2020 Chevrolet Colorado Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

When fully redesigned for the 2015 model year, the Chevrolet Colorado was easily the most technologically advanced truck in the midsize class. It had the best four-cylinder and six-cylinder horsepower as well as the best fuel economy. The 2020 model still has some best-in-class specifications even with the Ford Ranger to challenge it.

There are two beds, two cabins, and three configurations. The extended cab seats two and has a 74-inch bed. Crew Cab shoppers can get the long bed or pick a short bed that is 61.7 inches. All beds are a generous 57.8 inches wide.

Ten color choices include metallics in Pacific blue, kinetic blue, and satin steel. Other hues include orange crush, red hot, and Cajun red tintcost, The exterior has a CornerStep bumper and corner hand grips.. This gives the owner a leg up into the bed.

Trims include the Base extended cab, WT, and LT. For adventure lovers, Chevy also offers the ZR1 and ZR2. These come with exterior upgrade packages, including the popular ZR2 Bison edition.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado Base vs WT Trims. What is the difference?

Base editions are well-equipped for their pricetag. It’s the only model that deletes the second-row seats in the extended cab. The WT is more comfortable and adds more conveniences and options. With the WT crew cab, you have a second row for family use.

The Colorado Base trim comes in an extended cab edition with a long box. WT trims are offered with this combination as well as the crew cab with the short or long box. The Colorado Base only comes with rear-wheel drive. To get four-wheel drive, you have to step up to the WT.

Standard on both, the entry-level engine generates more power than most competitors. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine is rated for 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque. You cannot get more horsepower for the money. The Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier can’t match those class-best numbers.

Many truck shoppers seek out a midsize hoping to save on fuel costs. This isn't always the case. However, the Colorado is one of the better ones for keeping fuel costs down. Colorado four-cylinder trucks earn 20 miles per gallon in the the city and 26 miles per gallon on the highway. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. The tow rating is 3,500 pounds.

Shoppers step up to the Hydra-Matic 8-speed when they step up to the 308-horsepower V6. That’s class-leading horsepower. This 3.6-liter cranks out 275 pound-feet of torque. This jacks up the towing power from 3,500 pounds to 7,000 pounds. Fuel economy is still a respectable 18 miles per gallon in the city and 25 miles per gallon on the highway.

Both models have Chevy’s seven-inch color screen. Drivers will appreciate Chevrolet Apps as well as the ability to download other apps. Bluetooth audio streaming lets you connect two active devices. A rear view camera assists with reverse maneuvers.

It is remarkable to have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standards at the inexpensive Base level. Smartphone users can utilize their voice command system. Android Auto supports Google Maps. Apple CarPlay supports Apple Maps.

Also notable, the Base and WT editions can receive Wi-Fi. An OnStar subscription provides a hotspot that connects to seven devices. Drivers can use that on camping trips and in other remote spots.

Drivers have a four-way power chair and a 3.5" diagonal monochromatic information screen behind the steering wheel. Dual USB ports keep phones charged. The single-zone HVAC can maintain the temperature that you select.

Otherwise, the cabin just covers the basics. It has vinyl floor coverings to handle muddy boots. In either trim, you can upgrade to a special vinyl seat trim in jet black and dark ash. WT editions offer this color combination in cloth as well.

Carpeting adds softness to the WT. A second row accommodates two people in the extended cab and three people in the crew cab. For small items, you can pull up the cushion and use a hidden storage compartment. The folding bench lets you stash equipment behind the front seats. For families, there’s a top tether anchor for car seats.

If you want to dress up the WT trim, you can add the appearance package. It wears a body-color rear bumper, door handles and mirrors. There are special 16-inch ultra silver cast aluminum alloys and chrome beltline moldings.

You may prefer the convenience package. It adds cruise control and remote keyless entry. The package upgrades the WT tailgate with remote lock capability and Chevy’s EZ-Lift and Lower function.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado WT vs LT Trims. What is the Difference?

LT models are similar to the WT, but Chevy upgrades the cabin and improves the exterior. The truckmaker exchanges the 4-way power chair for a 6-way power chair and makes available a power passenger seat. The 3.5-inch MID screen is upgraded to a 4.2-inch color information center.

Shoppers can get heated seats, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, a rear sliding window, remote starter, and front fog lights. For the first time in the lineup, shoppers can get a lane departure warning and a front collision warning.

Offering more than the WT, the LT has a full infotainment 3 system featuring HD radio and an increased processing speed. With high definition color, the 8-inch diagonal touch screen is easy to see and use. The rear vision camera is upgraded to high definition, too. The system has cloud-connections to allow you to personalize the system with downloadable apps, and it supplies more memory to allow you to do it.

