Chevrolet confirmed today that the midsize Colorado pickup will indeed be sold in the U.S.

No word yet on the fate of the Colorado's corporate twin, the GMC Canyon, but we suspect it's a goner. GM isn't saying for now where the new Colorado will be built for the U.S., but the UAW has already boasted that a new midsize pickup is on GM's U.S. factory slate.

There was good reason to suspect GM might be ending its midsize truck offering in the U.S. The latest Colorado was introduced in Thailand, and there were some doubts about whether American buyers will have enough affinity for anything less than a full-size truck. Nissan and Toyota also sell small pickups in the U.S., but Ford just gave a boot to its entry, the Ranger.

Besides the U.S., the little truck is being sold around the world, starting with Thailand this month. The latest Colorado is based on an all-new midsize truck architecture developed by GM's Brazilian operation.

"The new Chevrolet Colorado is generating a lot of excitement as we begin its launch in Thailand," said Chris Perry, vice president, global marketing and strategy for Chevrolet. "We think the design, capability and fuel efficiency of the new Colorado will make it attractive to U.S. customers."

Chevrolet today introduced the Colorado ZR2 concept – a vision of how Chevrolet could take the all-new midsize truck’s off-road capability to the next level. It also showcases the new 2.8L Duramax diesel engine that will arrive in the Colorado lineup later next year.

The aggressively styled concept builds on the capabilities of the production Colorado Z71 and advances the legacy of Chevrolet’s previous ZR2 production models.

“From the bold stance to the trail-ready special equipment, the Colorado ZR2 is all about the fun of driving where the pavement ends – and doing it in characteristic Chevy style,” said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. “Chevrolet has a heritage of the ZR2 representing the ultimate in production-based off-road capability and we’ll gauge the public’s interest in this concept as we continue to explore the possibilities for the all-new Colorado.”

The Colorado ZR2’s imposing stance is four inches wider than a production Colorado Z71, with features including new front and rear fascias designed to increase approach and departure angles when driving off road. Ground clearance and rough terrain are handled with a two-inch lift and integral skid plates, while the wider track helps enhance stability in potentially unstable situations.

The Colorado ZR2’s greater approach and departure angles – 30.7 and 22.7 degrees, respectively, versus the Z71’s 25/21 degrees – are enabled by all-new off-road fascias that drastically reduce front and rear overhang. They also feature integrated, flip-out aluminum tow hooks and the front fascia incorporates a built-in winch.

“The design of the ZR2 concept is all about functionality,” said Johnson. “It is inspired by the needs for traversing rock-strewn trails, as well as the aesthetics of competition-style vehicles such as pre-runners – with all elements contributing to safe, sustainable off-road driving.”

Mono-tube coil-over shock absorbers by King™ are designed for greater suspension travel and feature remote-mounted fluid reservoirs that add to the Colorado ZR2 concept’s capability. The reservoirs for the front shocks are accessible and mounted in the wraparound portion of the front fascia, while the capability of the shocks is matched with all-new front control arms.

Off-road traction is enhanced with electronic-locking front and rear differentials, which distribute torque to 275/65R18 off-road tires mounted on custom 18-inch aluminum multi-spoke, bead-lock-style wheels. The center section of the wheel design has a raw aluminum appearance with black accents, while the bolt-on bead lock cover is orange-anodized aluminum.

Custom wheel flares cover the larger off-road tires and increased track width, enhancing the truck’s purposeful stance. They’re complemented by custom rocker guards.

A matching spare wheel/tire assembly, with a quick-release handle, is mounted in the bed. The bed also features the protective spray-in bed liner available with production Colorado models, GearOn™ accessories and a 48-inch Hi-Lift jack – all necessities for the trail.

Additional exterior elements include an all-new grille and headlamp housings with blacked-out accents. The power dome-style hood is unique and echoes the design cues of Chevrolet’s Duramax-powered Silverado heavy-duty trucks.

The Colorado ZR2 wears a concept Cyprus Green exterior color, with Henna Orange accents and custom ZR2 identification on the rear fenders, tailgate and grille.

Inside, the concept off-roader features the same blend of capability and comfort found in the production Colorado Z71, with ZR2 logos embroidered on the front-seat headrests and embossed in the custom Chevrolet Accessories-based floor liners. The ZR2 logo is featured on the instrument cluster display, as well as a custom inclinometer that shows degree of incline from front to back, and side to side.

