For a state as jam-packed with activities as Tennessee, there may be no better companion than a pickup truck. They’ve increasingly become one of the most versatile vehicles on the market, even having incredibly diverse options within a single model. An excellent example of this is the 2022 Chevy Colorado. It’s available in four trims, with each being customizable to suit the needs of very different drivers. The holistic resourcefulness of the Chevy Colorado makes it particularly well-suited for Tennessee; no matter which region of the state you find yourself in or which activity you’re partaking in, there’s a Colorado out there that’s up to snuff.
Nashville – 2022 Chevy Colorado LT Redline Edition
Nashville may be the home of country music, but it’s a big city through and through. Skid plates and an off-roading suspension won’t really be necessary here. What is necessary? Killer style and a sound system that bumps. The 2022 Chevy Colorado LT trim makes an excellent choice for cruising around Nashville; it cuts down on costs via the exclusion of aforementioned performance features, meaning you’ve got extra cash to spring for the optional Bose sound system.
The 2022 Chevy Colorado LT has a highly-customizable exterior that’s sure to stand out in a crowd. The optional Redline Edition comes with 18-inch black wheels with red accents. It has sporty red-striped mirrors as well as red recovery hooks. The name makes sense now, doesn’t it? It also includes assist steps, making it easier to get in and get out. The Chrome Appearance package is the pickup truck’s equivalent to a 10-gallon hat, a completely unnecessary but delightfully flashy accessory. It includes plenty of chromed bits, like the door handles, grille, rear bumper, and mirrors.
Adventure Off-Road Park – 2022 Chevy Colorado ZR2
Adventure Off-Road Park, located in South Pittsburg, TN, has over 500 acres of land and over 120 off-roading trails with varying difficulty levels. For a truck that’s ready to tackle mud, sand, and mountain, the 2022 Chevy Colorado ZR2 is the way to go. The ZR2 is Chevy’s chosen designation for vehicles ready to hit the trail straight from the factory. Other Chevy’s that have gotten the ZR2 badge include the Chevy Tracker, Chevy S-10, and Chevy Silverado.
In the case of the Colorado, ZR2 means the inclusion of upgraded Multimatic shocks, a 2-inch lift, and a 3.5-inch wider stance. It can also take more of a hit than the standard Colorado, with the addition of skid plates. For even more performance on non-traditional roads, the Chevy Colorado ZR2 has a special package offering called Bison. It’s the result of a partnership between Chevy and American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), a company that specializes in vehicle parts for off-roading, overlanding, and all things adventure. Thanks to the addition of steel AEV front and rear bumpers, the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison is an even mightier beast. It also differentiates itself aesthetically with AEV-branded seats and floor mats.
Gatlinburg – 2022 Chevy Colorado LT Long Bed
Gatlinburg is one of Tennessee’s friendliest cities for tourists. With plenty of activities to do all year long, there’s never a bad time to visit. Whether you’re hitting the wintry slopes of Ober Gatlinburg or cruising the bike trails at Cades Cove, the 2022 Chevy Colorado LT, fitted with a crew cab and long box, will have room enough for the whole family (and their gear). The Colorado’s crew cab can seat up to five people, and the long box is 74 inches in length. The Chevy Colorado LT comes standard with all-season tires, which can handle the versatility of Gatlinburg’s weather. Also standard are power mirrors, with the option to make them heated, a feature that could come in handy on especially frosty days.
There are tons of carriers that can be added to this truck, including ones specifically designed to carry bikes, skis, snowboards. Loading and unloading all the gear can get cumbersome, but Chevy’s EZ-lift and lower tailgate makes it easier with the help of an internal torsion bar. Tacking on the interior protection package will keep the Chevy Colorado LT in tip-top shape, with a rubber bed mat that helps prevent sliding and scratching and all-weather floor mats that can be easily cleaned of mud, snow, or any combination of the two.
Land Between the Lakes – 2022 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Boss
Tennessee has a lot of options for fans of outdoor recreation, and one of the finest destinations is the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. As the name suggests, it’s a plot of land sandwiched between the Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. There are numerous ways to enjoy the outdoors at Land Between the Lakes, with two of the chief options being boating and camping. The 2022 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Boss is the perfect complement to either of these activities.
This version of the Z71 comes standard with a 3.6-liter V6 that gets up to 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque for a maximum towing capacity of 7,000 lb. Whether you’re towing a boat or a camper, the Chevy Colorado Z71 can get the job done. Chevy offers additional carriers made specifically for water gear, too. The Z71 is the second-highest trim in the Colorado lineup, beat only by the ZR2. That being the case, it comes standard with upgraded features geared towards adventure, like its own off-roading suspension package, all-terrain tires, and an HD rear vision camera.
Road Trip – 2022 Chevy Colorado LT Diesel
If you’re anything like me, one of the best parts of a vacation is the road trip to get there. Nothing beats getting cozy in the car for a long journey, especially when that journey is peppered with fun stops and beautiful scenery. Tennessee is a great choice for road trips; you can venture from the Smoky Mountains to the Mississippi River, with stops at Knoxville, Nashville, and Memphis along the way. Pickup trucks make great vehicles for vacationing, thanks to storage capacity that can comfortably fit several people and all their cargo. Their relative fuel inefficiency is the only downside, and for its part, the 2022 Chevy Colorado LT diesel is one of the most fuel-efficient of the bunch.
It’s powered by the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, which gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. One thing it doesn’t sacrifice is passenger comfort. The Chevy Colorado LT offers automatic climate control, so you don’t have to worry about continually taking your sweatshirt on and off. It also has power driver seat lumbar control, which comes in handy after several hours behind the wheel. Navigation is, of course, one of the most important aspects of road tripping, and the standard Chevy Infotainment 3 system includes optional navigation with voice recognition when paired with the Chevy Colorado LT.
The Chevy Tennessee?
Whether you’re boating, camping, off-roading, or just cruising around, there’s a configuration of the Chevy Colorado that will fit the bill. Its impressive performance specs, comprehensive utility, and competitive price point make it one of the United States’ most-loved midsize pickup trucks. On a smaller scale, the Chevy Colorado is wildly compatible with the state of Tennessee. It almost makes you wonder if Chevy should consider a name change, although “the 2022 Chevy Tennessee” doesn’t quite roll off the tongue right.
