2024 Chevrolet Colorado

Whether hitting the worksite, heading to the lake, or running around-town errands, the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado covers all the bases. Although we lament the absence of a V6 or diesel engine, we are uber-impressed with two of Colorado’s three turbocharged 4-cylinders. Chevy redesigned the Colorado for 2023 and, with that makeover, managed to execute a comfortable 4-door pickup packed with cutting-edge technology that fills a wide variety of needs. We liked the Colorado prior to last year’s redesign; now, we are positively smitten with it.

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

For 2024, Chevy rolled out a Colorado ZR2 Bison edition. Chevy teamed with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) to create this boulder hopper. Standard fare includes 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, boron-steel skid plates and rocker protectors, best-in-class approach and departure angles, power-locking front and rear differentials, and lots more. The ground clearance? A stream-wading 12.2 inches. It also comes standard with the High-Output turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. By the way, Chevy’s sister division, GMC, has rolled out a similar amped-up off-roading version of its midsize Canyon pickup as the Canyon AT4X AEV.

Unless we were really well-heeled with serious off-roading or boulder crawling on our minds, we’d stick with the LT trim. You can add 4-wheel drive to the WT and LT grades for $3,300. It’s standard on the four upper trim levels. For the price, the LT is a reasonable deal. However, we would be very tempted to opt for the engine upgrade to the Turbo Plus 4-cylinder with 310 horsepower.

For context, the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma start at about $33,000.

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 is the Toyota Tacoma.

The base engine for the WT and LT is the 237-horsepower 2.7-liter Turbo 4-cylinder. This is among the lowest horsepower outputs in the midsize truck segment. Standard in the Trail Boss and Z71 is the 2.7-liter Turbo Plus that puts out 310 horsepower. Powering the ZR2 and ZR2 Bison is the 2.7-liter Turbo High Output that also generates 310 horsepower. However, the Turbo HO pumps out 430 lb-ft of torque compared to the 390 lb-ft of torque of the Turbo Plus.

We didn’t get much satisfaction from driving the base Turbo version. Don’t get us wrong; it’s enough power to get you around on a day-to-day basis. However, it won’t dazzle you, particularly with a full complement of cargo or people. Moreover, when it works hard, it tends to be coarse and loud. We much prefer the Turbo Plus, which helps make getting where you are going more fun.

When we tested 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 departed from the old-time-truck script. This system had a pleasant weight to it while avoiding any vagueness when the front wheels were 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.

Fuel Economy

It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that the base Turbo engine delivers the best fuel economy at 22 mpg in mixed city/highway driving. The Turbo Plus gets 20 mpg, and the Turbo HO brings up the rear at 18 mpg. Combining the Turbo or Turbo Plus with 4-wheel drive scrubs a mile per gallon from their respective numbers. These estimated fuel economy numbers are about average within the class. There’s more Colorado fuel economy info on the EPA’s website.

We know it’s purely subjective, but in our view, the all-new interior of the 2024 Colorado midsize truck is a marked improvement over its predecessor. The Work Truck and Trail Boss still have lots of plastic, but that’s not a bad thing for the kind of rugged, work-oriented lives they’ll probably lead. The LT is a bit fancier, with silver accents and soft-touch aspects. The Z71 has black and red accents on cloth and simulated leather seating surfaces. Although this generation of Colorado (the third) has a longer wheelbase than the previous model, that hasn’t translated into any significant extra space for rear passengers. Among crew cab-configured rivals, the Colorado’s second-row legroom is about average. Measuring 34.7 inches, it’s about the same as 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 the 2024 Colorado is concerned. It takes the one-size-fits-all approach, offering only a 4-door crew cab and short bed (61.7 inches) configuration. That certainly makes a truck shopper’s job easier. Most competitors, in addition to a crew cab with four full doors, also offer a model with full front doors and two rear half doors. Despite being a short bed, it offers a lot of cargo-securing opportunities. For example, eight fixed tie-down cleats, with up to nine more movable points, are available. The tailgate has an adjustable mid-position for carrying longer items, and the front of the bed wall has a couple of grooves for cycle wheels. There are bed pockets, plus an optional storage area in the actual tailgate. A 120-volt outlet is also available. The standard Corner Step rear bumper is a handy inclusion.

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.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Phone integration without the cable. Nicely convenient and standard in every Colorado. Wireless charging with an extra-large pad is available as well.

Infotainment touchscreen
A generously sized 11.3-inch touchscreen is another Colorado standard feature. It’s also an easy system to operate. Moreover, Google built-in is offered with connectivity to a driver’s Google account.

Sunroof
This 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 $1,200 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 is a boon when maneuvering.

One of three turbo 4-cylinder engines powers every Colorado. For the WT and LT, it’s either a 237-horsepower or a 310-horsepower turbo. Powering the Trail Boss and the Z71 is that 310-horsepower Turbo Plus engine. The top two ZR2 and ZR2 Bison grades source thrust from a third, high-output version of the Turbo Plus 4-cylinder that makes an impressive 430 lb-ft of torque to go with its 310 horsepower. No matter the engine or number of drive wheels, an 8-speed automatic transmission hustles engine production to the wheels.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado has a maximum payload capacity of 1,684 pounds with a 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 warranty lasts three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. This is all on par for the class. Chevy also tosses in the first scheduled service for free.

Safety Ratings

Neither the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado nor its direct competitors have been crash-tested by the government or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Every Colorado comes with forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and high-beam assist.