2024 Chevrolet Colorado: Award-Winning and More Capable Than Ever

In 2015, Chevy jumped back into the midsize pickup truck pool with both feet by unveiling the Colorado. This truck drove circles around the other midsize trucks for sale at the time, earning Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year Award. In 2023, it was time for the next-generation Colorado to debut–and it won Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year award again. (Note that the award was technically for 2024 since the ’23 Colorado debuted too late in the year for consideration for the 2023 award.) Clearly, Chevy knows what it takes to build a world-class truck in this category.

And it’s not just Motor Trend that thinks so, either. Edmunds graced the Colorado with its Top-Rated Truck award for 2024. So what did Motor Trend and Edmunds have to say about the Colorado virtues? Motor Trend says the Colorado “delivers an impressive range of off-road capability without compromise to everyday livability.” They add, “Chevrolet’s Colorado once again outclasses its midsize rivals by a far greater margin than any of our heavy-duty or ‘supertruck’ contenders did in their respective segments.” Edmunds says, “Among midsize pickup trucks, the Chevy Colorado is the best tool for the job,” before going on to say, “The Chevrolet Colorado is one of the best pickup trucks currently on sale—and we aren’t just talking about the midsize class.” High praise, indeed!

So, is the Colorado the right truck for you? We think it just very well might be. First of all, as we’ll see when we discuss the Colorado’s hauling and towing specs, it can handle jobs that would have been relegated to half-ton, heavy-duty trucks in bygone days. Yet it offers a civilized ride, a stunning level of standard features, and optional amenities, all adorning a pickup that’s just the right size for many buyers. Perhaps you’re one of them.

Redesigned Looks

The 2024 Colorado is a genuinely new model, redesigned from the wheels up. It actually shares a frame with its Silverado big brother, giving it a longer wheelbase and more ruggedness than the outgoing model. In fact, every component was toughened up, right down to the six-lug wheels and stronger suspension. The redesigned sheet metal matches the new truck’s tough demeanor, with muscular designs in almost every body panel, even the tailgate, and a front end whose narrow headlights and sturdy grill give it an expression that borders on menacing. In a good way, of course.

Under the Hood

The Colorado backs up this eye-catching exterior with what lies underneath it, especially in the engine bay. It sports either the 2.7L Turbo or the 2.7L TurboMax gasoline engine. Diesel is no longer an option in the Colorado lineup. Now, you might be thinking, “2.7 liters? That sounds like it might be a four-banger.” Yes. It is, in fact, a four-cylinder in both the standard turbo and TurboMax configurations. But wait until you see the numbers they generate.

The base 2.7-liter Turbo matches up with an 8-speed automatic transmission to produce 237 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. That’s already good, but upgrading to the TurboMax boosts those numbers to 310 hp and a rather exciting 430 lb-ft of torque. Those are numbers that you would have expected from a big V8 in a full-sized pickup just a few years ago.

And the Colorado pulls like the V8 half-ton trucks of old, too. With the Advanced Trailering Package, the TurboMax can tow 7,700 pounds. That’s roughly the weight of a loaded two-horse trailer. Chevy’s engineers have accomplished the seemingly impossible. That kind of tow rating is more than enough for most campers, small travel trailers, fishing boats, and jet skis.

Does that sound like it would meet your needs? For most people, it likely would. And we haven’t even gotten to some of the best stuff yet, like the Colorado’s exceptional off-road trim levels.

The ZR2 and ZR2 Bison

The ZR2 trim level boosts the Colorado’s capabilities in almost every way, making it a true off-road warrior. A high-performance suspension, a 3-inch factory-installed lift combined with 17-inch wheels, and off-road tires create the most aggressive Colorado ever. Its taller and broader stance is enhanced with an off-road front fascia, fender flares, and black trim. DSSV Multimatic Suspension dampers give the ZR2 the off-road performance to match its looks. And yet it maintains its civilized demeanor on the road, too, with one MotorTrend writer noting, “It’s shocking how well the ZR2 drives on pavement given what it can do off-road.” Score another win for the Chevy engineers.

But just in case the ZR2 isn’t enough for you, Chevy has unleashed the Colorado ZR2 Bison for 2024. This beast features 35-inch tires and 12.2 inches of ground clearance, both of which are best in class. Five boron steel skid plates protect its underside from the most rugged and rocky trails. Chevy collaborated with American Expeditionary Vehicles to produce this special edition using race-tested components. These include front and rear jounce control dampers and a 4.5-inch factory lift.

Technology, Practicality, and Comfort

Perhaps you’re less interested in running the Baja 1000 than in what your truck is like to drive every day. Here, the Colorado shines. It’s loaded with the kinds of clever details that elevate a pickup truck to the realm of genius. For instance, the StowFlex tailgate opens in multiple configurations and offers built-in storage.

Available corner bed steps make it easier to access the bed, where you’ll find two tie-downs in each corner and mounting points for accessories like rails and cleats. A built-in bed power outlet and available cargo bed lighting make working in the cargo area even easier. Chevy knows that a pickup is, first and foremost, a truck, and it should make the job easier for its owner.

Inside the spacious and comfortable cabin, you’ll find a standard 11.3-inch LCD center touchscreen and optional wireless charging. The screen can show up to ten available camera views, including class-exclusive available underbody cameras for off-roading. There’s also an 11-inch color driver information center. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth are all standard, even on the base WT trim level. A six-speaker stereo system with a SiriusXM trial subscription also comes standard.

Chevy Safety Assist also comes standard, providing six driver assistance and safety tools. These include Lane-Keep Assist, IntelliBeam intelligent high beams, a Following Distance Indicator, Front Pedestrian Braking, a Forward Collision Alert, and Automatic Emergency Braking. An HD Rear Vision Camera, Rear Seat Reminder, and Teen Driver technology are also standard. Optional driver assist features include parking assist, adaptive cruise control, blind zone assistance, and OnStar security and safety.

The Chevy Colorado for You

We’ve touched on the highlights that make the 2024 Chevy Colorado an award-winning truck. To cover everything that makes the Colorado special would take much more space than we have available here. So we have a suggestion for you: come in and see it for yourself and take it out for a test drive. Seriously. If you read the reviews from the experts, there’s a unique degree of admiration for this midsized champion of a pickup, and the best way to find out why is to experience it for yourself. We’re standing by with the keys; come on in today!

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