Additional electronic accessories have been added to the center stack to make the Colorado ZR2 a true off-road warrior. Incorporated into the piano key bank is AUX toggle and four additional toggles: two for winch in and winch out operation; and two for the electronic front- and rear-locking differentials.

The Jet Black leather-trimmed interior features orange stitching that complements the exterior’s orange accents.

All-new 2.8L Duramax diesel

The Colorado ZR2 concept’s new 2.8L Duramax diesel packs the power – an estimated 181 horsepower at 3,400 rpm and 369 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm – to tackle the toughest trails.

The 2.8L Duramax diesel is part of a new, global family of turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines designed to deliver more-efficient capability. It features a variable-geometry turbocharger for optimal power and efficiency across the rpm band and a balance shaft for greater smoothness.

“This new Duramax diesel engine will take efficient capability to an entirely new plateau for the midsize truck segment,” said Johnson. “Its broad torque band makes it very powerful at low rpm, while the turbocharged performance provides a confident feeling of immediate and smooth power on demand – attributes customers will appreciate when trailering.”

The engine is backed by a six-speed automatic transmission.

FAST FACT: Chevrolet introduced the ZR2 in 1994 on the compact S-10 pickup. It was added to the S-Series Blazer in 1996. It was available through 2003 on the S-10 and in 2005 on the Blazer. Chevrolet also offered the off-road-inspired S-10 BAJA from 1988 through 1991. Like the Colorado ZR2 concept, it was available with a racing-inspired bed-mounted spare tire.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at Chevrolet Cars, Trucks, SUVs, Crossovers and Vans.

On the street or on the trail, the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado’s Midnight Edition and Z71 Trail Boss bring bolder choices to customers looking to make a visual statement with their truck.

The special editions roll into Chevrolet dealerships this fall, with distinctly tailored appearances that blend custom design cues with Colorado’s popular options and accessories. The Midnight Edition evokes the aesthetic of an urban tuner vehicle, while the Z71 Trail Boss is designed for terrain where the pavement ends.

“These are aggressive editions of one of the country’s hottest-selling truck, demonstrating the personalization that’s possible with Chevrolet accessories, whether it’s for the street, trail or both,” said Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. “As the Colorado continues to win over new customers, the new Midnight Edition and Z71 Trail Boss give them more choices and build on segment-leading capabilities and efficiency.”

Colorado Midnight Edition

Echoing the blacked-out design theme introduced on the popular Silverado Midnight Edition, the 2016 Colorado Midnight Edition casts an imposing stance. Offered exclusively in black, additional exterior details such as the grille, the bowtie emblem and the 18-inch aluminum wheels are also finished in black.

Additional content includes a spray-on bedliner and soft, folding tonneau cover – both in black, of course – and Chevrolet-logo sill plates.

The Colorado Midnight Edition is available on LT models with the extended and crew cab bodies, in 2WD or 4WD, and with the 2.5L and 3.6L engines. It will also be available with the all-new 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel engine. Pricing will be announced later.

Colorado Z71 Trail Boss

The 2016 Colorado Z71 Trail Boss builds on the capability of Chevrolet’s Z71 off-road truck suspension package with more aggressive tires and off-road-inspired appearance enhancements.

An all-new sport bar with LED trail lighting makes the new edition of the Trail Boss instantly identifiable. It’s complemented by black-finished 17-inch aluminum wheels matched with aggressive Goodyear Wrangler DuraTec® 265/65R17 all-terrain tires, bold fender flares and tubular assist steps. It also features a black bowtie grille emblem and a spray-on bedliner, and a set of all-weather floor mats inside the truck.

The Colorado Z71 Trail Boss is available on Z71 models with the extended and crew cab bodies, and in 2WD or 4WD. Like the Midnight Edition, it will also be available with the 2.5L and 3.6L engines, as well as the 2.8L Duramax diesel. Pricing will be announced later.

Colorado at a glance

Colorado sales tallied 41,575 for the first six months of 2015, expanding the midsize truck market and driving new truck customers to Chevrolet – particularly in areas such as California and Texas, traditional hotspots for import brands.

Colorado’s sales for the first half of the year have outpaced Nissan Frontier by nearly 20 percent.

Colorado, the 2015 Motor Trend Truck of the Year and Cars.com’s Best Pickup Truck of 2015, offers the most horsepower and best highway efficiency in the segment, as well as the highest available trailering rating – 7,000 pounds (V-6 models when properly equipped) – and higher payload rating – 1,590 pounds (V-6 models when properly equipped).

