Just last week, General Motors revealed the updated 2021 Chevrolet Colorado, which delivers a restyled front end and a few other small updates to keep it at the forefront of the segment. However, one thing the new pickup doesn’t offer is keyless entry and push-button start, two features that the midsize Chevy truck desperately needs.
Never mind the fact that these two features are pretty much standard across the industry these days, including in cars that are half the Colorado’s price. Besides that, there’s also the annoying fact that the Chevrolet Colorado key fob will constantly bang against the steering column, especially while taking the truck off the beaten path (such as during off-roading), making a repetitive, distracting clinking noise along the way.
For a truck that can cost nearly $50,000 in top-level trims, this sort of thing is simply unacceptable.
We experienced this annoying key click firsthand with our time in the Chevrolet Colorado, and it’s been a common complaint from owners as well. We also have to note that this all of this also applies to the Chevrolet Colorado’s corporate cousin, the GMC Canyon.
However, if General Motors incorporated modern key technology with both of these vehicles, including push-button start and keyless entry, then the problem goes away completely. What’s more, owners wouldn’t need to go digging through their pocket (or purses) every time they want to lock/unlock or start the vehicle, making it even more convenient. Wallet, cellphone, change, and all those other random items would stay put in the pockets and purses, rather than spilling out in the search for the key.
At the very least, we believe that General Motors should offer push-button start and keyless entry as optional features on the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, particularly on the higher-end Z71 and ZR2 trims on the Colorado, as well as the on the range-topping Denali trim on the Canyon. Unfortunately, neither truck is due for a redesign until 2023, and at this point, it’s looking like both models will carry on with the current key fob and key setup used today.
Do you agree that push-button start and keyless entry should at least be optional on the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Colorado news, GMC Canyon news, Chevrolet news, GMC news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
I agree with the push button. However, the ZR2 does already have remote start unlike some of the other midsized trucks.
I have both button and key on my byword GMC models.
There are good points to the button but the same for the key.
The button is nice because you don’t need to pull out the fob.
The key is nice because I can unlock or lock from the building at work with the fob out vs pushing the little button on the handle. I skip the proximity setting off because it just does not work for me. If it is raining or I have others slow to exit I hav3 to stand at the handle or pull the fob anyways.
Also if I am on the passenger side and want to start it I just can’t push the button with out the brake being stepped on.
While some love the button I could give it take on it. There are other things like 360 cameras or adaptive cruise I would rather have.
What ever they do it will not be a deal buster but if it is a key I will not be disappointed as I will still use the fob button both have.
So basically the “NEW” 2021 Colorado is just a new grill? FAIL!!!
You mad that your brand new Ranger/Gladiator lose every comparison bro?
No. I’m just a prospective buyer who would pickup a ZR2 if it had modern features. For 10k less you can get a Taco with lane keep assist, radar cruise control, push to start and keyless entry. Only reason I don’t want a Taco is because the interior sucks.
It would make the decision to buy a ZR2 easier if it had more modern features, but as it is, I have to decide which features I can live without.
Haven’t looked at a Taco in a while. Besides what you said about the Taco, I would add no locking front diff or fulll disk brakes. 2020 ZR2 Bison diesel here, I didn’t buy it for the interior or key fob. I figured I could always add fuzzy dice or something later. Would have liked to have a real 5th seat (no headrest now). Would also have liked a better payload than 887 pounds with the diesel. But this is a great vehicle and a lot of fun to drive.
Those are all great things you mentioned, but it’s a 40-50k car fully loaded. It’s 2020, some sub 30k sedans have those features, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect it at this point. For me, I’d be doing mostly freeway miles and occasionally taking my motorcycle to the track every summer, and maybe some mild off-roading.
I could get all this done with a 4-banger Taco from 2001-2004, but I’d like a nice, newer car. And if I’m going to be shelling out 40-50k, I just have some standards lol.
