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Photo of a Chevrolet Colorado

Chevrolet Colorado

From a 300-hp V8 in 2009 to the 2024 ZR2 Bison's 35-inch tires.12

Researched November 9, 2026 from 26 sources

At a glance

0200400
116–310 hpPower
0510
6.1–9.2 s0–60 mph
0100200
159–161 km/hTop speed
0300600
251–583 N·mTorque
01,2502,500
1,778–2,234 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.168910

Engine
First gen: I4/I5/V8; second: gas I4/V6 or diesel I4; third: 2.7 L turbo I412
Layout
Front engine; rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive1
Gearbox
5/6-speed manuals; 4/6/8-speed automatics; third gen: 8-speed automatic only12
Built at
First gen: Shreveport, USA; second: Wentzville, USA; both: Rayong, Thailand1

The story

The Colorado replaced the S-10 for 2004, sharing its mechanics with the GMC Canyon and borrowing its name from the U.S. state. Its first generation offered inline-fives and, from 2009, a 300-hp V8.1

2004: The S-10's replacement arrives20042009: 300 hp, eight cylinders, 6.7 seconds20092011: Global second generation in Bangkok20112015: U.S. return wins Truck of the Year20152016: Duramax debut and an ASEAN facelift20162017: LGZ V6 meets an eight-speed automatic20172024: Truck of the Year and a 35-inch Bison20242025: 310 hp becomes standard2025 Chevrolet LUV (first generation): 1972–1980Holden Rodeo: 1980–2008Holden RodeoChevrolet S-10 (first generation) (GMT325): 1982–1993GMT325Chevrolet S-10 (second generation) (GMT325): 1994–2004GMT325Chevrolet Colorado (first generation) (GMT355): 2004–2012GMT355Chevrolet Colorado (second generation, North America) (GMT 31XX): 2015–2022GMT 31XX 19801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones123161718
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1972–1980Chevrolet LUV (first generation)
1980–2008Holden Rodeo
1982–1993Chevrolet S-10 (first generation) (GMT325)
1994–2004Chevrolet S-10 (second generation) (GMT325)
2004–2012Chevrolet Colorado (first generation) (GMT355)
2015–2022Chevrolet Colorado (second generation, North America) (GMT 31XX)
2004The S-10's replacement arrives
2009300 hp, eight cylinders, 6.7 seconds
2011Global second generation in Bangkok
2015U.S. return wins Truck of the Year
2016Duramax debut and an ASEAN facelift
2017LGZ V6 meets an eight-speed automatic
2024Truck of the Year and a 35-inch Bison
2025310 hp becomes standard
  1. 2004

    The S-10's replacement arrives

    Colorado and GMC Canyon debut with 2.8-liter fours or 3.5-liter inline-fives, regular, extended or crew cabs, and 5-speed manuals or 4-speed automatics.13

  2. 2009

    300 hp, eight cylinders, 6.7 seconds

    The 5.3-liter V8 reaches extended and crew cabs in 1LT trim and above, with a four-speed automatic and a tested 0–60 mph time of 6.7 seconds.4

  3. 2011

    Global second generation in Bangkok

    A second-generation prototype debuts at the Bangkok International Motor Show; the production range offers three cab styles and 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrains.1

  4. 2015

    U.S. return wins Truck of the Year

    After U.S. production ended in 2012, the 2015 comeback wins MotorTrend Truck of the Year. Its high-strength-steel frame is 40% lighter than the global version's.125

  5. 2016

    Duramax debut and an ASEAN facelift

    The U.S. gets a 181-hp Duramax with better economy and towing than gas; the global model's ASEAN facelift uses a 177-hp 2.5-liter diesel.167

  6. 2017

    LGZ V6 meets an eight-speed automatic

    The 308-hp 3.6-liter LGZ deactivates two cylinders under light loads. With an eight-speed automatic, tested 4x4 acceleration is 6.1 seconds to 60 mph.8

  7. 2024

    Truck of the Year and a 35-inch Bison

    The Colorado wins MotorTrend Truck of the Year; the ZR2 Bison pairs 35-inch tires with rear Multimatic Jounce Control dampers.29

  8. 2025

    310 hp becomes standard

    The 237-hp engine is dropped. Every trim now gets the 310-hp, 583-Nm 2.7-liter turbo four and an eight-speed automatic.10

Every generation

  • Chevrolet LUV (first generation)
    Chevrolet LUV (first generation)1972–1980
  • Holden Rodeo
    Holden Rodeo1980–2008
  • Chevrolet S-10 (first generation)
    GMT3251982–1993
  • Chevrolet S-10 (second generation)
    GMT3251994–2004
  • Chevrolet Colorado (first generation)
    GMT3552004–2012
  • Chevrolet Colorado (second generation, North America)
    GMT 31XX2015–2022

Power over the years

From 175 hp to 310 hp in 21 years.