Things are really good right now if you're into off-road oriented trucks. In addition to the Colorado ZR2, which we'll return to in a second, there's the new second-generation Ford F-150 Raptor with long-travel suspension and a snorty twin-turbo V6, and the more subtle Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro with its comfortable but capable Fox shocks. But neither make the headlines the ZR2 does, with its highly-advanced spool-valve shocks developed by Multimatic and normally found on race cars and a select few track-oriented specials, like the old Camaro Z/28. We've ridden in the ZR2 just enough to know it's a serious machine, so the question has been what the fancy shocks and other kit would add to the price of this midsize pickup.

The answer, as you saw in the headline, is $40,995. Not to mince words, but that undercuts the less aggressive Tacoma TRD Pro by $705 in base form. It also compares favorably to the much larger pickups that it likely won't compete with directly; the Raptor starts at $49,520, and the Ram 2500 Power Wagon starts at $53,015 (or $46,995 in Power Wagon Tradesman trim).

You might wonder what adding the Duramax diesel inline-four will do to the bottom line. The short answer is around $3,980 – the same as the basic step-up from the 3.6-liter V6 in the non-ZR2 Colorados to a Duramax. The longer answer involved a quick chat with a Chevrolet spokesperson, who told us that choosing the Duramax in the ZR2 may come bundled with some other features, so the real-world price for the diesel may be slightly higher. Whether the Duramax's ample torque and economy are worth the step-up in price will be up to the buyer.

Here's quick reminder of what the $40,995 base price will get you: There's those DSSV dampers giving a 2-inch lift as well as unique front control arms, front and rear locking differentials with a 3.42:1 rear ratio, rocker-protecting rock rails, cut-away front and rear bumpers for better approach and departure angles, 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratec off-road tires on ZR2-exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels, aluminum skid protection under the truck, and a 3.5-inch wider track. Options include the diesel engine, the choice of crew- or extended cab bodies, a premium audio system, no-cost carpet delete, and the neat dealer-installed, bed-mounted spare tire carrier.

The ZR2 goes on sale in spring 2017.

There was a time in the '90s and '00s when the cool trucks on sale were about improved on-road performance, rather than off-road prowess. In this era of street trucks, Chevy launched body kit-endowed, sporty versions of the S10 and Blazer with the "eXtreme" moniker. They were visually striking if nothing else. But now the name has disappeared in the U.S. to appear on the S10's successor, the Colorado, in Australia in the form of the 2018 Holden Colorado Z71 Xtreme.

Despite being a modified version of Chevy's small pickup, the Holden is different from the old S10 and Blazer in many ways. For one thing, it drops the "e" from "extreme" for maximum coolness. It's also an unabashed off-roader, as its standard equipment list includes a winch rated for 10,000 pounds with a 30-meter cable, and off-road tires and suspension.

But the two do share striking visuals. The Colorado Z71 Xtreme is available in a bold, matte orange color with a terrible name (Furness). It's complemented by matte black decals on the hood and tailgate, huge plastic fender flares, and black steel off-road bumpers front and rear. It also has tubular side steps, big sport bars over the bed, and a nifty looking roof tray. The front bumper features a big skid plate and an LED light bar.

It's a great-looking package, and we could see it being popular here, or at least some of the parts. Odds are we won't get it in America. Don't feel too bad, though. We do still get the Colorado ZR2 with its stunning Multimatic shocks and front and rear diff locks. Australia doesn't.

GM Supplier online configurator site (and GM’s family first) show a “Chevrolet Lettered Grille” as one of the options on all trim levels and configurations of the 2019 Chevy Colorado. What is this new grille option? As you can see in the screenshot below, GM lists it as a $475 option. There is no official image of this new grille, but we hope it something very similar to the grille shown on a recent Colorado ZR2 AEV concept at the 2017 SEMA show.

Thanks to Russel B. for bringing this news to our attention.

The all-new 2019 Chevy Silverado 1500 has a “CHEVROLET” lettered grille option, so why can’t the midsize Colorado have one? The rumors of the ultimate ZR2 Bison are still circulating as well, so this is another opportunity to bring the new grille to market.

There is also a body-color grille option for $595.

This is part of new truck industry trend. Ford spells out “FORD” on the Ford F-150 Raptor grille. Toyota is spelling “TOYOTA” on their TRD Pro lineup of trucks and SUVs (Tacoma, Tundra, and 4Runner).

The Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison joins Chevrolet's midsize truck lineup as an all-new performance variant. Bison is Chevy's first collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), a premium off-road aftermarket manufacturer.

Through constant innovation, Chevy has gained more than a quarter of all midsize truck sales in less than four years in the marketplace. In consecutive years, Colorado introduced the segment's first diesel engine (excludes other GM vehicles), an all-new V-6 gas engine/eight-speed transmission combo, the ZR2 "segment of one" off-roader and now the Bison.

For maximum protection of key undercarriage elements while driving over rocky, jagged terrain, Bison features five skid plates covering the engine oil pan, fuel tank, transfer case and front and rear locking differentials. Designed by AEV, these skid plates are constructed of hard, durable hot-stamped Boron steel.

AEV-designed stamped steel front and rear bumpers further shield the truck from obstacles. The front bumper contains winch provisions and standard fog lights, with recovery points integrated into the rear bumper.

"More and more enthusiasts are discovering that Colorado is ideal for off-roading, especially overland travel," said Sandor Piszar, director of Marketing, Chevrolet Truck.

"The Colorado Z71 offers a full suite of off-road equipment, the maneuverability of a midsize truck and the driving range of a class-exclusive diesel engine. The Colorado ZR2 offers even greater off-road capability with class-exclusive front and rear locking differentials and Multimatic DSSVTM dampers. And now, Bison offers customers an even more extreme turnkey off-road truck ready to tackle your next adventure."

An exclusive, flow-through "CHEVROLET" lettered grille replaces the traditional bowtie on Bison's front end. The 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac off-road tires sit beneath larger fender flares and wrap all-new, ZR2 Bison-specific 17 x 8-inch aluminum wheels.

This new Colorado variant also features "Bison" decals on the bed sides, an "AEV Bison" logo on the tailgate and embroidered AEV logo floor liners and front head restraints.

"We've been following Colorado since its introduction, and the ZR2 really captured our attention," said Dave Harriton, founder and president of AEV. "As this is the first Chevrolet vehicle we've given the AEV treatment to, we wanted to do something special with the industry's first use of hot-stamped Boron steel. We also expect that Colorado drivers will love the added ruggedness of our front and rear bumpers on ZR2 Bison."

The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison also duplicates the full equipment list of the Colorado ZR2, including, but not limited to:

• Class-exclusive front and rear locking electronic differentials.
• Revolutionary, segment-exclusive Multimatic DSSVTM dampers.
• Off-road rocker protection.
• Cast-iron control arms.
• Autotrac transfer case.

Like ZR2, Bison also features a modified rear axle with a 3.42 ratio, front and rear tracks widened by 3.5 inches and a factory suspension lifted 2 inches over a Colorado Z71.

Available options on Bison include:

• 2.8L Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, capable of 186 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.
• Choice of crew- or extended cab configurations (including short and long beds, respectively).

Customers will also be able to purchase an available third-party accessory snorkel for ZR2 Bison from AEV, ideal for air filtration while driving on dusty trails. This feature is compatible with all Colorado pickup variants.

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison goes on sale in January 2019, modified for extreme off-road use and backed by a full factory limited warranty.

And while tackling easy off-road trails at that.

There’s an interesting investigative report from Jalopnik claiming that some Chevrolet Colorado ZR2owners are experiencing side curtain airbag deployments while partaking in what’s considered to be light off-roading. Remember, the hot-selling Colorado ZR2 is a tough as nails off-roader, so tackling some light off-road trails shouldn’t be a big deal.

Jalopnik spoke with someone who personally witnessed a side airbag deployment. He was participating in an off-road course to raise money for an autism charity but was not driving the ZR2. Instead, he filmed it as it attempted to maneuver its way over a rock and an incline, and then suddenly everyone heard a loud pop followed by a scream.

The pop was the side airbag and the scream came from a shocked ZR2 passenger. Fortunately, no one was hurt and even OnStar called immediately to make sure everyone was okay. But what was not normal is the fact the side airbag deployed in the first place. According to the witness, there was “no jarring, no bump or any impact of any type (triggered it).”

Apparently, this is not the first time this has happened to ZR2s. Chevrolet acknowledged to Jalopnik that it was “aware of this situation happening on rare occasions. The reason it would occur is that head-curtain airbags are designed to deploy if the sensing system predicts that the vehicle is about to roll on its side.”

