2019 Chevrolet Colorado Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

If you’re looking for a new mid-sized pickup truck in 2019, then you may be interested in the Chevrolet Colorado. The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado toes the line between utility and style perfectly, sitting at a comfortably large size for those who want lots of interior space and exterior space for all of their trucking needs. But against some of its well-known competitors, how does the Chevrolet Colorado compare? There are plenty of amazing features both inside and outside this car that make it an enticing option.

What's new for 2019

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado sees new interior technology, including a particularly noticeable infotainment system. This is the third generation of Chevy’s infotainment software, and more USB ports throughout the car are included to allow for easier system integration from all passengers. There are also multiple safety technology upgrades, including a much-improved backup camera that lets you see behind the car in high definition.

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado – The Pros

1. Powerful Engine

You won’t have to worry about towing or hauling in the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado, mostly due to the vehicle’s extremely powerful engine choices. Though a Base model is available with a V4 engine, the upgraded hefty V6 engine makes the Colorado an absolute powerhouse. This V6 makes the Chevy able to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 6.7 seconds. That engine also allows the car to tow up to 7,000 pounds (7,700 if you go with the diesel engine over the standard V6) and haul almost 1,600 pounds in the rear bed. The Chevy’s engine also pairs extremely well with an eight-speed transmission, the standard transmission included with the car.

2. Surprisingly Stable Suspension

A problem many mid-sized pickups struggle with is general road stability, as these vehicles need to be extremely versatile — they must be able to haul huge loads and drive reliably but must also be able to handle easily with nothing in the bed at all and no passengers. The Chevy Colorado is able to do both with ease, mostly due to its firm suspension. This suspension keeps rolling out of the picture even when turning at high speeds, and built-in computer-based stability control keeps the rear wheels glued to the road even when there’s nothing in the bed. Of course, the firmness of the suspension can feel a bit rough for passengers, but this is barely noticeable unless you are driving on extremely rough surfaces at high speeds.

3. Above Average Fuel Efficiency

This Chevy pickup is one of the most fuel efficient in its class, boasting an impressive 20 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon on the highway. If you decide to upgrade to the diesel engine to increase power and hauling capabilities, then you’ll see a decline in fuel efficiency. This decline isn’t too significant, however. City mileage will decrease to 19 mpg from 20, and highway efficiency will decrease to 24 mpg from 26.

4. Roomy Interior

Many mid-size pickups sacrifice interior space for bed volume. This gives many mid-size pickups a more utilitarian feel, as they’re able to haul more in the rear - but this leads to less comfort inside the body of the truck. The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado has not decided this sacrifice is worth it. In fact, the Colorado seems to have a comfortable, roomy interior and a huge bed, balancing the two important vehicle segments effortlessly. There’s enough room for front and back seat passengers to stretch out their legs and arms, and tall passengers shouldn’t feel cramped due to the height of the cabin.

5. Multiple Cab and Model Types

Like many mid-size pickup trucks, the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado comes in multiple models, trims, and styles. However, most other mid-size pickups don’t have nearly the variety that this Chevy offers. There are five distinct trim levels available for the Colorado, along with two distinct bed lengths. The Base model is a no-frills-attached truck that gives the driver a large rear bed and an inline 2.5-liter engine. Though there aren’t many interior comfort features in the Base model, it still comes with a nice infotainment system and a rearview camera. This is similar to the upgraded Work Truck model, which essentially adds more technology options and engine options in upgradeable packages. The Colorado LT includes most of those upgradeable options in its package, including larger wheels, a larger touchscreen, and optional heated seats.

If you’re looking to add some comfort features and some off-roading capability to the Colorado, then you’ll want to upgrade to the Z71. This includes most of the LT options but also includes a suspension tuned for off-roading and all-terrain tires. The most expensive model choice is the ZR2, which upgrades all of the Z71’s features and offers an optional diesel engine choice.

6. Relatively Silent Interior

Mid-size pickups tend to struggle with road noise at high speeds, due to the integration of body and bed. This longer body can lead to the amplification of even small bumps or uneven road surfaces, making what would otherwise be inconsequential noises into extremely intense vibrations. The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado deals with these surprisingly well, keeping the car’s interior fairly quiet. Though there is some wind noise, it’s still easy to hold a conversation without shouting while you’re on the highway.

7. Fantastic Smartphone Integration

The infotainment system in the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado is a pleasure to use. Even with plenty of features built into the system, you may find it easier to use your own smartphone than the Chevy’s system. That’s totally fine, considering the Chevy’s smartphone integration is some of the best available. When you sync your smartphone using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, you’ll be able to use your phone’s assistant easily. USB ports throughout the car keep your phone charged, and the actual touchscreen lets you see what your phone is doing in high definition.

8. Interior Storage

Inside the Chevy’s roomy interior are plenty of nooks and crannies for you to store small items. A fantastic feature in the Chevy’s cabin is the tiered door areas, which allow you to keep small items bunched together properly and trash contained to just one or two areas. You’ll also find versatile cupholders able to hold cups of most sizes in both front and back seats. There’s even a special tray to hold your smartphone (providing it’s not overly large) right next to the driver and the charging port, ensuring that your phone won’t fall between the seat and the center console when turning.

9. Forward-thinking Driver Safety Technology

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado’s driver aids are fantastic. Though many of the options aren’t available on the basic models, upgrades are relatively inexpensive. With those upgrades, you’ll get forward collision alert systems as well as lane assistance and lane departure warning systems. In tandem, these can do a great job of keeping you safe on the road when your attention slips.

10. Varied Weather Isn’t A Problem

Some mid-size pickups may have a hard time dealing with changing road conditions, particularly if they aren’t equipped with the right set of wheels for that weather. With the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado, you’ll feel secure on the road even in tough road conditions like ice or sleet. This is due to the driver aid systems and the traction and stability systems built into the vehicle.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado – The Cons

1. Not Great Base Off-Roading Capabilities

If you don’t upgrade the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado beyond the Base or Work Truck models, then off-roading is not an enjoyable experience due to the firm suspension and low-hanging front bumper. However, if you elect to purchase the Z71 or ZL2 models, then you’ll get some fantastic off-roading features — including huge all-terrain tires and a specially tuned suspension.

2. Driver Comfort Minimal

Though the Colorado does come with heated seats in upgraded models, the driver’s seat can feel tough on long drives. There aren’t as many customization options available for drivers as in some smaller cars. However, this does allow for backseat passengers to have more room than the average mid-size pickup.

3. Awkward Cargo Space

Though the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado touts its huge amount of cargo space, that volume is shaped somewhat strangely. The rear bed has high walls but is relatively narrow, meaning objects with large bases can be hard to fit. However, there are very few instances when you’ll need to fit something flat that’s too large for this bed, as it’s still quite large.

How it stacks up to the competition:

The mid-size pickup class is one of the most crowded, but the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado certainly stands out from its competitors. Pickup trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and the Nissan Frontier offer similar specs, but can’t compare to the Chevy’s bed space and powerful engine.

Conclusion

The 2019 Chevrolet Colorado is one of the best mid-size pickup trucks on the market. Its huge range of models and options give you unlimited customizability, and its powerful engine and transmission mean you can drive multiple passengers or tons of cargo with ease. The outstanding features included int he Colorado far outweigh the few downsides the vehicle has.