2012 Chevrolet Colorado: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado is mostly a carryover, with the main change being more standard equipment on several LT versions. Models with a back seat also receive revised rear-seat head restraints.
About the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado
1st generation (2004-2012), final U.S. model year before the redesigned Colorado returned for 2015.
Chevrolet marketed the Colorado as a smaller pickup that still delivered real truck usefulness for workdays and weekends. Its core appeal was flexibility: multiple cab layouts, two- or four-wheel drive, and a mix of basic and better-equipped trims that let it cover job-site duty, home-improvement hauling, and everyday driving. Compared with a full-size truck, Colorado was pitched as easier to maneuver and easier to live with while still offering a proper cargo bed and useful towing ability.
The Work Truck remains the simple, job-focused Colorado, with practical equipment such as a two-position tailgate, air conditioning, and stability control. The more comfort-oriented LT has premium cloth upholstery, an automatic transmission, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and cruise control, with some LT versions gaining additional convenience and traction-related equipment for 2012.
What changed, by category
2012 Chevrolet Colorado specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.9 Liter / 5-Cyl, 3.7 Liter / V8, 5.3 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.9 Liter / 5-Cyl, 3.7 Liter |
| Transmission | Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive | Automatic, 4-Spd w/Overdrive |
| Drivetrain | 2WD / 4WD | 2WD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 14–18 mpg | 17–18 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 20–25 mpg | 23–25 mpg |
| Horsepower | 185–300 hp | 185–242 hp |
| Torque | 190–320 lb-ft | 190–242 lb-ft |
| Max Towing | 4000–6000 lb | 4000–5500 lb |
| Rear Legroom | 23.1–34.8 in | 23.1 in |
| Seats | 3–6 | 3–5 |
| Doors | 2–4 | 2–4 |
| Alloy Wheels | ||
| Fog Lights | ||
| Power Mirrors | ||
| Privacy Glass | ||
| Side Steps | ||
| Tow Hooks | ||
| Trailer Hitch Receiver | ||
| Bluetooth | ||
| Navigation System | ||
| Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror | ||
| Heated Front Seats | ||
| Leather Seats | ||
| Power Locks | ||
| Power Windows | ||
| Remote Keyless Entry | ||
| Tilt Wheel | ||
Frequently asked questions
Was the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado redesigned?
No. The 2012 Colorado carries over without a redesign, major styling update, or new platform. It is the final U.S. model year of the first-generation Colorado.
What changed on the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado LT?
Several LT versions gained standard equipment for 2012. Selected 1LT regular- and extended-cab trucks received the Power Convenience Package, the 2LT gained front bucket seats, and the 2LT, 3LT, and four-wheel-drive 1LT gained an automatic locking rear differential.
Did the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado get new engines?
No major model-wide engine change arrived for 2012. The Colorado’s core powertrain lineup carried over from 2011.
What safety changes did the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado receive?
The safety-related change was revised rear-seat head restraints on Colorados with a back seat. There was no broader lineup-wide safety upgrade.
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado the last year of its generation?
Yes. The 2012 Colorado is the final U.S. model year of the first generation, which ran from 2004 through 2012. A redesigned Colorado returned for the 2015 model year.