The Chevy pickup truck is iconic, fitting into a niche of vehicles that are known for delivering incredible power, and the peak of utility with true style. Excelling on construction yards, ranches, city streets, and the cozy neighborhoods of suburbia, Chevy trucks have earned a reputation for being well-rounded, serving a broad range of drive-styles. That said, holding onto this reputation can be somewhat daunting, especially as competitor automakers continue to innovate and push their own truck models forward, offering greater features, technology, and power. Of all the Chevy trucks for sale on the market today, the one that deserves focused attention is the new 2020 Chevy Colorado. The Chevy Colorado is a mid-sized pickup that, at first glance, brings plenty to appreciate, what with its stylish exterior, and rugged chassis. Although, it takes more than solid curb appeal to make a great pickup truck, and we’ll look beyond this skin-deep appearance to see if Chevy continues to deliver the kind of value that they’ve been known to pack into their line of pickup trucks.
The Initial Package
When it comes to pickup trucks, there is a mutual understanding among automakers to design vehicles that can be built in a myriad of different configurations. While there are plenty of one-note models out there, the Chevy Colorado exists within a standard range when it comes to customization. When you visit a Chevy brand dealership to shop for a new Chevy Colorado, you’ll get the choice between a Base, WT (or work truck), LT, and Z71. Across this assortment of trim levels, drivers will find that affordability seemed to be a focus of the Chevy automakers. Base models come in at a low-low-low price of $21,300 MSRP. While the base model offerings may be spartan at best, it is nice to see Chevy providing an option for those who may want to drive their Colorado pickup on a strict budget.
In typical pickup fashion, the Chevy Colorado can be purchased in either the extended- or crew-cab configuration, each variant offering a 5’1 and 6’2 bed, respectively. With such a range in potential hauling load, it’s clear that Chevy was attempting to cater to a wide variety of drivers, including both corners of the market from those who prioritize people transport and those who want the most utility possible out of their pickup.
Workhorse Worthy Power
It can be said that a huge part of the worth of a pickup truck is the kind of powertrains that the model brings to the table. Not offering enough in the way of power can be a big hindrance to any pickup model, no matter what other features the vehicle brings to the table. The 2020 Chevy Colorado sits somewhere in the middle, offering the option for high-range power, but never going too far in that direction. The most you’ll get is a V6 and a rather middling one at that. A turbodiesel is available though, which is a welcomed inclusion, especially those looking to put their truck to work.
A huge hindrance to the performance of the Chevy Colorado is the entry-level engine. Base models come with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft worth of torque with the assistance of a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission and a rear-focused drivetrain. Performance from this entry-level engine isn’t bad though, especially when just used for city driving. However, be wary when trying to put this four-cylinder to work, as it’ll likely have some misgivings.
Next in the powertrain lineup is a 3.6-liter V6 engine that uses an 8-speed automatic engine to push out 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft worth of torque. With the option of a four-wheel drivetrain and a max towing capacity of 7,000 pounds, this powertrain build of the Chevy Colorado is easily the most popular pick of the three. While not remarkable, when you compare it to other six-cylinder engines, what’s here is a great option for those looking at midsize trucks.
Last, but far from least in the trinity of Chevy Colorado powertrains is a 2.8-liter Duramax Turbodiesel four-cylinder engine. This turbodiesel powertrain is a little lopsided, coming in at 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft worth of torque. While low in horsepower, the extra torque from this turbodiesel engine does allow the Chevy Colorado to haul up to 7,700 pounds without so much as a stutter. Add in some of the off-road upgrades found in the ZR2 package, and you have a true trailblazer. Add-ons like a limited-slip rear differential, a higher suspension, and a set of off-road-ready Goodyear Duratrac tires make the Chevy Colorado one of the best trail-running pickups yet.
A Mix-Match of Technology
Second to engine and power in rating a pickup truck is the amount of tech and comfort offered in the cabin. Across the spectrum of pickup trucks on the market today, many miss the mark when it comes to automotive safety. In an industry filled with vehicles that offer predictive and preventative safety technology, pickup trucks often fall behind; and the same can be said of the 2020 Chevy Colorado. Drivers of the Chevy Colorado won’t find standard active safety features until the high up LT trim, and even then, you can only ever expect features like forward collision and lane departure warnings.
That said, we can’t knock the Chevy Colorado completely for missing out on its active safety tech. On the contrary, the Chevy Colorado does come with a decent spread of infotainment features, even at the start. The Base and Work Truck models both come with air conditioning, a four-way power-adjustable driver’s throne, as well as an Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, integrated 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen. Higher up, drivers will find additional features that make the Chevy Colorado practically luxurious. In the LT trim, you’ll get to enjoy a bigger infotainment screen, a rear-seat USB port, heated seats, a sunroof, and a bumping audio system designed by Bose. Meanwhile, the Z71 and ZR2 trims offer more rugged tech with things like skid plates and a built-in lightbar.
While the Chevy Colorado does miss the technological mark when it comes to safety, it makes up for it in the delivery of a comfortable drive even in the affordable base models. We do hope to see more standard safety features in the future. However, time will tell when Chevy will decide to pack them into their mid-sized pickup truck.
Shopping for the 2020 Chevy Colorado
If you’re interested in finding a Chevy truck for sale, the 2020 Chevy Colorado is certainly a worthwhile pick. While it may not offer the V8 prowess that other competitor models might take advantage of in higher trims, the Colorado still provides plenty of power across its various tiers. The benefit of driving a Chevy Colorado is doubled if you’re looking for something that can handle the dirt as well as the pavement. The high-end off-road packages are no joke, and they make for plenty of confidence when you roll off of the main road. There are some divisive characteristics about the 2020 Chevy Colorado, but we still highly recommend checking out this mid-sized Chevy pickup at your local dealership.