Fair enough, but affected owners are claiming this thinking runs counter to what the ZR2’s promoted capabilities. If it can’t handle slight inclines and basic rock crawling without the sensors triggering the side airbags, then what’s the point of off-roading? And remember, following any airbag deployment no matter where it’s located inside the vehicle, there are going to be some pricey repairs. In the case of this ZR2 owner, the seatbelts are now locked up, the headliner is damaged, and the airbags need replacing. Obviously, he wants GM to pay the repair bill.

In the meantime, his ZR2 is at his Chevrolet dealership being assessed by a third party. Jalopnik’s report on this issue is quite extensive, such as when a Colorado, in this case the Z71 model, also spontaneously deployed its “side curtain airbags while driving on a groomed fire road at breakneck speeds ranging from five to seven miles an hour.”

In September, we wrote a story highlighting seven different reports of Chevy Colorado side curtain airbags deploying on easy off-road trails, leaving owners with non-functional seatbelt pretensioners and air bags hanging from A-pillars. Now Chevrolet has issued a fix that it doesn’t call a recall, but rather a “customer-satisfaction initiative.”

Mentioned on a ZR2 owner’s Facebook group and sent to Jalopnik by a gentleman featured in our initial ZR2 airbag story, the program is titled “Unwanted Roof-Rail Air Bag Deployments While Off-Roading,” and covers 2017 to 2019 Chevy Colorado ZR2 models only. GM’s description on its recall center website reads:

As for a repair, the company says dealerships will reprogram a “sensing and diagnostic module” with new software. A Chevrolet representative provided a bit more information on the repair in an email to Jalopnik, writing:

The company was sure to mention that this is technically not a recall, but rather a “customer-satisfaction initiative,” with the representative clarifying:

The company also said it’s aware of 11 reports of ZR2 roof-mounted airbags deploying while off-road, and that it will reimburse those customers for the repair “provided the event data was available to confirm the incident.” I’m still working to clarify what this means.

I’m also looking into why the standard Colorado doesn’t seem to be covered, as Edmunds says its Z71 model popped its airbags while traveling on a “groomed fire road at breakneck speeds ranging from five to seven miles an hour.”

So it’s perhaps not an official NHSTA safety recall, even if it does involve side airbags inflating when they shouldn’t, and even if it does involve repairing cars free of charge and reimbursing owners who have already conducted repairs. But it sure as heck sounds like a product recall to me. In any case, it’s good news for ZR2 owners who’ve had their airbags deploy off-road, and also owners who have been tippy-toeing through the trails for fear of hearing that loud pop.

Update Nov. 8, 2018 4:34 PM E.T. Chevrolet clarified that “provided the event data was available to confirm the incident” refers to data that the company’s technicians can pull from a vehicle to confirm that it experienced an undesired side curtain airbag deployment.

The brand also mentioned that their fix won’t necessarily work 100 percent of the time, and that it depends on off-road driving conditions, writing in an email:

The Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon can no longer be purchased brand new with a manual transmission.

A Chevrolet spokesman confirmed to TFLTruck via e-mail that the “manual is no longer available as of the 2019 model year.”

Since the GM midsize twins re-emerged for the 2015 model year, a six-speed manual transmission has been available for the Colorado and Canyon on the Base and Work Truck models, exclusively paired to the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and two-wheel drive.

Chevy says that the demand for the Colorado manual is just not high enough to justify the cost of producing it any longer, so the company has discontinued the option for the 2019 model year.

The Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier are the last of the midsize pickups to offer a manual transmission, and we appreciate these two especially because the Frontier and Tacoma manual can be had with a V6 and either two- or four-wheel drive.

On the Chevy US configurator website, the six-speed manual is still listed as an option in the text for the Base trim, but when you actually go through the process of building a truck, the six-speed automatic is listed as standard and the manual option is nowhere to be found.

So pour one out for yet another manual transmission that has left the market. The fact that the Colorado’s manual was only available on the basic trucks with a four banger and two-wheel drive certainly didn’t help the case to keep this thing around, but it’s still sad to see another manual option leave the market.

The current generation Chevrolet Colorado was revealed in November 2013 but the truck remains a strong seller for the brand with 134,842 sales last year. The GMC Canyon, in turn, followed a few months later at the 2014 NAIAS in Detroit and in 2018 enjoyed its third best-selling year in history with 33,492 deliveries. While the numbers are still relatively good, General Motors is already working on the next generation of the trucks that should be launched, most likely, sometime in 2023.

