The verdict
A struggling mid-size truck, strong on value and held back by safety.
Overall 1.50 (D) across 10 graded subjects. Its strongest is value & market position at 2.60 (C+), its weakest safety at 0.00 (F). 4 of 10 subjects grade at C− or better.
Jump to scoresStrengths
- Value & Market Position
- Driving Experience
- Reliability & Quality
What holds it back
- Safety
- Efficiency & Range
- Performance & Powertrain
Top alternatives
Cars shoppers cross-shop with the Chevrolet Colorado
2.12C
Toyota TacomaMid-Size TruckBetter at: Resale valueBetter predicted reliability, standard safety tech on every trim, cab and bed choices, a hybrid option, and resale that holds roughly 65-70% at five years versus the Colorado's 56%.
Compare
1.87C-
Ford RangerMid-Size TruckBetter at: Cargo and resaleRetains close to 70% of its value after five years, offers a bigger 51.5-cu-ft SuperCrew bed and more rear legroom, and sees better out of the cab.
Compare
1.97C-
GMC CanyonMid-Size TruckBetter at: Interior qualityThe identical truck with a nicer interior, standard 4WD, a standard 11-inch digital cluster and a Denali flagship with ventilated seats — worth the roughly $5,000-$7,000 premium only if materials matter to you.
CompareHow it's evolved
9 scored model years · 2017–2026
Subject scores by year
Hover or tap a score to see what moved it versus the year before. A corner mark flags a big swing.
| Year | Performance | Efficiency | Safety | Space | Cost | Reliability | Tech | Use-case | Driving | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 46 | 40 | 56 | 50 | 55 | 62 | 72 | 63 | 69 | 72 |
| 2024 | 39 | 58 | 58 | 49 | 68 | 52 | 71 | 67 | 71 | 79 |
| 2023 | 42 | 58 | 56 | 51 | 71 | 53 | 70 | 66 | 70 | 81 |
| 2022 | 47 | 42 | 27 | 53 | 51 | 67 | 48 | 63 | 68 | 68 |
| 2021 | 46 | 42 | 24 | 51 | 57 | 62 | 48 | 65 | 68 | 67 |
| 2020 | 45 | 54 | 25 | 51 | 55 | 58 | 48 | 65 | 72 | 67 |
| 2019 | 45 | 47 | 28 | 50 | 68 | 58 | 45 | 62 | 68 | 77 |
| 2018 | 47 | 47 | 28 | 53 | 71 | 59 | 48 | 63 | 70 | 78 |
| 2017 | 47 | 50 | 28 | 53 | 70 | 52 | 45 | 65 | 71 | 74 |
Compare two years
Best fit & conditions
Higher scores mean a better fit for that use case. Learn more about use-case fit →
Subject profile
Trims & configurations
5 trimsScores above reflect the volume trim. Per-trim specs and scores are rolling out — the full lineup:
Detailed scoring by subject
1Performance & PowertrainOne of the Colorado's weakest categories.1.13D
The volume LT's commonly selected gasoline powertrain is the 3.6L V6, which is also the most powerful engine in the 2022 range.
This is the peak torque of the representative LT gasoline V6, not the optional diesel's higher 369 lb-ft figure.
An instrumented test of the V6-powered LT matches the representative volume configuration and shows strong acceleration for this generation of midsize truck.
The V6 is responsive and substantially more agreeable than the weak, grumpy base four-cylinder, though it lacks the polished delivery of newer turbo and electrified rivals.
The eight-speed generally avoids hunting on inclines, but occasional reluctance to downshift keeps it in the lower half of the acceptable band.
The category calls for the maximum rating of any properly equipped 2022 Colorado configuration, which is achieved with the optional diesel.
Chevrolet identifies the V6 Crew Cab as the maximum-payload configuration in its 2022 model-year fact sheet.
Available Tow/Haul mode, Hitch Guidance, trailer-sway control and an integrated brake controller cover the core needs, but there is no advanced backup steering, trailer-camera suite, or onboard scales.
A proper two-speed four-wheel-drive system is broadly available, while Z71 and ZR2 add meaningful traction hardware; it is not standard across the range.
