As the small pickup truck category continues to explode in popularity, it's not surprising that to compete, more manufacturers are introducing their own version of a mid-size pickup than ever before. The problem is, some newer entrants look more like SUVs than true pickups. Thankfully for traditional truck buyers, there's still the 2022 Chevy Colorado.
We're not dissing innovation as much as we're celebrating the pickup. The Colorado is essentially a smaller version of the ultra-popular Silverado light-duty pickup. It's designed for buyers that need pickup truck utility but prefer not to drive a full-size truck. Yet, with all that utility, the Colorado is still one of the most stylish trucks in the category.
Chevy managed to build the Colorado with everything truck buyers need - including a big truck bed, plenty of off-roading capability, and rugged durability - and wrap it in a package that turns heads. The Colorado is equally at home in the valet line and on a rocky backcountry trail, and with 7,000 pounds of towing capability, it's the ideal weekend adventure companion.
Is the Chevy Colorado right for you? If you want all the utility of a classic pickup truck body style without compromising on style and even luxury, the answer is yes.
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There are many reasons for the massive uptick in the mid-size pickup truck body style, not the least of which is price. These days, a full-size truck can run upwards of $50,000, a number that's out of reach for a lot of would-be buyers. What's the answer? A mid-size truck that can be equipped with near-equal capabilities at a fraction of the price.
For some buyers, choosing a pickup truck is a style preference. They may not ever haul a boat or climb a rocky mountain trail: instead, they choose a pickup as their daily driver simply because they love how it looks. These buyers will love the base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. Its fuel economy rating of 19 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway make it a practical choice for budget-oriented commuters.
For drivers seeking utility, they'll find it in the available 308 horsepower 3.6-liter DOHC V6. Choosing this engine gets you up to 7,000 pounds of towing capability with a minimal loss of fuel economy. You're still getting 18 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway, as well as 275 lb-ft of torque, a big increase over the standard engine's 191 lb-ft of torque.
Diesel fans are excited about the available 2.8-liter turbo-diesel Duramax with 369 lb-ft of torque and 181 horsepower. This engine ups the Colorado's max towing capability to a mighty 7,700 pounds, and rear-wheel drive versions deliver unparalleled fuel economy ratings of 20 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. Either the V6 or Duramax diesel engine is necessary for more powerful towing capability.
Daily drivers who want a little extra performance should consider the upgraded V6 engine. With a 0-60 time of just over 6 seconds, it offers spirited on-the-road acceleration and impressive towing capability, but whether the Colorado is equipped with the 4-cylinder, V6, or Diesel engine option, drivers will appreciate its fuel-sipping economy.
One look at the Colorado, and you'll see the unmistakable traditional pickup lines. Its boxy exterior styling evokes that of its larger sibling, the Silverado, which is exactly how Colorado fans like it. The rugged truck design appeals even to those opting in for style-only reasons. It's simply and ideally 100% pickup truck, offering a level of authenticity most pickup buyers still desire.
With several exterior paint options that range from sedate black, silver, and white hues to dramatic bright orange and electric blue options, customizing the Colorado to your individual tastes is easy. Even with the brighter paint job, the Colorado's core pickup truck architecture is evident. Some buyers like a blend of SUV comfort and truck bed utility, but Chevy built the Colorado for pickup truck loyalists.
Inside is an entirely different story, a fact that all Colorado buyers will love. The base Colorado trim comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, but the rest of the lineup receives an expansive 8-inch touchscreen hub with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. It runs on Chevy's lightning-fast infotainment 3 Premium system, making integration and operation a pleasure.
Opt for the upgraded Colorado LT, and you'll unlock access to tons of comfort and convenience extras, including the Luxury Package, which includes a heated steering wheel, heated seats, automatic climate control, and a power driver lumbar seat adjustment. You can also add an upgraded Bose premium audio system that infuses the cabin with concert-grade sound.
Looking for more tech features? You're in luck because your Colorado is also available with a wireless device charger and an in-vehicle Wi-Fi hotspot so everyone can stay connected on long road trips. Also available is connected navigation, a system that uses real-time traffic updates to recommend the fastest route to your destination.
For 2022, Chevy offers a handful of special edition appearance packages so buyers can put some unique finishing touches on their new Colorado. The Custom includes 18-inch dark aluminum wheels, and the grille, door handles, outside mirrors, and bumpers are all finished in the same exterior paint color for a monotone look. The Redline package adds a spray-on Bedliner, red recovery hooks, and red striping on the wheels and outside mirrors.
For those buying a Colorado to accompany them on adventures, Chevy offers a series of trims, packages, and configurations designed specifically for off-roading. Beginning with the rugged ZR2 and culminating with the Bison edition, the 2022 Colorado is your perfect trail companion or high-speed desert thrill riding sidekick.
The ZR2 puts the focus squarely on off-road adventure-seeking, with a lifted suspension and wider front and rear tracks, along with both front and rear electronic locking differentials that deliver confidence-inspiring traction even in the most challenging conditions. Special damping technology is also added to the suspension, making the bumps just a little less bumpy.
All ZR2 trims come standard with the more powerful V6 engine (the Duramax diesel is an available option), along with an 8-speed automatic transmission. A trailering package is also standard for easy hauling of desert toys or boats.
For the ultimate in off-roading utility, opt-in on the Bison package offered only on the ZR2 trim. This beast, the brainchild of a partnership with Chevy and American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), is ready for any trail. It features a front winch supply built into the bumper, Boron Steel skid plates, and aggressive steel AEV front and rear bumpers. All these exterior features come together to form a beastly rig with class-leading off-road capability.
It's worth repeating that Chevy's off-road Colorado versions have a wider track than the less expensive WT and LT trims. Its wider stance differentiates it from other mid-size trucks in the category, too. While it's wider and sits a full two inches higher, the ZR2 trim takes advantage of its mid-size footprint and lighter weight to offer a more agile off-roading experience than larger full-size pickups can.
What do automotive journalists have to say about the 2022 Colorado's off-roading capability? First off, the editors at MotorTrend rate it #1 in the mid-size truck category overall. Of the Bison trim, MotorTrend calls it "a tremendously capable overland rig" and noted that it "vanquished" worthy competitors like the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon and the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro in trail riding comparisons.