According to a new report from MuscleCarsAndTrucks.com, GM’s initial plan was to develop the midsize pickup duo primarily in Brazil but the program was eventually changed following the fluctuations of the markets in South America. The publication claims the new Colorado will be developed on a new platform named 31xx-2, which should cover the global R&D process of the model. The current Colorado and Canyon are based on the 31xx architecture, which probably hints the new generations will be evolutionary.

From the report, we have come to understand that the new Colorado will be almost identical for all of the markets where it is sold, including Thailand and Australia. The model that’s on sale today shares the same platform for all regions, but the U.S./Canada version is vastly different than the trucks for the rest of the world. This could change for the new generation.

Earlier this month, rumors arrived speculating that General Motors is also discussing bringing back to life the fabled Hummerbrand solely for making rugged, off-road-oriented electric vehicles. Nothing can be confirmed at the moment as the talks are still within the company but it is believed the revived SUV could share its underpinnings with the future electric truck of the manufacturer. The pickup EV itself isn’t very close to production, either.

Unlike most of its competitors, the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado packs a slew of engine options—a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a 3.6-liter gas V-6, and a 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel. While the V-6 packs a mightier horsepower punch, the latter has more low-end torque for towing and technical off-roading. Buyers have their preferences, but if a report from Muscle Cars and Trucksis to be believed, none of these will be available in the next-gen Colorado or its GMC Canyon counterpart. Instead, the same turbocharged, 2.7-liter four-cylinder from the Silverado half-ton will supposedly be the lone power plant.

At present, the Colorado is offered with a top horsepower figure of 308 from the LGZ V-6, while the Duramax boasts 369 pound-feet of torque. The 2.7-liter turbo meets these two in the middle with 310 horsepower and 348 pound-feet, at least in its Silverado application.

Muscle Cars and Trucks claims that with General Motors evacuating its production facilities in Thailand, where the small Duramax engine is built, the 2.8-liter compression-ignition lump will be abandoned completely. In the U.S. market, the Colorado, Canyon, Chevy Express and GMC Savannah are the only models available with the four-cylinder diesel while the 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six is offered across Chevy and GMC's half-ton pickup and full-size SUV lineups.

As for the V-6, it produces a respectable amount of top-end grunt, though its 275 pound-feet of torque is far off the Ford Ranger's mark of 310 pound-feet. Jeep is expected to release a torquey EcoDiesel variant of its Gladiator midsize pickup before long, and Toyota's future Tacoma is also anticipated to receive a significant power boost. With its rivals upping their offerings, it'd be surprising to see Chevy limit its small truck lineup to one engine.

Alas, the rumored 2.7-liter turbo Colorado would be paired exclusively to a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Keep in mind that the Colorado was just given a mid-cycle refresh for 2021 model year, so the next generation is at least a couple of years out. When it does come around, it's said to ride on a modified version of the current 31XX platform, named 31XX-2.

Chevrolet is adding a new off-road package to the 2022 Chevy Colorado pickup. The new Trail Boss package will slot in between the existing Z71 and ZR2 off-road trims in terms of capability.

Unlike the Z71 and ZR2, which are trims unto themselves, the Trail Boss package will be an add-on available on either the LT or Z71. It adds a one-inch suspension leveling kit, two more skid plates (the Z71 includes one for its transfer case), 17-inch ZR2-style accessory wheels, an updated front bumper without the aero dam, and some red exterior accents.

If the formula sounds familiar, that's because it's the Chevy equivalent of GMC's new Off-Road Performance Edition package available on the Canyon AT4. While the base AT4 is essentially a rebrand of the Colorado's Z71 trim, GMC doesn't yet offer a ZR2 equivalent for the Canyon. But recent spy photos suggest that will be remedied for the next generation.

And the wait for that shouldn't be long. Both the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon are coming to the end of their lives. We've seen prototypes of their replacements testing on public roads in recent months, and we expect to see them hit the market as soon as 2022, likely as 2023 models.

Apart from the addition of Trail Boss, the Colorado carries on unchanged for the 2022 model year. Take note, diesel fans; the window of opportunity for purchasing an oil-burning Colorado is likely closing, as the replacement pickup is expected to be powered exclusively by a turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder.

The 2022 Colorado will be available for order this summer.

