For those in the market for a versatile vehicle that balances everyday practicality with rugged capability, the mid-size pickup truck segment offers a compelling alternative to larger, full-size models and less capable SUVs. Among the top contenders in this competitive class is the newly redesigned 2024 Chevrolet Colorado. This review delves into the details of the latest Colorado, exploring its updates, performance, design, and how it stacks up against rivals to help you determine if it’s the right truck for your needs.
2024 Chevy Colorado: A Comprehensive Overview
The 2024 model year marks a significant step forward for the Chevy Colorado, building on its full redesign from the previous year with notable enhancements, including a larger digital gauge cluster now standard across the lineup. Chevrolet aims to deliver a thoroughly modern truck that remains true to its hardworking heritage. Priced starting at $29,500, every 2024 Colorado comes as a four-door crew cab paired with a 5-foot bed. Buyers can choose between rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations.
Under the hood, a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine serves as the standard powerplant, producing 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. However, the majority of Colorado models are equipped with the upgraded TurboMax variant of this engine, boasting an impressive 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board. The trim level lineup includes the base WT, the more refined LT ($31,900), and the off-road-oriented Trail Boss ($37,300), Z71 ($40,200), and ZR2 ($46,800). With a wide array of optional features available across these trims, it’s possible to significantly customize the Colorado to match specific preferences and budgets. Our test Z71 model, equipped with the TurboMax engine, four-wheel drive, leather heated and ventilated seats, and advanced safety technologies, reached a total price of $46,475, including a $1,595 destination charge.
Image alt text: Front view of a Glacier Blue 2024 Chevy Colorado Z71 parked outdoors, showcasing its redesigned squared-off headlights and chiseled front fascia.
Exterior Styling: A More Assertive Stance
The previous generation Chevy Colorado presented a softer, more rounded aesthetic compared to many pickups in its class. The 2024 model adopts a more assertive design language, featuring a more upright and sculpted front end with distinctive, squared-off headlights. While bolder, the design avoids excessive aggression, achieving a balanced and modern look. The crisply defined wheel arches add a touch of character to the sides, and the availability of vibrant color options, such as Glacier Blue, red, yellow, and bronze, enhances its visual appeal. One notable change is the increased resemblance to its GMC Canyon sibling, a departure from the previous generation where the two trucks were visually quite distinct from the front.
The appearance of the Colorado varies depending on the trim level. The WT and Trail Boss models feature extensive gray plastic cladding on their front fascias, extending from the lower bumper to the high-mounted headlights. The Trail Boss and ZR2 trims further amplify their off-road attitude with a wider stance (3 inches wider) and increased ride height (2-inch lift).
Image alt text: Side profile of a 2024 Chevy Colorado Z71 in Glacier Blue highlighting its sculpted wheel wells and crew cab configuration.
Interior Design and Technology: A Modernized Cabin
In contrast to its predecessor’s focus on simplicity, the 2024 Colorado’s interior is designed to make a statement. Gone are the smaller 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreens and analog gauges; instead, the new Colorado features a prominent 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system paired with an 11-inch digital gauge cluster. These screens come to life with dynamic graphics upon vehicle entry, creating a modern and engaging user experience. The larger digital gauge cluster is now standard for 2024, expanding upon its previous availability solely on the top-tier ZR2 trim in 2023.
The dashboard design is purposeful and angular, drawing inspiration from the Chevy Silverado models of the early 2000s. The digital gauge cluster offers customization options, allowing drivers to choose between classic analog-style displays or more contemporary digital layouts. While the updated technology is welcome, some functions now require navigating through the touchscreen menus. Physical buttons and knobs remain for essential audio volume and climate controls, but tasks like resetting the trip computer or deactivating the headlights necessitate screen interaction.
Image alt text: Close-up of the front grille and headlights of a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado Z71, emphasizing its squared-off design and integrated lighting elements.
Comfort and Practicality: Cabin and Bed Space
The 2024 Colorado offers a range of amenities aimed at enhancing driver and passenger comfort. Available upgrades include power-adjustable seats with heating, ventilation, and memory functions, a sunroof, and leather upholstery. The front seats provide good comfort and space, though they lack the expansive, lounge-like feel of full-size trucks.
The rear seat area is more compact and has slightly decreased in size compared to the previous Colorado generation. While still functional, rear passenger legroom is somewhat limited. Cargo space is also a consideration, as all Colorado models come with a 5-foot bed, whereas competitors like the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier offer both 5-foot and 6-foot bed options. However, the Colorado offers practical features like an optional dampened tailgate and the in-tailgate StowFlex compartment for secure storage. The tailgate can also be locked in a half-open position to extend the bed length for hauling longer items. Payload capacity for most Colorado models ranges from approximately 1,400 pounds with the base engine to around 1,600 pounds with the TurboMax engine, varying slightly by trim. The off-road focused ZR2 trim has a lower payload capacity of 1,280 pounds due to its specialized suspension. These payload figures are competitive within the mid-size truck segment, generally exceeding the Nissan Frontier and Jeep Gladiator and aligning with the Toyota Tacoma, though slightly less than the redesigned Ford Ranger.