The dedicated ZR2 is a genuinely specialized off-road model with a lift, wider track, DSSV dampers, rock protection, skid plates, aggressive tires, and locking differentials at both axles.
Three distinct engines cover economy, performance and high-torque towing needs, but the lineup offers no hybrid, plug-in hybrid or EV option.
2Efficiency & RangeOne of the Colorado's weakest categories.0.78F
The representative volume configuration is the LT Crew Cab 4WD with the standard 3.6L V6 and 8-speed automatic. The 2022 model is a carry-over of the second-generation truck's 2021 facelift; the third generation began for 2023.
This is the EPA configuration-level city rating for the representative 3.6L V6, 8-speed automatic, four-wheel-drive LT. It takes precedence over Chevrolet's less-specific media fact sheet, which lists 18 MPG city for the 4WD V6.
This is the EPA highway rating for the representative 3.6L V6, 8-speed automatic, four-wheel-drive LT configuration.
The representative truck's EPA combined rating multiplied by its published 21-gallon fuel capacity gives approximately 399 miles on a full tank.
The EPA-derived annual-cost estimate corresponds to the representative 19-MPG regular-gas configuration under the standard 15,000-mile annual-use assumption.
The gasoline Colorado runs on inexpensive regular unleaded and has no premium-fuel requirement. It cannot use E85 or blends above E15, but that does not impose a routine fuel-cost penalty.
3SafetyThe Colorado's lowest-graded category.0.00F
The 2022 Colorado earns four stars overall, with a strong five-star side result offset by four stars frontal and three stars for rollover.
The volume Crew Cab has Good results in most structural tests but Marginal passenger-side small overlap and updated moderate-overlap ratings prevent an IIHS award. Rear-passenger protection is the principal weakness in the updated moderate-overlap test.
The LT does not include the five core ADAS functions as standard. Its optional Safety Package provides warnings only, while AEB, adaptive cruise, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert are unavailable.
The optional system only warns the driver and cannot brake automatically. IIHS therefore rates it Basic, with pedestrian prevention unavailable by day or night.
Neither blind-spot monitoring nor rear cross-traffic alert is offered, and there is no active intervention, safe-exit warning, or trailer-aware blind-zone coverage.
Lane-departure warning is optional on LT, but the system provides no steering correction or lane centering. It is useful as an alert but falls far short of functional lane assistance.
The 2022 Colorado offers conventional cruise control only. Adaptive cruise and an integrated highway-assist function are unavailable on every trim.
No hands-free highway-driving system is available. The Colorado lacks even the adaptive-cruise and lane-centering foundations needed for such a system.
IIHS rates both headlight variants Poor. The volume LT's standard halogen reflectors provide inadequate low-beam visibility in every measured direction, and neither variant has curve adaptation or high-beam assist.
The high driving position gives a commanding forward view, but large pillars materially obstruct outward sightlines and the old-generation LT lacks surround-view camera compensation. The standard rear camera helps only while reversing.
The Crew Cab has two complete rear LATCH positions, but IIHS rates usability Marginal because tether anchors are hard to find and can be confused with other hardware. Crew Cab space is workable for two seats, though rear legroom is limited and three-across is not an easy fit.
4Space & ComfortGrades below the middle of the scale.1.59D
The volume LT Crew Cab has two front bucket seats and a three-place rear bench.
The Crew Cab provides generous front headroom for a midsize pickup.
Its 45 inches of front legroom reaches the top of the truck normalization band.
Crew Cab rear headroom is usable but sits near the bottom of the truck scoring band.
The required Crew Cab measurement is materially better than the Extended Cab's, though still tight beside roomier midsize rivals.
The representative LT Crew Cab short box is compact, while Chevrolet also offered the Crew Cab with a 74-inch long box.
The short box has below-midband volume, but its squared-off dimensions compare favorably with several midsize rivals.
A deep center-console bin and large compartment beneath the Crew Cab rear seat make everyday storage competitive, but there is no in-bed trunk, flat cabin floor, or standout onboard-power system.
The firm, well-shaped front seats and standard LT power driver adjustment suit most occupants, but the hard, upright rear bench and short cushion limit long-trip comfort.
