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2022 Chevy Colorado Buyer’s Guide

2022 Chevy Colorado General Overview

According to Chevrolet, all roads lead to adventure, and the 2022 Chevy Colorado is built just to give you that experience.

Available in bold metallic color’s, the Colorado is the newest mid-size SUV entrant into the market which is bound to turn heads no matter where you go. From bold aesthetics to configurations and functional features, this vehicle has taken care of every driver and passenger’s needs beautifully.

Moreover, it is a refined pickup truck that is available in 4 trims, with excellent towing capacity, and also offers a smooth ride and handling to the driver. In-built with a great infotainment system, the car is user-friendly and intuitive. With a seating capacity of 4-5 passengers, it also offers adequate cargo space.

Critics find the Chevy Colorado to be a good truck; its powerful V6 diesel engine offers a smooth and comfortable ride, and the car even comes in a trim that is excellent for off-roading. The interior cabin also looks appealing, while some say the materials used to finish the interiors could have been slightly more upmarket.

Nonetheless, if you’re looking at a mid-range budget, at this price point, this is a fine vehicle to buy.

2022 Chevy Colorado Pricing and Trim Levels

TrimsStarting MSRP 
WT$26,630
LT$29,130
Z71$35,995
ZR2$43,795

Source

The starting MSRP of the 2022 Colorado is highly competitive as compared to its rivals and competitors.

Four trim levels are offered: WT, LT, Z71, and ZR2.

With so many Colorado trim levels available from Chevy, you’re sure to find one that fits your requirements and budget.

2022 Chevy Colorado Exterior 

Dimensions

Length212.7 inches
Height70.7 inches
Width74.3 inches
Wheelbase128.3 inches
Ground clearance 8.4 inches

Styling

The Chevy Colorado isn’t flashy or fancy; rather, it’s bold and purposeful. Some users say the interior cabin quality could be better because the materials used to design the cabin aren’t very high-quality. Nonetheless, the cabin has a functional design and feel to it, which makes it user-friendly.

In terms of colours, there are several bold metallic finishes to choose from, for the exterior body. Inside, the vehicle offers a top-notch infotainment system with upgraded tech features. Intuitive and user-friendly, the system has controls that are user-friendly for drivers. Additionally, the 2022 Colorado also comes with a remote start and automatic climate control which makes the drive comfortable for passengers.

Color’s Available

  • Sand dune metallic
  • Satin steel metallic
  • Summit white
  • Black
  • Bright blue (with metallic – extra cost)

2022 Chevy Colorado Interior

Dimensions

Seating Capacity4 adults
Front Head Room41.4 inches
Rear Head Room36.7 inches
Front Leg Room45.0 inches
Rear Leg Room28.6 inches
Front Shoulder room57.5 inches
Rear Shoulder Room56.2 inches

Quality, Space, and Comfort

One of the leading reasons to get the Colorado is the updated features both outside and inside. The overall aesthetic of the vehicle is practical and offers ample comfort, especially if the car is for individual or 2-passenger use.

The interior materials could be better as compared to rival cars. However, the design is highly durable and functional. 4-5 adults can easily seat themselves inside the car.

If you go for the extended cabin, it can accommodate up to 4 people easily. While the backseat isn’t exactly spoiled for space, the two rear doors are slightly hinged, and therefore entry and exit to and fro the car might be a little difficult.

In terms of legroom, the front is great, but the rear may be slightly cramped. Think twice before opting for the Colorado as a family car – having said that, it’s a great car to drive your kids around in.

The front seats can be adjusted and offer a great view of the road ahead. The driver’s seat can be adjusted to a 6-way power if you go for the upper trims of the Colorado. There is power adjustability available on the passenger seats as well.

Color’s Available

  • Jet black cloth / leatherette
  • Jet black leather-appointed

Cargo

Since the Colorado is a slightly smaller pickup, there isn’t a lot of cargo space offered. The total capacity is about 49.9 cubic ft. The extended cab can be extended by pairing it with the long box and the crew cab can be combined with the shorter box to make more space.

While the inside doesn’t offer much space for cargo, one must remember the car has been designed quite thoughtfully. Inside the cabin, you can find many hidden storage compartments such as a standard-sized glove compartment where larger items can be stored and smaller pockets in the doors for other items. The extended cab also has some storage under the seat. The vehicle also hosts cupholders in the front and the back. If you’re looking for an overhead console, then consider going in for the higher trims.

Entertainment

The car boasts a great 7-inch touchscreen that the driver can easily reach. The system also responds quickly to the driver’s inputs. The car has standard features like Bluetooth, wireless charging, the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium system, 6-speaker audio, HD radio, and navigation. The touchscreen can be upgraded to a larger size.

