After spending a week with the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison, taking it off-roading, sampling its road manners, enjoying the full plethora of toys AEV has grafted onto the truck, and wondering why our Bison tester doesn’t have a snorkel air intake, we’re realizing how competitive the Colorado still is even if it’s coming of age.
The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado now faces newfound rivals like the Ford Ranger and Jeep Gladiator. Meanwhile, the Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier are still hanging in there. Yet, the small Chevy is still a great proposal, outranking its competition in the areas that matter. Let’s begin by comparing available engines. Our test unit is powered by the 3.6L LGZ V6 engine mated to the GM 8-speed automatic transmission, but the Colorado comes with two other engine choices, something none of its rivals currently offer. Have a look:
Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon engines vs competition
Truck | Engine Choice 1 | Engine Choice 2 | Engine Choice 3 |
---|---|---|---|
Chevrolet Colorado | 2.5L I4 - 195 hp / 191 lb-ft | 3.6L V6 - 308 hp / 275 lb-ft | 2.8L turbo-diesel I4 - 181 hp / 369 lb-ft |
Ford Ranger | 2.3L turbo I4 - 270 hp / 310 lb-ft | N/A | N/A |
GMC Canyon | 2.5L I4 - 195 hp / 191 lb-ft | 3.6L V6 - 308 hp / 275 lb-ft | 2.8L turbo-diesel I4 - 181 hp / 369 lb-ft |
Jeep Gladiator | 3.6L V6 - 285 hp / 260 lb-ft | 3.0L turbo-diesel V6 - 260 hp / 442 lb-ft (avail. 2020) | N/A |
Honda Ridgeline | 3.5L V6 - 280 hp / 262 lb-ft | N/A | N/A |
Toyota Tacoma | 2.7L I4 - 159 hp / 180 lb-pi | 3.5L V6 - 278 hp / 265 lb-ft | N/A |
Nissan Frontier | 2.5L I4 - 152 hp / 171 lb-pi | 4.0L V6 - 261 hp / 281 lb-ft | N/A |
We can clearly see in this table that the Colorado not only offers more diversity in engine selection, but its naturally aspirated V6 pumps out more horsepower than the competition. Only the Nissan Frontier churns out more torque at 281 lb-ft. Special mention to the Ford Ranger’s 310 lb-ft of torque from a turbo four!
The Chevrolet Colorado, along with its GMC Canyon corporate cousin, are currently the only trucks in the segment to offer a diesel option – the 2.8L LWN four-cylinder that’s part of the Duramax engine family. It is however important to underline that Jeep will introduce a turbo-diesel V6 to the Gladiator by the end of the 2020 model year.
Now, let’s have a look at maximum towing ratings for each truck. Since the Colorado is currently the only small truck to offer both a gasoline and turbodiesel engine, we decided to split towing ratings for each engine.
Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon Towing Ratings vs. competition
Truck | Max Towing Rating |
---|---|
Chevrolet Colorado V6 | 7,000 lbs / 3,175 kg |
Chevrolet Colorado Duramax | 7,700 lbs / 3,492 kg |
Ford Ranger | 7,500 lbs / 3,402 kg |
GMC Canyon V6 | 7,000 lbs / 3,175 kg |
GMC Canyon Duramax | 7,700 lbs / 3,492 kg |
Jeep Gladiator | 7,650 lbs / 3,470 kg |
Honda Ridgeline | 5,000 lbs / 2,268 kg |
Toyota Tacoma V6 | 6,500 lbs / 2,948 kg |
Nissan Frontier V6 | 6,490 lbs / 2,930 kg |
We can observe that the V6-powered Colorado is slightly outgunned by its fresh competition – the Jeep Gladiator and Ford Ranger – but the Duramax-powered truck is still the segment leader. That said, even if it’s been on the market since 2014, the Colorado V6 still outperforms the Tacoma, the Ridgeline and the Frontier in towing.
Add to that a choice of two cabin and box choices, something not offered by Jeep, Ford and Honda, as well as a very capable ZR2 variant which will outperform all other trucks in this category in a muddy trail, except for the Gladiator, and the Chevrolet Colorado comes through as the Swiss army knife of the midsize truck category.