The standard Colorado rides unusually well for a body-on-frame midsize truck, smoothing both large bumps and small cracks without being positioned as truly plush or class-leading luxury.
Some wind, road, and engine noise enters the cabin, but cruising noise remains moderate enough for normal conversation; the four-cylinder is notably noisier than the volume V6.
LT includes basic single-zone air conditioning and a power driver seat; heated seats, heated wheel, automatic climate control, and remote start require packages, with no ventilated seats or rear climate controls. Some 2022 heated-seat builds also required a later chip retrofit.
5Cost of OwnershipGrades below the middle of the scale.1.42D
The entry 2022 Colorado was the WT Extended Cab 2WD with the 2.5-liter gas four-cylinder. Published model-year pricing lists $26,135 including destination before later in-year price adjustments.
LT was the Colorado's mainstream volume trim; Crew Cab short-box 4WD with the standard 3.6-liter gas V6 is the representative high-volume truck configuration. The price is the model-year MSRP including destination, before later in-year adjustments.
Edmunds projects $7,155 of maintenance and $3,242 of repairs over five years for the representative LT Crew Cab 4WD V6, totaling $10,397. Its estimate assumes 15,000 miles annually.
CarEdge projects the Colorado nameplate to retain 51.9% of its new price after five years under average-condition and 13,500-mile-per-year assumptions. This is a model-level residual estimate rather than a trim-specific forecast.
Chevrolet's standard bumper-to-bumper term sits at the lower bound of the truck normalization range.
The gas Colorado receives Chevrolet's standard five-year powertrain coverage, the lower bound of the truck normalization range.
Chevrolet included one oil-change, inspection and tire-rotation visit during the first year, plus 24-hour roadside assistance through the 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain term. Short SiriusXM, OnStar and data trials add modest value, but this is not multi-year scheduled maintenance.
$35,400 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (51.9% retained, or about $18,373) leaves about $17,027 in depreciation. Add the projected $10,397 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $27,424 in total.
6Reliability & QualityOne of the Colorado's strongest categories.2.53C+
The two major owner-data sources split: Consumer Reports calls the 2022 Colorado about average, while J.D. Power rates its quality and reliability Great at 84/100. That supports an upper-middle score, not the top tier reserved for consistently excellent results.
Chevrolet's contemporary record was mixed by source: it was not a consistent Consumer Reports leader, but it placed among the stronger mass-market brands in J.D. Power dependability and initial-quality studies. That is better than mid-pack but short of consistently top-five dependability.
Recall volume is low: one campaign covers certain trucks with a manual passenger seat. The bad seat-frame weld is safety-relevant, but the limited population and absence of repeated powertrain or fire campaigns keep the record above average rather than spotless.
The volume LT's naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 was mature by 2022, but its eight-speed automatic family has a documented shudder history and fluid-service bulletins. Later production appears better sorted, yet the transmission history prevents a high durability score.
The volume LT cabin is functional but visibly dated and hard-plastic-heavy, and multiple reviewers describe it as cheap relative to its price and newer rivals. This is a clear below-average aspect of the final-year second-generation truck.
Assembly quality is more respectable than the low-rent materials: there is no strong evidence of widespread panel-gap or rattle failures on 2022 trucks, and the mature platform had been in production since 2014. Scattered body-hardware and cabin complaints keep it merely average.
Chevrolet provides dense nationwide coverage and extensive truck-service experience. Service quality varies by franchise, but verified owners rated the dealership experience strongly, making support a clear advantage.
A long production run, Chevrolet's large parts channel, and mechanical commonality with the GMC Canyon support abundant OEM and aftermarket supply. Costs are ordinary rather than exceptionally cheap, landing slightly above the midsize-truck average.
7Technology & InfotainmentGrades below the middle of the scale.1.22D
The volume LT uses the largest screen size offered on the 2022 Colorado, though upper trims receive an HD version. This is the facelifted second-generation truck; 2022 added an available Trail Boss package rather than a new infotainment generation.
