“I love the vehicle is good for a single person. I just think it doesn't have enough room for passengers.”
Chevrolet Colorado: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 4, 2026
The Chevrolet Colorado is a midsize pickup known for bringing useful towing and rugged truck capability in a smaller, easier-to-live-with package. Its lineup spans basic work trucks, everyday trims, and serious factory off-road models.
The Colorado has long filled the gap between small utility trucks and full-size pickups. Across its generations, it has mixed job-site usefulness with trims suited to daily driving and off-road use. Since returning to the U.S. for 2015, it has added stronger cabin technology and increasingly specialized off-road versions without giving up its midsize footprint.
Strengths
- Its midsize footprint delivers useful truck capability without moving up to a full-size pickup.
- In 2026, every Colorado trim has 310 horsepower and a strong 430 pound-feet of torque.
- Depending on the configuration, the 2026 Colorado is rated to tow between 6,000 and 7,700 pounds.
- Since the 2023 redesign, every trim has included an 11.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- The trim range covers basic work duty, everyday driving, and increasingly serious levels of factory off-road hardware.
- Recent models pair their rugged focus with a standard collision-and-lane safety suite.
Who it's for
The Colorado fits someone who needs a real pickup for hauling, towing, work, or outdoor trips but does not want to live with a full-size truck every day. It also suits shoppers who want an off-road-ready truck straight from the factory rather than building one themselves.
Chevrolet Colorado lineup
Pick the Work Truck for the lineup’s straightforward, job-focused role, or move to the LT when everyday use and a better-equipped feel matter more. Since the 2023 redesign, Trail Boss has served as a standalone off-road-oriented step, while Z71 also fills the ground between the daily-driver trims and the most specialized model. Step up to the ZR2 for the Colorado’s serious factory off-road identity, built around hardware such as front and rear locking differentials, specialized dampers, added ground clearance, and a wider stance.
Chevrolet Colorado generations
From 2009 to 2026, the Colorado spans three generations. The current 3rd Generation arrived for 2023, following the 2nd Generation (2015–2022).
3rd Generation (2023–Present)
The Colorado was fully redesigned with a new body, frame, cabin, and bed. This generation uses a four-door Crew Cab with a short bed, a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder, and a touchscreen-focused interior.
150 In Stock
2026
The powertrain, cabin, and safety equipment carry over, with only minor appearance changes.
2025
The 310-hp TurboMax engine became standard on every trim, along with added safety and convenience equipment on several trims.
2024
An 11-inch digital driver display became standard, and the middle-output engine version was dropped.
2023New generation
Complete redesign with a new body, frame, cabin, bed, turbocharged 2.7-liter engine family, and automatic transmission. Trail Boss debuted as its own trim.
2nd Generation (2015–2022)
The Colorado returned to the U.S. as an all-new midsize pickup with a new body, chassis, and cabin. This generation offered extended- and crew-cab layouts, later adding a diesel engine and the off-road ZR2 trim.
314 In Stock
2022
The four-trim lineup, three-engine range, cab choices, and bed choices carried over.
2021Mid-cycle update
Front-end styling was refreshed across the lineup, and the tailgate gained large CHEVROLET lettering. The Base trim left, making Work Truck the entry trim.
2020
The five-trim lineup and core equipment carried over.
2019
Updated touchscreen systems, more USB connections, and camera improvements arrived across the lineup.
2018
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard, and lower trims received a 7-inch touchscreen.
2017Trim changes
The off-road ZR2 joined the lineup. V6 models also received a 308-hp engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
2016
A 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine joined the engine range, and trucks with the 8-inch touchscreen gained Apple CarPlay.
2015New generation
The redesigned Colorado returned to the U.S. after a two-model-year break with a new body, chassis, cabin, and gas-engine range.
1st Generation (2004–2012)
The first-generation Colorado used a compact-pickup design with regular-, extended-, and crew-cab body styles. Its gas engines ranged from a four-cylinder to a V8 during the years covered here.
3 In Stock
2012
Minor updates included revised rear head restraints and added convenience equipment on some LT versions.
