2025 Chevrolet Colorado

You can have it all with the Chevrolet Colorado. Chevy provides the Colorado in an array of trims comprising everything from a basic work truck to an upscale family hauler to a wildly off-road-capable bolder crawler. The Colorado follows the model of some other midsize trucks by offering only a crew cab with a short cargo box. Nonetheless, there is a Colorado model to fit just about every budget and truck need. Two years after its latest redesign, we like it better than ever.

After being totally redesigned for 2023, the Colorado lineup was expanded for 2024 with the introduction of the ZR2 Bison Edition. For 2025, the 310-hp engine is now standard. A Work Truck Custom package is available, as is a Midnight Edition package. A new option is blind-zone steering assist with an extended trailer view.

Among comparable rivals, like the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger, the Colorado’s prices are a bit better than average.

Before buying the Chevrolet Colorado, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. To date, the Chevy Colorado has a slightly less-than-average track record for retaining its value. The segment leader in this regard is the Toyota Tacoma. Recouping more money when you sell a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on your next one.

The standard — and only — engine in the Colorado is a 4-cylinder 2.7-liter Turbo Plus that puts out 310 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Powering the ZR2 and ZR2 Bison is the 2.7-liter Turbo High Output turbo-4. It also generates 310 horsepower; however, the Turbo HO pumps out 430 lb-ft of torque. The horsepower engine in the Turbo Plus is competitive in the midsize truck segment.

Unrelated to the powertrain, when testing the Colorado, we immediately noticed that it didn’t need a load for the suspension to feel smooth and settled. The ride quality was both comfortable and controlled. The steering also departs from the old-time-truck script. We found this system had a pleasant weight to it. We felt no vagueness with the front wheels when pointed straight ahead.

Depending on the model, the Colorado offers up to five selectable drive modes: Normal, Tow/Haul, Off-Road (more for gravel and dirt roads), Terrain (for more serious rock crawling), and Baja — a dedicated desert mode.

There are different chassis setups as well. The base WT and LT trucks provide 7.9 inches of ground clearance (less than a Subaru Outback). The off-road-equipped Z71 increases that to 8.9 inches, while the Trail Boss trim has 9.5 inches. A more hardcore off-roader, the ZR2 lifts it to 10.7 inches. At the top of the ground clearance derby is the wildly off-road competent ZR2 Bison, measuring 12.2 inches.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize trucks, including the Chevy Colorado.

Fuel Economy

The Colorado’s mileage is about average for the segment. The most popular Turbo Plus gets 21 mpg in mixed driving with rear-wheel drive. Opting for 4-wheel drive scrubs off 1 mpg to 20 mpg. This is better than the Turbo HO in the ZR2 and ZR2 Bison at 17 and 16 mpg respectively. Not a shocker: The base Turbo engine delivers the best fuel economy at 22 mpg with rear-wheel drive and 20 mpg with 4-wheel drive. There’s more Colorado fuel economy info on the EPA’s website.

In our view, the Colorado’s interior quality, comfort, and practicality is about average for the segment with quality improving as you work your way up the trim-levels. As rivals within the segment continue to improve with each generational redesign, the Colorado has remained in the hunt. Among crew cab-configured rivals, the Colorado’s second-row legroom is about average. Measuring 34.7 inches, it’s on par with the Ford Ranger SuperCrew.

Full-size truck owners are familiar with various permutations regarding cab sizes and bed lengths. That’s not always the case among midsize trucks, at least not where today’s Colorado is concerned. It takes the one-size-fits-all approach (as do the GMC Canyon and the Jeep Gladiator), offering only a 4-door crew cab and short bed (61.7 inches) configuration. That would certainly make our job easier if shopping for a midsize truck. Some competitors, in addition to a crew cab with four full doors, also offer a model with full front doors and two rear half doors. Although the short bed limits the size of the loads, we found the Colorado’s various cargo-securing opportunities solid time savers. For example, eight fixed tie-down cleats, with up to nine more movable points, make quick work of tying down loads. Another handy feature, the tailgate has an adjustable mid-position for carrying longer items. Furthermore, there are bed pockets, plus an optional storage area in the actual tailgate. A handy 120-volt outlet is also available, and the standard Corner Step rear bumper makes it easier to access the bed.

ZR2 Bison
This is the ultimate off-roading Colorado, offering several upgrades designed for maximizing any off-road experience. They include a raised suspension, larger wheels and tires, unique off-road dampers, and more. We’ve done some rock crawling in this bad boy and it’s nothing short of a hoot to pilot.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Phone integration without the cable. What a concept. It’s great not to have to monkey around with cables. Wireless charging with an extra-large pad is available as well.

Infotainment touchscreen
Chevy’s infotainment interface is one of the more user-friendly systems made even better by the huge standard 11.3-inch touchscreen. We found that operating it while driving was fairly easy to master, thanks in part to Google Built-in and its voice activation.

Sunroof
This available open-air option is nice to have in a rugged midsize pickup.

Turbo Plus engine
The 310-horsepower 2.7-liter Turbo Plus mill is optional in the two lower trims of the Colorado range. Noticeably livelier than the base engine, it only adds about $1,500 to the bottom line. We highly recommend the upgrade.

HD Surround Vision
Part of the optional Technology package, this feature provides drivers with a view all around the truck, which made backing into a narrow parking space child’s play.

A turbo 4-cylinder engine powers every Colorado. Rear-wheel drive is standard in the two lower trims with 4-wheel drive available as an option. The top trims come standard with 4-wheel drive. No matter the engine or number of drive wheels, an 8-speed automatic transmission hustles engine production to the wheels.

The Chevrolet Colorado has a maximum payload capacity of 1,684 pounds with a segment-leading maximum towing limit of 7,700 pounds. For comparison, the Ford Ranger can tug up to 7,500 pounds.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Chevrolet’s factory bumper-to-bumper limited warranty lasts three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. This is typical for the class. Chevy also tosses in the first scheduled service for free.

Safety Ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Colorado an overall score of four out of five stars in its battery of safety tests. The GMC Canyon and Nissan Frontier earn the same score, while the Honda Ridgeline earns the top 5-Star rating. Every Colorado comes with forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and high-beam assist.