“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” was Chevrolet’s ideology when it came to the 2022 Chevy Colorado. For a market in which innovation is key, Chevy’s plan surprisingly worked out pretty well. The midsize truck has been around since 2004, yet it has only had two different generations. The last redesign was back in 2015, bringing more power and capability to the Colorado. Of course, as the years passed, Chevy only added more to this truck. This is apparent by examining the sheer amount of trims, and the large room for customization.
With a new generation of the Colorado set to debut for 2023, now is a good time to see what the 2022 Chevy Colorado Z71 has to offer. If it hooks you, then you’ll have a while to decide if the next generation will be something you’re interested in. After all, Chevy has shown it often leaves a generation on the market for a long time before introducing the next one. Additionally, depreciation is quite low for the Colorado. The high trade-in value will prove helpful when going from the current generation to the next.
Prices are a good item to examine when determining if this vehicle is for you. It shows what is within your realm of possibilities. Before looking into the Z71, the base Colorado model deserves an honorable mention. Starting as low as $25,200 for the base WT model, the 2022 Chevy Colorado sets itself apart from other trucks with its low MSRP. The Z71 trim starts at $35,400, which comes to about a $10,000 difference, but the extra money can really be felt with the many upgrades found in the Z71.
Mix and Match
Mix and MatchThe 2022 Chevy Colorado Z71 is like the buffet of trucks. You can mix and match parts to truly make it your own. Perhaps because the generations are so long, one of the 2022 Chevy Colorado Z71’s biggest strengths is its sheer adjustability. There are so many factory options that can be added to the Colorado that no two trucks are built the same. For those who want a longer truck bed to stuff all sorts of things back there, it’s an option. For those who want their Z71 to be fuel efficient, that’s an option. The possibilities are nearly endless!
Although not specific to the Z71 trim, there are some very nifty factory options that can increase anyone’s user experience with the Chevy Colorado. Often overlooked but taking the truck bed to a new level is the tonneau cover. In simplest terms, tonneau covers are like mini drop tops for your truck bed. This upgrades the effectiveness of the Colorado’s cargo space. Now you can securely store your heavy-duty equipment in the truck at all times. For busy workers who don’t have a garage, not needing to load your truck every morning is going to save so much time.
One of the most useful available options is upgrading the Z71’s drivetrain from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive. The upgrade to four-wheel drive increases the versatility of the drivetrain and makes the truck more usable in harsh weather conditions, like snow or heavy rain. Combined with the Z71’s locking rear differential, it effectively turns the truck into an off-road monster capable of driving through the most challenging terrains. That is not to say two-wheel drive doesn’t have its own benefits, as it most certainly does! The best part about the two-wheel drive Colorado is that it is rear-wheel drive. The power is coming from the rear wheels, so the truck pushes its weight forward.
Standard for the 2022 Chevy Colorado Z71 is the Off-Road Suspension Package. The package provides many features that make the Colorado more effective off-road. One of the ways it upgrades the truck is with the addition of hill descent control. This extra feature makes the Colorado a lot more manageable when taking on steep terrain. There is also a transfer case shield added to the Z71 that provides underbody protection against hazards on the trail.
Efficient Engines
The base engine in the 2022 Colorado is a 2.5L I-4. It gets 19 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway, making it an efficient, if not terribly powerful, option. With the way gas prices are looking, it’s important to save every penny on gas that you can. However, the 2022 Colorado Z71 is not available with the base 2.5L engine––but that’s not a problem!
For those who want better fuel efficiency in the Z71, look no further than the 2.8L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I-4 engine. It has the highest fuel economy of any 2022 Colorado engine option, coming in at 20 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway. Turning the Z71 into a fuel-efficient truck is just one of many ways that the Colorado proves itself as a customizable vehicle. Since the Turbo-Diesel engine is an extra-cost option, there is a give and a take. You spend a little more for the engine, but you pay a lot less for fuel.
Mileage Isn’t Everything
On the other hand, mileage isn’t everything when it comes to engines. For a utility vehicle, what is under the hood is one of the most critical aspects of the truck. The base I-4 engine mentioned earlier is a solid engine capable of producing decent power. It has 200 hp, 191 lb-ft of torque, and 3,500 lbs of towing capability. While it is strong enough to fulfill most demands an average driver might have, it is not the strongest engine. And the 2022 Chevy Colorado Z71 needs to be able to carry heavy-duty equipment and tools or haul some dirt bikes to an offroad trail.
The aforementioned Duramax Turbo-Diesel produces fewer horses than the 2.5L I-4, coming in at 181 hp. However, what it lacks in horsepower, it more than makes up for in other qualities. In particular, it boasts a mighty 369 lb-ft of torque, the highest of any 2022 Colorado engine option. While not the most exciting behind the wheel or on the road, keep in mind that it is very fuel efficient. Additionally, the Duramax has the highest towing capacity of any midsize truck at 7,700 lbs!
The third and final available engine is the 3.6L V6. What is its gimmick? The V6 goes brrr a little harder than the rest. It has 308 hp, giving the Chevy Colorado a much-needed boost in power. Additionally, it makes 275 lb-ft of torque and has 7,000 lbs of towing capacity. Those who expect a lot from the Z71 should strongly consider choosing this engine. The extra power comes in handy in many aspects of work life, home life, and more.
The Chevy Colorado Experience
The Chevy Colorado demonstrates that changes and gimmicks are not all it takes to succeed in business. Sometimes a product can cement its own spot amongst competitors simply for being a solid product through and through. That is the 2022 Chevy Colorado experience! The truck has all the necessities a person would want: it’s got good power, an affordable price point, and tons of options for customization. The 2022 Z71 trim brings new, and improved features to the Colorado. This gives a new outlook to an otherwise not new model. If there is anything about the Z71 that feels lacking, there is always room for improvement with the many factory options!