Love reading stories about how the Chevrolet Colorado performs against its rivals? Then subscribe to GM Authority for more Colorado news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
If GM is smart, they should offer both new engines on the Colorado/Canyon lineup, the 2.7 turbo and 3.0 duramax turbodiesel. The can offer the 3.0 duramax only in the ZR2/ZR2 Bison/AT4 as exclusive engine, leave the 2.8 turbo diesel avaliable but offer better HP/Torque.
I agree. The current diesel needs a bit more power and oomph and the 8 or 10 speed transmission and I would buy it. Maybe upgrading power of the v6 also.
The fact is the GM models are the best in class. While the Ford has a bit more power the V6 is right there. Then factor in the handling, braking and price it has the segment covered.
The Jeep is too expensive and while it has the Jeep thing going it also drags the a Jeep baggage into it too at a much higher cost.
Let’s face it the profits are limited in this segment so few invest much. I hope GM builds on the truck they have and keeps the advantage in the segment.
Here I am again, just to point out that,
It is your opinion that ” Let’s face it the profits are limited in this segment ”
I DO, DO agree that the average mid-sized truck owner buy the average mid-sized truck. And if you truly knew anything about DATA you would know that is literally the definition of average, the mean of the data.
BUT here is where you and I differ on opinion !
Just like the lower trim of every GM vehicle made is the average, mean of the data, you are correct, and so is it in this truck line.
But the Denali trim and the High Country trims are a certain % of the Data, the high of the DATA is the Denali, the low of the number is the base, and the mean or average is where you C8.R what this truck line to stop.
Yet you drive a Denali ! that is what is confusing to the average. Why do you speak to the average yet drive the top ?
The advantage in this segment, is the same advantage GM has in all there truck lines.
A base ( cheap ) truck, only a few sold, the mean, or average ( most own center price ) and Denali, the top ( most costly ) few sold.
When you move the whole graph of data one way or another ALL the DATA moves.
If you lower or stagnate the top like you are suggesting, you have limited the average profit.
Look at it this way, you are a boomer – OK – so if you have money invested other than Social Security, your investment person will tell you to stagnate your investment, remove it from high risk, by doing so you have now limited your returns and are no longer keeping up with inflation !!!
Youi understand that – right ?
By limiting the top end of your offering, its like taking your money out of the top end of the stocks, and therefore stagnates the potential return.
That is a business decision of GM, as it is your decision on your stock investment.
BUT just like keeping your value of money up with inflation or current with the times.
the truck market is the same thing, as keeping up with the competition.
Why would you stop progressing ?
Nobody else is going to !
One more thing, look at the investor, most money guys will tell you, even at boomer age, if you have enough money, you should keep a % in stocks as to reap the potential gains and you can handle the loss – OK .
So look at the GM ( cheap ) decisions or boomer decisions. GM has moved all there money to bonds and the stable returns, therefore limiting the potential top gain. And that is why GM will lose the inflationary battle.
I know you hate Tesla and Elon, but look, he has put all his money or value into stocks, and is taking the top rick, just like you boomers did when you were 20 years old. If this works, and it has so far, he will reap the top end, if not he will go bankrupt, just like GM has. But he will keep Tesla level with the current inflation.
We will differ on this, and that is OK we can differ.
But please, I beg of you boomers,
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!QUIT TELLING GM THEIR PRODUCTS ARE GOOD ENOUGH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To the boomer GM stockholder, if you want new money to purchase your stock, for more than the $4.00 value at bankruptcy, keep up with the times and do not stop the top offerings, the competition will not quit so you can breath.
Of course my opinion.
Its always interesting to me how there’s comments here 4 times as long as the actual article…just send your resume to GM if you have all the answers, guys. Make a career out of it if you have that kind of time.
G8Burnout,
Most commenters here do work for GM in some fashion.
They either own GM dealerships, work at GM dealerships, are GM customer service reps, or sell and install GM performance parts !
To be a true GM customer here is a rarity , maybe get some when the Authority talks about recalls and troubles, but even then you get the scott3 C8.Rs of the site, stating they never had troubles with their GM 8 speed junk transmission, AFTER THEY HAD IT REPLACED !!
