Price: The 2022 Chevrolet Colorado has a starting MSRP of $25,200. The top ZR2 Crew Cab model starts at $44,200.
The 2022 Chevrolet Colorado is a top choice in the competitive midsize pickup truck segment. This Chevrolet strikes a satisfying balance between an old-school pickup and a modern truck. It’s a truck that drives like a modern crossover without sacrificing capability. Another thing we love about the Colorado is that you can truly make it your own before it even leaves the dealership thanks to a wide variety in the trim levels, option packages, and engine choices.
The Colorado competes in a tough segment. Other players in the midsize pickup class include the Ford Ranger, Jeep Gladiator, and Toyota Tacoma. The Colorado is one of the most well-rounded options in this segment with strong capabilities, a fairly roomy interior in the crew cab models, and road-friendly driving comfort. One area where the Chevy is lacking is modern driver-assistance tech features.
2022 Chevrolet Colorado Pricing
Pricing for the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado starts at $25,200 for the bare-bones WT 2WD Extended Cab model. The better-equipped LT trim starts at $27,700, the more off-road-oriented Z71 model starts at $34,800, and the beastly ZR2 begins at $42,600. Pricing varies depending on the cab/box configuration, engine, and various options.
The pricing of the Colorado is in line with its main competitors — the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma. It’s priced slightly below its corporate cousin, the GMC Canyon.
Driving the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevrolet Colorado is a truck that drives so nicely that it almost feels like a crossover. It doesn’t have the bouncy ride sometimes associated with this class, and the noise and vibration levels are low. Even the steering is precise and nicely weighted.
The Chevy Colorado can be an excellent off-roader when properly equipped. The Z71 model with 4-wheel drive — even in stock form — is a respectable off-roader. For the serious off-road nut, the ZR2 is a beast when the pavement ends and is even capable of some technical rock climbing.
The driving character of the Colorado changes a bit depending on which of the three engine options you go with. The standard 4-cylinder engine is more than adequate for around-town driving and highway cruising. The more muscular V6 is recommended if your budget allows it since it significantly increases power and doubles the max towing capacity with almost no fuel economy penalty. Finally, the Duramax turbodiesel is simply awesome, with plentiful torque and up to 30 mpg on the highway.
Interior Comfort
The interior of the Chevy Colorado has a pretty simple design. This is good if you appreciate a humble pickup truck, but some rivals have a bit more flair and nicer materials. This simple interior design translates to the controls being easily within reach of the driver and durability that’s up for real work.
The front seats are supportive and comfortable enough for long-distance highway cruising. The back seats depend on which cab you go with. The standard extended cab has cramped back-seat space that’s better suited for cargo like toolboxes and supplies than it is for human passengers.
The crew cab provides much more back-seat space, and it’s a must if you’re planning on having passengers back there regularly. However, most rival crew cab trucks in this class have more space in the back.
Exterior Styling
The Chevy Colorado is a stylish truck in all of its many forms. The aesthetic can change quite drastically depending on how it’s configured. Each trim looks a little different, plus several available appearance packages provide even more aesthetic variety. There’s a dark Midnight Edition available for the Z71 and ZR2 models, a Chrome Appearance Package and a Redline special edition available on the LT trim, a new Trailboss Package available for LT and Z71, and much more.
The size of the Colorado can change depending on how you option it. All extended cab models have a long box, while you can get a crew cab model with either a short or a long box.
Favorite Features
TRAILBOSS PACKAGE
The new-for-2022 Trailboss Package is available for the 4WD variants of the LT and Z71 trims. It adds skid plates, a front 1-inch leveling kit, and a rugged appearance package.
DURAMAX DIESEL
ENGINE
The available Duramax inline-4 turbodiesel engine provides plentiful torque, strong towing capability, and it’s very fuel-efficient.
Standard Features
The standard features list on the base WT (Work Truck) trim of the Colorado is pretty sparse. This is an old-school, bare-bones workhorse, but still comes with some nice, modern features. For example, the standard infotainment system is a 7-inch color touchscreen with a backup camera, Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.
Other features that come standard on the WT model include air conditioning, two USB ports, SiriusXM, Teen Driver mode, a driver information display, power door locks, power windows, a carpeted floor, front bucket seats with a center console, rear bumper corner steps, and a locking tailgate.
Factory Options
A wide variety of trims and option packages make the Colorado highly customizable. Many truck buyers will be content with the mid-range LT trim. A few features that come with the LT trim include two extra USB ports, an overhead console, OnStar, an auto-dimming mirror, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, remote keyless entry, a power driver’s seat, a tilt and telescoping steering column, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise control, an EZ-lift and lower tailgate, and aluminum wheels.
Upgrading to the Z71 model adds some off-road features like off-road suspension, an automatic locking rear differential, all-terrain tires, and hill descent control. It also adds a nice list of creature comforts like automatic climate control, a rear defogger, a sliding rear window, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, remote start, front fog lights, projector headlights, and heated mirrors.
The range-topping ZR2 model is the best off-roader in the Colorado lineup. On top of standard 4-wheel drive, the ZR2 trim includes red recovery hooks, a taller and wider stance, DDSV Multimatic suspension dampers, fender flares, and a rugged appearance package.
There are many individual features and option packages you can add throughout the model range. There’s a new Trail Boss package available on the 4WD variants of the LT and Z71 models. This is primarily an appearance package, but also adds skid plates and a 1-inch front leveling kit.
On all but the base WT model, you have the option of upgrading to an 8-inch infotainment system with onboard navigation, plus Bose premium audio. A good option for the LT and Z71 models is the Safety Package, which adds forward-collision alert and lane-departure warning.
If you like the Colorado for its styling, there are several appearance packages available across the model range. There’s a Chrome Appearance package and a sporty Redline Special Edition available for LT, a Midnight Edition for Z71 and ZR2, and a Dusk Special Edition that’s exclusive to the ZR2.
Also exclusive to the ZR2 trim is the Bison Edition, which is a collaboration with AEV (American Expedition Vehicles). This turns up the off-road capability even further by adding extra skid plates, an in-your-face appearance package, and even some special interior appointments like AEV embroidered headrests.
Rear-wheel drive is standard and 4-wheel drive is optional on all but the ZR2 model. On the ZR2, 4WD comes standard.
Engine & Transmission
One of the many strong suits of the Chevy Colorado is the variety under the hood. There are three engines available in the Colorado, which is a claim none of its competitors can make.
The base engine is an inline-4 that’s good on gas while producing 200 horsepower. Upgrading to the available V6 brings a significant increase in power and capability with only a slight fuel economy penalty compared to the base engine. Finally, there’s the Duramax turbodiesel with an outstanding torque rating of 369 lb-ft while achieving up to 30 mpg on the highway.
The max tow rating of the Colorado depends on the engine. When properly equipped, the base 4-cylinder can tow up to 3,500 lbs, the V6 doubles that with a max tow rating of 7,000 lbs, and the Duramax diesel is the towing king with up to 7,700 lbs of capability.
The base engine and the turbodiesel both use a 6-speed automatic transmission. The V6 is linked to an 8-speed automatic.
Like most of its rivals, the Colorado has standard rear-wheel drive and optional 4-wheel drive.
2.5-liter
inline-4
200 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
191 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/25 mpg (2WD), 19/24 mpg (4WD)
3.6-liter V6
308 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
275 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg (2WD), 17/24 mpg (4WD), 16/18 mpg (ZR2)
2.8-liter turbodiesel inline-4
186 horsepower @ 3,400 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 mpg (2WD), 19/28 mpg (4WD), 18/22 mpg
(ZR2)
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