Overview
After seven years of hauling, towing, and tackling everyday tasks, the Chevrolet Colorado entered its third generation in 2023 with a bold redesign and enhanced capabilities. While the Silverado 1500 often grabs the spotlight, the Colorado makes a strong case for itself—offering serious capability without the bulk of a full-size truck.
Built to handle tough jobs, the Colorado also surprises with its smooth ride when unladen, making daily commutes and long drives far more comfortable than you’d expect from a midsize pickup. Packed with advanced technology, it blends toughness with intelligence, ensuring you’re ready for work or adventure.
- Chevy offers the Colorado in five trims: Work Truck (WT), LT, Trail Boss, Z71, and the off-road-focused ZR2. Pricing starts at $31,900 for the no-nonsense WT trim and goes up to $49,600 for the adventure-ready ZR2.
- Gone are the old V-6 and Duramax engine options. Instead, Chevy equips every Colorado with a potent 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. For 2025, all trims now benefit from the most powerful 310-hp version of this engine, so no more lower-output variants.
- With a best-in-class towing capacity of 7,700 pounds across all trims except. off-road-focused ZR2), the Colorado easily handles everything from campers to boats. Its TurboMax engine delivers robust low-end torque, making heavy hauls feel effortless.
- Inside, tech takes center stage with an expansive 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a suite of standard active safety features.
- Rear-wheel drive comes standard, but if off-road adventures are on your agenda, trims like the Z71, Trail Boss, and ZR2 come equipped with four-wheel drive right out of the gate.
Chevrolet Colorado Trims and Configurations
- The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado comes exclusively in a crew cab configuration with four doors and a 5-foot, 2-inch bed, available across all five trims. While some may miss the option for an extended cab or a longer bed, Chevy’s research clearly points to what most midsize truck buyers prefer. Although its cargo bed isn’t the largest in the midsize pickup class, the Colorado compensates with eight tie-down cleats and up to nine movable anchor points, making it easy to secure various cargo loads.
- Under the hood, the 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (L3B) delivers the best of both worlds—diesel-like torque and V6-level horsepower. Paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, this engine also features GM’s Active Fuel Management and an Auto Stop/Start system, which can be disabled when needed. Notably, it’s the same powerhouse found in select Silverado 1500 trims.
- A significant update for the 2025 model year is that Chevy has eliminated the lower-output engine tunes previously available on entry-level trims. Now, all Colorado trims benefit from the full-power 310-hp and 430 lb-ft output, which was previously exclusive to the ZR2.
- Technology is a strong suit across all trims, featuring a sleek 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard. Running Chevrolet’s latest Google-based software, the system offers built-in Google Maps, Google Play, and personalized user settings, making navigation and entertainment seamless.
2025 Chevy Colorado Starting MSRP (including destination)
| Trim | 2WD | 4WD |
| WT | $31,900 | 35,200 |
| LT | $35800 | 39100 |
| Z71 | NA | 39800 |
| Trail Boss | NA | 43800 |
| ZR2 | NA | 49600 |
2025 Chevy Colorado Towing Capacity
Every 2025 Chevy Colorado, regardless of trim, now comes with the full-power 2.7-liter TurboMax engine, 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. Unlike previous models, Chevy has eliminated lower power variants, meaning even the base trim gets you the maximum towing capability with high-performance specs that were once exclusive to the ZR2.
Maximum Towing Capacity:
The Colorado leads the mid-size pickup class with a maximum towing capacity of up to 7,700 pounds as standard. The only trim where the towing capacity takes a slight dip is the off-road biased ZR2 trim which can tow up to 6000 pounds.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
Here’s how the Colorado’s towing capability compares to its key rivals:
- Chevrolet Colorado – 7,700 lbs
- Toyota Tacoma – 6,500 lbs
- Ford Ranger – 7,500 lbs
What Can You Tow with a Chevy Colorado?
Wondering what you can haul with this mid-size powerhouse? Here are some real-world examples:
- 26-foot fifth-wheel trailer
- Horse trailers
- 28-foot toy hauler
- ATVs and jet skis
- Sailboats and personal watercraft
- Construction equipment
- Car trailers with vehicles
- Livestock trailers
- Large travel trailers
Understanding the Towing Basics
Before we break down the Chevrolet Colorado’s towing capabilities, let’s get familiar with some must-know towing terms. Think of these as the foundation for understanding how to maximize your truck’s power safely and efficiently.
- Gross Combined Mass (GCM): This is your truck’s total weight when fully loaded, plus whatever you’re towing—all combined.
- Curb Mass: The weight of your truck when it’s empty but filled with essential fluids and standard equipment.
- Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM): This is your truck’s weight with fuel, passengers, and any added load.
- Maximum Rear Axle Load: The heaviest load your truck’s rear axle can support without overloading.
- Maximum Tow Ball Down Load: The highest weight your tow ball can safely handle when connecting a trailer, as exceeding this can compromise stability.
- Maximum Trailer Weight: The heaviest trailer your Colorado can legally tow. Staying within this limit ensures smooth performance and safety.
- Maximum Payload: The total weight your truck bed can handle, including cargo and equipment.
Chevy Colorado Towing Features
The Chevy Colorado’s TurboMax engine delivers the power and versatility you expect from a capable towing truck. But beyond raw strength, the Colorado comes equipped with advanced features that enhance towing ease and safety.
Here are some key standard and optional towing technologies in the 2025 model:
- Trailer Sway Control – Detects and mitigates trailer sway before it becomes a problem.
- Integrated Trailer Brake Controller – Synchronizes truck and trailer brakes for smoother stops.
- Hill-Start Assist – Prevents rollback for more controlled takeoffs on inclines.
- Tow/Haul Mode – Optimizes performance based on towing conditions.
- Rearview Camera with Dynamic Hitch Guidance – Simplifies trailer hookups.
- Surround-View Camera System – Provides a top-down perspective for easier maneuvering in tight spaces.
- Advanced Multi-View Camera System – Offers multiple angles to streamline trailer connections.
For even greater capability, the Chevy Colorado is available with an optional towing package designed to enhance confidence on the road.
Advanced Trailering Package
Available on all trims except the ZR2 (where it comes standard), this package bundles essential towing enhancements, including:
- 2″ Receiver Hitch
- 4-Pin and 7-Pin Connectors
- Integrated Trailer Brake Controller
- In-Vehicle Trailering App
- Automatic Locking Rear Differential
- May require additional optional equipment.
Top Tips When Towing With Your Chevy Colorado
Before hitching up your trailer, here’s what seasoned towers swear
- Respect Your Truck’s Limits: Every Chevy Colorado model comes with a specific towing capacity—treat it as law. Overloading can strain your engine, brakes, and suspension, so always stay within the recommended weight.
- Load Distribution 101: Think of loading your trailer like stacking blocks—weight distribution is everything. Secure the heaviest items first, using straps or ropes, and place them toward the front. Lighter gear should fill the gaps to keep everything balanced.
- Adjust Your Mirrors for Maximum Visibility: Your side mirrors become your best friends when towing. Extend them properly to get a clear view of your trailer’s edges and the road behind you. This ensures safer lane changes and minimizes blind spots.
- Nighttime Visibility: Before hitting the highway, double-check that your Colorado’s headlights, brake lights, and turn signals are fully functional. Don’t forget the trailer lights—being visible to other drivers is non-negotiable, especially at night.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Like learning to drive all over again, mastering trailer control takes practice. Before heading into traffic, take your truck and trailer to an open space to practice turning, reversing, and stopping.