Wow could of had a V8, taste gr8 less fi)filling ?
I’m glad my Colorado doesn’t have keyless ignition. First, I’m not lazy. Second, I find those systems annoying, particularly when you want to just gb to the accessory situation. I do admit though that the keyfob GM uses is also somewhat annoying.
What the Colorado needs more is blindspot monitoring, or at least the option of better mirrors, because the vehicle has such poor visibility.
Even the Spark has a keyless option. Also it isn’t about lazyness (not really anyway). it’s about not having the keys bouncing around, or hanging against your leg. And being really unlikely you’ll ever leave your keys in your car.
Sorry, I have a keyless ignition Cruze, and I’m not going back.
See ya out there four wheeling in the Cruze. Awesome! Just because there is no button?
This is the most reta%%% (fixed by profanity filter) article I have ever read on this website and it has bothered me so much to post my first comment. That annoying key banging on the steering column? Really? Really? That is your reasoning? That justified writing this pitiful article?
Think positive !!! Have a nice day !!! ????????
Brazos bend clearly doesn’t get it.
Yes the key fob bangs on the column. Yes it’s annoying. I hear it every day driving to and from my home located on 5 mile stretch of unpaved road in my ZR2. I sometimes have to hold the key fob with one hand so that my newborn doesn’t wake up due to the rattle – so yeah it’s a real issue.
The best part about these guys at GMA is that they clearly use the product they write about. That’s what makes them so different from the rest of these keyboard monkeys who call themselves auto journalists.
Keep on keeping on guys. Trolls like brazos bend will always exist. Pay no attention to them.
Maybe GM shouldn’t have made such a big fob? Wait no, its about the same size as the old GM remotes, so that excuse is gone. Have the authors ever driven a car made before 2017 or not? Was it bothering them then? Your newborn gets woken up by a key fob? I drive a japanese SUV with a catback exhaust to PUT my infant kids to sleep and you are saying your key fob wakes them up?
Yeah I was skeptical about the key clanging too, until I took my Canyon on a 4-hour off-road trek. It IS annoying … like when you go to shut off the ignition and have to simultaneously push in on the key while turning it … sometimes it resists, evoking a momentary panic that the key is stuck. On the other hand, a bulky fob in your pocket with other stuff gets banged up, and regular button-pushing drains the battery quicker. The tech keeps getting in the way of the practical.
I think these features would add unnecessary electronic requirements that could easily leave you broken down when deep off the beaten trails. Great options for a Z71, but doesn’t make sense for a pure off road/overland vehicle, like the ZR2.
These keyless systems are bulletproof. I have never had one leave me stranded in a decade of using it nor do I see how that could be possible.
We have a 2018 Ford and one of the key fobs has already been flaking out. Have to move it around in the car for it to finally start. I don’t mind the push button in it since this is our everyday car, put lots of miles on it and then we’ll trade it in at the end of warranty. However, when I replace my truck at some point I for sure do not want push button as I plan on keeping a truck at least 10 years
Ryan,
Sounds like yours needs a new battery. I’m with Rob on this one… have yet to have a key fob fail me.
They have a key backup, at least my Cruze does
Absolutely: Keyless entry and ignition should be added to the Colorado and Canyon options list posthaste. Even installing them as standard wouldn’t go amiss, at least on high-end models.
Some perspective: My Chevy Cruze is a 2015 model, the last of the first generation that was introduced in North America in 2011. Mine is a 2LT model that came with keyless entry and ignition. I adore the feature. It is, without question, one of the best parts of the car. Given the choice, I wouldn’t go back to a key ignition if I were buying a vehicle today.
My other car, a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, makes do with a traditional key ignition and fob. (If memory serves, the Grand Prix model line died out at the end of 2008, just ahead of its brand, before adopting a keyless system.) It’s no hardship in my old car, but I would scarcely expect to be still dealing with a key ignition in a brand-new GM truck these days. Times change, and technology evolves.
