Whether you’re in the market for a basic pickup, a comfy daily driver, or trail warrior, there’s no shortage of options with the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado.

What’s New for the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado?

Six years into its second-generation in North America, the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado continues to offer a high degree of body, engine, and drivetrain configurations from a simple work truck to hardcore off-road beast. New for 2020 is a key fob-operated tailgate lock control and the EZ-lift tailgate feature being added to the list of standard LT equipment. Tire Fill Alert uses audible and visual notifications to let owner’s know when to stop adding air and the option for navigation with the 8” infotainment screen is added. Lamentably, the former six-speed manual transmission option has gone the way of the Dodo.

2020 Chevrolet Colorado - chevrolet.com

2020 Chevrolet Colorado – chevrolet.com |  Shop 2020 Chevrolet Colorado on Carsforsale.com

Body Style

Starting Price

MSRP $22,495

Drivetrain

Drivetrain

RWD or 4WD

Drivetrain

Fuel Economy

20 City / 26 Hwy (MPG)

Number of Seats

Seating

Seats 2, 4, or 5

The Breakdown

Ensures there’s something for all needs

Diesel offers ample towing capacity

Touchscreen infotainment is standard

Bison model has serious off-road creds

Limited advanced driver assistance systems

Nice to have a functional truck under $25,000

2020 Colorado Specs

Trims & Pricing

Base - $22,495
Work Truck - $25,995
LT - $28,895
Z71 - $35,095
ZR2 - $42,990

2020 Chevrolet Colorado Powertrain

2020 Chevrolet Colorado 3.6L V6 - carsforsale.com
2020 Chevrolet Colorado 3.6L V6 - carsforsale.com

The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado can be had in RWD or 4WD with three powertrain options. The base setup is a 2.5L inline four-cylinder making 200 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque mated to a 6-speed automatic. The other gas-powered option is a 3.6L V6 making a healthy 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of twist paired with an eight-speed auto. If towing and fuel efficiency are priorities, the 2.8L turbodiesel four-cylinder is a good choice with its 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque combined with a 6-speed automatic.

In all cases, coil-over-shock independent suspension is found up front with a solid axle and leaf springs out back. The Extended Cab body can only be paired with a 6’2” bed while the Crew Cab can be mated to that size or the smaller 5’2” box. 4WD models use Chevy’s Autotrac 2-speed transfer case to engage the front wheels automatically or manually if needed.

Towing & Payload

2020 Chevrolet Colorado - chevrolet.com
2020 Chevrolet Colorado - chevrolet.com

Diesel-powered 2020 Chevrolet Colorados receive the towing accolades with a max trailering capacity of 7,700 pounds, though the gas-powered V6 is no slouch with a 7,000-pound max rating. The 2.5L four is best suited for light work given is 3,500-pound towing capacity. Chevy endows all 2020 Colorados with a Tow/Haul mode that raises upshift points and lowers downshift points to provide more power or increased engine compression, as needed, for heavy load hauling. An integrated trailer brake controller can be optioned as can a trailering package with a 2” hitch receiver and 4/7-pin connectors.

2020 Chevrolet Colorado Fuel Economy & MPG

The smaller, gas-powered four-cylinder in the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado achieves 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway in RWD or 19/24, respectively, in 4WD getup. The more potent V6 is not too far off that mark with figures of 18 mpg for in the city and 25 mpg when highway driving in 2WD configuration. Subtract one from each number for 4WD models, though the ZR2 trim with the V6 drops further to 16 mpg in the city and 18 on the highway. A RWD diesel Colorado is the fuel efficiency champ, hitting 20 mpg around town and 30 mpg on the open road. Those figures drop to 19 and 28, respectively, when equipped with 4WD.

Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space

While features like leather upholstery and heated seats can be found on upper-level trims, the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado is predominantly a utility-focused truck. Vinyl and cloth fabric are the seating trim of choice on most models and on the base model, there is no rear seat. Extended cab configuration can accommodate four passengers while crew cabs will handle up to five. A crew cab also bumps rear legroom from the 29 inches on the extended cab, to 36 inches and allows the rear seats to be folded for more storage. Long bed models will swallow 50 cubic feet of cargo and the short bed can accommodate 41 cubes of stuff.

Entertainment & Technology

2020 Chevrolet Colorado - chevrolet.com
2020 Chevrolet Colorado - chevrolet.com

A 7” infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration is standard 2020 Chevrolet Colorado equipment, though an 8” screen shows up on LT trim with the option for navigation. Dual USB ports and Wi-Fi capability add additional connectivity while Chevy Connected Access brings remote control of engine start and stop, locking and unlocking of doors, plus vehicle location capability. A basic six-speaker audio system is included, but a premium Bose system with seven speakers can be added for an additional $500.

