The updated 2021 Chevrolet Colorado has arrived with rugged new looks and some mild upgrades designed to keep it relevant in an increasingly competitive segment.
Strangely, General Motors has yet to release photos of the 2021 Colorado WT, LT and Z71 trims, so for now, you’ll have to make do with these photos of the 2021 Colorado ZR2.
The automaker says the WT, LT and Z71 will receive updated center bars, along with a revised lower fascia and front skid plates. The WT and LT will feature a new gold Chevy bowtie logos, while the Z71 is set apart with a new black bowtie logo. All versions of the truck will also receive a new Chevrolet-embossed tailgate, while a new Sand Dune Metallic color (as seen on the 2021 Colorado ZR2 shown featured this article) will be offered on Z71 and ZR2 models.
A little more attention has been paid to the Colorado ZR2. The rugged off-road truck has received a lettered, flow-through Chevrolet grille similar to the one featured on certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado trims, along with a revised lower fascia section. GM has thrown in standard red tow hooks, too, which we actually first saw on the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 hydrogen military concept.
All the other off-road goodies that make the ZR2 what it is, such as the Multimatic DSSV position-sensitive dampers, standard front and rear electronic locking differentials, two-inch suspension lift, 3.5-inch wider track, protected rockers, cast iron control arms, Autotrac transfer case, and front and rear skid plates, remain untouched.
GM is staying quiet with regard to any powertrain and interior updates, though we’re not expecting major changes. If the automaker had something exciting to share with us, it probably would have done so in the press release.
“We’ve sold 520,000 Colorado pickups in five years through a relentless, foot-on-the-gas approach to product and feature updates,” Chevrolet trucks marketing boss, Bob Krapes, said in a statement. “With its new-look front end and tailgate, Colorado will now have a more aggressive appearance to match its award-winning capability.”
The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado and Colorado ZR2 will goes on sale next year, with pricing to be announced closer to the start of production. Speaking of which, the truck will remain at GM’s Wentzville Assembly Center in Wentzville, Missouri. It will make its official, in-person debut at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
There’s one way to see the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 before it debuts at SEMA, however. Hall Racing, the off-road racing team that has been campaigning a near-stock Colorado ZR2 in the Best of the Desert off-road series for the past two years, will be switching to the new 2021 Colorado ZR2 for this season, with the vehicle set to make its first competition appearance at the 2019 Method Race Wheels Laughlin Desert Classic on October 10th.
We’ll bring you photos of the 2021 Colorado WT, LT and Z71 as soon as they become available, so be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Colorado news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
It’s interesting how well the Silverado-esque front end works on it!
If I was the project manager on this vehicle I would have spent my refresh dollars a little differently.
1. Updated front and rear lighting to LED (Modern road presence)
2. Brought this updated grill mesh to the existing grill design (similar to how they updated Yukon Denali in 2018)
3. Placed the new “Chevrolet” tailgate
4. Update the user interface from the 2019 Silverado redesign (user experience “MyChevrolet” is what feels old)
5. Rolled out 4 new exterior colors (earth tones)
6. Rolled out 2 new interior accent colors to complement black (stitching, piping, inserts, etc.)
I like the more aggressive look I just wish they would’ve changed the headlights. Possible just make the chrome in the headlights black to match this truck. Not a deal breaker just my two cents. For a refresh it looks pretty damn good.
The chrome around the lights should be led strips
Foot on the gas approach?
Uhh, got to disagree there. Updates have been average at best
But look at the rest of the segment. Frontier? lol. Taco? Down on power and engine options, down on trans, worse interior. Ranger? Most comparisons still crown the Colorado as the clear winner.
I bet GM was watching the Ranger closely and would have made bigger changes for 2021 but instead now they are holding out for a full refresh on the next generation
I’m not really sure what to think. I’ll have to wait until it’s in the configurator on their site. So, next year.
The asymmetrical location of the bowtie is off putting to me. I wonder why they did not put it to the top middle, just above the ‘CHEVROLET’ bar and below the hood or better yet, remove it altogether? Or the flow tie, top and middle?
Man, GM have been struggling to place their bowties in a location that does not look like an after thought (Camaro).
Looks great less filling, I hate to say it as a gm owner of HD trucks mid size and compacts cars and performance cars for over 40 years looks like all show no go ? What can it haul , new grubhub veh. For taco bell in Arizona.
Scott ZL1.
Who would buys a “performance” oriented 4-wheel drive like the ZR2 to haul?
Would anyone buy a ZL1 to haul?
Love the new color
That is an incredible look for just a grill change! Now please add the 2.7 and a little bigger touch screen in an updated center console!
Wow, i think it looks great on a truck that already looked really good.
And yet another car/truck with the ugly Lexus all-black hour glass front end/grill. Also, the front end/grill lines don’t flow together very well just like the new Silverado and Camaro, and it looks like it’s got the infamous GM fish gills up front. Sure wish GM would change their Design Team before it’s too late.
Looks a lot better than anything ford or Toyota are putting out,,,love this truck,it fits my outdoor lifestyle perfectly,,rugged yet comfortable,,small enough to get around rivers,streams and canyons but still have great towing and room
Another ugly Camaro like interpretation which doesnt fit to the rest of unchanged design. Failed Camaro front end from last year is back.
As a GM Retiree and virtual lifetime GM buyer, I wanted to buy a ZR2 for my Off-Road adventures. But after comparing interiors and available features, I may have to switch to the Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator Rubicon. They have all the safety goodies as well as beautiful looking center stacks and dash areas. The new models are quiet and feel plush on the inside. They are just as capable off-road as the ZR2 I don’t want to wait until 2023 (I may be dead by then) for GM to just catch up. By then they’ll be behind again.