Chevrolet introduced the all-new 2023 Colorado offering customers greater performance, capability and customization, plus a refreshed exterior and interior design.

"The all-new Colorado is enhanced in every way," said Scott Bell, global vice president of Chevrolet. "With its rugged and sporty styling, enhanced capability, new technology and customization options, it's designed to do more for discerning customers and still offer them great value."

Designers and engineers focused on three key categories to take the Colorado to the next level: elevated design, enhanced performance and new and useful technology. Each category weaves into a streamlined lineup built around a single wheelbase and single cab configuration to create a unified Colorado pickup family.

The 2023 Colorado lineup includes Work Truck (WT), LT, Z71, ZR2 and first-ever Trail Boss models. The lineup features three distinctive chassis stances to optimize each model's capabilities. Together, they compose a more diverse range of choices tailored to the distinctive ways customers use their trucks for work and recreational activities, including off-roading.

ALL-NEW DESIGN

Along with new exterior styling and proportions, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado introduces an all-new interior that blends refinement and functionality with work-ready durability and comfort. Across the 2023 Colorado lineup, there are now four unique interior trims choices for customers.

The class-leading, standard 11.3-inch-diagonal color infotainment touchscreen is the centerpiece of the cabin and is accompanied by a segment-first standard 8-inch-diagonal fully digital color instrument display, both of which are customizable. The four distinct new interior options feature sporty round outboard vents, wrapped and stitched knee pads on the doors and center console for select models, and more adventurous contrast stitching on select models.

"We set out to design the Colorado as a tough, muscular and capable midsize truck, which we think especially came through in the wide ZR2 trim with the aggressive grille shield." said Phil Zak, executive design director. "Across all trims, the exterior's presence and attitude is reflected in the interior, which is designed around the large center stack screen."

Leaning into the success from the current generation, the 2023 Colorado has a significant number of on- and off-road accessories available for any trim. In an effort to allow each customer to build their off-road dream truck, the off-road accessory portfolio has more than doubled from previous model years.

POWERFUL, NEW 2.7L TURBO ENGINE

A 2.7L Turbo engine, proven in the full-size Silverado, is new for Chevy Colorado and powers all five models with three distinct output variants that exceed the output of the current model.

The engine receives several enhancements in the 2023 model year to help optimize performance and refinement. They include a more rigid cylinder block casting and a 30% stiffer crankshaft, which complement a fully forged bottom end as well as materials used in diesel engines to deliver the durability customers expect.

This single advanced engine delivers more horsepower and torque than the previous three engines offered. The new base 2.7L Turbo engine, for example, offers 18% more horsepower and 36% more torque than the current Colorado's base engine. In addition, the higher-output versions of the 2.7L engine line up produce more horsepower and torque than the current model's available 3.6L V-6 and 2.8L turbo-diesel engines.

A second-generation eight-speed automatic transmission complements the new engine, with refinements designed to offer smoother shifting and quicker downshifts, for a feeling of greater comfort and power on demand. It also excels in low-speed mobility, particularly in off-road scenarios.

ENHANCED PERFORMANCE

The 2023 Colorado lineup arrives re-engineered with three distinct chassis setups to support everyday tasks and off-road adventures, without sacrificing off-road capability, or on-road comfort:

• Standard: WT, LT and Z71 trims
• 2-inch Factory-Lifted, Ultra-Wide Stance: Trail Boss
• High-Performance 3-inch Factory-Installed Lift & Wide Stance: ZR2

"The new Colorado is a lifestyle enabler," said Nicholas Katcherian, vehicle chief engineer. "Because outdoor activities are a big part of our Colorado customers' lifestyles, we've made the truck even more capable to support them - from increased bed functionality to comprehensive performance enhancements that help take them farther."

All models are built on a new chassis that gives the 2023 Colorado a 3.1-inch-longer wheelbase than the current Crew Cab/short box model. A shortened front overhang that contributes to a more aggressive stance also significantly improves the truck's approach angle.

The Trail Boss features a 2-inch lifted suspension and wide chassis that produce more ground clearance and a 3-inch wider front track than WT and LT for enhanced off-road driving capability. ZR2 is the most capable of them all, with a high-performance 3-inch lifted suspension and upgraded Multimatic DSSV dampers.

The increased clearances enable customers to tackle more challenging terrain. With the increased approach angle, for example, the Colorado can climb more vertical terrain than before, without suspension or bodywork interference.

