2022 Chevrolet Colorado Pros vs Cons

The 2022 Chevrolet Colorado is a mid-size pickup truck that offers strong performance. It's a great choice for those who want a versatile truck without the size and bulk of a full-size model. There was a time, not too long ago, when smaller trucks started disappearing from the market. Thankfully, they're making a comeback with strong offerings such as the Colorado.

Chevrolet's Colorado will face some stiff competition in 2022. Chevy's nemesis, Ford, has a new version of their popular Ranger available for 2022. Toyota's Tacoma is another excellent mid-sized truck that will likely be a top competitor for the Colorado. Here's a brief look at what's new for the Colorado in 2022. This will be followed by ten of the best reasons to buy a new Chevrolet Colorado, along with some reasons why it may not be the best choice.

What's New for 2022?

The Chevrolet Colorado received only a small handful of changes in 2021. Not much has changed for 2022 either. There's a new Trail Boss package for the LT and Z71 trim levels. This adds a leveling kit and an extra inch to the ground clearance. The front air dam gets removed. The package also includes 17-inch black wheels that are similar to those found on the ZR2 models.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado – The Pros

1. Strong Engine Choices

Chevrolet offers three strong engine choices for the 2022 Colorado. There's a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 200 horses with 191 pound-feet of torque. For even more power, there's a 3.6-liter DOHC V6 that can crank out 308 horsepower with 275 pound-feet of torque. For the ultimate in towing ability, there's a Duramax 2.0-liter turbo-diesel that makes 181 horsepower and an impressive 369 pound-feet of torque.

2. Excellent Towing Capabilities

One great thing about the Colorado is that it's a very capable truck. It's especially powerful for a mid-size truck. It can tow with the best of them. The base engine is capable of pulling up to 3,500 pounds. The big V6 can tow a massive 7,000 pounds. The turbo-diesel tops them all with a max towing capacity of 7,700 pounds.

3. The Cargo and Hauling Capacities

A Chevrolet Colorado with a short box has a cargo volume of 41.3 cubic feet. This goes up to 49.9 cubic feet for models with a long box. The Colorado has a maximum payload capacity of 1,560 pounds. This may be a smaller pickup truck, but it can get the big jobs done.

4. Great Steering and Handling

The 2022 Chevrolet Colorado offers excellent steering and handling. The smaller size makes it easier to maneuver and easier to park in general. The steering dynamics here are more akin to driving an upscale sedan than a pickup truck. The Colorado is a fun truck to drive.

5. A Comfortable Ride Quality

Not only does the Colorado handle well, but the overall ride quality is fantastic as well. It handles most terrain quite well. The solid suspension system does a great job of mitigating any bumps or rough spots in the road. This is further enhanced by the Colorado's StabiliTrak electronic stability control system and traction control.

6. The Attractive Exterior

The 2022 Chevrolet Colorado is an attractive and stylish truck. The Colorado has smooth and flowing lines that give it a sophisticated appearance. At least that's the case with most trim levels. The Zr2 is downright aggressive in appearance. It offers a sporty appearance to match its off-road prowess.

7. A Well-Equipped Interior

The inside is well equipped with comfort and convenience features. Higher trim levels get 6-way power seats up front. these also have adjustable lumbar support. Automatic Climate Control keeps all passengers nice and comfortable. Leather-appointed upholstery is available. Remote Keyless Entry and Remote Start are also available.

8. Chevrolet's Fantastic Infotainment System

The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus System is one of the best in the business. There's an 8-inch color touchscreen display. An integrated navigation system is optional. The system has Voice Recognition Technology as well as Bluetooth for connectivity and streaming of one's favorite music. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both compatible with this system.

Voice command pass-through allows for hands-free phone calls through the infotainment system. When it comes to the audio, there's an HD radio and optional SiriusXM satellite radio. A six-speaker audio system is standard for most trim levels. This can even be upgraded to a premium system with seven speakers by Bose.

9. Plenty of Safety Features

The 2022 Chevrolet Colorado comes well equipped with features to keep you and your passengers safe. There are a minimum of six airbags in every model. Forward-Collision Alert gives the driver a warning if there's an impending crash. Lane-Departure Warning lets the driver know if they veer too far out of the safety of their own lane.

