2026 Chevrolet Colorado Review, Pricing, and Specs

Car and Driver

5 days ago

Specs See all specs
EPA MPG
17–20 Combined
Seating
5 Seats
Powertrain
Gas
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, Four-Wheel Drive
Limited Warranty
3 Years/36,000 Miles
Overview
Available exclusively in crew-cab form with a five-foot bed and a 310-hp turbo four, the 2026 Chevy Colorado isn't as endlessly configurable as its full-size Silverado brother, but the trim-level lineup is still broad and varied. Shoppers can get everything from a true workhorse with rear-wheel drive and a class-leading 7700-pound tow rating to a go-anywhere, do-anything off-roader with hydraulic bump stops and over a foot of ground clearance.
The modernized yet classically styled interior is bound to impress, and it's comfortable for long-distance highway travel as well as weekend romps through the backcountry. The Colorado's medium-sized body also makes it easier to park in tight spaces and more wieldy in urban driving scenarios than the larger Silverado.
Expert Tip: Like the Colorado, the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma have received some development dollars in the past few years and used them to great effect. All three mid-sizers are worth a look.
What's New for 2026?
For 2026, Chevy revises the Colorado's wheel and paint offerings slightly. Otherwise, the pickup truck carries over to the new year unchanged.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We're fans of the Trail Boss, as it delivers almost as much mud-flinging fun as the high-riding ZR2 but for less. It comes with 32-inch all-terrain tires and fender flares that make it look tough, and it offers more suspension travel than lesser trims. You won't get the ZR2's sweet Multimatic spool-valve dampers and lockable front and rear differentials, but there's a limited-slip diff in back.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Engine: 310-hp turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder
310-hp turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder Transmission: 8-speed automatic
8-speed automatic Drivetrains: rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive
With its 310-hp turbo 2.7-liter four-cylinder, the Colorado is more powerful than many rivals, including the Jeep Gladiator, the Honda Ridgeline, and the nonhybrid Toyota Tacoma. Several trims come standard with four-wheel drive, though that driveline costs extra on the entry-level Work Truck and step-up LT.
The ZR2 has upgraded Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers up front, with the rear units now mounted to the outside of the frame. Work Truck and LT models use an open rear differential, while the Trail Boss and Z71 get a limited-slip setup. Only the off-road-optimized ZR2 comes with power-locking front and rear diffs.
The ZR2 Bison is the toughest off-road Colorado, with 12.2 inches of ground clearance and better break-over and departure angles than other trims. It also rides on mondo 35-inch tires—the largest in the mid-size pickup segment—and has hydraulic front and rear bump stops to soften the landing from jumps.
0–60-MPH Times
C/D 60-mph Test: 6.8 seconds (ZR2)
In Comparison: The last Colorado ZR2 we tested raced to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds and cleared the quarter-mile in 15.5 seconds at 88 mph. Those times are nearly identical to those produced by the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road.
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Marc Urbano
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Car and Driver
Towing and Payload Capacity
The Colorado offers the highest towing capacity in the mid-size pickup segment, with a max rating of 7700 pounds. However, the ZR2 can't tow as much: Its limit is 6000 pounds.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
EPA City Ratings : 16-19 mpg
16-19 mpg EPA Highway Ratings: 16-23 mpg
The EPA hasn't released fuel-economy information for the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado yet, but the ratings shouldn't change. The 2025 rear-wheel-drive model earns estimates of 19 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. Those with four-wheel drive see, at best, 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway. The ZR2 gets 17 mpg across the board, while the ZR2 Bison returns straight 16s.
When we have the chance to test a Colorado on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route—part of our extensive testing regimen—we will update this report with the result. For more information about the Colorado's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
First Row: The Colorado's interior is functional, contemporary, and less busy than competitors' cabins. The driver's seat is comfortable, too, offering good support and firm cushions.
Second Row: The Colorado has one of the most livable back seats in the class, but it's still a tight fit for tall individuals.
Cargo Capacity: Taking a page from the Ridgeline's book, the Colorado offers a shallow lockable storage box in the tailgate.
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Marc Urbano
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Car and Driver
Infotainment and Connectivity
Infotainment: 11.3-inch touchscreen
11.3-inch touchscreen Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Audio Systems: 6-speaker stereo (standard), 7-speaker Bose stereo (optional)
In front of the driver sits an 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster, while an 11.3-inch touchscreen tops the center stack. The latter has Google Built-In tech and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connections.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Colorado receives a decent amount of driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, front and rear automated emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The backup camera also has a handy hitch view, so you can line up the hitch with a trailer by yourself.
Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist
automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist Optional Safety Features: adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system
For information about the Colorado's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Chevrolet provides competitive limited and powertrain warranties for the Colorado and covers the first service visit.
Limited Warranty: three years or 36,000 miles
three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain Warranty: five years or 60,000 miles
five years or 60,000 miles Complimentary Maintenance: one visit
C/D Test Results and Specs
We test every vehicle we can. Data in the chart below may be for a different model year if the model remained unchanged from when we last tested it.
Specifications
Specifications
2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear/4-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door pickup
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $48,295/$53,280
Options: Technology package (adaptive cruise control, rear pedestrian alert, surround-view cameras), $950; ZR2 Convenience package (perforated and ventilated leather front seats, driver's-seat memory settings, heated steering wheel, wireless charging, rear center armrest), $1490; power sliding-glass sunroof, $1000; Bose 7-speaker stereo system, $500; underbody cameras, $500; removable assist step, $495; yellow seatbelts, $50
ENGINE
Turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 166 in3, 2727 cm3
Power: 310 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 430 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/rigid axle
Brakes, F/R: 13.4-in vented disc/13.3-in vented disc
Tires: Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT
285/70R-17 116/113Q TPC Spec 2808 POR
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 131.4 in
Length: 212.7 in
Width: 76.3 in
Height: 73.8 in
Curb Weight: 4926 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.1 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.5 sec @ 88 mph
100 mph: 23.3 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 8.3 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.0 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.1 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 100 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 187 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.73 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 16 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 16/16/16 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
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