2011
Bluetooth phone connectivity became standard, and the front headrests were revised.
2010
Head-curtain side airbags became standard, and convenience equipment packages were reworked.
2009
A 300-hp 5.3-liter V8 joined the engine range, while stability and traction control became standard.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Chevrolet Colorado.
2026 Chevrolet Colorado2025 Chevrolet Colorado2024 Chevrolet Colorado2023 Chevrolet Colorado2022 Chevrolet Colorado2021 Chevrolet Colorado2020 Chevrolet Colorado2019 Chevrolet Colorado2018 Chevrolet Colorado2017 Chevrolet Colorado2016 Chevrolet Colorado2015 Chevrolet Colorado2012 Chevrolet Colorado2011 Chevrolet Colorado2010 Chevrolet Colorado2009 Chevrolet Colorado
Frequently asked questions
Is the Chevrolet Colorado a midsize or full-size truck?
The Chevrolet Colorado is a midsize pickup. It is smaller and easier to live with than a full-size truck, while still offering useful bed space, strong torque, and substantial towing ability.
What cab and bed styles does the Chevrolet Colorado have?
The answer depends on age. Every 2023-present Colorado has a four-door Crew Cab and short box. Trucks from 2015-2022 included extended- and crew-cab layouts with different bed choices, while first-generation models also included regular cabs.
Does the Chevrolet Colorado come as a hybrid?
No, the Colorado has not been offered as a hybrid in the years covered here. Recent trucks use a turbocharged gas four-cylinder. Second-generation models also included a Duramax diesel, and some late first-generation upper trims used a V8.
How much can a Chevrolet Colorado tow?
A recent Colorado can tow roughly 6,000 to 7,700 pounds, depending on trim and equipment. Ratings vary substantially across older engines, body styles, and drivetrains, so verify the exact truck before towing.
Is the Chevrolet Colorado practical for a family?
A Crew Cab Colorado can work for a small family. Current trucks seat five and have four doors, but rear legroom is 34.7 inches, so adults may find the back seat tighter than in a full-size crew-cab truck. Older cab styles provide different amounts of space.
How many generations of the Chevrolet Colorado are there?
There are three U.S. generations. The first ran from 2004-2012, followed by a two-model-year break. The Colorado returned with its second generation for 2015-2022, and the redesigned third generation began in 2023.
Chevrolet Colorado Reviews
What owners are saying about the Chevrolet Colorado.
4.1
Chevrolet Colorado
(3,249 reviews)
“This is a great mid size truck that is just right for parking and driving. It handles very good and has plenty of power. Just make sure you can get in and out of it comfortably because you might need to add steps.”
“Keyless entry would be a nice addition. I often spend all day in the woods and worry about losing my keys.”
“My 2020 Chevy Colorado was in nearly new condition and a total upgrade from my 2017 Colorado. This is the nicest truck I've ever had and the technology works great! So many good features and versatile use.”
“It is the perfect mix of ruggedness and style on the exterior, and interior luxury.”
“I would tell them the Colorado ZR2 is a high quality mid-size pickup truck. The off road package allows the truck to handle any driving condition. The interior features and Bose sound system are excellent.”
Sources
- news.chevrolet.com — 2022 / Jul / 0728 Colorado
- chevrolet.com — Commercial / Colorado / Overview
- chevrolet.com — Trucks / Colorado / Overview
- chevrolet.com — Download Catalog / 11 Pdf / 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Ebrochure
- chevrolet.com — Download Catalog / 09 Pdf / 2022 Chevrolet Commercial Colorado Ebrochure
- media.chevrolet.com — Colorado / 2022 / 2022 Chevrolet Colorado 083021
- media.chevrolet.com — Colorado ZR2 / 2022 / 2022 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 083021
- static.nhtsa.gov — Tsbs / 2014 / SB 10072523 0335
- chevrolet.com — Chevrolet / Colorado / GTK 2015 Colorado 23219334 A
- chevrolet.com — Chevrolet / Colorado / 2011 Chevrolet Colorado Owner