The Colorado is Chevrolet’s midsize pickup, available in a single cab, bed, and powertrain configuration. It ranks among the segment’s most capable trucks for payload and towing, and can be configured for both work and off-road adventures. For 2026, the Colorado remains mechanically unchanged but adds a new exterior color and additional off-road equipment options.
Chevrolet redesigned the Colorado for the 2023 model year, and the off-road-focused ZR2 Bison arrived in 2024. For 2025, Chevrolet added three new exterior colors, made minor equipment changes, and, more importantly, made the Colorado’s most powerful engine standard equipment.
Changes for 2026 are minimal. White Sands joins the exterior color palette, Chevrolet revises the wheel designs, and a new lift kit and additional underbody protection are now available.
Chevrolet offers the 2026 Colorado in five trim levels: WT, LT, Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2. All feature a crew cab, a 5-foot bed, and a turbocharged 2.7-liter engine producing 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Every 2026 Colorado comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base WT and LT trims are available with rear-wheel drive (2WD), while the upper trims come standard with four-wheel drive (4WD).
The WT trim starts slightly above $34,000 and includes 2WD, 17-inch steel wheels, cloth seats, and single-zone climate control. However, it also offers some nice standard features, including an 11.3-inch infotainment system with Google Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, and a sliding rear window, elevating it above a typical work truck. A bold Sunrise Orange paint color is even available at no extra cost.
Most buyers will likely gravitate toward the Trail Boss version. Sitting in the middle of the lineup, it comes standard with 4WD, 18-inch wheels wrapped in 32-inch all-terrain tires, and a 2-inch suspension lift. It also expands the options list to include creature comforts such as heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and the upgraded audio system.
The top-spec Colorado is the off-road-focused ZR2 variant. In addition to its 3-inch lift, wider stance, and 33-inch off-road tires, it is available with the aggressive Bison Edition package. It also includes high-performance dampers, distinctive bumpers and wheel flares, and underbody skid plates that protect components such as the transfer case, rear differential, and fuel tank.
When properly equipped, the Chevrolet Colorado can tow up to 7,700 pounds and carry a payload of 1,684 pounds.
The Chevrolet Colorado faces no shortage of competition, including its upscale corporate cousin, the GMC Canyon. The base Ford Ranger is slightly more expensive and less powerful than the entry-level Colorado, but it offers comparable payload and towing capacity. The Ranger Raptor, however, flips the script: It delivers more power while undercutting the Colorado ZR2 Bison on price.
The Toyota Tacoma trails the Colorado in payload and towing capacity, but it counters with an available hybrid powertrain and an optional manual transmission. The Nissan Frontier is another contender in the segment, though it cannot match the Colorado’s capability and starts at a slightly higher price.
Chevrolet is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of February 17, 2026, but it may have changed since then. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
John Coyle has spent two decades in the automotive industry. Over that time, he's driven Jeeps through Moab, tackled Fuji Speedway in a Lexus LFA, experienced the insanity of the Gumball 3000, and survived daily driving a 1978 Jaguar. He lives in Sacramento, California, with the coolest girl in the world and three black cats.
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