0100200300400 20052010201520202025 hp 2004 · 175 hp · 2.8-liter four-cylinder2004 · 220 hp · 3.5-liter inline-five2007 · 185 hp · 2.9-liter four-cylinder2007 · 242 hp · 3.7-liter inline-five2009 · 300 hp · 5.3-liter V82015 · 305 hp · 3.6-liter V62016 · 177 hp · ASEAN 2.5-liter Duramax facelift2016 · 181 hp · 2.8-liter Duramax diesel2017 · 308 hp · LGZ 3.6-liter V62025 · 310 hp · 2.7-liter turbo, standard across trims 310 hp 2.7-liter turbo, standard across… 175 hp 2.8-liter four-cylinder
1567810
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
20041752.8-liter four-cylinder
20042203.5-liter inline-five
20071852.9-liter four-cylinder
20072423.7-liter inline-five
20093005.3-liter V8
20153053.6-liter V6
2016177ASEAN 2.5-liter Duramax facelift
20161812.8-liter Duramax diesel
2017308LGZ 3.6-liter V6
20253102.7-liter turbo, standard across trims

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    Base / LS / LT (first generation)

    2004–2012

  • Standard

    LT / Z71 Duramax

    2016

    181 hp
  • WT / LT / Z71

    Standard

    WT / LT / Z71

    2025

    310 hp

  • Special

    Trail Boss package (LT / Z71)

    2022

  • Performance

    ZQ8 Sport

  • Special

    Xtreme

    2005

  • ZR2 (original)

    Performance

    ZR2 (original)

  • Centennial Edition

    Special

    Centennial Edition

    2018

  • Special

    ZR2 Bison (2019)

    2019

  • ZR2 Bison (2024)

    Special

    ZR2 Bison (2024)

    2024

    310 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • First-gen Z71s sit taller; ZQ8 street trucks sit lower with a body-color bumper and grille.1
  • North American second-gen trucks have Silverado-like taillights, tailgate and rear bumper.1
  • The 2023 generation has a crew cab and short bed only.2
  • Third-gen trucks have corner bed steps, except the ZR2.2
  • Original ZR2s expose their front tires with a cutaway bumper and sloping skid plate.13

Year by year

  1. 2007

    LT gets a revised grille while LS retains the earlier face; Colorado door badges give way to GM emblems.1

  2. 2009

    Work Truck models switch to 16-inch wheels; LT offers 16-, 17- and 18-inch choices.3

  3. 2010

    GM door emblems mostly disappear, although some 2010 trucks retain them.1

  4. 2015 (North America)

    North American trucks get their own front fascia and Silverado-like taillights, tailgate and rear bumper.1

  5. 2016 (ASEAN)

    ASEAN models gain a new front fascia, grille and hood, with slimmer headlights.7

  6. 2023

    The third generation switches to crew cab/short bed only and uses six-lug wheels.2

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Chevrolet Colorado
    Colorado
    Photo of a GMC Canyon
    GMC Canyon

    GMC Canyon

    Early first-gen trucks carry Colorado or Canyon door badges; the 2007 update replaced these with GM emblems.1

  • Photo of a Chevrolet Colorado
    Colorado
    Photo of a Isuzu i-series
    Isuzu i-series

    Isuzu i-series

    Shared Colorado/Canyon styling; the launch i-280 was extended-cab only, while the i-350 also came as a crew cab.1

