Full-size trucks steal the spotlight because they’re versatile workhorses that can tow heavy loads and comfortably accommodate passengers and cargo. As a full-size truck owner, I can attest to their versatility and appeal firsthand, relying on my truck to handle loads of mulch, rock, and lumber for DIY projects around the house. Yet, trucks like the Chevy Colorado for sale prove the spotlight should be shared.
What are we missing by giving full-size trucks all the attention? Full-size road warriors have their place in the industry but shouldn’t overshadow alternatives like the midsize Colorado. The 2024 Colorado is the most awarded in the segment and earned top honors as MotorTrend Truck of the Year. It’s highly praised for its performance and capability on and off the pavement, and here’s why.
One Engine, Two Outputs: Performance Tailored to Your Needs
The Colorado isn’t meant to challenge full-size trucks like the Silverado. Instead, it’s designed to lead the midsize segment as the most capable and versatile. Chevrolet achieves as much by simplifying the Colorado’s powertrain lineup after a major update in 2023. Instead of a three-engine lineup, the 2023 Colorado introduced a single engine that’s more powerful than its predecessors. Chevrolet sweetened the packaging by offering the engine with different power levels to deliver a broad spectrum of power that satiates every performance need.
The 2024 Colorado follows the same pattern, with the 2.7L Turbo engine standard in the WT and LT. The base powerplant produces 237 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque for a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. Drivers can upgrade to the 2.7L TurboMax, pushing the Colorado’s output to 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque and yielding a heavier towing capacity of 7,700 lbs. Last year, this powerplant was only available in the ZR2, but it has now replaced the lower output Turbo Plus engine in the Z71 and Trail Boss as well. This version of the engine features machined crown pistons, tri-metal rod bearings, and a cast-iron ring carrier. Tuned for performance, the high-output engine produces more horsepower and torque than the Colorado’s former Duramax and V6 engines. That low-end power is complemented by the Colorado’s eight-speed automatic transmission that’s refined to offer faster downshifts and smoother shifting at any speed.
Drive Modes for Customized Performance: From Normal to Baja
Enjoying the Colorado’s performance can be as simple or as involved as you want. You can climb into the driver’s seat, shift from Park into Drive, and navigate the road. You can also take more control via Colroado’s five available drive modes, which let you customize the truck’s performance to your driving style and the conditions.
Depending on the trim, the Colorado features up to five drive modes, starting with Normal or the default mode that’s ideal for everyday driving. Tow/Haul mode optimizes the Colorado’s towing performance and gives you the most out of the truck’s maximum trailering capacity of 7,700 lbs. When venturing off the pavement, you can choose from three modes: Off-Road, Terrain, and Baja. Terrain mode is ideal for navigating steep ascents because it engages the brakes to improve your control as the Colorado climbs. Off-Road mode is great for slippery surfaces like snow, grass, mud, and gravel. Baja mode, exclusive to the ZR2, is engineered for driving across sandy terrain at high speeds as it enhances your control with unique throttle, body, and drivetrain calibrations.
Many Degrees of Adventure: Z71, Trail Boss, and ZR2
The Colorado family grew in 2024 when Chevrolet debuted the all-new Colorado ZR2 Bison, making four off-road-oriented trims in the midsize truck’s lineup. Why so many options? Chevrolet asks, “Why not?”
Midsize trucks like the Colorado are ideal for off-road adventures because their smaller footprints make for easier maneuverability and agility on more technical or narrow terrain. Chevrolet capitalizes on this by offering four tiers of capability across the Colorado’s 2024 lineup. The Colorado Z71 looks the part of an adventurer with its LED lighting, 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and Jet Black interior with Adrenaline Red accents. While it can venture off the pavement, trims like the Trail Boss, ZR2, and ZR2 Bison are far more competent and better equipped for the challenge.
The Colorado Trail Boss is instantly recognizable by its ultra-wide stance and two-inch suspension lift that prepare it for the trail. The truck features four selectable drive modes, an off-road performance display, and a shielded two-speed auto transfer case.
The Colorado ZR2 sits even taller, looking the part of a trail runner courtesy of a three-inch lift, a high-performance suspension, and 33-inch MT tires wrapped around 17-inch wheels. Chevrolet guarantees it has the brawns and brains to handle every condition. The ZR2 features the segment-exclusive Multimatic DSSV dampers for heightened agility and maneuverability, along with Baja mode for five selectable drive modes. More importantly, it serves as the canvas for the all-new 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison, the most off-road capable truck in the class.
The Ultimate Adventurer: The Colorado ZR2 Bison
The 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison celebrates Chevrolet’s collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles to design the ultimate midsize warrior. The ZR2 Bison features the same segment-exclusive Mutlimatic DSSV dampers as its namesake but adds several AEV components that enhance its prowess on the trail. Those components include AEV heavy-duty bumpers with a winch-capable bumper in the front. AEV fender flares protect the Colorado’s side panels and house 17-inch beadlock-capable AEV wheels wrapped in segment-exclusive 35-inch mud/terrain tires.
Built to navigate any terrain adeptly, the Colorado ZR2 Bison lives up to and exceeds expectations as an extreme adventurer. Its underbody is lined with boron steel skid plates and rocker protectors that guarantee it can tackle any terrain without fear of damage. Its remarkable design also ensures as much, from its best-in-class ground clearance of 12.2 inches to its best-in-class approach angle of 38.2 degrees, 26-degree departure angle, and 26.9-degree breakover angle. It’s everything you expect from a ZR2 and legions more.
Performance Insights at Your Fingertips
The Colorado’s performance features stretch beyond its heartbeat and off-road options to its technologies. Chevrolet relies on advanced technologies and expansive digital displays to give you the insights you need to push the Colorado to its limits.
The 2024 Colorado’s cockpit is framed by two digital displays, an 11-inch Driver Information Center and an 11.3-inch center touchscreen with the Chevrolet Infotainment System, Google Built-In, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The center display is also home to the Colorado’s Off-Road Performance Display, which gives you vital information about the truck’s off-road performance. The Overlanding display offers altitude and GPS guidance, while Baja monitors G-force, the status of the transfer case, and wheel slippage. The Terrain display shows the tire pressure, pitch, and roll.
Small But Mighty: A Midsize Truck Reimagined
The 2024 Colorado proves it’s worthy of the spotlight as the most awarded truck in the segment. It demonstrates the importance of never discounting a truck by its size, with models like the Colorado ZR2 Bison earning acclaim as the most capable off-road truck in its class. With a keen focus on performance, the Colorado is a midsize marvel that packs a hefty punch.