Image alt text: Interior shot of the 2024 Chevy Colorado Z71 cabin showcasing the 11.3-inch touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, and angular dashboard design.
Performance and Driving Dynamics: Turbocharged Power
The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado offers two output levels for its turbocharged four-cylinder engine: 237 horsepower and 310 horsepower. Especially with the TurboMax configuration, the Colorado delivers brisk acceleration. Towing capability is also a strong point, with a maximum capacity of 7,700 pounds (3,500 pounds with the base engine tune and 6,000 pounds for the ZR2). This towing capacity matches the Jeep Gladiator for best-in-class performance. Fuel economy is respectable, with most trims achieving 20 to 22 mpg in combined driving (slightly lower with off-road tires). Our 4WD Z71 test vehicle is EPA-rated at 18 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined, figures we matched during our week of testing.
Despite the strong performance, the engine sound is less appealing than the previous V6 Colorado. Some competing four-cylinder trucks also offer a more pleasing engine note. The Colorado’s engine sound is neither particularly quiet nor intentionally sporty, and it produces a whirring sound when unlocking the vehicle due to fuel pump priming. While the new four-cylinder offers comparable performance and fuel economy to the old V6, competitors like the Tacoma and Ranger achieve slightly better fuel efficiency with their four-cylinder engines, and the V6 Nissan Frontier is nearly as economical but less powerful.
Image alt text: Rear three-quarter view of a 2024 Chevy Colorado Z71 showing its taillights, bed, and dual exhaust outlets.
Ride and Handling: Balanced On-Road and Off-Road Capabilities
Even in its off-road-oriented trims, the Colorado maintains a comfortable ride quality. It exhibits some minor jiggling on smooth roads but effectively absorbs bumps and imperfections. Steering is light and responsive, making the Colorado easy to maneuver, even in tighter corners. While the previous generation Colorado might have offered slightly superior on-road ride and handling, the 2024 model strikes a good balance between on-road comfort and off-road capability.
The Colorado’s off-road prowess is a key strength, particularly in trims like the Trail Boss and ZR2. The Trail Boss, in addition to its distinctive styling, provides enhanced off-road features straight from the factory, including a 3-inch wider track, 2-inch lift, front skid plate, automatic locking rear differential, and 32-inch all-terrain tires. The ZR2 elevates off-road capability further with an adaptive suspension system, electronic locking front and rear differentials, additional underbody protection, larger tires, and a Baja driving mode. Our brief test of the Trail Boss revealed on-road driving characteristics comparable to the Z71, with the primary difference being the Z71’s off-road-tuned shocks and available two-wheel-drive configuration.
Image alt text: Action shot of a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 driving on a dirt road, highlighting its off-road capabilities and suspension articulation.
Chevy Colorado vs. the Competition: How It Stacks Up
The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado faces stiff competition in the mid-size truck segment, primarily from the redesigned Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger. The Tacoma also features a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the Ranger now offers a V6 option alongside its turbo-four. Historically, the Colorado was known for its superior driving dynamics, the Ranger for its modern features, and the Tacoma for its traditional truck character. However, with the latest redesigns, these trucks have become more closely matched. Each model excels in different areas, making feature availability and individual preferences key deciding factors.
Beyond these primary rivals, the Nissan Frontier presents a more traditional, no-frills option with a simpler interior, heavier steering, and a V6 engine. While not as refined or powerful as the Colorado, it offers a straightforward and relatively affordable utility. The Jeep Gladiator, often available with dealer discounts, stands out with its removable roof and doors, appealing to those seeking open-air adventure, though its everyday driving manners are less polished. The Honda Ridgeline and Ford Maverick, being car-based trucks, prioritize on-road comfort and handling but are less capable in true truck tasks compared to the Colorado.
Image alt text: Angled front view of a 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss showcasing its off-road focused styling, higher ride height, and all-terrain tires.
Conclusion: Mighty Yet Refined – Is the 2024 Chevy Colorado for You?
The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado is a highly capable mid-size truck that excels in towing, hauling, and off-road adventures. The widely available TurboMax engine delivers impressive power and acceleration, and the updated styling projects a tougher image. However, the on-road driving experience is more subdued and unremarkable, which can be viewed as both a positive and negative depending on individual preferences.
If capability is paramount and personality takes a backseat, the 2024 Chevy Colorado deserves a prominent spot on your mid-size truck shopping list. Its blend of modern features, robust performance, and off-road readiness makes it a strong contender in a competitive segment.
Image alt text: Front three-quarter view of a 2022 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X in red, used for competitive comparison in the Chevy Colorado review.
Image alt text: Final image of a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 parked in a scenic outdoor setting, reinforcing its appeal as a versatile and capable mid-size truck.
