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Chevrolet Colorado
MotorWeek says all Colorados now come with the TurboMax engine, 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, and that Chevrolet is once again teaming up with American Expedition Vehicles to offer a Bison package for the 2026 Colorado, after testing the third-generation truck back in 2023 and finding it the toughest Colorado yet. It says reaching the top ZR2 Bison spec starts with a $52,595 ZR2, plus an $11,700 Bison Edition package, for a total of $64,295. Chevrolet Buff confirms the Colorado uses one 2.7-liter TurboMax gasoline engine family for 2026, rated at 310 hp and 430 lb-ft paired with an eight-speed automatic, and notes that while the general Colorado's tow rating reaches 7,700 pounds, competitor reviews place the ZR2's tow limit lower, at 6,000 pounds.
One engine across the lineup
MotorWeek (opens in a new tab) says all Colorados now come with the TurboMax version, 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, and that Chevrolet is once again teaming up with American Expedition Vehicles to offer a Bison package for the 2026 Colorado, after testing the third-generation truck back in 2023 and finding it the toughest Colorado yet.
Pricing to the top spec
MotorWeek (opens in a new tab) says reaching the top of the Colorado range starts by selecting a ZR2 for $52,595, then adding the Bison Edition package at $11,700, for a total of $64,295.
Engine and towing specifics
Chevrolet Buff (opens in a new tab) confirms the Colorado uses one 2.7-liter TurboMax gasoline engine family for 2026, rated at 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft, paired with an eight-speed automatic, and notes that while the general Colorado's tow rating reaches 7,700 pounds, competitor reviews place the ZR2 at a lower 6,000-pound tow limit.
Questions buyers ask
How much horsepower does the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado have?
MotorWeek (opens in a new tab) and Chevrolet Buff (opens in a new tab) both say 310 hp from its TurboMax engine, across every trim.
How much does the Colorado ZR2 Bison cost?
MotorWeek (opens in a new tab) says $64,295 total, a $52,595 ZR2 plus an $11,700 Bison Edition package.
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The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado is built around 2.7L TurboMax four-cylinder, rated at 310 horsepower across its midsize pickup body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 5 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe most the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado is published to tow is up to 7,700 lb (properly equipped).
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2026 Colorado.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 Chevrolet Colorado
MY2026 carries the Colorado's 310-horsepower 2.7L TurboMax engine forward from MY2025 with updated pricing; Crew Cab remains the only body configuration.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
2 indexed Chevrolet Colorado model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Chevrolet Colorado | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Chevrolet Colorado | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Chevrolet Colorado.
The Chevrolet Colorado (sharing mechanical commonality with the GMC Canyon) is a series of compact pickup trucks (first generation) and mid-size pickup trucks (since second generation) marketed by American automaker General Motors. They were introduced in 2004 to replace the Chevrolet S-10 and GMC S-15/Sonoma compact pickups. The Colorado is named after the U.S. state of Colorado, while the Canyon took its name from the deep chasm between cliffs.
- Sales
- Four Wheeler 2018 Pickup Truck of the Year (Colorado ZR2) Motor Trend's 2024 Truck of the Year
- Safety
- In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's frontal offset test, the Colorado (extended version) is given a "Good" overall score, however the crew cab is rated "Acceptable". In the side impact test, the Colorado crew cab is rated "Poor" with or without side curtain airbags.
- Trim levels
- DX features a manual transmission, electronic stability control, side-curtain airbags, Bluetooth capabilities, and 16-inch steel wheels. LX features either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, power mirrors, and cruise control. LTZ features 17-inch alloy wheels, optional leather seats, LED taillamps, projector headlamps, sports bar, soft tonneau cover, and side steps.
Source: Chevrolet Colorado (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Chevrolet Colorado at a glance
- Production
- 2003–2012, 2014–present (US), 2004–2020, (Thailand), 2011–present (Brazil)
- Class
- Compact pickup truck (2003–2011), Mid-size pickup truck (2011–present)
- Layout
- Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive
- Predecessor
- Chevrolet S-10, Chevrolet S-10/Isuzu Hombre/GMC Sonoma, Chevrolet D-Max (Latin America), Holden Rodeo (Australasia), Holden Ute/Holden One Tonner (Australasia)
- Also called
- GMC Canyon, Holden Colorado (Australasia)
NHTSA rated the 2025 Chevrolet Colorado overall 4 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 3 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (4 campaigns across the latest model years)
- February 2026, Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual. General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Coupe, Corvette… Consequence: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
- September 2024, Seat Belts:Critical Fasteners. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Chevrolet Colorado and 2023 GMC Canyon vehicles. The left or right front seat may have a seat belt buckle attachment bolt that was not tightened properly. Consequence: A loose seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- June 2024, Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles. The lock ring that secures the fuel pump to the fuel tank assembly may not have been fully locked during assembly, which can result in a fuel leak… Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Owners filed 27 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Chevrolet Colorado, most often about service brakes (10), forward collision avoidance (8), electrical system (7).