Me working for GM as a yes man, would be like Mad Dog Mattis working for TRUMP.
He knew what was going on, and could handle it, yet was getting paid for nothing as his opinion was null.
Despite the fact that my comment was facetious, working for “GM” in some kind of dealership capacity is not exactly analogous to working for GM in-house and directly, as an engineer, financial analyst, accountant, strategist, etc.
I’ve always contended that the 8-speed was junk. But I also don’t know what scott3 and C8.R have said or experienced on the matter, so can’t be of much input there.
My only point is that, in reality, none of us know what it’s like to run an immense multi-national corporation, and as much as we think we do, we never will. Not you, Not C8.R. Not me. If we had what it takes, we’d be working for either them or a competitor, not selling and installing boosted LS3’s.
Lastly, no need to bring politics in. We get enough of that as it is.
YES it is, This is the trouble here.
The GM dealership is the eyes and ears of GM ! Do you know this ?
If Mary is to know what vehicles to make or how the service is going she looks at the data provided by the GM dealerships.
When a GM dealership lies to GM for profit, it hurts the customer.
When a GM dealership is the only group telling GM it is ” Good Enough ” it hurts the customer.
In days past the GM dealership was a GM dealership, not a multi – brand dealership. The dealer owner had ” Skin in the game ” per say. They would let GM know how and why things were the way they are. The GM dealer of the past wanted GM to do better as then the dealership would do better.
Today most dealers I know are a multi brand dealership with separate entities to get around franchise laws, for the sake of profit. These multi brand dealers move all employees all over from brand to brand as needed. the very dealerships GM feels are helping them are just for profit vehicle franchises.
GM as a company has no idea what the customer wants, or how the customer is treated as GM only talks to the dealerships and NOT the customer.
Even when you have troubles with a GM dealership and call into GM customer support, GM just reroutes you right back to a GM dealership.
GM has zero interaction with the actual customer !
So as you mite want to believe that you do not work for GM per say, you work entirely for GM as you are the eyes and ears of GM when it pertains to the customer.
Now to your other comment, if we had what it takes, what does that even mean ?
I worked for a multinational vehicle component company, flew all over on private jets, was a member of SAE task force to set certain standards.
I quit !
Just because I quit does not mean I did not ” have what it takes ” I was done !
I just got sick of the lies and deception for profit.
In the early 90s it was pretty good, but as the next 15 years, yes I was there 15 years, progressed it was cutthroat for profit above all else !
This is the exact time frame the GM dealerships started screwing GM for profit, and lying for profit.
The process teams used to say, quality above all else, unless it holds up shipments !
So you see, sometimes the best person for the job simply doesn’t want it !
And I agree lets keep politics out !
Opinion is mine to give.
GM has the opportunity to really improve on their midsize trucks with the upcoming redesigns, so let’s hope they learned from their past stumbles and not just carryover with their good enough mentality.
I doubt the new ones will get the 3.0TD as it is a 6 cylinder in line and I would guess to long.
And that is ok as the 2.8TD is a good reliable engine, with top of the field torque and good fuel usage to boot.
BUT , where I am at with the 3.6-V6 VS the 2.7T is this. The 3.6 IS a leader in the field, and IS a great torquey engine at high rpm.
BUT at the high rpm this 3.6-V6 is a fuel pig ! And if you are towing the 7000 lbs, you will be using that torque and ALOT of fuel !!! The 3.6-V6 will use more fuel towing 7000 lbs than a HD truck will towing 7000 lbs. My 3.6-V6 towing a two wheeled trailer with a Polaris Ranger gets 4 to 6 MPG and my HD will get 15 to 18 MPG.
This is where the average truck owner looks at the DATA, sure the average mid-sized GM grocery getter doesn’t care, but the truck owner does and knows the difference.
The 2.7T-10 speed and the 2.8TD-10 speed get my vote they are in my opinion, the correct size for the segment to fit in the current truck and will lead in longevity and fuel usage.
And it is my opinion that there should be an EV option, and it would cover the base parts runner, as it can charge every night. But with GM doing EVs like they are it will have to be a different truck as it will most likely be a different platform!