Features

Chevrolet Colorado WT (WORK TRUCK)

Starting at a highly budget-friendly price point, the entry-level Colorado includes:

  • Corner step rear bumper
  • 4-way power adjustable seating
  • Locking tailgate
  • Climate-controlled air conditioning
  • Power windows
  • Automatic door locks
  • 17-inch steel wheels
  • Carpeted floor
  • Vinyl steering
  • Height adjustable steering
  • Manually adjustable mirrors
  • 7-inch touchscreen
  • Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay
  • 6-speaker audio system
  • USB ports
  • Satellite Radio

Chevrolet Colorado LT

In addition to the features offered on the WT trim, the LT trim has some upgrades.

  • 17-inch aluminum wheels
  • Automatic powered outside mirrors
  • 6-way power adjustable seat
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • EZ-lift remote locking tailgate
  • Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Keyless start
  • OnStar telematics
  • WiFi hotspot
  • USB ports in both rows

The LT trim comes with a Safety Package where buyers can access additional safety features like forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and rear parking assistance. With a little more on the budget, some buyers also go in for the spray-on bed liner.

Chevrolet Colorado Z71

One of the main highlights of the Z71 trim is the crew cab which comes equipped with a small cargo box. In addition to the features shared above, other features in the Z71 trim include:

  • Automatic climate control
  • Projector beam headlights
  • Remote start
  • Heated steering
  • Heated front seats
  • Rear park assist
  • Upgraded infotainment
  • Wireless charging
  • Automatic locking rear differential

Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

Looking for the best trim available in the Colorado? The ZR2 does justice to the price. Over and above the features offered in the previous trims, upgrades on the ZR2 include:

  • Autotrac 2-speed transfer case
  • 4 wheel drive
  • 4-way power adjustable front seats
  • Leather seating
  • Full-lock front & rear
  • Trailer-brake control
  • Trailer package
  • Spray-on bed liner

The ZR2 comes with an off-road package where users can access upgraded advantages like DSSV multimatic dampers that control the damping force better by regulating the car’s oil flow in terms of shocks.

What’s the best Trim Option on the 2022 Chevy Colorado?

If you’re looking to buy the Colorado, why not opt for the best trim available? Starting with the WT trim, there’s a lot of value at the price point this is offered. The WT trim is great for individual needs where towing or passenger driving remains minimal.

If you’re looking to add advanced safety features, opt for the LT trim where you can get the Safety package at a minimal additional cost. While higher trims offer more in terms of features, we’d recommend that the best trim on the Chevy Colorado is the LT trim. This model has the best of both worlds and includes the safety package. If you’re looking to stick to your budget, this is again a great trim to opt for.

Engine Specs and Performance

2.5-Litre 4-CYLINDER

  • Power: 200 horsepower
  • Torque: 191 lb/ft
  • Towing Capacity: 3,500-lb.

3.6-Litre V6

  • Power: 308 horsepower
  • Torque: 275 lb/ft
  • Towing Capacity: 7,000-lb.

Duramax 2.8L Turbo-Diesel

  • Power: 181 horsepower
  • Torque: 369 lb/ft
  • Towing Capacity: 7,700-lb.

Have specific engine requirements? You’ll get the best from the Colorado. With a powertrain option for every driver, the base engine starts at a 4-cylinder, 6-speed automatic transmission. Opt for the 8-speed automatic transmission and you’ll get access to a powerful 3.6 liter V6 engine where the torque capacity is at about 369 lbs/ft.  

If you’re going for the Colorado, try and get the more powerful engines because the base level 4-cylinder is slightly weak compared to the V6. It also depends on whether you’re opting for the gasoline or the diesel variant. The vehicle has an excellent acceleration capacity where the LT trim actually does better than the ZR2 trim which is powered by diesel. With a 0-100 at just under 6.1 seconds, what better can you ask for? If you’re looking for a vehicle that offers good fuel efficiency and towing, then it’s worth opting for the diesel variant.

Ride and handling

The Colorado is a poised vehicle, especially in terms of its ride and handling. Manoeuvring the car feels easy with the steering, which can also get heated if you opt for the higher trims. The vehicle is easy to accelerate, pick up and slow down and turns on chicanes quite neatly, too. Even though some passengers have complained about the noisiness inside the cabin on the base engine variant, nonetheless, the engine offers powerful performance.

Fuel Economy

The Colorado offers buyers very good fuel efficiency. A great vehicle to ride in the city, on the highway, or even off-road, there is good mileage offered, depending on the engine.