Year by year
The Chevrolet Colorado across 12 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Chevrolet Colorado | 16–21 | $3,100–$4,050 | 5 | 1 | 4 stars | |
| 2025 Chevrolet Colorado | 16–20 | $3,100–$3,900 | 5 | 1 | 27 | 4 stars |
| 2024 Chevrolet Colorado | 16–22 | $2,850–$3,900 | 7 | 3 | 121 | 4 stars |
| 2023 Chevrolet Colorado | 16–22 | $2,850–$3,900 | 6 | 3 | 131 | 4 stars |
| 2022 Chevrolet Colorado | 17–23 | $2,850–$4,700 | 8 | 1 | 51 | 4 stars |
| 2021 Chevrolet Colorado | 17–23 | $2,850–$4,700 | 8 | 1 | 74 | 4 stars |
| 2020 Chevrolet Colorado | 17–23 | $2,850–$4,700 | 8 | 82 | 4 stars | |
| 2019 Chevrolet Colorado | 15–23 | $2,850–$4,700 | 10 | 149 | 4 stars | |
| 2018 Chevrolet Colorado | 15–25 | $2,850–$4,500 | 10 | 1 | 182 | 4 stars |
| 2017 Chevrolet Colorado | 15–25 | $2,850–$4,500 | 10 | 1 | 216 | 4 stars |
| 2016 Chevrolet Colorado | 16–25 | $2,850–$3,900 | 8 | 4 | 699 | 4 stars |
| 2015 Chevrolet Colorado | 16–22 | $2,850–$3,900 | 6 | 7 | 489 | 4 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Chevrolet Colorado, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 2026 | 18.0 to 18.5 | |||
| 2024 to 2025 | 7 to 5 | 19.0 to 18.0 | Size classes: Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD | Engines: 2.7L 4-cyl SIDI; Late Model Year; Size classes: Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD |
| 2023 to 2024 | 6 to 7 | Labels: Colorado ZR2 Bison 4WD; Engines: 2.7L 4-cyl SIDI; Late Model Year | Engines: 2.7L 4-cyl SIDI; Stop-Start | |
| 2022 to 2023 | 8 to 6 | 20.0 to 19.0 | Labels: Colorado Mud Terrain Tires 4WD; Engines: 2.7L 4-cyl SIDI, 2.7L 4-cyl SIDI; Stop-Start | Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl SIDI, 2.8L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl SIDI; Transmissions: Automatic 6-spd; Fuels: Diesel |
| 2019 to 2020 | 10 to 8 | 19.0 to 20.0 | Labels: Colorado Cab Chassis 2WD; Transmissions: Manual 6-spd; Size classes: Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD | |
| 2018 to 2019 | 20.0 to 19.0 | |||
| 2016 to 2017 | 8 to 10 | 20.5 to 20.0 | Labels: Colorado ZR2 4WD; Transmissions: Automatic 8-spd | |
| 2015 to 2016 | 6 to 8 | 19.0 to 20.5 | Engines: 2.8L 4-cyl; Fuels: Diesel |
Buying used
What the Chevrolet Colorado recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | equipment (other) | None |
| 2025 | 1 | equipment (other) | None |
| 2024 | 3 | tires; fuel system, gasoline (storage); seat belts (critical fasteners) | None |
| 2023 | 3 | electrical system (adas); wheels (lugs/nuts/bolts/studs); seat belts (critical fasteners) | None |
| 2022 | 1 | seats (critical fasteners) | None |
| 2021 | 1 | seat belts | None |
| 2018 | 1 | fuel system, gasoline (delivery) | None |
| 2017 | 1 | fuel system, gasoline (delivery) | None |
| 2016 | 4 | latches/locks/linkages; air bags (frontal); fuel system, gasoline (delivery) | None |
| 2015 | 7 | air bags; air bags (frontal); seats; 2 more | None |
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| steering | 905 | 40% | 2016 (457) |
| power train | 464 | 21% | 2017 (107) |
| electrical system | 389 | 17% | 2016 (117) |
| engine | 238 | 11% | 2016 (48) |
| unknown or other | 223 | 10% | 2016 (48) |
| service brakes | 181 | 8% | 2016 (41) |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Chevrolet Colorado trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work Truck | 4WD | 2.7-liter 4-cylinder (TurboMax) | 310 | 430 | 4,520 | 7,700 | 19 | $34,495 |
| LT | 4WD | 2.7-liter 4-cylinder (TurboMax) | 310 | 430 | 4,520 | 7,700 | 19 | $38,095 |
| Trail Boss | 4WD | 2.7-liter 4-cylinder (TurboMax) | 310 | 430 | 4,650 | 7,700 | 19 | $42,595 |
| Z71 | 4WD | 2.7-liter 4-cylinder (TurboMax) | 310 | 430 | 4,630 | 7,700 | 19 | $46,695 |
| ZR2 | 4WD | 2.7-liter 4-cylinder (TurboMax) | 310 | 430 | 4,910 | 6,000 | 17 | $52,795 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Chevrolet Colorado model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 2.7-liter 4-cylinder (TurboMax) | 310 | 4,520–4,910 | 6,000–7,700 | 21.4 |
| 2025 | 5 | 2.7-liter 4-cylinder (TurboMax) | 237 | 4,520–4,910 | 6,000–7,700 | 21 |
| 2024 | 5 | 2.7-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.7-liter 4-cylinder (TurboMax) | 237–310 | 4,280–4,940 | 6,000–7,700 | 21 |
| 2023 | 5 | 2.7-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo) / 2.7-liter 4-cylinder (Turbo Plus) / 2.7-liter 4-cylinder (High Output Turbo) | 237–310 | 4,270–4,940 | 3,500–7,700 | 21 |
| 2022 | 8 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (VVT) / 3.6-liter V6 (VVT) | 200–308 | 3,950–4,730 | 3,500–7,600 | 21 |
| 2021 | 8 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (VVT) / 3.6-liter V6 (VVT) | 200–308 | 3,945–4,715 | 3,500–7,600 | 21 |
| 2020 | 9 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (VVT) / 3.6-liter V6 (VVT) | 200–308 | 3,945–4,704 | 3,500–7,000 | 21 |
