Our Favorite Used Chevy Colorado Models

For those seeking exceptional value, it’s hard to beat the deals you’ll find at your local used truck dealership. Built with heavy-duty usage in mind, trucks are better able to withstand the wear and tear that comes with everyday use. While most drivers plan on their vehicles lasting until the 200,000-mile mark, the reality is often quite different. According to a study by iSeeCars, as few as one percent of all new vehicles sold in the US hit that milestone, but pickups tend to fare much better. In fact, they’re almost twice as likely to see the odometer hit 200,000, with 1.9 percent achieving the feat. 

Pickup trucks also fare much better when it comes to depreciation. There are lots of factors that contribute to a vehicle’s depreciation. From mileage and model to a brand’s reputation, fuel economy, and even local market conditions, it can be hard to know how a vehicle’s value might change over time, but not all vehicles are created equal. While all vehicles start to lose some value as soon as they’re first driven off the dealer’s lot, pickups tend to resist depreciation better than most, thanks in part to their robust construction, reliability, and popularity on the used market. 

When it comes to Chevrolet, it’s the full-size Silverado series that usually grabs all the headlines, but today we’re going to take a closer look at the brand’s popular midsize offering, the Chevy Colorado. The perfect blend of performance, capability, and comfort, the Colorado is an alluring prospect for drivers looking for a reliable midsize truck. Best of all, midsize offerings like the Colorado tend to retain their value even better than many full-size offerings. Research shows that midsize pickups have a five-year depreciation of just over 21 percent, besting full-size rivals but as much as 10 percent. As the new model makes its debut for the 2023 model year, we thought it would be a good time to look back on some of the best used Colorado models in recent memory and see what makes Chevy’s midsize pickup such a standout option on the used market. 

The 2016 LT Shoreline Edition

The Southern California market has long been a hotbed for pickups like the Chevy Colorado, with more midsize trucks sold in Los Angeles than the next two largest markets combined. Midsize trucks are particularly popular amongst younger West Coast drivers who, more often than not, can be found making tracks for the beach for long, sunny days full of sun, surf, and sandy fun. 

Designed to appeal to this market, the 2016 Colorado LT Shoreline Edition aims to fill the role vacated by the “Woodie” station wagons of old, providing beachgoers with the perfect truck for all their seaside needs. Based on the LT trim of the 2016 Colorado model, the Shoreline Edition is more than just a beach-focused makeover for the truck: it adds some real utility to the equation, not to mention a little fun. 

The 2016 Chevy Colorado Shoreline Edition allows drivers to choose between four bright, beachy color options, including Silver Ice Metallic, Summit White, Laser Blue, and Red Hot, with blacked-out trim and chrome accents that go a long way in complementing the new hues. Unlike the regular LT version of the Colorado, the Shoreline Edition features a body-color grille, black 18-inch wheels, and black trim adorning the doors, beltline, and mirrors.

As far as utility is concerned, Chevy has included spray-in bed liners and all-weather floor mats as standard features on the Shoreline Edition. It’s a valuable addition to ridding the Colorado of the evidence of your shoreside excursions, making it easier than ever to clean out sand, water, and whatever else you might try to tag along home with you. The Shoreline Edition truly shines with the long list of available accessories that upgrade the truck’s utility with the addition of GEARON tiered storage racks, a five-inch rectangular assist step, and a Thule surfboard or stand up paddleboard carrier. These optional features allow drivers to bring along everything they need for a full day at the beach while making the Colorado look like it just drove off the set of Baywatch. Chevy knows that every day at the beach needs the perfect soundtrack, which is why the automaker has included one year of SiriusXM radio with the Shoreline Edition. 

The 2017 ZR2

The 2017 model year saw the debut of one of the most exciting Colorado models in recent memory: the ZR2. Built with off-road glory in mind, this rugged version of Chevy’s midsize pickup was loaded with all the heavy-duty equipment needed to fill your weekends with mud-slinging, rock-crawling fun. The ZR2 concept was first introduced at the 2014 LA Auto Show, and a strong consumer response saw the off-road model make its retail debut a few years later. 