With the base engine and 6-speed automatic transmission, drivers can expect to reach about 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. If you’re considering getting the 4-wheel drive, you can expect about 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

If you’re looking at the rear-wheel drive models, the diesel variant delivers about 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, and the rear-wheel drive equipped with the 3.6-liter V6 and 8-speed automatic transmission delivers about 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Safety

NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash TestRating
Frontal crashFour-Star
Side CrashFour-Star
RolloverThree-Star
Overall RatingFour-Star

Source

IIHS Safety Ratings

Crash TestRating
Moderate Overlap Front TestGood
Roof Strength TestGood
Front Crash PreventionBasic
Small Overlap Front Driver TestGood
Small Overlap Front Passenger TestMedium
Rear Crash ProtectionMedium
Side Impact TestMedium
HeadlightsPoor

Source

Safety Features

Standard and advanced safety features on the Colorado are available depending on the trim level chosen. Generally, these include –

  • Stability control
  • Electronic traction control
  • HD Rearview camera
  • Tire-pressure monitoring
  • Teen driver function assist
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Forward collision alert
  • Rear collision warning
  • Lane departure assist
  • 6 Airbags

How the 2022 Colorado Compares Against Key Rivals

Here’s how the 2022 Chevy Colorado compares to its rivals:

Vs Ford Ranger?

In terms of the best compact pickup truck, both the Ford Ranger and the Chevy Colorado are neck to neck. Both vehicles have some similarities in terms of the interior cabin. Both cars also have a good infotainment system. Some critics say that the Ford Ranger is a little more spacious and roomy as compared to the Colorado.

In terms of trims, however, Chevy offers better configurations. In terms of the engine, the Colorado has a V6 diesel engine that fares better than the turbo 4 engine offered by the Ranger.

Vs Chevy Silverado

Chevy has created stiff competition internally in terms of mid-size pickups. When comparing the Silverado to the Colorado, it is evident that the Colorado has a more budget-friendly starting MSRP. While the Silverado is slightly bigger than the Colorado, it is a little more cramped and has a larger carbon footprint.

Conclusion Review with (Pros & Cons)

Positives

  • Strong engine performance
  • Highly efficient V-6
  • Optimum passenger space
  • Comfortable ride
  • Highly Intuitive Infotainment system
  • Well-equipped and functional interiors
  • Well-designed storage compartments
  • Advanced Safety features
  • Excellent off-road performance

Negatives

  • Budget interiors as compared to rivals
  • The best features are exclusive to expensive trims
  • Noisy 4-cylinder
  • In-cabin storage space limited
  • Missing technology in terms of driver assist

Verdict

Wondering if you should opt for the 2022 Chevy Colorado? There are a few points to consider before you lock in your choice. As a mid-sized pickup, the vehicle is quite versatile and offers good performance. This car has also given its rivals tough competition and the 2022 version comes with some decent upgrades. From the Trail Boss package to the Safety package options, each of the trims have something new to offer.

Some reasons to opt for the Colorado include excellent engine performance, towing capability, hauling capacity, passenger space, excellent ride handling, and steering performance, and most importantly, the bold exterior. If you’re looking for a comfortable ride, the Colorado is intuitive and offers stability and reliability. The traction control in the car is highly durable and the interiors are also well-equipped and functional.

FAQ’s

Should you buy a used 2022 Chevrolet Colorado?

A Chevy is an excellent vehicle to buy even in the used car market. Considering the vehicle is new, you might not find a used 2022 Chevrolet Colorado – but if you do, consider the trim level you want to go in for, based on the available features and upgrades. Since it is a relatively newer vehicle, chances are the car wouldn’t have been used much in the used market, and therefore will be as good as a new purchase.

How many mpg does the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado get?

The Chevy Colorado is a great car for city or highway drives. On the 6-speed automatic with a 4-cylinder, the rear-wheel-drive offers an EPA of about 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

If you’re looking at the 4-wheel drive, the car is equally fuel efficient. This variant offers about 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

The Colorado also delivers on rear-wheel drive models. Here, the diesel variant can give about 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, and the rear-wheel drive that is equipped with the 3.6-liter V6 and 8-speed automatic transmission gives about 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

How much can the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado tow?

Looking to get the Chevy Colorado and have towing needs? The V6-powered Colorado has the capacity to tow about 7,000 lbs/ft since it typically is assisted with the tow package.

If you’re looking for more capability, opt for the diesel variant of the Colorado which can tow about 7,700 lbs/ft. The easy 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine can tow about 3,500 lbs/ft.