New 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Release Date, Price, MSRP

New 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Release Date, Price, MSRP  –  A universe of opportunities has been made possible by the midsize truck market’s comeback, with models that range from dependable everyday drivers to the ideal vehicles for extreme sport fans. Plus, the seats aren’t great; the small, hard cushions quickly cause cramps and fatigue. The chairs are already upholstered in a fabric and leatherette combination, but you can upgrade to genuine cowhide for an extra $1,095.

I could care less about spending the money if I could get by with the synthetic material, which seems sturdy enough to withstand the wear and tear of both work and play. Finally, this gets us to the last point about the Colorado cabin: sure, it’s cramped, but it’s probably not the ideal vehicle to carry a family. However, there is more than enough room inside the car to accommodate two or three friends and their bikes when you’re ready to ride on your favorite single-track path.

New 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior and Interior

Even while the handling is familiar, the ride quality is definitely an acquired flavor that takes time to get used to. The Colorado’s ride can resemble a rocking horse as it see-saws over broken pavement because of a kind of rigidity that runs from the front to the back. In addition, applying the brakes on bumpy roads may be a bit of a rattle, what with the driveline swaying as the back wheels jump over obstacles.

Plus, there isn’t a ton of legroom within the cabin, which might be a bit of a bummer considering how perfectly sized the Colorado is on the exterior. Beyond the more apparent resemblance to a full-size truck like the Silverado, there is a noticeable disparity between the Colorado and the Chevrolet Blazer, a midsize SUV, which is characterized by a bigger cabin than the Colorado. The Colorado is probably going to be plenty roomy for guys who wear a size 40 suit or smaller, but those with refrigerator-sized frames are probably better off trying it on first.

New 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Specs

It must be stressed that the Trail Runner is not an off-the-shelf replacement for the Colorado ZR2 but rather an easy-to-install accessory for Z71 models like the one I bought. Unlike the ZR2, which leans toward the extreme end of the pickup truck spectrum, which is perhaps unnecessary, the Trail Runner package provides a taste of the pickup truck’s style and substance without going crazy. 

Given its foundation in the Z71, that’s actually a pretty good place to start utilizing it. Imagine it as a four-wheel drive version of the off-road lite trim, exclusive to Canada. It has a skid plate for the transfer case, hill descent control, an automatic locking rear differential, and more robust suspension components. With its adventure-ready package that includes adjustable dampers, locking differentials, a higher suspension, and a fierce front bumper, the ZR2 is undeniably a fantastic truck. However, I would much rather to keep the about $7,000 and go with the Z71 because of how specific and targeted that Colorado modification is.  New 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Release Date

Engine and Performance

The truck I tested had a gas-powered V6 engine under the hood. Despite the fact that the 2.8-liter turbo diesel would be closer to my liking, there are many aspects of this engine that I find appealing. An ideal output for a vehicle of this size, the normally aspirated engine delivers 275 pound-feet of torque and 308 horsepower from its 3.6-liter displacement. While the Colorado isn’t exactly a sprinter, it does have a torque-assisted powertrain that allows it to exceed 4,000 rpm with ease. This is a huge upgrade over the Blazer’s (5,000 rpm) and Camaro’s (5,000 rpm) equivalent engines (5,300 rpm). 

It has an eight-speed automatic gearbox that, for the most part, knows what gear it should be in. Nevertheless, it may become careless when passing on the highway, failing to downshift to provide the required revs to finish the job. To keep itself in the meaty part of the powerband, it acts a little more cautiously when in tow/haul mode, holding gears for a little longer. New 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Release Date

New 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Fuel Economy

The cumulative rating I obtained after a week of testing was 11.9 liters per hundred kilometers. While this is not very impressive, it is higher than the value of 12.2 liters per hundred kilometers that Colorado Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) assigns it. I must admit that I squander much of my time behind the wheel of the automobile, cruising north of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) on minor roads.   New 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Release Date

The Colorado’s V6 engine produces fuel consumption that is well in the middle of the pack for midsize trucks, when compared to competitors like the Gladiator, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Tacoma. But when compared to other products that use the same engine, it seems to be underperforming. For example, during a weeklong test, the Blazer RS that I had driven a few weeks ago achieved somewhat higher gas mileage, averaging 11.5 liters per hundred kilometers.

New 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Safety Features

Although it’s not the primary motivator, fuel economy is an important factor to think about when shopping for a pickup truck. You won’t find a plethora of advanced safety measures inside this vehicle, so let’s hope this holds true for them as well. The Colorado could only have benefited from the availability and great demand of certain pieces of equipment, despite having only been revived a few years ago. This rules out the possibility of features like autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping aid.

Conversely, rear parking sensors, lane departure warning systems, and front collision warning systems can all be added with a safety upgrade package. The vehicle also has six airbags strategically placed throughout the interior, an electronic traction and stability control system that comes as standard equipment, a backup camera that is mandated by the government, and more. The bulk of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) crash test results were positive; however, the Colorado did not fare well when tested for the passenger side’s short front overlap. The safety cage was criticized for its structure and integrity, with the non-profit group stating that “the passenger’s survival space was not maintained well.”  New 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Release Date

New 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Price and Release Date

On top of the original price of $40,798 for the Colorado Z71 crew cab, an extra $600 is required for the expanded box. Even with the V6 engine under the hood, that is not a bad showing for a modern pickup. (Meanwhile, opting for diesel power adds an outrageous $4,585.00 to the final cost.) You can find a Ford Ranger with the same features and specs for around the same price, but it has a turbocharged four-cylinder engine instead.  New 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Release Date

The Toyota Tacoma, in contrast, costs a pretty penny more than the other model with identical specs. If you were wondering about the aged Nissan Frontier from the last season of Friends, there it is for those who were keeping score at home. My test vehicle cost $48,183 (not including taxes) and came with the Trail Runner package, upgraded paint, spray-in bedliner, and a few other extras. Included in this sum was $5,385 worth of optional equipment. In light of the practical and usability improvements it offers, that degree of change is reasonable, but still substantial.