Considering that my Chevy Cruze, a not-new model in 2015, offered keyless entry and ignition, I find it astonishing that a GM pickup model introduced that same year still does not. GM needs to catch up and offer this feature in all its trucks now, and not keep procrastinating until 2021 or even later. You’d think GM would show more technological love to a model that, being a popular truck, is a cash cow. Time to catch up, GM.
I prefer the key because it lets me start the truck without getting in and pushing the break. I do have remote start but don’t want to mess with that when I’m using the truck for work purposes. I like the old school capabilities of the key. I’d rather have a front camera, side warnings, LED lights and other goodies.
I agree with you Kim.
How about adaptive cruise? I’d love to get a Colorado but that’s a deal breaker.
Yes Jason, I totally agree. I’m beginning to look for a new mid-size truck, and the fact that GM’s mid-size trucks don’t have a push-button start and adaptive cruise control is a deal-breaker, and I even have a few thousand GM card points that will go unused. I will be keeping this truck at least 10 years I’m sure, maybe the rest of my life because I’m 64, and I want the latest features in my new vehicle. My wife has a keyless start in her 2015 Nissan Rogue and it is so convenient to not fiddle with the key.
I’m sorry, but I’m just not quite getting what the issue is here. If I’m gonna be on bumpy roads that make the FOB bang against the steering column, I’ll just buy one of those quick disconnect doohickeys, separate the key from the FOB and put it back in my pocket. Instead I’ll play my broken record again and ask why this article wasn’t written about the POOR (IIHS rating) headlights, and why after all these years they’re still halogen…
The new truck on a new platform will be here in 2022 as a 23. Due to this they are not going to make major changes to a class leading truck for this short of a time.
The key will work fine till then. Mine may hit the column but I have the radio on and never notice.
The Headlamps my be hit by the insurance institute but that is what they do. No matter what goes in they ask for more. Just reference the pattern of their reports as what is good today is unacceptable in a year or two.
The lamps work fine and are not unsafe. While not leading edge they are light years better than the old T3 sealed beams.
The new truck will have the new electric architecture so it should better deal with all these new items.
The mid sized trucks are difficult to appoint as they have limits on volume, profits and what people will pay for them the full size truck don’t suffer.
They can’t run up the price on the sticker, they are limited on rebates as profits are not as great nor the volumes close to a full size.
This is why Toyota has doe little to the Taco over the years. Heck they still have drum brakes in back. The few things GM lacks have their cost added to things like 4 wheel disc brakes. Not only 4 wheel but 4 piston front calipers. Much of the value is under the skin.
The truth is if they gave you all that you want you would never pay the price.
Wishes are cheap till you have to pay for them. It all adds up in small amounts.
Never short winded, you say all that to say what ? Blah…..
..
If I have to explain it, you‘d would never understand it anyways.
Really ???
While we are making suggestions, a universal garage remote built in, an electric rear window switch and a sunroof would be nice in the zr2 for the price. Make it a package. I also agree that the headlights could easily be improved. Just for funsies throw in a remote lock for the tailgate.
I have a 2020 ZR2 Bison diesel and the remote lock includes the tailgate. Was 20 the first year for this?
My 2010 Sierra has a remote lock tail gate.
A truck ought to be easy to fix and sturdy. Push button no way…if you want luxurious buy a car! I love my work truck. It’s economical and a joy to have. Don’t want more junk and more out of pocket. It’s a truck!!! Do make a better tailgate and for heaven’s sake, why is camera in spot that gets covered in mud? Really?
That’s great, but you’re missing the point. I’m glad they make work trucks too, but not having a really basic option like keyless ignition is ridiculous at this point.
Your work truck is not inclusive enough for GM’s sensitive clientele. Keys trigger the repressed and downtrodden in this country as it reminds them of slavery and white supremacy!
