2021 Chevrolet Colorado Price, Value, Ratings & Reviews | Kelley Blue Book (2024)

The midsize-truck market teems with worthy contenders, but the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado checks off more boxes than most when it comes to truck form and function. Not only the best-looking in our opinion, the Colorado offers up the most options when it comes to powertrain choices. We’re so impressed with the Colorado’s capabilities, that Kelley Blue Book named it the midsize Pickup Truck Best Buy of 2020.

The diesel engine provides best-in-class towing capacity for the Chevy Bowtie. Buyers can also configure their truck in more ways than any other in the category, including the Ford Ranger, Jeep Gladiator, and Toyota Tacoma. Both the long and short beds can be had with crew-cab and extended-cab options.

For off-road antics, both the Z71 and ZR2 trims provide robust capability, and on the highway, the ride quality feels surprisingly un-trucky. The Colorado’s well-rounded resume makes it a tough opponent in a competitive segment.

Which Model is Right for Me?

Driving the Used 2021 Chevrolet Colorado

Driving the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado feels decidedly unlike what you’d expect from a truck.

Lacking the bouncy, road-vibrating feel you’d assume comes with a truck, the ride remains comfortable. There’s nothing harsh about the suspension on the highway. We really praise the steering in the Colorado. It’s got good weight, not too light.

The 2.8-liter Duramax diesel is a particularly good choice both for those hauling a trailer and for buyers looking for great mileage. The ZR2, meanwhile, offers a well-engineered alternative to the Toyota Tacoma, if you’re into off-roading.

Interior Comfort

The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado offers the same well-laid-out interior familiar from previous model years. Chevy doesn’t use a ton of premium interior fit-and-finish materials compared to some of the others in the segment, even on the upgraded trim levels. However, buyers do get a 7-inch touchscreen standard on the WT.

The 2021 LT sees an upgraded Infotainment 3 system and an 8-inch touchscreen display. The cabin has the rugged feel of a truck that can stand up to serious work. The seats are supportive, and there’s decent passenger room in the second row if you need it.

Exterior Styling

The 2021 Colorado exterior sees the most changes over the 2020 model, primarily to the front end. WT, LT, and Z71 models get updated lower facias, center bars, and skidplates.

The ZR2 gets a new front fascia that looks more aggressive than before. It retains its traditional body-on-frame bones and a classically rugged exterior design. With this redesign, the ZR2 especially catches up in the “mean-looking” department with the Toyota Tacoma. The exterior remains strong and tough-looking, but not overwrought. The ZR2 looks ready to go rock-crawling over the weekend and then take you to your office on Monday. The off-road edition features a raised suspension, a wider track, revised bumpers, and a functional skidplate.

Favorite Features

DURAMAX DIESEL
The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado remains the only midsize truck available with a diesel engine, and the 2.8-liter Duramax is a prize. Smooth and powerful, it offers a first-rate driving experience along with superior fuel economy. A smart diesel exhaust brake enhances control while reducing brake wear. This engine also provides best-in-class towing capacity of 7,700 pounds.

COLORADO ZR2
The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado continues to spoil truck buyers with the ZR2 off-road trim. For 2021, it’s fiercer looking and according to Chevrolet, offers improved visibility with its new grille’s design. It’s got serious off-road equipment, including Multimatic shocks, independently lockable front and rear differentials, and additional skidplates under valuable components.

Standard Features

Every budget feels accounted for when it comes to the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado. The base Work Truck gets powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 5,500-pound towing capacity on the rear-drive model. Even the base model offers some welcome features, such as the CornerStep rear bumper, locking tailgate, and cargo-box lighting, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The more mainstream LT trim adds an 8-inch touchscreen, as well as rear-park assist. The ZR2 off-roader adds tow hooks, an off-road suspension package, and skidplates.

Factory Options

There are two optional powertrain packages on the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado: a 3.6-liter V-6 and the boulder-dragging 2.8-liter inline-4 Duramax diesel. Chevy also offers a wide range of body styles. Those include a crew cab, as well as standard- and extended-length beds.

You can add features like a spray-in bedliner, fog lights, and cargo-bed storage rails, as well as 4-wheel drive (4WD) and a low-speed transfer case. The Z71 adds some off-road features, and the ZR2 takes you to rock-crawling extremes. To really lux out your truck, opt for 20-inch wheels, wireless charging, Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and Bluetooth audio streaming for up to two devices.

Engine & Transmission

The Chevy Colorado offers a choice of three different engines, which for the midsize-truck category is rare. Those choices span a strong 2.5-liter four, a 308-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, and a formidable 2.8-liter turbodiesel-4. That last option not only offers the truck’s best towing numbers, but also delivers its best fuel economy, at up to 30 mpg in rear-wheel-drive (2WD) configuration.

Depending on the model, the 2020 Chevy Colorado comes in either 2WD or 4WD, and the Z71 and ZR2 models beef up off-road capabilities. A low-range gearbox also shows up on the options list.

2.5-liter inline-4
200 horsepower @ 6,300 rpm
191 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/25 mpg (2WD), 19/24 mpg (4WD)

3.6-liter V6
308 horsepower @ 6,800 rpm
275 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg (2WD), 17/24 mpg (4WD), 16/18 mpg (ZR2)

2.8-liter turbodiesel inline-4
186 horsepower @ 3,400 rpm
369 lb-ft of torque @ 2,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 mpg (2WD), 19/28 mpg (4WD), 18/22 mpg (ZR2)

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Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.

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