The second-generation Chevrolet Colorado has been a runaway success since its re-introduction in the U.S. market for the 2015 model year. Since then, the midsize truck family accounted for 84,430 sales in 2015, 108,725 sales in 2016, and is on track to sell roughly 95,000 units in 2017. And for the 2018 model year, Chevy is giving the truck a few minor updates, changes, and new features.
On the outside, the 2018 Colorado loses three colors while gaining two new ones:
Deleted Colors
- Laser Blue Metallic
- Cyber Gray Metallic
- Brownstone Metallic
New Colors
- Satin Steel Metallic
- Kinetic Blue Metallic
What’s more, the Deepwood Green Metallic is now available on LT and Z71 trim levels. For the 2017 Colorado, the color was only available for the Colorado ZR2.
Inside, the base (IO3) 4.2-inch diagonal display radio with AM/FM stereo has been deleted. The radio was standard on the entry level Base and Work Truck models for the 2017 model year. In its place is the (IOB) Chevrolet MyLink Radio with 7-inch diagonal color touch-screen, USB ports, auxiliary jack, Bluetooth streaming audio for music and most phones and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability, now standard on the same Base and WT trims. For the 2017 Colorado offered the IOB unit as an option on the WT trim level. Meanwhile, Colorado LT, Z71 and ZR2 trim levels get the (IO5) MyLink radio with 8-inch diagonal touch screen standard, which can be upgraded to the optional MyLink IO6, which is IO5 but with added embedded navigation. The move to make the IOB Chevrolet MyLink Radio with 7-inch touch screen means that the radio is no included in the Colorado Custom Special Edition package.
In addition, the 2018 Colorado gets the following three new features:
- Trailering assist with guidelines on models with Tow/Haul mode, which is included on models with the 3.6L V-6Â LGZ and 2.8L I-4 LWN Diesel engines.
- DG6 heated power-adjustable, body-color outside mirrors become available on LT and standard on Z71 and ZR2 models, replacing the DL6 units on the 2015-2017 Colorado. Base and Work Truck models continue to get the DL6 units. We’re not yet sure what the difference is between the new DG6 units and the outgoing DL6.
- Black leather-appointed seating is now available on Z71 models; previously, the Colorado Z71Â was only available with a cloth/leatherette option
Rounding out the changes is the expanded availability of the Colorado Shoreline Special Edition Cloth and Luxury packages on Crew Cab models. On the 2017 Colorado, the Shoreline Edition was available only with Extended Cab models.
Still absent from the Colorado are various much-desired features, including HomeLink/garage feature, a moonroof, HID headlamps, and a luxurious High Country trim level.
The updates and changes described here are specific to the U.S. market and may be different for other markets.
For the U.S. and Canadian markets, the 2018 Chevy Colorado is assembled by GM U.S.A. at the GM Wentzville plant in Wentzville, Missouri, USA.
More Information & Reporting
- Chevrolet Colorado info
- 2018 Chevrolet Colorado info
- 2018 Chevrolet Colorado changes, updates, new features
- 2018 Chevrolet Colorado order guide
- Chevrolet Colorado sales numbers
- Chevrolet Colorado news
Comments
How about offering homelink on both the colorado and the canyon?
Why do they refuse to offer a Sunroof?
B/c no one uses them.
I would use the sun roof but it us not a deal breaker. I expect the added cost is a factor in a market were the mid size prices begin yo clash with discounted full size prices.
Even the full size model sell few sun roofs.
Homelink? I have it in my other car and my new door opener will it even work with it.
The Canyon and Colorado have a perfect slot on the dash that fit about any opener perfectly an no compatibility issues. Again more cost could push the price even higher as these truck loaded can not go over $40k.
Chevy claims SUV and crossover owners are a target audience with this truck. Take a look at the new 2018 chevy Equinox and compare features offered compared to the Colorado. Auto Braking, Lane keep assist. cross traffic alert, lane change alert, 3D camera system, heated rear seats, dual zone climate control, heated steering wheel, Intellibeam headlights, Panoramic power sunroof……The list goes on and on. Now compare top model pricing. If they can offer all the fancy options in an Equinox, the 10 thousand dollar higher price tag a top package Colorado commands should come with the same features.
This vehicle appeals to several groups.
One is the SUV and CUV group. The next is the Past small truck owners. The last are conquest buyers since so many of the other brands are gone.
While yes the Nox has similar features and added content for nearly the same price it also is a cheaper model to make.