The ZR2 hit the market just as the off-road pickup wars started to heat up. Models like the Ford F-150 Raptor started to change the public’s perception of just how capable an off-the-shelf version of an off-road pickup could be, and Chevy wasn’t about to be left behind. The ZR2 was introduced as an even more off-road-ready version of the Colorado’s top trim, the Z71, but added an all-new design and off-road-ready components to the mix. 

Chevy both lifted and widened the Colorado for the ZR2 version, installing a track that was 3.5 inches wider while elevating the pickup by two inches. Top-shelf hardware like Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) dampers, electronic locking front and rear differentials, and lengthened cast-iron control arms smooth out the bumps that come with off-roading while ensuring maximum traction, but that’s just the beginning. 

Chevy also included new front and rear bumpers specifically designed for the Colorado that improve the truck’s approach and departure angles, two important factors when it comes to off-roading, while also throwing in wider fender flares, rock sliders, and aluminum skid plates for good measure. The ZR2 rides on 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires and offers an off-road mode that allows drivers to tweak the pickup’s throttle progression, shift calibration, traction control, stability control, and ABS depending on the terrain. 

The 2018 Centennial Edition 

For many drivers, midsize pickups like the Chevy Colorado provide the perfect compromise between the functionality of a full-size truck and the comfort and efficiency of the increasingly popular crossover SUV class. The Chevy Colorado is a prime example of this well-rounded middle ground, boasting considerable towing and cargo capacity while featuring all the high-end bells and whistles that can make so much of a difference in the overall driving experience. 

The 2018 Colorado encompasses this balance perfectly, blending a wealth of engine options with emerging infotainment tech to create a pickup that’s just as much at home at the job site as it is in the school pickup line. The base engine is an economical 2.5-liter inline-four that excels in fuel efficiency with an EPA-rated 24 MPG in the city and 31 MPG highway in its 2WD automatic guise. It’s not likely to win you any drag races with around 200 hp, but those seeking a little extra power can opt for a 3.6-liter V6 that ups the ponies by more than 100 to deliver 308 total hp. 

If towing is your aim, Chevy is here to help with a 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel that churns out an impressive 369 lb-ft of torque. The diesel setup was a rarity in the midsize class at the time and gave the Duramax version of the Colorado enough power to tow a class-leading 7,700 lbs of whatever you could throw at it. Chevy also added a clever bit of tech to make towing easier than ever with the advent of the pickup’s Active Tow feature. The system helps drivers to align the Colorado when reversing to hook up a trailer, taking the frustrating guesswork out of this notoriously tricky task. 

As we mentioned, midsize pickups are all about balance, and the Colorado pairs its range of capable engines with a full complement of impressive tech. Connected infotainment features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity arrived in 2017, but the Colorado also set itself apart thanks to the inclusion of two separate touchscreens and the segment’s only Wi-Fi hotspot. 

The Centennial Edition was the standout trim for 2018, celebrating Chevy’s 100th anniversary with a generous package for the Z71 trim that included a bold color-keyed grille and rear bumper, spray-in bed liner, distinctive badging, 18-inch wheels, plenty of chrome accents, and more. The Centennial version of the Colorado is easily recognizable thanks to its exclusive paint colors, which include new offerings like Satin Steel Gray Metallic, Kinetic Blue, and Centennial Blue. It’s a great tribute to the brand’s considerable history and pairs well with the high-end, off-road-flavored trim. 

Let Us Help You Find the Perfect Pre-owned Chevy Colorado Model

A trip to your local used truck dealership is bound to uncover some great deals, but doing your research can make the difference between leaving with your new favorite vehicle or starting the process all over again far too soon. At the average dealership, it can be tough to cut through all the marketing jargon, sales tactics, and financing talk to figure out what’s a good deal; however, we take a decidedly different approach here at North Park Chevrolet. 

We’re committed to pairing our customers with the perfect vehicle for their needs, whether it be a brand-new top-of-the-line Chevy model or a used vehicle that’ll go easy on your wallet while retaining its value. We also have one of the largest Chevy inventories in the area, so you’ll always find what you’re looking for. From reliable, long-lasting pickups like the Chevy Colorado to full-size workhorses like the Silverado 1500 and a wide variety of Chevy cars and SUVs, there’s something for everyone here at North Park Chevrolet. 

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