And I hope the Denali has every option my 2020 HD Denali has for an option !
The 2.8 TD is gutless and needs more power and I think that why someone mentioned the inline 6. The TD also need more than the 6speed if it’s going to Compete with the Gladiator. It beats it price wise (bison vs Rubicon)
Do they still not start and you got to wait ten minutes because of the stupid anti theft system? Like my 2005 Chevrolet Colorado
Ditch the 3.6 high rev engine. Literally anything else is better. 4.3L ecotec is great, 2.7T is great, probably a market for a 6.2 denali canyon? Maybe a GMC Syclone sport truck with V8 AWD?
I’m waiting to be proven wrong…But GM is not going to produce any performance oriented trucks or suvs. They would rather stick a badge and some decals then say it’s the sport model.
U think an 8 cylinder will fit? U think the turbo engine will have better gas mileage? The turbo will be on the entire ride.
People constantly suggest that a performance truck is needed. Why? Who buys that? Old gm would have done that to distract from crap products. Glad this gm does not.
Of course an LT small block V8 would fit. They put the 5.3 in the old colorado. People put LS/LT V8s in just about everything.
GM thinks the 2.7T is good enough for a full size so why wouldnt it do slightly better in a midsize? Less weight and less frontal area would translate into less boost required under light loads.
A hybrid Colorado can have the best of two worlds: performance and efficiency. The electric motor can generate more instant torque than any small gas engine, and assist the engine when needed, while allowing pure electric driving in slow and constant speed driving. A hybrid system is much better and easier to maintain then a turbocharged gas engine.
If Ford does offer a hybrid Ranger (the hybrid F-150 is being produced as we read here), then that Ranger will beat the other small trucks.
Raymond,
as I agree with you on the hybrid system performance, I do not agree with you on the easier to maintain than a turbo gas engine.
I am an EV advocate, and will buy a Cadillac EV when its in a mid-sized sedan and a mid-sized SUV.
But do to the complications of a hybrid system, long-term I do not think the maintenance would be less. You still have an ICE engine, and if you want it efficient you need it to be a small turbo, but then to that you all the EV, but not just an EV system but an EV system to work in tandem to the ICE, thus more complicated !
I am open here, convince me.
Where you can not charge an EV yet the hybrid system is a good option as far as efficiency, but I do not see it as a better option from the maintaining it point of view.
Just opinion.
The 5.3 and 2.7 would be logically the next step for high models, 6.2 and 3.0 TD in the Colorado is pure fantasy..
Well a V 8 is not going to happen.The balance of emission, CAFE and volume will not let it happen.
The last V8 did not sell all that well as GM put a high price on it. Check out the production numbers as they were low.
Same on the Syclone. While it was a cool truck they only sold 2995 units. They might not have even broke even with on the engineering cost leveraging the Typhoon sales.
I want these trucks too but they are not cheap to design, engineer and put into production. Most limited models like this have to be sold at a very high price or they don’t make much money,
Now GM Moaner can put on a extra long post with no real facts or consideration to reality that I will not read. Just because you think you know how things work does not mean you really know. The more you post the more it shows you have no clue. Come on put it all in caps!!
As C8.R likes promote my posts, GM Moaner here, AKA lifelongGMowner !
Because scott3 AKA C8.R just does not get the world we live in today or my point of view I will once again TRY to get my opinion across.
I DO NOT PROMOTE a V8 IN ANY GM VEHICLE EXCEPT THE FOLLOWING WORK AND PREFORMANCE UNITS.
I DO NOT PROMOTE A V8 IN ANY MID-SIZED GM VEHICLE WHATSOEVER.
What I do promote is a better mid-sized vehicle than the average GM blah ” Good Enough ” vehicle that C8.R promotes.
As you read this post most here already know my thoughts, C8.R just likes to promote more reading of my posts, and for that I say, thankyou C8.R !
Unlike C8.Rs opinion, my opinion is GM needs a better option on the MOST SOLD VEHICLE IN THE WORLD, the Mid-sized. C8.R thinks the only vehicle that needs a better offering is the GM full-sized line. From his point of view he loves the GM-V8 and likes to profit from the sale of GM-V8 performance parts.