Safety Features

There are no standard advance driver-assistance systems (ADAS) on the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado, but forward collision alert, lane departure warning, and rear parking sonar can be optioned. However, six airbags are standard, covering the front row from frontal and side impacts along with a full-length curtain for all rows. Tire Fill Alert is a newly standard feature that notifies owners when to stop adding air to the tires and Chevy’s Teen Driver software gives parents a window into how their young driver is performing behind the wheel.

2020 Chevrolet Colorado Trims & Pricing

2020 Chevrolet Colorado Base - carsforsale.com
2020 Chevrolet Colorado Base - carsforsale.com

Base – $22,495

If you’re in the market for a no-nonsense midsize pickup, the Base 2020 Chevrolet Colorado is it. Available only in RWD with the four-cylinder motor and extended cab setup without rear seats, this model also has rubberized vinyl flooring. Vinyl seats, 16” steelies and black plastic trim complete the entry-level theme. However, the Base model still comes with the utility of a fully boxed frame and 50 cubic feet of cargo box volume.

While there are no packages available, there is a fair amount of standard amenities like a power-adjustable driver’s seat, power windows, and air-conditioning. Like all 2020 Colorado models, a 7” centrally mounted touchscreen handles infotainment duty and is fitted with Apple and Android phone mirroring software. Dual USB ports, a backup camera, and power locks round out the Base model.

2020 Chevrolet Colorado Work Truck - carsforsale.com
2020 Chevrolet Colorado Work Truck - carsforsale.com

Work Truck – $25,995

Stepping up to Work Truck (WT) trim unlocks access to the Crew Cab and V6 motor, but not the diesel. Inside, carpeting covers the floor, cloth fabric trims the seats, and the dual rear seats have large storage bins underneath. The WT Convenience package brings a remote locking tailgate and cruise control while the $2050 Custom Special Edition offers Chevy Connected Access, color-keyed exterior trim, and 18” alloys.

2020 Chevrolet Colorado LT - carsforsale.com
2020 Chevrolet Colorado LT - carsforsale.com

LT – $28,895

Available across all combos of body, engine, and drivetrain offerings, the Colorado LT is nicely equipped with 17” wheels, the EZ-lift tailgate, and remote keyless entry. Inside, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, and interior lighting spruce things up while the list of tech is bolstered with a Wi-Fi hotspot, 8” touchscreen display, and OnStar capability. For about $700, the LT Convenience package adds a manually sliding rear window with defogger and heated exterior mirrors.

2020 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 - chevrolet.com
2020 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 - chevrolet.com

Z71 – $35,095

2020 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 models step up the rough road focus with an auto-locking rear differential and off-road suspension package that includes a transfer case shield on 4WD versions. 17” dark finished alloys are wrapped in all-terrain rubber, fog lamps join the party, and a hitch guidance camera view makes quick work of trailer hook ups. Wireless charging is included as is a power-adjustable passenger seat, automatic climate controls, heated front seats, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Checking the $2990 Trail Runner Special Edition box yields a special grille, 31” tires, rocker guards, and a pair of underbody skid plates.

2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 - media.chevrolet.com
2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 - media.chevrolet.com

ZR2 – $42,990

Designed to spend time off-road, the ZR2 Colorado sports 31” Goodyear DuraTrac tires, spool valve dampers from Multimatic, plus locking differentials front and back. Along with fender flares and fascias designed for better approach and departure angles, the ZR2 is 2” taller and 3 ½” wider than the rest of the lineup. For $5750, the Bison option turns the Colorado into a serious trail truck. Co-developed with Advanced Expedition Vehicles, the Bison edition includes five hot-stamped boron steel skid plates, winch provisions on the beefed-up front bumper, unique wheels, and more.

Warranties

Bumper-to-bumper coverage for the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado is good for 3 years or 36,000 miles while the powertrain warranty lasts 5 years or 60,000 miles. That same period applies to 24/7 roadside assistance and all new Colorados come with one complimentary scheduled maintenance in the first year of ownership.

What we think

2020 Chevrolet Colorado - media.chevrolet.com

2020 Chevrolet Colorado – media.chevrolet.com |  Shop 2020 Chevrolet Colorado on Carsforsale.com

The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado does a great job spanning the range of needs for a mid-size pickup buyer from bare bones Base models to pleasant LT models or off-road bruisers with the ZR2 Bison. Along with the variety of powertrain options, there is something here for just about anyone.

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Niel Stender

Niel Stender grew up doing replacement work on his 1990 Cherokee and 1989 Starion, so it’s not surprising that he would put his mechanical engineering degree from the University of New Hampshire to use in the car world as a vehicle dynamics engineer. Now engineering sentence structures, his writing infuses his auto experience with his time in marketing and his sales experience. Writing about cars for close to a decade now, he focuses on some of the more technical mechanical systems that are found under the hood and throughout a vehicle.

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