Pickup trucks have become all the rage in today’s market thanks to their ideal fusion of performance, capability, and comfort, but this rise in popularity isn’t without its consequences. In a bid to capitalize on the trend, some automakers have started introducing lighter-duty pickup models that can’t really keep up with the demands of the working world. This is especially true of smaller, crossover-based models, which, aside from their cargo beds, aren’t all that different from the crossover SUVs you’ll find packing any grocery store parking lot. Then there’s Chevy. The company has become synonymous with the idea of hard work over its 100-plus years on the market, delivering some of the most rugged, hardest-working vehicles the road has ever seen. The full-size Silverado is a perfect example of everything there is to love about the brand, but what about Chevy’s midsize offering?
Debuting in 2004, the Chevy Colorado boasts the same industrious resume and robust body-on-frame construction as the Silverado while offering drivers a well-rounded option that’s a little more practical for everyday use. The 2024 Chevy Colorado might be smaller and more affordable than the Silverado, but that doesn’t mean that it lacks any of the industrious features that have made the Chevy bowtie emblem a mainstay on construction sites, lumber yards, and gravel pits for the last century. So, how work-ready is Colorado? Read on as we take a closer look at the 2024 model and see if Chevy has managed to live up to its hard-earned reputation.
Towing and Payload
Chevy has made some significant changes under the hood as the Colorado enters its third generation. While the second-gen Colorado was offered with an available V6 and Duramax diesel, the automaker has simplified the roster down to a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This is certainly a boon to the pickup’s efficiency, with the 2.7-liter engine offering 22 MPG combined when optioned with 2WD, but it still might sound a bit limiting to some drivers. Luckily Chevy has opened the door to some customization with two variants on offer.
Those opting for the Colorado’s WT or LT trims will see their pickup packed with a 237-horsepower version of the 2.7-liter engine. Offering 260 lb-ft of torque, the entry-level engine is anything but when it comes to payload capacity. With the ability to carry 1,684 lbs, the WT and LT are perfect for transporting raw materials, equipment, or any other cargo you might need for a long day on the job. In terms of towing capacity, the standard 2.7-liter engine maxes out at 3,500 lbs, and while this number places the base engine well behind its high-output sibling, the Colorado still punches well above its weight when you consider the truck’s midsize designation.
Drivers seeking the ultimate in towing power need look no further than the high-output engine. Found on the Colorado’s Trail Boss, Z71, ZR2, and ZR2 Bison trims, the 310-horsepower engine gives the pickup plenty of get up and go, but it’s the additional torque that really makes the difference when you’re the type of driver who has worn the chrome right off their trailer hitch. The Colorado’s high-output 2.7-liter engine offers a mammoth 430 lb-ft of torque, an impressive number that gives the truck a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,700 lbs. The only midsize model that can compete with the Colorado’s towing prowess is its GM cousin in the GMC Canyon with the Ford Ranger (7,500 lbs), Nissa Frontier (6,690 lbs), Toyota Tacoma (6,500 lbs) and Honda Ridgeline (5,000 lbs) all trailing well behind.
Cargo Space
Towing capacity is always useful, but on a day-to-day basis, most drivers will find themselves getting a lot more use out of their pickup’s cargo bed. Between hauling building materials, rocks, and dirt or just toting your tools, the right cargo bed can make all the difference when it comes to your next project. A 62-by-58-inch bed gives the Chevy Colorado a total cargo volume of 41 cu.ft., which should be plenty of room for all but the bulkiest freight.
However, pure cargo volume isn’t the only factor to consider when weighing different midsize models. The third-gen Colorado is also roomier than ever before and doesn’t nickel-and-dime drivers when it comes to interior space and passenger capacity. Chevy has made the four-door crew cab standard across the entire 2024 lineup, allowing five passengers to comfortably occupy the cabin. A five-passenger pickup is not that uncommon across the midsize segment, but a comfortable five-passenger pickup is another story entirely.
All too often, automakers tend to treat the back row as little more than an afterthought, requiring adults to rest their knees on their chin if they want to make the most of all the seats. The Colorado’s passenger capacity is notable for the fact that the backseat rider won’t feel cramped. Chevy has given the Colorado 34.7 inches of rear legroom, placing the truck in the top third of the midsize segment when it comes to the ability to stretch out. This better-than-average capacity also makes the Colorado an ideal choice as a fleet vehicle, giving business owners the ability to transport their crew from job to job without having to make a bunch of extra trips.
Additional Features
In addition to its competitive cargo space, towing, and payload capacity, the 2024 Chevy Colorado also offers a wide range of clever features that make it the perfect partner when you’re on the clock. Take the truck’s StowFlex tailgate, for instance. Available on every 2024 Colorado trim, the StowFlex tailgate is a built-in storage solution that turns the pickup’s tailgate into a secure spot for all your precious cargo. Need to stow some tools or supplies away from prying eyes? The 45-inch-wide, four-inch-deep cargo area will give you valuable peace of mind when running into the building supply store for some last-minute supplies. The compartment is also watertight, which can come in handy in more ways than one: not only can it protect power tools or electronics from an unexpected storm, but it also includes a built-in drain that makes it perfect for icing down some drinks when you’re finally off the clock.
If you’re looking for a little extra security, the Colorado is available with a soft roll-up bed cover or a hard and lockable folding cover. Drivers trying to accommodate bulky cargo will appreciate the Colorado’s reconfigurable bed rails while bed-mounted LED lights will give you all the illumination you need to ensure everything is properly tightened down. Chevy rounds out the Colorado’s bed with an available drop-in bedliner with additional storage compartments, a durable spray-on bedliner and a remote locking tailgate. If you want to power a few accessories while you’re out on the job, the truck’s bed-mounted 120-volt power outlet will give you ample power to charge electronics and keep you whistling along to your favorite tunes while you work.
In a bid to allow drivers to get the most out of the Colorado’s 7,700-lb towing capacity, Chevy offers a full suite of heavy-duty towing equipment. The Advanced Trailering Package Includes a two-inch receiver hitch with four-pin and seven-pin connectors, an integrated trailer brake controller, an automatic locking rear differential, trailer light connections, and an in-vehicle trailering app. The integrated trailer brake controller is a particularly useful feature, giving drivers control of the trailer’s brakes when they’re behind the wheel.
The Colorado is also heavy on advanced towing technology, ranging from a towing guidance system, rearview cameras, and parking sensors to cutting-edge features like Trailer Sway Control. Anyone who’s ever piloted a loaded-down trailer through a turn knows how alarming some unexpected trailer sway can be. Chevy has engineered around this problem with Trailer Sway Control, which automatically adjusts the truck’s engine power and subtly applies the brakes when sway is detected.
The Colorado Is Ready to be Your Faithful Work Companion?
If you’re in the market for a hard-working pickup that won’t give up until the job is through, the 2024 Chevy Colorado is a clear frontrunner for employee of the month. The midsize truck makes the Chevy name proud with its generous payload and best-in-class 7,700-pound towing capacity, not to mention a host of convenient features, storage solutions, and technology designed with trade pros in mind.
In an era when the average pickup is becoming more like a crossover SUV, the Chevy Colorado is a refreshing return to form, trading on Chevy’s reputation for reliability and performance to set itself apart from the crowd. The Colorado also happens to be one of the more efficient options in the segment and is offered with two dedicated off-road trims that’ll help you unwind with a little mud-slinging, rock-crawling action as soon as you’ve punched out for the day. It’s a hard combination to beat and one that should make the Chevy Colorado the workingman’s go-to choice for the foreseeable future.