Chevrolet Infotainment 3 has simple menus, large touch targets, quick responses and sensible physical controls. Its 8-inch display is dated and small, but contemporary reviewers consistently praised its everyday usability.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard but require USB; wireless phone projection was not offered on any 2022 trim.
Standard LT equipment provides phone voice-command pass-through, while enhanced native voice recognition and Connected Navigation require the optional navigation system. It is functional, but most owners will prefer projected phone assistants and maps.
The LT's standard six-speaker system is adequate, and a seven-speaker Bose system is available with navigation. The branded upgrade is useful but modest by modern premium-audio standards.
The LT retains analog gauges and a monochrome driver-information display. An enhanced 4.2-inch multi-color display is optional with navigation, but no full-digital cluster is offered.
Equipped trucks can download select software and app updates wirelessly. The documented scope is limited maintenance of infotainment software and apps rather than regular feature-adding whole-vehicle updates.
The myChevrolet app supports core remote commands and vehicle status on properly equipped trucks, but functions depend on factory equipment and an active service plan. There is no digital key or rich climate-zone control.
The LT provides two front USB-A data ports and two rear USB-A charge-only ports, while household power and wireless charging are available. Provision is good for its era but lacks USB-C and modern fast charging.
Extended-range remote keyless entry is standard on LT and remote start is optional, but the truck retains a traditional inserted ignition key. It lacks passive proximity entry, push-button start and phone-as-key.
The LT has a standard rear camera, with an HD rear view and rear parking sensors available through packages. No surround-view camera, front sensors or automated parking is offered, and some 2022 trucks required a later retrofit for Rear Park Assist.
No head-up display was offered on any 2022 Colorado trim.
8Use-Case FitMid-pack among this car's ten categories.2.26C
The volume LT Crew Cab has four full-size doors, five seats, and a folding rear bench, but its child-seat hardware is awkward and the center position lacks lower anchors. The open bed handles strollers easily, though weather protection requires a cover.
Crashworthiness is mixed-to-good, but the affordable LT lacks standard active safety: forward-collision and lane-departure warnings require an option package, and automatic braking is unavailable on retail trucks. Poor headlights and seat-belt reminders further weaken the family proposition.
Crew Cab seating and the LT's power driver seat, 8-inch smartphone-compatible infotainment, and rear USB charging make medium trips workable. Rear space and amenities are modest versus a Ridgeline or full-size crew cab, and luggage must ride in the exposed bed unless separately covered.
The V6/8-speed LT has ample power, a power driver seat, straightforward controls, and a generally smooth ride, but the aging cabin, trucklike behavior, and absence of adaptive cruise or stop-and-go assistance add fatigue.
The volume gas V6 is thirsty for commuting at about 19 mpg combined in a typical 4WD crew-cab configuration. Regular gasoline and mainstream tires/service temper the expense, but this is materially costlier per mile than efficient compact trucks.
The short-box Crew Cab is meaningfully easier to place than a full-size pickup and includes a standard rear camera, but it remains 212.7 inches long with a 41.3-foot turning circle. Rear parking sensors and the HD camera cost extra on LT.
A gas V6 LT is a serious midsize work tool, pairing 308 hp with up to 7,000 pounds of towing and roughly 1,500 pounds of payload. Multiple cab/bed layouts and an available integrated brake controller broaden its usefulness, though full-size trucks retain more headroom.
The mature second-generation platform, naturally aspirated V6, boxed-frame truck layout, available locking differential, and WT fleet configuration are credible hard-use foundations. Owner data is respectable rather than class-defining, and the eight-speed transmission's history keeps this below fleet-benchmark territory.
The two-tier bed, numerous tie-down provisions, locking/EZ-Lift tailgate, spray-in liner option, tow hardware, and broad Chevrolet accessory catalog make the LT genuinely jobsite-friendly. It lacks the richer onboard power and clever bed access of newer trucks.
A 21-gallon tank gives the V6 4WD roughly 400 miles of combined-EPA theoretical range, and the LT offers supportive convenience features and smartphone integration. Modest rear-seat comfort, poor-rated headlights, road noise, and no adaptive cruise limit its mile-eater credentials.