The aforementioned StabiliTrak and traction control features make for a safer ride, especially in rough weather conditions. The Rear-Vision Camera and Park-Assist features give the driver a better view and make parking easier than ever. Chevrolet's Teen Driver technology allows the owner to set certain limits and to monitor the driving habits of younger drivers.

10. Legitimate Off-Road Performance

The 2022 Chevrolet Colorado is a legitimate off-road machine. Most trim levels are available in an all-wheel drive configuration. The ZR2 model was designed specifically with off-road performance in mind. It comes with an upgraded suspension system. The ZR2 also features an Autotrac 2-speed transfer case and full-locking front and rear differentials.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado – The Cons

1. The Noisy 4-Cylinder Engine

The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine may be adequate for some owners, but it sure is noisy. It's loud and sounds like it's straining every time the driver accelerates. Thankfully, this is only a problem with the base engine. The V6 and diesel options have more power, more torque and none of the excessive noise.

2. Mediocre Materials on the Inside

There are a lot of cheap plastics and mediocre materials on the inside of the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado. It's a shame, as the truck is otherwise attractive, comfortable and well equipped. Unfortunately, corners have to be cut sometimes to keep the overall costs down.

3. Less In-Cab Storage than Rivals

Possibly in another cost-saving measure, Chevrolet was stingy with in-cabin storage when designing the Colorado. It lacks the ability to fold the rear seats down for extra in-cab storage. This is something offered by many of the Colorado's rivals. There's also a lack of cup holders, cubbyholes and other other small-item storage spaces.

4. A Lack of Driver-Assist Technology

This is one area that the Colorado really suffers in when compared to its competition. This is inexcusable for a new vehicle in 2022. There's a good amount of standard safety features in the Colorado. Unfortunately, it's missing many of the modern driver-assist features that can be found on most newer vehicles.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2022 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2022 Toyota Tacoma

Toyota's Tacoma is one of the top trucks in the same class as the Chevrolet Colorado. When comparing the prices of the base trim levels, the Colorado comes in at a slightly lower cost. When comparing the power of these two trucks, the Colorado wins out easily. The Tacoma offers two engines, a 159 horsepower 4-cylinder and a V6 that produces 278 horsepower with 265 pound-feet of torque. This falls short of the three powertrain options that Chevrolet offers for the Colorado.

When it comes to capabilities, the Colorado wins out again. It can tow 7,700 pounds, while the Tacoma can only pull around 6,800 pounds. The payload capacity is better in the Colorado too. One area in which the Tacoma excels is in off-road performance, though the Colorado is no slouch in this category. The Tacoma offers more safety features and driver-assist tech.

The Colorado offers better steering and handling. It also provides a smoother overall ride quality. The Chevrolet Colorado is the better bargain here, unless the buyer's primary use for the truck will be off-road driving.

2022 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2022 Ford Ranger

Ford trucks are always top sellers in North America. The return of the Ford Ranger was exciting news for many pickup-truck fans. Both vehicles have a similar starting price, with the Ford coming in at about $85.00 more. The difference here is negligible. The Ford has more tech and driver-assist features, so it may actually be the better value when comparing base trims. Fuel economy isn't different enough to matter.

When it comes to capabilities, the Chevrolet Colorado is superior and it's not even close. The Ford can only tow a maximum of 3,500 pounds. The Ford has nicer interior materials, though both trucks are equally comfortable on the inside. The Colorado provides a better and quieter ride. It again offers better handling too.

Both vehicles can be legitimate off-road machines. Both can be quite versatile too. Overall, the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado is the better buy here. The vastly superior capabilities and lower price of the Colorado are hard to ignore.

Conclusion

The 2022 Chevrolet Colorado is a strong contender for best truck in its class. While there are a few cons, the pros far outweigh them. The Colorado stacks up favorably in most categories when compared to the competition. When it comes to capabilities, there are few trucks in this class that can keep up with it. The latest Chevrolet Colorado is highly recommended for anyone looking for a mid-sized pickup.