I however would just like a better option in the mid-sized segment.
As the old boomers want a V8 offering in everything, I DO NOT !
What I would like is to purchase a mid-sized GM vehicle that is not a pooch to drive ( average GM blah ” Good Enough “.
So GM has the engines -GM has the Vehicles – what GM lacks is the desire to spend money for the obvious profit !
Sure the people in the know say, but GM moaner, the GM mid-sized FWD based vehicles can not handle the larger power.
The Canyon will, and if GM would have a Canyon based mid-sized SUV it would also !
So to recap, I do not see myself as some GM complainer, what I do see myself as is an offset to the C8.R ” Good Enough ” attitude. You see if you search scott3 and C8.R posts you will see his opinion is all in on the full sized and performance V8 lines of GM, as that benefits his business. What he is not all in for is the GM as a company performance, as he tries to stifle all upgrades to the LARGEST VEHICLE SEGMENT !
Look at C8.R, read what he posts, He literally drives the highest trim of a GMC Canyon, yet does NOT promote the highest trim Canyon !
He had the ENTIRE transmission replaced in his GMC Canyon, yet thinks everyone else should just suffer with the GM 8 speed junk transmission !
He wants GM to kill vehicles with the lesser sales numbers yet, promotes the C8 Corvette and the Corvette sales numbers NEVER move on average from the traditional Corvette owners !!
GM has made more money and has had happier ownership from the Denali line than any other offshoot of GM including the Corvette.
And when GM was at the peak profit as a vehicle company, it was do to making a step up to the average vehicle offered by EVERYONE.
Just like GM does with the full size line, GM has always done, offered a step up, and look at the number of 6.2 upgrades to the 5.3 !
Why C8.R and GM do you think offering the LARGEST vehicle segment the same option, would not be a good move ?
C8.R, do you have an answer ?
I bet no.
Your right, i doubt a V8 [small GM truck] ever happens. I have zero interest in any GM products that aren’t powered by the LS/LT series pushrod engines. They are super durable, efficient, powerful, just awesome. By comparison, the 3.6 engines are junk.
Look at FCA, they know what people want, over 50,000 SRT Jeep grand cherokees sold since 2012. They even have SRT Durango that is selling. Do these need 6.4L V8s? No, but people want them. Base GC is like 30k and the SRT version is around 70k, it still sells well. I’d be all over a GM version of a grand cherokee with a 6.2 for example. The Tahoe platform is just too big and fat and getting fatter in 2021.
I’d love a smallish SUV or pickup with a real engine. What are my options? Camaro? No visibility and a micro trunk all in a really large coupe. No thanks. Corvette? Corvette is pretty good but cannot match the all around usefulness of a Jeep GC SRT.
Daren,
You are correct on the FCA performance SUV’s. My sister-in-law has the Durango SRT, they pull their boat and just go with the people and the gear, and not a full-sized vehicle.
I saw the Jeep version the other day pull onto the interstate, WOW !
So that’s ok for an option for you, as GM has the full-sized SUV for extreme power and performance upgrades.
I just want better than a pooch.
And I agree with you on the Corvette ! Awesome vehicle I hope it lasts, as I am a Corvette owner, yet its pretty useless as a everyday vehicle.
You think the way I do. GM is mostly dead to me without pushrods; it’s in their “dna”. They lost a 1st gen Colorado/Canyon sale by not having a 90 degree V6 LS. I don’t like large vehicles either, but want relatively big cubic inches.
New vehicle options are dwindling for me. Not considering a 2nd gen. Not close enough, nice truck, way too nice. An imitator is probably not fair to say, but it’s how I feel about “new GM”.
These trucks do not need any more towing capacity. Getting close to 8k is way to much for a truck this size. They don’t need a V8. The 2.7 turbo as we have seen in the CT4 can be upgraded to add more power and that would be what they should do in the higher end trucks. So have two versions of the 2.7 Turbo and the diesel. All these trucks need for the new version is upgraded interiors, sunroof option and camera’s like on the Silverado/Sierra as option for towing. No need for trucks to tow much more than they currently in the next generation. If you need more you should be buying a bigger truck.