2020 Chevrolet Colorado

In the three engine options of Colorado you get a base 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder which is mated to a six-speed manual, a 308-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 is remarkably fast and the best in the line-up is the GM's exclusive Turbodiesel 2.8-liter inline-4 with a class-leading towing rate. For an exciting off-road experience, you can go with the ZR2 that gets you all the features you'll need to traverse rough terrain. There are a few glitches with the 2020 Colorado and you might overlook it for its poor-quality interior and limited safety tech.

Still, the Chevy Colorado is a well-balanced pickup. It is capable of a lot of different purposes without actually acing any of them. This is where its competition catches up. The GMC Canyon offers the same engine options with more refined transmissions. The Chevy may be the least expensive, but its Toyota and Nissan counterparts offer greater safety, and you can't put a price on someone's well-being. The Tacoma uses a toned-down version of Safety Sense while the Frontier has a hefty body able to withstand the worst of impacts. It seems that the Colorado better have some tricks up its sleeves to face such formidable contenders.

Midsize pickup truck Colorado is available in several trims. But before you choose one you must decide which configuration you want to go with as it is offered in two body style- Extended cab and Crew-cab with two-bed lengths- 6 feet 2 inch and 5 feet 1 inch. The five trims offered are Base, Work Truck (WT), LT, Z71, and ZR2.

In the three engine options, you get a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine which is standard on all the Extended cab version except the ZR2, which comes standard with 3.6-liter V-6 with a choice of 6-speed automatic or manual transmission. The 3.6-liter V-6 with an 8-speed automatic is mandatory with the Crew cab configuration. There is also a Turbodiesel 2.8-liter inline-4 which is optional on all but the base trim.

We Recommend

We would recommend the Colorado LT with a crew cab, 3.6-liter V-6, and AWD. It comes with seating for five along with quick acceleration and excellent towing power-up to 7000 pounds. The LT comes at a low price and with all the engine options, so you can customize it according to your needs. Moreover, it comes fitted with most of the comfort and convenience features that Colorado has to offer.

"The potent yet efficient Turbodiesel four-cylinder is a compelling alternative, especially if you plan to do a lot of towing.” -Edmunds

Engine and Transmission

The GM-exclusive Duramax 2.8-liter turbo diesel available for the 2020 Chevy Colorado is quiet, smooth and refined. It comes with outstanding power delivery and the roaring diesel soundtrack will keep reminding you about the under the hood power which you otherwise won’t get in a Toyota. However, the V-6 mated to the 8-speed automatic transmission is also as capable to satisfy the power need. Both the engine feels responsive and easily maneuverable whether you are in the city or taking on rocky terrain.

You can choose from the three-engine option that the Chevy has to offer. The base engine is 2.5-liter 4-cylinder churning out 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque. It comes with a six-speed manual transmission; however, a six-speed automatic is optional. Engine power is enough for day-to-day driving but if you want your Colorado to tow and haul then you will need to look for something more powerful.

Colorado’s power comes with the 3.6-liter V-6 that puts out 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, and its matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Transmission feels smooth and the engine feels strong while towing maximum capacity. Chevy has also provided an optional 2.8-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder engine that is good enough, to say the least for regular towing and hauling. It produces 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque and is mated with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Off-roading

We now know all about the engines and their specifications, so now let’s see how it performs while off-roading and which is the best trim suited for the job. The Colorado Z71s with raised suspension, exclusive dampers, and limited-slip rear differential will do the job for you. Equipped with DuraTrac tires this midsize hauler is powerful enough to pull itself from any sticky situation.

Top of the trim ZR2 is special in its own way it comes with off-road appearance package and Multimatic DSSV damping system. The damping systems are extremely quick to react to any kind of suspension movement making the ZR2 a serious off-roader that a die-hard adventurer will definitely appreciate.

Acceleration

The powerful engine of the Chevy Colorado with six-speed transmission helps it sprint to 0 to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds which is best in the class. However, it gets competition from Toyota Tacoma which is slow initially but it picks up speed later to complete a quarter-mile in 14.7 seconds as compared to Colorado’s 16.2 seconds. The V-6 engine in Colorado makes it feel light and full of power and hits 0-60 in 6.7-seconds.

Braking and Handling

Colorado feels confident in corners as the strong suspension keeps the body roll in check. You will feel the light rear end breaking traction when the bed is unloaded, but stability control keeps that in control. The eight-speed transmission does the job well and the acceleration feels spontaneous. Colorado also maintains its steady speed while climbing the hills. Electric power steering feels light allowing the truck to maneuver smoothly around town and highway.

Brake pedals feel stiff while hard braking, however, it performs well under normal driving conditions. Colorado stops from 60 mph in 124 feet which is good, whereas Toyota Tacoma leads the pack with the best stopping distance.

If Towing is the need of the hour for you then go for the GM-exclusive Duramax 2.8-liter engine with a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds. It offers best-in-class towing power and torque, making the Chevy Colorado America’s most fuel-efficient pick-up truck. Equip Colorado with a V-6 and you get a towing capacity of 7,000 pounds, but the base engine cuts the towing capacity to almost half (3,500).

Towing capacity

With a class-leading towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, you may never have to think twice when hitching cargo to the back of the Colorado. The pickup is adept to tow any cargo safely, thanks to its trailer sway and traction control system. The AWD provides plenty of traction, keeping the slip of the tow in check when braking. Additionally, the 3.6L V6 provides plenty of power to prevent any lag when towing.

