In the realm of midsize trucks, the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado is king. With its rugged style, best-in-class tow ratings, adventurous off-road capabilities, and high-end comfort options, the Colorado leaves competitors far behind.
The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado offers best-in-class power and performance. Of its three engine options, you can choose the one that makes the most sense for your unique needs. The base engine provides plenty of speed at a great price. Upgrade to the V6 for rugged off-road performance. To reach max tow ratings and boost fuel economy, check out the turbo diesel four-cylinder engine.
How much can the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado tow? Quite a lot, it turns out. However, tow ratings vary according to powertrain and equipment.
How much can the Colorado haul? Once again, capabilities vary according to body style, powertrain, and equipment.
As a modern midsize truck, the 2021 Chevy Colorado is actually pretty imposing. It’s not quite as big or heavy as a full-size model, but the current Colorado is much heftier than previous generations of midsize trucks.
The 2021 Colorado offers two body styles, extended and crew cab; inside extended cab models, you’ll find spacious first and second-row jump seats. The latter are great for transporting your crew over short distances and when the seats are stowed, you can use the rear-seat area as an interior storage depot. These models have four doors, with two full-size regular front doors and two half-size rear-hinged doors. The Colorado’s extended cabin is always paired with the long, 74-inch truck bed.
The Colorado’s crew cabin is roomier, with a full-size rear-seat area and four full-size, front-hinged doors. If you plan to transport friends and family members on the regular, the crew cabin’s extra rear legroom will be much appreciated. Crew cabin models are available with the long, 74-inch truck bed as well as the short, 61.7-inch bed.
To add security and convenience, check out the Colorado’s bed-related options. For instance, the remote-locking tailgate makes it easy to secure your cargo. And the EZ Lift tailgate creates effortless access to that cargo. With cargo tie-downs and LED box lighting, hauling cargo can be that much more secure. And the spray-in bedliner protects the truck bed from the wear-and-tear caused by heavy cargo items.
Both Colorado cabins maintain high levels of comfort. That’s especially true for front-row seats, which are nicely padded and bolstered for long-term support. Front-seat space is also abundant, setting drivers of all shapes and sizes up for an accommodating drive. Crew-cab models also provide generous back-seat space, making them the ideal option for families.
In addition to roomy comfort, the Colorado’s list of interior options add a little luxury. With leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, this midsize truck has much more of a high-end feel. And, with the heated, power-adjustable driver seat, you’ll look forward to a long stretch of highway.
Every Chevy Colorado comes standard with a fully loaded infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration technology displays apps (including your maps, music, messaging, and phone apps) on the system’s central 7-inch touch screen and two USB ports will keep a couple of devices charged on the road.
For an upgraded experience, all but the base WT model come standard with an 8-inch infotainment touch screen. You can even add a wireless smartphone charging pad for extra convenience.
The mid grade LT and up also feature a Wi-Fi modem...add a data plan, and you’re all set to surf the internet from the highway.
Chevy’s safety lineup is ready to impress. Standard equipment includes a rearview camera, which not only makes it easy to back in and out of driveways, but helps you line up a trailer hitch. Chevy’s Teen Driver system acts like an electronic nanny, letting you set speed and geo parameters for young drivers.
Other driver safety aids are optional. For example, forward collision alert with automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning are available to help you avert an accident. An upgraded HD rearview camera is also available to provide you with a more detailed look at what’s behind the Colorado.
Because there are so many trim models and powertrain options, Colorado EPA ratings vary slightly. The turbocharged 2.8-liter four-cylinder diesel engine is the thriftiest option. It helps Chevy’s midsize truck earn 23 mpg combined.
Chevy’s midsize truck is available as four trim models: Work Truck (WT), LT, Z71, and ZR2. Each is nicely equipped with tech features, smoothing out your daily drive with plenty of modern convenience. The mid grade LT adds a little luxury, and the Z71 and ZR2 upgrade the Colorado’s off-road performance.
With the entry-level WT, you’ll enjoy the lowest price on a brand new Colorado. However, this midsize truck also comes standard with an impressive list of features, including power accessories and Chevy’s cutting-edge infotainment system; smartphone integration is made simple, thanks to two USB ports and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.
The LT adds to the standard lineup with upscale features, including power adjustments for the driver seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The LT also features a bigger touch-screen interface for the infotainment system and it adds a couple of USB ports, so you and your fellow passengers can charge a total of four devices at once.
If you’re planning regular forays into the wilderness, check out the Z71. This Colorado adds all-terrain tires, an off-road-ready suspension, and other features that you don’t want to be without in rugged terrain.
The ZR2 is even more capable, taking off-road performance to the max with extra power, bigger all-terrain tires, and boosted ground clearance.
Your trusty Colorado was built to last. On the off-chance that something should go wrong, though, this midsize truck comes standard with generous warranty coverage. So long as your Colorado meets warranty terms and conditions, you can bring it back to your friendly Chevy dealer for a quick fix.
Although we haven’t heard any concrete details, we expect Chevy to redesign the Colorado for the 2023 model year so when we learn more, you’ll be the first to know!