Against its rivals

  • Honda Ridgeline AWD

    Colorado vs Honda Ridgeline AWD

    Quarter-mile lower is better

    Colorado14.8 s
    Honda Ridgeline AWD15.2 s
    8

Prices

Value today $3.8K–$23.0K13

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 2010201520202025 Value today: $3,800–$23,000 2009 · $28,850 · US tested, V8/ZQ82015 · $34,990 · US base, Z71 4WD2016 · $39,355 · US base, crew-cab 4x4 diesel2016 · $41,905 · US tested, Z71 4WD Duramax2017 · $38,985 · US tested, LT V6 crew cab 4x42023 · $48,295 · US base, ZR22023 · $53,280 · US tested, ZR22024 · $48,695 · US ZR2 base; Bison adds $11,700 2024 · $51,500 · 2023 Bandit-themed LT 4x4, 609 miles, BaT2024 · $39,000 · 2019 ZR2 Bison Duramax 4x4, 57k miles, BaT2025 · $16,900 · 2005 LS Xtreme Extended Cab, 25k miles, BaT2025 · $17,100 · 2012 3LT 5.3-liter V8, 39k miles, BaT2026 · $6,200 · 2005 LS Extended Cab, 87k miles, BaT $51.5K BaT, 2024
4568910112223242526
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2009Price when new$28,850US tested, V8/ZQ8
2015Price when new$34,990US base, Z71 4WD
2016Price when new$39,355US base, crew-cab 4x4 diesel
2016Price when new$41,905US tested, Z71 4WD Duramax
2017Price when new$38,985US tested, LT V6 crew cab 4x4
2023Price when new$48,295US base, ZR2
2023Price when new$53,280US tested, ZR2
2024Price when new$48,695US ZR2 base; Bison adds $11,700
2024Auction sale$51,5002023 Bandit-themed LT 4x4, 609 miles, BaT
2024Auction sale$39,0002019 ZR2 Bison Duramax 4x4, 57k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$16,9002005 LS Xtreme Extended Cab, 25k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$17,1002012 3LT 5.3-liter V8, 39k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$6,2002005 LS Extended Cab, 87k miles, BaT
2026Value today$3,800–$23,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “MORC's engineers rally a stock-class Bison”
    • “Forza Horizon, Need for Speed and DiRT 5”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 26 sources
  1. Chevrolet Colorado - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. The Chevrolet Colorado Is the 2024 MotorTrend Truck of the Year motortrend.com
  3. 2004-12 Chevrolet Colorado | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  4. 2009 Chevrolet Colorado V8 – Instrumented Test – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  5. 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Review - Long-Term Verdict motortrend.com
  6. Tested: 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab 4x4 Diesel caranddriver.com
  7. Chevrolet Colorado facelift makes its ASEAN debut - paultan.org paultan.org
  8. 2017 Chevrolet Colorado V-6 8-Speed Automatic 4x4 Crew Cab Test caranddriver.com
  9. Ford Ranger Raptor, Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison: Which Truck Is Best? roadandtrack.com
  10. 2025 Chevrolet Colorado Review, Pricing, and Specs caranddriver.com
  11. 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Diesel Long-Term Verdict motortrend.com
  12. 2022 Chevy Colorado Adds Trail Boss Off-Road Package caranddriver.com
  13. Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Review - Colorado ZR2 Off-Roader Tested roadandtrack.com
  14. 2018 Chevrolet Silverado and Colorado Get Centennial Special Editions motortrend.com
  15. Chevy and AEV Unveil the All New Colorado ZR2 Bison | AEV aev-conversions.com
  16. Chevrolet LUV - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  17. Holden Rodeo - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  18. Chevrolet S-10 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  19. Behind GM's Newest Line Of Trucks- A Woman Who Never Thought She'd Design Cars agirlsguidetocars.com
  20. #125 Milford Off Road Chicks (MORC) — McKinnon / Theisen — Rebelle Rally rebellerally.com
  21. IGCD.net - Internet Game Cars Database igcd.net
  22. No Reserve: 2005 Chevrolet Colorado LS Extended Cab for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $6,200 on October 30, 2026 (Lot #271,465) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  23. 25k-Mile 2005 Chevrolet Colorado LS Xtreme Extended Cab  for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $16,900 on August 19, 2025 (Lot #205,870) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  24. 39k-Mile 2012 Chevrolet Colorado 3LT for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $17,100 on June 3, 2025 (Lot #194,423) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  25. Bandit-Themed 2023 Chevrolet Colorado LT Crew Cab 4x4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $51,500 on June 15, 2024 (Lot #150,784) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  26. 2019 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison Crew Cab Duramax 4×4 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $39,000 on March 31, 2024 (Lot #141,606) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • motortrend.com
  • consumerguide.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • paultan.org
  • roadandtrack.com
  • aev-conversions.com
  • agirlsguidetocars.com
  • rebellerally.com
  • igcd.net
  • bringatrailer.com

Photo credits

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