I will say the FOB banging on the column in my ZR2 is annoying, I personally could care less about the keyless entry. I wouldn’t have thought to write an article on either issue. The 18-19 mpg (I have the 3.6) irks me more, but I bought it knowing that, and I really like that little green Billy goat. So I endure the mpg, just wish it were better. The little truck needs to be updated and brought to the level of amenities that North American buyers demand. When that happens for ’23, I am sure that we will see a more complete and option competitive pickup. However, lets not forget what the Colorado has accomplished in its short time here, it dared to reenter a market that was/is owned by Toyota and to a much lesser degree Nissan. Sales have been strong since day one. It continues to do very well in every shootout that I have read. Sales are currently down, but there are a lot more players in field now. No doubt that the Colorado will limp to the hand off of the next gen Colorado, but it has been very successful to this point for good reason, banging FOB and all. Like mentioned, at least we have 4 wheel disc brakes, the market leader doesn’t.
I have a couple cars with push button, I would just as soon have a key. I don’t know what the big deal is.
I’d settle for a switchblade style key fob… 🙂
These are problems that people have cars and trucks, look at the competition and see what this car or truck doesn’t have then only focus on that.
While not paying attention to the things that make the Colorado great. Has anybody heard of the ZR2? Yea it’s pretty impressive, I’d rather have that technology than keyless entry and push button start.
How did everybody want more crap that can break down or fail truly don’t have any kind of places at all in a truck?
The old S10 and Sonoma used to have a rubber pad on the column that stopped any sound of the key fob.
If it is an issue today just take some soft side of Velcro and put it under the ignition.
Or put on some Motorhead so it will not matter anyways.
Don’t do it….
It needs the push button desperately!! I only have one extra key on my fob, and the rattle from it drives me insane. As the article stated, a lot of older and cheaper model vehicles are even equipped with this feature. Get with the program, Chevy.
The Colorado has so many issues, at least mine does. Constant rattles in the b-pillars, a horrible smell from the A/C, rattles in the dash and glove box. I regret buying this truck for sure. In the 10 months of owning this it, it’s been in the shop for a total of over 2 months. Unacceptable if you ask me considering it was brand new.
I have to laugh every time I hear complaints about the keyless start. Is that all there is left to improve? How about a return of the front trail/rock camera that you could add on through 2018 when GM changed the radio setup. I don’t really see the value or the inconvenience of keyless fob vs keyed start. Stouter axles, etc for a greater GVWR, the ZR2 Bison Diesel is pathetic at 887 pounds. Better mirrors? Anyway, you get the idea, there are a lot of things that GM could do to make the Colorado ZR2 better. Keyless start, maybe a Prius?
This guy gets it!!! How about improving the vehicle ability to do what it’s designed to do. People only have the ability to look at the surface and not dig deeper.
Focus on the performance of the vehicle
I too agree that Colorado should have push button start. No reason for this. Considering a Ford ranger as my lease is up in January. I am impressed with that vehicle. Unimpressed with having no new refreshes for 2020 Colorado. Trading in leased 2017 Colorado on a new 2020? No new changes, I am not impressed at all with Chevrolet as I have always been a Colorado customer now looking seriously at Ranger.
Jonathan Lopez I couldn’t AGREE with you more! I have been saying this for a few years. Am happy to finally see a journalist mention this issue!! My 2015 Jeep Cherokee has it and I love that feature. I sure hope GM is reading this article and at LEAST adds it as an option for 2021 model year.
I would also like to see GM offer homelink!!! Heck, my 1997 Blazer had Homelink. Come on GM…I would like to buy a Canyon but without these two features I will look at the competition.
A had a 2016 Colorado and now I own a 2018 GMC Canyon, I like them both!
however I would definitely like to see the push button start….I would trade in my Canyon for a 2021 version if it had a push button start
My grandfather had a Plymouth business coupe in the early fifties.
He used to let us kids push the button to start it!!