The two models offer the same engine and same transmission. Furthermore, the V6 and 8-speed automatic transmission are offered on both. The two trims are offered in rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. There are skid plates, an automatic locking rear differential, and other off-roading equipment offered on these two that you can’t get on the Colorado Base trim.

The WT’s 16-inch Ultra Silver metallic steel wheels are replaced by 17-inch Blade Silver metallic aluminum alloys. The LT has the EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate with a remote locking function. Spotter mirrors help the driver see what’s in the blind spot.

For a jazzier look, LT trims offer two packages. The LT Redline Special Edition comes with a blackout appearance package. It adds bigger wheels, off-road step bars, and red recovery hooks. The exclusive Colorado RST special edition wears 20-inch black wheels and 20-inch tires. The nameplate, bow tie, and moldings are black. The grille says CHEVROLET in big letters.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado LT vs Z71 Trims. What is the difference?

Regardless of drivetrain, LT editions come in all three cab-bed configurations. The Z71 2WD trim is limited to the crew cab with the short box. However, if you choose Z71 four-wheel drive, all three varieties are available.

Many of the LT options are Z71 standards. Trail equipment includes the Z71 off-road suspension and hill descent control. An automatic locking rear differential also helps with off-roading The exterior picks up unique 17-inch painted wheels, halogen headlights, fog lights, and all-terrain tires.

The Z71 has the more powerful 308-horsepower V6 and standard tow/haul mode. It is offered in rear-wheel drive, but buyers are more likely to want four-wheel drive.

The cabin has a sliding rear window, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a wireless charger, and a remote starter. You can choose cloth and leatherette or go for jet black leather upholstery.

The Z71 Midnight Edition is all about looking more mysterious. Thus it has 17-inch black wheels and Black Bowtie emblems. The model has a body-color grille and 31-inch Duratrac all-terrain tires by Goodyear. Other additional equipment includes the spray-on bedliner and all-weather floor mats.

A Trail Runner Special Edition of the Z71 has Chevrolet in large letters across the grille. It also adds off-road rocker protection, more skid plates, and the 31-inch Duratrac all-terrain tires.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 vs ZR2 Trims. What is the difference?

Taller and wider, the ZR2 only comes with four-wheel drive. A standard ZR2 appearance package spruces up the exterior. There are bigger skid plates, making the front end look tougher than the Z71. The wheel flares are high enough to stay out of trouble when pushing through brush.

Rock sliders help the truck on the trail. That tubular rocker protection adds to the truck’s defiant stance. It even has more ground clearance than the Z71. The factory-installed lift raises it by 48 millimeters. An Autotrac transfer case, a unique suspension, front/rear locking differentials, and a multimatic damping system make it an ever better off-roader than the Z71.

The 308-horsepower V6 is standard, and the 186-horsepower Duramax is available. Of course, it’s that 369 pound-feet of torque that makes this truck a serious contender. With a 7,700-pound tow rating, the Duramax challenges many full size trucks.

Offering safer travel, this trim lets you add a forward collision alert and a lane watch system. A rear assist helps with parking duties.

The ZR2 offers fun packages. The Midnight package includes 17-inch black wheels and off-road lights. An Off-Road sport bar wears the ZR2 logo. The Dusk edition has its own gloss-black aluminum wheels, but it also has the sport bar and off-road lights.

Compare the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 vs ZR2 Bison Trims. What is the difference?

Popular Mechanics named the 2020 Colorado ZR2 Bison its Off-road Truck of the Year. This model was designed by Chevrolet and American Expedition Vehicles. The floor liners are specially contoured and marked with a special logo. The branded grille marks the front while the sides are dressed up with specially designed wheels and wheel flares.

Which Trim to Choose?

Choosing just between the base and the WT, the second-tier is definitely tempting. After all, the base edition doesn’t have a second row. The WT Crew Cab is a better choice for most people because it has enough room for passengers to be comfortable.

The sweet spot for the Colorado is the LT. It has or offers all of the available technology. If you want to dress it up you can, but it is ready regardless of whether you add packages or luxuries.

For die-hard off-roaders, you really have your pick with three 4x4 versions of the Z71 and several more of the ZR2. Your budget will probably dictate whether you go this far up the ladder. Starting with the WT, there are ways to make any Colorado into an off-roader.

If you want the Duramax, you will have to go with either the ZR2 or Z71. This is a remarkable engine. However, the other two are good picks as well. It really is hard to go wrong when it comes to capability.

These Chevys are a good option for parents who want to buy their teenager a truck. Every Colorado has Teen Driver technology. This helps grownups set limits on bad driving habits and monitor the teen’s independent driving.