Although it seems like a newly launched pickup truck with car-like attributes, the 2024 Chevy Colorado has been on the market since 2003. Yearly upgrades were added to provide a modern design and performance characteristics.
The third generation of the Chevy Colorado midsize pickup truck is built for everything from daily commuting and hauling workloads to off-road adventures. It was reintroduced last year, and a few upgrades were added this year. However, my week test drive in the new 2024 Chevy Colorado wasn’t long enough to experience all it offers for on- and off-road driving.
The new 2024 Chevy Colorado has an aggressive wide-body style and a bold front grille. The interior was redesigned with better materials, comfortable seats, more space and storage, and legroom for backseat passengers.
All models are four-door crew cabs with a new gauge cluster, an 11.3-inch advanced color display that houses the infotainment, built-in Google, navigation, connected apps, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Models/Pricing: The 2024 Chevy Colorado has expanded its model options and added the ZR2 Bison for 2024, a rugged off-road version with 35-inch tires and 12.2-inch ground clearance. It employs hydraulic front and rear bump stops to climb over rocks and crawl through mud.
The 2024 Chevy Colorado has six models with features that meet different driver needs and budgets: The base WT (Work Truck $31,095), LT $33,495), Trail Boss ($38,895), Z71 $41,795), ZR2 ($48,395), and new for 2024 ZR2 Bison ($60,540).
The base WT model is a workhorse with basic features, while the LT adds more comfort and tech features. I tested the Z71, which was engineered for off-road use with additional suspension and skid plates. The ZR2 takes things up a notch with advanced off-road capabilities. The Trail Boss sits between the Z71 and ZR 2 with a more aggressive style and off-road capabilities.
Power/Performance: The 2024 Colorado is powered by a new 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with three different outputs: a 2.7-liter turbocharged engine that produces 237 horsepower at 259 lb-ft of torque, a 2.7-liter Turbo Plus generating 310 horses and 390 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.7-liter high-output turbo that gets 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. All models have an eight-speed automatic transmission.
I drove the ZR1 equipped with the 2.7L TurboMax engine, which handled more like a car than a truck. Its performance was smooth and powerful on highways and urban streets, especially on rugged roads under construction for the new Purple Line subway. The eight-speed automatic transmission also produced a seamless performance.
Fuel Efficiency: According to the EPA, the Colorado 2.7L Turbo High-Output engine averages 20 city/25 highway MPG, while the four-wheel drive gets 19 city/23 highway MPG. The ZR2 off-road models get 17 city/19 highway MPG.
For a complimentary subscription to my auto blog, visit www.decisivemedia.net to find updated car-buying tips and reviews on the latest new cars, SUVs, and trucks. Randi Payton, Decisive Media Network.
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