The 2.8-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder gets the best mileage as it earns EPA rating of 22 mpg city and 30 mpg on the highway, which is exceptional for a compact pickup truck. The base engine when compared with the competitors does not fell lazy either. It’s estimated EPA ratings are 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined which is best in the class. The down performer is the V-6 which has the worst EPA rating of 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

"The Colorado even comes with premium features like heated seats, Apple CarPlay, and an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system. Yet it maintains the expected ruggedness of a truck, with tough-feeling plastics, durable seat upholstery, and touches like the foldable rear seat." Kelley Blue Book

Seating and Comfort

Chevy Colorado 2020 comes with zero changes and the interior still gives the feel of a full-size truck. There are hard plastics inside which you otherwise would expect in a truck, however, the cabin noise is minimal and you feel comfortable. Front seats are spacious and the rear seats can easily accommodate adults. Colorado comes with two-bed lengths (6.2 feet and 5.1 feet) and various standard and available tech features.

The 2020 Chevy truck vaunts the most spacious cabin in its class. There are two seating options to select from - the extended cab models offer four seats while the crew cab comes with five seats. The rear seats in the extended cab are too tight and you would not love to spend too much time there. So, if you are someone who often goes out on family trips then opt for the Crew cab. The driving position is upright and comfortable with all the controls within reach. Front seats and steering can be adjusted according to your comfort. Other Seating option includes:

• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Power-adjustable passenger seat

Infotainment

Chevy Colorado is a pick-up truck that also makes you feel connected. The Mylink infotainment touch screen although it feels sluggish to respond. You get the 7-inch touchscreen in the base trim and an optional 8-inch screen is available in the LT trim and higher. Other infotainment features include:

• Bluetooth streaming
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Two USB ports front and two optional in the back
• Auxiliary Cable Input
• Voice Recognition System
• Bluetooth Audio Streaming
• AM/FM/HD Radio
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio

"Sporting muscular-yet-curvy good looks, the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado is one of the best-looking trucks out there, whether you’re hauling stuff or getting dirty off-road." -The Car Connection

Design and Styling

At the front, there is wide headlight with a big chrome grille. You get a massive taillight and a rear bumper at the back. The base trim and WT trims look practical while the monochrome finish and alloy wheels on the LT trim are worth the money. Z71 feels sturdy but the Colorado ZR2 with its high stance and better ground clearance makes you feel more planted.

Wheel sizes for the pick-up truck range from 16-inches ultra-silver metallic steel wheels with all-season Blackwall tire on the base to 17-inch aluminum wheel with all-terrain Blackwall tires in the top trims. There is also an optional 18-inch 5-spoke polished wheel available but that only comes with Centennial Edition package. The Goodyear DuraTrac tires on the Z71 with best off-roading capabilities are powerful enough to pull the truck out of any situation.

Let’s now talk about Colorado’s payload capacity which is impressive keeping the competition in mind. This compact truck can carry up to 1,548 pounds and the new Active Tow system helps you align your hitch and trailer while you are reversing.

Payload capacity

Even though it sports a not-so-impressive bed size, it is actually capable of hauling a lot of payload in the back. The capability is further enhanced if you go for the optional Bed Panel Reinforcement package. It adds two 5-foot fleetside steel plates to ensure none of the cargo tips over or gets spilled when going over speedbumps.

Exterior Features

Colorado definitely attracts you as a compact pick-up truck but it does not look as bold for a truck as the Toyota Tacoma. Its swoopy styling is for functionality rather than form. Increased wheel arches, modified bumpers and a hood scoop on the ZR2 is not just there for visual appearance for they are all functional. The ZR2 exterior feature includes:

• 17-inch wheels
• A bed-mounted spare-tire carrier
• 2.0-inch lift that lifts 31-inch off-road tires
• Front and rear locking differential for standard AWD

There is a reason to be worried if you are inside the Colorado as it has not performed well in the NHSTA crash rating with an overall rating of four-star. It also lacks advanced collision avoidance tech which is common in a large number of cars these days. IIHS has also rated its headlight as “poor” and front crash prevention as “basic”.

Chevy covers the Colorado with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/ 60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2020 Colorado gets the GM’s Tee Driver system as standard which allows the parent to monitor the speed a location of the truck, also mute the radio till all the passengers have put their seatbelts on. What comes as a tricky decision is that the LT model gets lane departure warning and forward collision warning as optional which is not available for the higher trim Z71.

• StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
• All-speed traction control
• Daytime Running Lamps
• 6 airbags
• Rear Vision Camera
• Teen Driver
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Chevrolet Colorado Vs Toyota Tacoma

The Tacoma can handle any terrain with ease and is the most capable off-roader in the class. As we have discussed earlier that the Colorado did not impress with the safety features whereas the Tacoma offers great safety scores with added features like Siri Eyes Free and GoPro camera mount. However, Chevy inches ahead of the Toyota when it comes to interior comfort and rear space and is also available at $4,000 less. If you are looking for a serious off-roader go with the Tacoma otherwise, Colorado is a great value for money.

Chevrolet Colorado Vs GMC Canyon

The engine's the same, towing capacity almost identical, pricing – not much difference, so what’s the major difference between the two cousins? It’s the cabin quality, Colorado’s interior is value for money but Canyon offers more refinement and plush design, especially in the Denali trim. So, it is up to you to decide which of these pick-up trucks you want.

Chevrolet Colorado Vs Nissan Frontier

Nissan Frontier feels outdated and outclassed in many areas when compared to its rivals. There are no modern engine options and it also lacks the latest safety assist which is found on the Chevy Colorado, Toyota Tacoma and the GMC Canyon. The Frontier is also the shortest of the lot so space is also a concern. However, its towing and payload capacity is impressive and it outclasses the Tacoma and Canyon in carrying weight. Being the cheapest in class it can sure be a good choice considering its strength.

Colorado feels appealing due to its car-like maneuverability and fuel efficiency. With three engine options and an array of cab and bed configuration available to choose from the Chevy midsize truck is worthy of doing all sorts of the job.