Available low-range 4WD, locking rear differential, substantial towing, and the LT Trail Boss package's lift, skid plates, tow hooks, and tougher wheels make this a genuine adventure enabler. Z71 and ZR2 variants extend capability well beyond the representative LT.
The short-box Crew Cab supplies a 61.7-inch bed, folding rear seatbacks, a hitch ecosystem, and a two-tier bed with extensive tie-downs; a long-box LT is also available. Secure, weatherproof storage is limited without an accessory tonneau or cap.
9Driving ExperienceOne of the Colorado's strongest categories.2.58C+
The volume LT is composed and unusually nimble for a body-on-frame pickup, with secure body control, though it is not as polished or carlike as the Ridgeline. The optional 2022 Trail Boss package trades a little on-road sharpness for clearance, so the standard LT is the representative setup.
Steering is accurate, predictable, and well mannered for a midsize truck, but it communicates little through the wheel. Its manageable size makes placement easy without making the steering genuinely engaging.
Stopping power is adequate, but the soft initial pedal weakens confidence and instrumented braking evidence from the generation is not impressive. The brakes do the job in normal use, placing the Colorado in the lower half of the adequate band.
The volume LT's 3.6-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic provide brisk response and strong passing performance, substantially better than the weak base four-cylinder. The pairing is effective rather than exceptionally polished, keeping it below the top refinement band.
The V6 is materially more agreeable than the noisy, grumpy base four-cylinder, but the aging truck remains less hushed and refined than the class leaders. Engine sound under load is audible but generally inoffensive in the LT V6.
The volume LT Crew Cab Short Box has a compact 41.3-ft curb-to-curb turning diameter, close to the favorable end of the truck normalization band and helpful in urban use.
The LT combines a comfortable, spacious driving position with a six-way power driver's seat, tilt-and-telescoping wheel, straightforward physical controls, and a responsive eight-inch infotainment screen. Some dated cabin design and imperfect rearward sightlines prevent a top-band score.
Quick V6 acceleration, nimble road manners, and the truck's compact footprint make the LT more enjoyable than a basic work pickup. It is still an older, less polished body-on-frame design, so its appeal is capable and pleasant rather than genuinely enthusiast-focused like the ZR2.
10Value & Market PositionThe Colorado's best-graded category.2.60C+
The volume LT supplied an 8-inch infotainment system, cloth trim, keyless entry, and broad connectivity, while every Colorado had a touchscreen and rear camera. However, forward-collision and lane-departure warnings remained in an optional Safety Package, and automatic emergency braking was effectively fleet-only, limiting generosity versus newer rivals.
At a $28,105 starting point, the Colorado paired useful standard infotainment with strong optional capability: the volume LT's 308-hp V6 could tow 7,000 pounds, and the range reached 7,700 pounds with the diesel. Materials and driver-assistance content were dated, but performance and utility per dollar were above average.
Four well-spaced trims ran from WT through LT and Z71 to the specialized ZR2, with extended- and crew-cab bodies, short and long beds, rear- or four-wheel drive, and three engines. Some engine/body combinations were restricted, but few midsize rivals offered this much choice.
About 89,000 U.S. deliveries made the Colorado a strong, established midsize-truck seller, though it remained far behind the Tacoma. Quarterly momentum strengthened sharply in the second half, showing solid acceptance despite the outgoing design.
Chevrolet's deep truck heritage and the respected ZR2 gave the Colorado meaningful enthusiast and work-truck credibility. The mainstream badge and an inexpensive-looking interior kept it from the aspirational tier.
Late-2022 buyers could obtain modest factory and affinity discounts, but semiconductor-era inventory constraints prevented the routine large rebates often associated with an outgoing truck. Buyer benefit was real but merely average.
The 2022 truck remained the second-generation North American Colorado introduced for 2015 and carried over the 2021 facelift. Its only notable 2022 addition was a dealer-installed Trail Boss package, while an all-new third generation was already due for 2023.
The aging Colorado still earned unusually strong critical recognition: MotorTrend ranked it first among 2022 midsize pickups, while Car and Driver rated it 8.5/10 and praised its handling and ZR2. Reviewers consistently flagged the weak base engine, cheap cabin and limited safety tech, keeping it short of dominant status.
