2020 Chevrolet Colorado Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

Full-sized trucks and large SUVs are all the rage these days. Still, not everyone needs or wants such a large vehicle. Mid-sized trucks offer a good balance between functionality and convenience. The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado is a mid-sized truck that is rugged and reliable. This truck is built for serious work but also makes for a solid daily driver. Here are the top reasons to choose a Chevy Colorado along with a few reasons why it might not be right for you.

What's New For 2020?

The 2020 model of the Colorado is part of the 2nd generation of this truck. This generation officially began in 2015. The exterior design and powertrain options are all the same as they were in 2019. One minor change is that the EZ-lift automatic tailgate is now a standard feature instead of optional as it was last year. All trims get an upgraded infotainment system for 2020.

There are some changes to the trim packages and features this year. Chevy's Safety package will now be available for the Z71 model. The Luxury Special Edition and Redline Luxury Special Edition have been discontinued for 2020. There is now simply a Luxury Package which combines features from the old Redline and Chrome packages. This is available for any Crew-Cab model.

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Chevrolet Colorado – The Pros

1. Multiple Powerful-Engine Choices

General Motors offers plenty of choices for this Chevy truck. You get three engine options, all of them offering plenty of power. The base model is a 2.5-liter, 4-cylnder that makes 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque. Its towing capacity tops out at 3,500 pounds.

For more power and better acceleration, you can get a 3.6-liter, V-6 engine with dual overhead cams. This is good for a best-in-class 308 horses with 275 pound-feet of torque. For more heavy-duty chores, there's a 2.8-liter Turbo-Diesel, Duramax engine that offers a whopping 369 pound-feet of torque.

2. High Towing Capacity

Every version of the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado has a respectable towing capacity. The base model can tow up to 3,500 pounds. If you upgrade to the V-6 engine, you can easily double this amount. Last of all, thanks to the high amount of torque it provides, the diesel engine can pull up to 7,700 pounds. Those are impressive numbers when you consider that this is a mid-sized truck.

3. Hauling Capabilities

Depending on the body style and box size, you can get up to 49.9 cubic-feet of cargo space in the bed. The Chevrolet Colorado has a maximum payload capacity of 1,578 pounds. That's plenty for most light- to medium-duty chores.

4. Off-Road Performance

The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado offers some serious off-roading credibility. The available 4X4 makes sure you get great traction over almost any terrain. This truck gives you a nice suspension system and plenty of ground clearance as well. For the best off-road abilities, opt for the ZR2 Bison model. This trim package is built for performance over rough terrain.

5. Impressive Steering and Handling

The Colorado offers surprisingly nice steering and handling for a truck. It handles more like a sporty sedan with a tight turning radius. Steering is tight and accurate with plenty of feedback from the road. The brakes are firm and strong with plenty of stopping power.

6. A Comfortable Ride Quality

The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado offers a much more cozy ride than trucks from years past. This is in large part due to the fine suspension system that soaks up every bump in the road. It even feels smooth over off-road terrain. The seats are nice and supportive and the cabin remains fairly quiet and vibration free at highway speeds.

7. Plenty of Safety Features

Chevrolet has equipped the Colorado with some nice safety features. Teen Driver Mode lets you set parameters for younger, secondary drivers. It also creates a report of their driving behaviors. OnStar is available to give you remote locking, stolen-vehicle alerts and emergency-services notification in the event of an accident. You also get a rear-view camera and plenty of driver-assist features. Every model is outfitted with front, side and overhead airbags.

8. A High-Tech Infotainment Center

The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado comes equipped with a modern infotainment system. Included is the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with Apple CarpPlay and Android Auto compatibility. An onboard 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot-spot keeps you connected and can even turn your truck into mobile office. Bluetooth and USB connectivity is available here as well. A paid subscription also gets you OnStar's navigation system.

9. Multiple Body-Style Options

Chevy gives you plenty of options so that you can have the perfect truck for your specific needs. The truck bed comes in 5 foot and 6 foot lengths. You can get a Regular, Crew or Extended Cab. You can also get an Extended Cab with the Long Box for maximum passenger and cargo space.

10. It's Durable and Reliable

The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado is a durable truck that is built tough. It's designed to handle tough jobs or rough play when you take her for an off-road adventure. While there aren't any longevity statistics for a 2020 model yet, this truck shares most of the same systems as the previous year's models. The 2019 Colorado was one of the most reliable trucks on the road. You can expect the same from the 2020 models.

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Chevrolet Colorado – The Cons

1. Basic and Dated Interior

The interior of the Chevrolet Colorado hasn't changed much over the years. The overall look is very dated. Some may prefer a more modern interior. The inside materials are of a high quality, but the overall design is very simple and basic. If you're looking for a luxury interior, this isn't the truck for you. If you like something that works well and that is easy to clean and maintain, the Colorado can get the job done.

2. Low Front Airdam

The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado has a low-hanging front airdam. This can impede the otherwise fantastic off-road performance of the truck. It's an unfortunate design flaw that gives the Colorado less ground clearance than it could have had. If you're not going to do any serious off-roading, this may not matter much to you.

3. Lack of In-Cabin Storage

The Colorado offers a large truck bed with a high payload capacity. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of in-cabin storage. Many of the Colorado's competitors give you more storage space with the rear seats folded down. The Colorado doesn't give you a lot of small-item storage compartments either.

4. Front Seats Feel Confined

The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado has comfortable front seats, but the spacing may leave you feeling cramped. This is especially true for tall and larger drivers and front-seat passengers. If you're on the average or smaller side, then you should be just fine. It's a good idea to test drive the Colorado to see if it's a good fit for you.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

Large trucks and SUVs may still rule the road, but mid-sized trucks have made a serious comeback in the past few years. They're more popular than ever with new models entering the market and old favorites making their return. The Chevrolet Colorado faces some tough competition from the likes of the Ford Ranger, the Honda Ridgeline and the Toyota Tacoma.

Ford trucks routinely outsell all competing models. The Ranger was one of Ford's best-selling small trucks until being discontinued after 2011. The Ranger's return as a mid-size for 2019 made every truck fan take notice. The Ranger only comes available with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The Colorado offers numerous engine choices. You can get a Chevy truck with 308 horsepower which beats out the Ford's 270 horses.

When it comes to towing capacity, the Ford can pull up to 3,500 pounds. You can get a Chevy that doubles that amount. The Colorado offers a higher payload capacity too. In short, the Colorado outdoes the new Ford Ranger in every category that trucks were designed for.

Honda's Ridgeline is an interesting choice for those who will be doing more driving than hauling with their truck. It features a posh, luxurious interior. The Honda may be the most comfortable ride available for a mid-sized truck. The Colorado, however, comes in at a lower cost. It also wins again when it comes to towing and payload capacities. Off-road performance is much better in the Colorado too.

The Toyota Tacoma is a good choice for those looking for a pure off-road machine. The TRD Off-Road package makes it one of the best off-road vehicle for this class. The price is a lot higher than the Chevy Colorado though. The Colorado ZR2 Bison model is pretty comparable if you need an off-road beast. If you just need daily transportation or a capable work truck, the Colorado is more practical and a better value.

Conclusion

The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado can handle just about anything you would need a mid-sized truck to do. It offers a high payload and towing capacity. It's a safe and reliable vehicle that is rugged enough for years of work and abuse. It's even a capable off-road performer. The Colorado offers a lot of comfort and high-tech features as well. If you're in the market for a new mid-sized truck, you won't be disappointed with the Chevrolet Colorado.