Our Opinion - 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Review The 2026 Chevy Colorado isn’t as customizable as the full-size Silverado, but it does offer a wide range of trim levels. The Colorado is available only in crew cab with a five-foot bed and a 310-hp turbo four. With hydraulic bump stops and over a foot of ground clearance, customers can choose an off-road vehicle that can go anywhere and do anything, or a real workhorse with rear-wheel drive and best-in-class towing capacity of 7700 pounds. The interior is both modern and classic, impressing everyone. It is also comfortable, so it is fine for both short trips to the countryside and long highway drives. The Colorado’s mid-size body makes it easier to park in tight spaces and gives it better maneuverability in the city, especially compared to the bigger Silverado. Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma have both made great use of the recent development funds they received, just like the Colorado. All three mid-sizes are worth considering. What's New? In 2026, Chevy makes small changes to the Colorado’s wheel and paint choices. If not, the pickup truck will not change over the next year. Pros and Cons Pros Powertrain’s features Great driving both on and off the road. High-end house Cons There is only one plan with a bed and a cab. Little back seats Engine, Transmission, and Performance Engine: 2.7-liter four-cylinder with a turbocharger that makes 310 horsepower. Automatic transmission with eight speeds. Four-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive are two of the drivetrain options. The Colorado’s 2.7-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine makes 310 horsepower, which is better than many rival trucks, such as the Toyota Tacoma and Honda Ridgeline (both non-hybrid) and the Jeep Gladiator. Four-wheel drive comes standard on a few trims, but the entry-level Work Truck and step-up LT don’t have it unless you pay extra. The ZR2’s front Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers have been improved, and the back ones are now mounted on the outside. The Trail Boss and Z71 have a limited-slip differential, but the Work Truck and LT types have an open rear differential. The ZR2 is the only model with power-locking front and rear differentials, and that’s because it is designed for off-road driving. Among all the Colorado trims, the ZR2 Bison is the best at off-roading. It has 12.2 inches of ground clearance, and its break-over and departure angles are steeper than those of other models. It is also equipped with massive 35-inch Mondo tires, the largest available in its truck category, along with hydraulic bump stops at both the front and rear to cushion and stabilize landings after jumps. Safety The Colorado has many features that help the driver, such as monitoring blind spots, warning of forward collisions, and automated emergency braking in the front and rear. The backup camera’s handy hitch view lets you line up the hitch with a trailer on your own. Automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane keeping aid are all standard safety features. Adaptive speed control and a system that shows video from all angles are optional safety features. Internal and External Cargo Capacity First Row: The Colorado cabin has a more modern and useful layout, and it feels less cramped than the cabins of other brands. The driver’s seat is just as comfy, with firm cushions and enough support. Second Row: The Colorado has one of the most comfortable back seats in its class, but it still doesn’t fit big people well. Cargo Capacity: The Colorado has a shallow, locked storage box in the tailgate, just like the Ridgeline. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG EPA’s City Ratings: 16–19 mpg EPA number for the highway: 16–23 mpg The EPA hasn’t released fuel economy numbers for the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado yet, but the scores should remain the same. The 2025 rear-wheel-drive model is expected to get 19 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. Four-wheel drive cars use gas more slowly than most cars, getting 17 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. The ZR2’s overall fuel economy is 17 mpg, while the ZR2 Bison’s average is 16. We will add to this report the results of our thorough tests, including driving a Colorado on our highway fuel-economy route at 75 mph. To learn more about Colorado’s fuel economy, go to the EPA page. Infotainment and Connectivity The 11.3-inch touchscreen entertainment system Ability to connect to Bluetooth and WiFi. It is compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, allowing seamless connectivity with either platform. Standard 6-speaker stereo or 7-speaker Bose stereo available as an upgrade. There is an 11.3-inch touchscreen above the center stack and an 11.0-inch digital gauge panel in front of the driver. The latter features built-in Google technologies and supports wireless connectivity for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Range, Charging, and Battery Life 6.8 seconds (ZR2) at 60 mph. In contrast, the newest Colorado ZR2 we tested took 6.8 seconds to reach 60 mph and 15.5 seconds to reach 88 mph. The Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road takes almost the same amount of time. Towing and Payload Capacity The Colorado can pull more than any other mid-size truck, with a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds. But the ZR2 can only tow 6,000 pounds. Price and How to Choose The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado could cost between $34,495 and $62,795, depending on the trim and options. We like the Trail Boss because it offers about the same level of fun in the mud as the ZR2, which rides higher but costs less. Along with more suspension movement than lower models, it has 32-inch all-terrain tires and fender flares that make it look tough. There is a limited-slip differential in the back, but it doesn’t have the ZR2’s great Multimatic spool-valve shocks or locking differentials in the front and back.