The body on frame is added content vs unibody. The axles are extra content. The trans axle is much more than the Nox set up. The V6 and Diesel are much more in cost to what is found in the Nox.
The bottom line the Nox is just a expanded Unibody car that share many parts with many models and it can save a lot of production money hat way vs the Mid size trucks that have to work hard to remain under $50k.
I know as I own one and the sticker was neatly $45k. I got a generous discount so I did not pay that but most people are not as lucky as I see some pay stupid prices.
So yes they could add this content to the Colorado but to retain the profits yo will have to give up something you have now. Well what would you give up. The better transfer case? The full frame? The better engine? The Bose sound, The thicker insulation and thicker glass that make this truck silent inside? The fact is to retain cost something add means something has to go.
So what are you willing to give up to maintain the price and profit structure?
You have to consider the non option content as this is not as simple as you like to think. Every thing in a car or truck has a cost and you have to consider it all not cherry pick just what you want to consider.
By the way once the loaded Nox arrives it will be near or at $40k.
When pricing a Camaro the panel enlisted by chevy as advisors were asked many questions on what is and what is not important to them. It was broken down to even the smell of leather. Yes that cost money and they were given the choice of leather smell vs other options as there was only so much room in pricing to make it meet the price requirements.
You may not like it but that is how it really works.
Also note the HHR got the sun roof it got only because the found the CTS sunroof would fit. If the has to develop one with the limited budget they had you would not have gotten the one it had. Lutz had to use the parts bin because of cost.
Totally with you on this opinion. Adding to the list, and what I have believed to be an inexcusable omission since the Colorado/Canyon release, has been the lack of fully functional 8 or 10 way power and memory seating. Especially on the up level LT’s or the Denali. I wanted and drove a Colorado several times but have never been able to find a comfortable seating position with the 4 way bottom and manual back. Plus the manual mechanism for the seat back felt clunky and cheap. Even the previous Colorado had 8 way power seats and it was a much cheaper proposition. Having to find the right position again after another family member uses the vehicle is a complete annoyance in a 40K plus vehicle. I’ve heard the argument that there are issues with packaging and space to put the extra motors for the seats, but I think that is lame. If they can put full power and memory in the tight package that is Camaro, they can make it work here.
The sunroof is available in comparable vehicles like the Tacoma. The cost argument simply doesn’t work here, and it comes down to GM’s over-inflated cost structure on the Colorado and Canyon.
Ditto on the Homelink side of the equation. Including it in the Colorado would likely decrease the cost of the part on the Canyon due to the increase in purchasing volume, thereby driving down costs and balancing it out.
Renthal is correct; the initial press materials cited crossover and SUV shoppers as a significant part of the target market for the Colorado and Canyon. Well, crossover/SUV shoppers expect the latest features and creature comforts… including sunroofs, including HomeLink, including dual-or tri-zone AC, etc.
The bottom line is that the absence of both of these features on the Colorado (along with a Premier/High Country trim level) isn’t related to cost… but rather appears to be complacency on the part of the program management.
Another element that’s likely playing into all of this is that the current Silverado isn’t a very desirable truck right now compared to the competition. They can’t make the Colorado/Canyon too good so it doesn’t steal too many sales from the Silverado/Sierra, which are more profitable on a per unit basis. Hopefully the next-gen T1 full-size trucks solve this dilemma, making the full-size units more appealing and taking them slightly more up-market.
The Taco is a compatible higher priced vehicle and the Full size truck is not as much an issue as they just do not move as many trucks.
A loaded ZR2 with Diesel is stickering at $48,000 add a few small options and it will clear $50k easily on a truck were customers are expecting $30k-$35k.
I got the Denali as the one I own sat on the lot whi,e the much Cheaper SLT models leave the lot. They had to discount the Denali to SLT prices to get me to bite and I was willing to pay more where most people don’t.
I also sat ther looking at a loaded SLT Sierra there only $2k more discounted $10k. If I really had not been buying for size I would have opted for it.
Also complacency? I see it as a truck they took a risk on and are selling a boy all they can build in a segment most others were and are reluctant to enter.
GM may have been reluctant to offer the sun roof to 4% that may have bought it but Ford was reluctant to bring the Ranger to the 225,000 people that may have bought it like the Chevy and GMC.
The bottom line is I wanted the sun roof but it was not a deal breaker. Home link maybe half use it? Not a deal breaker either. I would easily trade it for a 4×4 indicator not behind the wheel.