Man these new cars are really something spectacular!
So they should change to a key fob which means you need to keep it in a container of some kind so that it is shielded so no one with the right electronics can’t steal the electronic code off it and in turn steal your truck. No thank’s. Also, when I am off roading in my ZR2 I have never noticed the keys clinking. I guess my thought is if you are really off roading you are too involved with driving to notice.
There is a thing called a radio that fixes the noise of the key chain. Turn up the volume problem goes away
The zombie apocalypse already happened. The herd thinking advocacy in this industry is appalling. Now it’s the novelty of keyless.
How about offer some dedicated analog/classic style control interfaces.? Chevy and GM, with a strong classic car heritage, is the company most likely do well with trims for that.
5 years ago, my girlfriend and I were both content driving cars with no-fob keys, crank windows, manual seats, and mine with sticks and no a/c. Those cars wore out and we picked a Cruze. It had strong fuel efficiency and axle weight for sloppy weather, with a modern crash structure for a potential little one in the back. No electronic feature sold us.
I didn’t realize until my hand slid off the key that the starter switch only requests a start from some program. Pointless complexity. There’s no passenger or trunk key lock. The oil filter and fuel filter have plastic housings. The company chose ‘features’ over things I had always taken for granted and were left off the Cruze. Now, I’m looking at Camaros with no gas cap and no real keys. That is cheap to me.
I don’t mind riding with people that chose trendy luxuries. I’m glad when they get cars they like. I’m the other end of a spectrum. Why can’t they use copper-nickel brake lines? Don’t style obnoxiously or too aero, and also get a steering wheel that looks good with no controls? I’d rather have all-around good materials with less features and less NVH fussing. And I prefer paying for fellow countrymen to build it.
Sorry for ranting.
I carried both fobs, primary & spare, one in each pocket, along with a seperate keychain holding my workshop key. In hurriedly pulling out the one for my Canyon, the workshop key (and the attached mower key, shed key, etc.) was unknowingly withdrawn and lost. A new set of padlocks and keys cost about $25. A pushbutton would’ve been nice.
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I have had a 2015 and 2018 GMC canyon. I am disappointed that GM has not fitted these midsize trucks with the latest safety features as well as the keyless start. I understand that the 2021 versions of these truck will not have these features. MY lease is up this winter and I am getting a honda ridgeline. It has all the features I want as well as a sun roof. Goodbye GM
It would be nice to have some modern amenities in my Canyon AT. Something like LED headlamps over the dim halogen bulbs would actually be great. A keyless ignition would be awesome. When I made my GMC employee purchase. I had no idea these little things that were standard on a Mazda 6 that was $15K less were something I would miss more than the luxury of having a 4X4. But I have to say that I don’t plan on going back, just upgrading what I have to have what I want. You can purchase aftermarket systems if you truly hate keys and 50’s lighting.
i really want the zr2 bison the price dosnt bother me but knowing the 2.7 t 10 speed is coming I will wait just a little longer i know the truck needs that engine and trans , i would hope they add a push button everything else has one , one other thing if i’m going to pay over 50k for a truck I really hope they add dynamic cruise I know it’s asking allot cause of the sensors in the bumper and bison is what it is , i’m spoiled with the other 2 cars i have had , tacos do have dynamic , just putting it out there . the other tech I can live without lane assist bells and whistles and even a sunroof cause i plan on getting a rack for over landing . I don’t want to settle for less especially at that price point . let’s see if they over deliver
Im a chevy guy and for the life of me can not see spending 45k+ on a truck with a old dated interior. The only interior change was the new infotainment center. Still has single zone climate control, standard ignition, same seats since launch in 2015. I would like either a power rear window option or sunroof, perhaps both options. Also add blindspot monitoring. Much rather have that then lane departure warning ( you should be able to stay in your lane while driving) or forward collision warning. If you’re paying attention while driving you dont need those two features to begin with.