| 2019 | 9 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (VVT) / 3.6-liter V6 (VVT) | 200–308 | 4,028–4,758 | 3,500–7,000 | 21 |
| 2018 | 12 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (VVT) / 3.6-liter V6 (VVT) | 200–308 | 3,985–4,758 | 3,500–7,700 | 21 |
| 2017 | 12 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (VVT) / 3.6-liter V6 (VVT) | 200–308 | 3,946–4,745 | 3,500–7,700 | 21 |
| 2016 | 10 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (VVT) / 3.6-liter V6 (VVT) | 200–305 | 3,960–4,520 | 3,500–7,700 | 21 |
| 2015 | 10 | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (VVT) / 3.6-liter V6 (VVT) | 200–305 | 3,959 | 3,500–7,000 | – |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Owning it
Oil, fluid and wheel-nut figures for the Chevrolet Colorado.
| Model year | Engine oil | Brake fluid | Wheel-nut torque | A/C refrigerant | Key-fob battery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5W-30 (6.0 qt) | DOT 4 | 140 lb-ft | – | – |
| 2025 | 5W-30 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2024 | 5W-30 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2023 | 5W-30 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2022 | 0W-20 | DOT 4 | – | – | – |
| 2021 | 0W-20 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2020 | 0W-20 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2019 | 0W-20 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2018 | 5W-30 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
| 2017 | 5W-30 | DOT 3 | – | – | – |
Source: the manufacturer's owner's manual for each model year. A dash means that year's manual gave no single value for it, for instance one that lists two oil grades or two key types.
Model-year recall record
Chevrolet Colorado: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
More recalls than this model’s own average
- 2015 Chevrolet Colorado : 7 recalls on file, most commonly affecting airbags and steering.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | not available | equipment |
| 2025 | 1 | 27 | equipment |
| 2024 | 3 | 121 | tires, fuel system, seat belts |
| 2023 | 3 | 131 | electrical system, wheels, seat belts |
| 2022 | 1 | 51 | seats |
| 2021 | 1 | 74 | seat belts |
| 2020 | 82 | ||
| 2019 | 149 | ||
| 2018 | 1 | 182 | fuel system |
| 2017 | 1 | 216 | fuel system |
| 2016 | 4 | 699 | airbags, fuel system, door latches |
| 2015 | 7 | 489 | airbags, steering, seats, brakes |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Chevrolet Colorado model year 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Chevrolet Colorado?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2015 carried more. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Chevrolet Colorado model years should I watch for recalls?
The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado has 7 federal recalls on file, most commonly affecting airbags, steering, seats. Always confirm the open/completed status of every campaign for the specific VIN: a recall on this list may already be repaired on the vehicle in front of you.
Q03What are common recall-related problems on the Chevrolet Colorado by model year?
2026: equipment. 2025: equipment. 2024: tires, fuel system, seat belts. 2023: electrical system, wheels, seat belts. 2022: seats. 2021: seat belts.
Q04Why do some Chevrolet Colorado model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Chevrolet Colorado model year 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Buying, records and recalls, Brakes, tires and steering, Engine and cooling, Climate and electrical.
2015 Chevrolet Colorado owners specifically: see Buying, records and recalls and Brakes, tires and steering.
Compared with
Models this Chevrolet Colorado is most often compared with.
Nearest Chevrolet models
Other Chevrolet models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 Colorado come in?
The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado (midsize pickup) comes in 5 trims: WT, LT, Trail Boss, Z71, ZR2.
Q02What are the 2026 Colorado trims?
The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado trims are WT, LT, Trail Boss, Z71, ZR2, listed from the entry WT up to the top ZR2.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 Colorado use?
The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado is built around 2.7L TurboMax four-cylinder, rated at 310 horsepower across its midsize pickup body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 Colorado have?
The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado is rated at 310 horsepower (2.7L TurboMax four-cylinder).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 Colorado?
The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado is offered with RWD / 4WD.