Why You Should Check Out the 2024 Chevy Colorado

If you’re out looking at trucks for sale, it becomes clear pretty quickly that there are plenty of options for you to choose from. Trucks come in all shapes and sizes, from compact and midsize pickups to light-duty and heavy-duty full-size models, and are made by a number of foreign and domestic automakers. Within any particular model, there are also various trim levels, which range from bare-bones to luxurious and include specialized options like sporty trims and off-road capable models. With all of that variety out there, it means something when trusted automotive media companies come together to praise a particular model.

Several organizations have shone their spotlight on the 2024 Chevy Colorado. It was selected as an Editor’s Choice by Car and Driver, was named the 2024 Top Rated Truck by Edmunds, and secured MotorTrend’s prestigious 2024 Truck of the Year award, coming out on top against thirteen different models. What is it about the 2024 Colorado that’s bringing in all these awards? Let’s take a look at the midsize truck’s highlights to get to the bottom of all these accolades and see what features and design choices are the root of the hype surrounding the Colorado.

Capable Engines

The WT and LT trims of the 2024 Colorado come standard with a 2.7L Turbo engine under the hood. This powertrain can deliver 237 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, allowing you to tow up to 3,500 lbs. That’s not half bad for a midsize truck, but the available TurboMax engine blows those figures away, producing 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, raising the towing capacity to 7,700 lbs on a truck that’s properly equipped. This engine comes standard on the Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 trims and is an available upgrade on the lower trims as well.

High-Tech Interior

The Colorado just got a refresh for the 2023 model year, so the interior of the 2024 model is modern and full of useful tech features. No matter what trim level you choose, you’ll get a large 11.3-inch touchscreen in the center of the dashboard and an 11-inch driver information center behind the steering wheel. The driver information center is right in the driver’s line of sight, making it a useful place to put important information, like safety warnings, alongside the traditional gauges. You can customize the screen layout to suit your needs and preferences, with two instrument cluster layouts and three themes to choose from.

The large screens come in handy for getting a good look at the up to ten available camera views you can get on the Colorado. The rear camera view is high-definition, so you can see everything crystal clear when you’re in reverse. Other angles that can help you get into a tricky parking sport include front and rear top-down views and front and rear side views. A front grille view lets you see low-lying objects in front of you, helping you safely navigate in areas where children or pets might be roaming around. Hitch view and surround view come in handy when trailering, while front and rear underbody views let you get a worm’s eye view of uneven terrain while off-roading.

Some of those camera views are optional add-ons or exclusive to certain trims, but every 2024 Colorado comes standard with a top-of-the-line infotainment system featuring Google Built-In to help you navigate, listen to music, and more. If you want to hook up your smartphone to use mobile apps through the truck’s interface, you can use wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, both of which come standard. If you want to go completely cordless for both connecting to the infotainment system and charging, you can opt for the available wireless charging pad to keep your phone at 100% wherever you go.

Versatile Cargo Bed

A good pickup truck needs a good cargo bed, and the one on the Colorado has you covered for work, play, adventures, and home improvement projects. There are 17 available tie-downs throughout the bed to help you secure all of your cargo in place. For cargo that’s too long to fit in the 5.2-foot bed, you can use the available mid-position tailgate as a backstop to keep it in place––this feature can support up to 500 lbs. For even more configuration options, you can get the available bed rail system, which is easy to customize from trip to trip. If you’re loading up at night, you can use the available touch-enabled in-bed lighting to see what you’re doing.

Several helpful tools are built into the bed itself, so they’re always on hand. For instance, there’s a measurement tool molded into the end of the tailgate to help you use the truck as a mobile workbench. Motorcycle tire grooves are built into the bed to keep bikes secure in transit, and there are ten bed pockets and four stake pockets to add even more utility. The available StowFlex tailgate gives you yet another storage option: a lockable compartment that’s built into the tailgate and can be used for power tools, emergency equipment, or cold beverages (it has a drain to help it function as a cooler).

Off-Road Action

The 2024 Colorado is well-suited to off-road adventures and comes in a variety of different off-road oriented trim levels, so you can pick the one that’s best for your budget and how intense of an OHV trail or park you like to frequent. All of these trims come standard with the more powerful TurboMax engine, so you have the horsepower and torque you need to conquer rough terrain. They also come standard with a drive mode selector, which can be used to quickly alter vehicle settings to optimize them to a range of conditions.

• Normal mode is for daily driving on paved roads.
• Tow/Haul mode provides the right balance for staying in control with a heavy trailer in tow.
• Off-Road mode provides extra traction for driving on gravel, mud, grass, or snow.
• Terrain mode can handle tricky situations, like climbing steep slopes or crawling over boulders.
• Baja mode, which is available only on the ZR2 trim, is designed for blasting through open expanses of sand.

The Z71 and Trail Boss are both good entry-level off-road trims. The Trail Boss trim has some extra off-roading features, like a wider chassis and a two-inch factory lift for increased ground clearance. The Z71 trim has a wider array of standard convenience features, like cruise control, a 120-volt power outlet built into the cargo bed, and heated power-adjustable side mirrors. Both come standard with a two-speed transfer case and a shield to protect it.

If you want to go all-out on off-roading prowess, you’ll want to get a Colorado ZR2. This trim adds an extra inch of ground clearance, electronic locking front and rear differentials for ideal traction, and Multimatic DSSV dampers to keep the ride smooth when the trail ahead gets rocky. The ZR2 also comes loaded with 17-inch wheels wearing 33-inch MT tires and has styling upgrades inside and out that reflect its rugged capability.

New for the 2024 model year, you can now take the Colorado’s off-road action even further with the ZR2 Bison Edition. Chevy has partnered with off-road accessory manufacturer American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) to deck this variant out with a laundry list of durable and useful equipment. The edition comes standard with all of these features:

• 35-inch mud-terrain tires
• 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels
• 12.2 inches of ground clearance
• 5 AEV boron steel skid plates
• Heavy-duty AEV front and rear bumpers
• Heavy-duty cast recovery points
• AEV fender flares
• Multimatic jounce control dampers
• Bed-mounted spare tire carrier
• Unique styling accents, with AEV and Bison branding

The Chevy Colorado Has Something for Everyone

Looking at the Colorado’s impressive lineup of standard features and wide array of optional upgrades, it’s clear why it’s Truck of the Year material. Whether you need a nimble truck for running errands around town, a versatile model to help you get projects done, or an adventurous pickup capable of serious off-roading, you can find a Colorado that fits the bill. If you’re looking for a midsize truck, there’s no need to look any further than the Colorado—its lineup has something for everyone.