The bottom line there are items this truck could use much more than either.
Might note the truck have more dirt in the paint than most new cars in too many examples. They needs a new paint shop more than anything.
Next year or the year after will mark the time they will add a refresh state and we may see some changes then. For now they are looking to increase production as the last couple months many dealers were lacking inventory due to strong sales earlier this year. Guess these two items were not deal breakers for many others either.
Note my observations are based on the twins owners. I have been around there forum for the last 3 years learning what they liked and hated and the Home link and sun roof come up but only with a handful that half of them would not pay the additional cost of the roof anyways. This is what is see and read not what I just think.
Also this truck is still targeting the truck buyers also. If they were just targeting CUV buyers only they would have done as Honda a rebodied a CUV. GM wants to appeal to as many as possible and they are but they did not forget the truck buyers either as this truck is still a truck first.
“GM may have been reluctant to offer the sun roof to 4% that may have bought it but Ford was reluctant to bring the Ranger to the 225,000 people that may have bought it like the Chevy and GMC.”
Very True.
You’re 100% Spot On with your assessment of the Canyon/Colorado twins.
Hopefully when the new Silverado comes out, GM updates the Canyon and Colorado properly.
Lets not all forget the Ranger is coming back to market next year as well.
Plenty of people that are interested in the Colorado simply don’t want a full size truck. If GM can offer a sunroof in a Sonic without worrying about price overlap with a Cruze, then there is NO reason why not here. I think that since the North American market was an afterthought for this truck (which was mostly sold as a work truck in other markets, therefore no need for sunroof), and they already put enough $$$ into modifying it for the NA market that they didn’t want to invest the extra engineering in modifying the roof structure to accommodate the sunroof, especially when they didn’t even know how many of these trucks they could sell to begin with. I fully expect a sunroof in the next generation.
I’ve been cross-shopping the CO and Taco. Was all lined up to buy a diesel CO but that auto sucks and the interior is like a car. Not willing to buy a new Taco given the upcoming refresh for both it and the Frontier and with the Bronco and Ranger coming.
Looks like a used Taco is the way to go right now if you want a manual midsize.
A dealbreaker for me is that lack of adjustability of the seat. As I understand it, you cannot get thigh support adjustment on the power seat. Forward/back, up/down, and recline, but not front thigh support. As a tall person that is a must. GM is leaving that feature out of a number of their vehicles nowadays.
And Homelink is also important to me.
I hope they figured out the wire harnessing problem for the heating/AC on the Colorado!!! Read the reviews they are notorious for this problem I will tell you from first-hand experience. I’m on my 4th harness for my heating and air conditioning.. you have to take your glove box off to fix it every time… Now the paper thin plastic hinge on my glove box is broken from it being on and off so much there should have been recalls for this but it never happened. Junk
how about push button start even the cruise has it
What about transmissions? With the GM/Ford 10 speed available and already in use in the Camaro- why not the Colorado? … and why not at least an 8 speed for the diesel?
I purchased 2017 Colorado ZR1one it’s replacing a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 4.8 L V8 with two 276,000 miles still running great no oil leaks wonderful wonderful truck I hope this one is as well I know the 3.6 L is different than all of the 3.6 L General Motors uses the internals iI designed specifically for This truck !
Give us a CD Player!!
Everyone, sign this petition!!
https://www.change.org/p/general-motors-petition-gm-for-a-cd-player-in-the-chevrolet-colorado
Cool comment bro. In fact, why don’t you have one that says petition for gm to have CD player in every vehicle of their lineup eh?
Good idea.
Sean are you talking about the present generation Colorado or the old first generation ? I bought a 2015 LT Colorado and have almost 25000 miles and haven’t had any problems , knock on wood !!
Give us a dang CD Player!!!
Sign the petition!
https://www.change.org/p/general-motors-petition-gm-for-a-cd-player-in-the-chevrolet-colorado
The dealbreaker for me is they have no CD Player. Other than that deficiency, the truck is suweeeet!
I found this petition online to get a CD Player in this truck.
https://www.change.org/p/general-motors-petition-gm-for-a-cd-player-in-the-chevrolet-colorado
Mike
I know some people are stuck in the past but CDs are definitely old (tech) but I’ve got a sweet tape deck that might fit a Colorado. Take your pick either 8 track or cassette.
I’d buy one if they offered a sunroof and homelink