SELECTABLE DRIVE MODES

To support the new Chevrolet Colorado's increased off-road and trailering capabilities, up to five selectable drive modes, depending on the model, are offered. Each is tailored for different driving conditions, and they are accessible using a knob located on the center console, to the left of the gear selector. The five drive modes include:

• Normal: A balanced mode for everyday on-road driving
• Tow/Haul: Transmission shift points, throttle response and additional calibrations optimized for trailering and hauling
• Off-Road: Specific tractive and other dynamic performance features designed for general off-pavement driving
• Terrain: Designed for low-speed rock crawling, with specific throttle control, brake performance and other calibrations, with three settings
• Baja: Developed for high-speed desert running, with specific throttle control, transmission shifting and other body/drivetrain control calibrations.

Enhanced Driver Awareness Technologies

Colorado's technologies also include an enhanced roster of safety and driver awareness features. The standard Chevy Safety Assist package includes Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Following Distance Indicator and IntelliBeam® automatic high-beam assist.

Available features for all models include Blind Zone Steering Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, HD Surround Vision and Rear Pedestrian Alert.

New and Enhanced Technologies

Chevrolet Colorado's new 11.3-inch-diagonal infotainment screen is the gateway to new and innovative technologies designed to make the driving experience more enjoyable and more intuitive - especially when trailering or driving off-road. Highlights include:

• Customizable and configurable screens with higher resolution than previous models
• Segment-first available Google Built-In for accessing maps, music, vehicle functions and more
• All-new Off-Road Performance Display: an available app that helps drivers monitor their real-time off-road performance with different readouts for Overlanding (altitude and GPS guidance), Terrain (pitch, roll and tire pressure) and Baja (g-force, wheel slip indicator and transfer case status) driving situations
• More camera views than any competitor in its class, with up to 10 camera views accessible on the infotainment screen - including a segment-first available underbody camera on Z71 and ZR2.

Colorado's camera technologies are also integral in a suite of trailering technologies pioneered on the Silverado. Hitch Guidance is now standard, while Hitch View and Chevy's Trailering App are new in 2023. Hitch Guidance features a guideline to help line up the trailer and hitch, and Hitch View provides a zoomed-in view of hitch to help with alignment with the coupler.

The Trailering App is designed to help drivers with all stages of trailering, from hitching to on-road assistance and even responding to potential hazards. The features are accessible from the built-in infotainment app or through a smartphone.

Coming in Early 2023

Production for the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado begins in the first half of 2023 at General Motors' Wentzville, Missouri, assembly facility.

Made in partnership with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), the all-new 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison is America's ultimate off-road beast. Built to conquer any terrain, the Bison is loaded with AEV off-road enhancements to enable even higher levels of performance and extreme capability. The Bison is the most off-road-capable midsize truck, offering unrivaled off-road performance without compromising ride quality, handling or safety. Tested and proven by champion off-road racer Chad Hall in competition and underwent testing on the Rubicon Trail.

BISON CONTENT & CAPABILITY

• Colorado ZR2 Bison has segment-exclusive Multimatic front and rear Jounce Control Dampers
• AEV heavy-duty winch-capable front bumper
• AEV rear bumper and AEV fender flares
• AEV 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels with segment-exclusive 35-inch OD Mud/Terrain tires
• Boron steel skid plates and rocker protectors that contribute to best-in-class underbody protection
• Best-in-class approach angle (38.2 deg.), departure angle (26 deg.) and breakover angle (26.9 deg.)
• Standard 2.7L Turbo High-Output powertrain
• Power-locking front and rear differentials
• Multimatic DSSV dampers and the ZR2 chassis
• Best-in-class ground clearance of 12.2 inches
• Racing-inspired spare tire carrier and spray-on bedliner
• "Flowtie" front badge and Bison exterior identification
• Interior distinction with AEV badge on the front headrests and all-weather floor liners

INFOTAINMENT & CONNECTIVITY

• Chevrolet infotainment system with 11.3-inch-diagonal color touchscreen with Google built-in
• Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility
• Wi-Fi® Hotspot capable

SAFETY & DRIVER ASSISTANCE FEATURES

• Chevy Safety Assist is standard and includes Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Following Distance Indicator, Forward Collision Alert and IntelliBeam auto high beam control
• Available Adaptive Cruise Control

PROPULSION

• 2.7L Turbo DOHC I-4 (310 HP)
• 8-speed automatic
• 4WD & 2-speed transfer case