If you own a Chevy Colorado or are looking into getting one, you will need to understand its towing capabilities. Since its introduction to the market in 2004, it is a practical option at an affordable midsize package.
Most Chevy Colorados have a towing capacity between 3,500 pounds – 7,700 pounds depending on their year, engine, and trim selection. Select models made between 2008 – 2012 had a low-end tow rating of only 1,900 pounds.
The manufacturers have also made their trucks sleek and comfortable to drive, with the 2021 Chevy Colorado offering impressive towing features. Let’s take a deeper look at how much the Chevy Colorado can actually tow!
How Much Can a Chevy Colorado Tow?
The Chevy Colorado towing capacity will depend on the configuration of your vehicle and its engine. However, the maximum towing capacity is 7,700 lbs. for a properly equipped truck.
The Chevy Colorado ZR2 trim’s towing capacity has a maximum towing capacity for both 2.8 and 2.6 V6 engines at 5,000 lbs. This is for all cab/box variants in the 2020 and 2021 models.
The following summarizes how much a Chevy Colorado engine can tow in relation to its cab/box style and year of manufacture.
| Engine | Crew Cab, Short Box 2WD | Crew Cab, Long Box 2WD | Crew Cab, Short Box 4WD | Crew Cab, Long Box 4WD | Extended Cab, Long Box 2WD | Extended Cab, Long Box 4WD |
| 2.5L 4-Cylinder | 3,500 lbs. | N/A | N/A | N/A | 3,500 lbs. | 3,500 lbs. |
| 3.6L V6 | 3,500 lbs. | 3,500 lbs. | 3,500 lbs. | 3,500 lbs. | 3,500 lbs. | 3,500 lbs. |
| 3.6L V6 with Trailer Package | 7,000 lbs. | 7,000 lbs. | 7,000 lbs. | 7,000 lbs. | 7,000 lbs. | 7,000 lbs. |
| 2.8L Duramax® Turbo-Diesel 4-Cylinder | 7,700 lbs. | 7,700 lbs. | 7,600 lbs. | 7,600 lbs. | N/A | N/A |
Some buyers prefer buying used cars, and that’s fine. With the Chevy Colorado, you don’t have to worry that the older models might not serve your towing needs.
The manufacturers have always given their products a competitive towing advantage from the beginning. Notice that there were no new models from 2012-2015 in North America.
| Year | Lowest Tow Rating | Highest Tow Rating |
| 2008 | 1,900 lbs. | 6,000 lbs. |
| 2009 to 2012 | 1,900 lbs. | 6,000 lbs. |
| 2015 to 2017 | 3,500 lbs. | 7,700 lbs. |
| 2018 to 2021 | 3,500 lbs. | 7,700 lbs. |
The performance specifications you choose will depend on where you intend to drive the vehicle and its intended use.
| Engine | Performance Specs |
| 2.5L four-cylinder | 200 HP191 lb.-ft. of torque19 city/25 highway MPGSix-speed automatic transmission trim availability: WT & LT |
| 3.6L V6 | 308 HP275 lb.-ft. of torque18 city/25 highway MPGEight-speed automatic transmission7,000 lbs. max. towing capacityTrim availability: WT, LT, Z71, & ZR2 |
| 2.8L Duramax® turbo-diesel four-cylinder | 181 HP369 lb.-ft. of torque20 city/30 highway MPGSix-speed automatic transmission trim availability: ZR2Late availability |
Best Colorado Trim for Towing
1. Base
Although it was available for the previous Chevy Colorado models, it’s no longer an option in the 2021 line. It starts at $22,395 MSRP.
Features
- Cab-mounted cargo area lamps
- Front bucket seats
- Four-way power driver’s seat
- Six-speaker audio system
- 3.5-in. driver information screen
- Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System with 7-in. color touchscreen
- Single-zone climate control
- USB ports
- Electronic traction control
Safety Features
- Teen Driver monitoring system
- Electrical theft-deterrent system
- Rear vision camera
2. WT
It is the first trim of the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado, and it starts at $25,895 MSRP. The crew cab with a short box (below 5 feet 2 inches) is the most popular configuration.
While this configuration might have a smaller truck bed space, it makes up a folding rear bench seat. If you want a model with a long box and a crew cab, you will pay extra.
Features
- Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with a 7-inch touch screen
- Bluetooth
- Two USB ports
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Six-speaker audio system
- Hydra-Matic six-speed automatic transmission
- Dual rear seats with under-seat storage
- Front carpeted floor mats
- Available WT appearance package
- Available WT convenience package
Safety Feature
- Available rear park assist
- A rearview camera
- Teen Driver monitoring system
3. LT
Most city drivers prefer this trim. Although it starts at $28,795 MSRP, a 2WD crew cab with a 2.5L engine and a short box will go for $29,700.
For an additional price, you can get an AWD with 3.6L V6 or 2.8L diesel engines!
You will also get exterior features such as mirror caps, a body-color rear bumper, a 17-inch aluminum set of wheels, and door handles. However, you will have to pay extra for a crew cab with a long box (6 feet 2 inches).
Features
- Bigger 8-inch infotainment color touchscreen
- Additional USB ports
- 6-way power-adjustable driver seat
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- An EZ Lift
- Lower tailgate.
- Inside rearview auto-dimming mirror
- Off-road appearance package
- Off-road suspension
- Multimatic DSSV™ damping system
- Increased ground clearance
- Available 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot
Safety Features
- HD rear vision camera
- Available forward-collision alert
- Available lane-departure warning
4. Z71
The MSRP for the Chevy Colorado Z71 starts at $36,695. However, for $33,800, you can get a 2WD crew cab with a short box and a 2.5L engine.
The price for an AWD with a longer truck bed and more powerful engines like 3.6L V6 or 2.8L diesel engines is higher.
Features
- 17-inch painted wheels and all-terrain tires
- Inside rearview auto-dimming mirror
- Z71 off-road suspension
- EZ lift and lower tailgate
- Automatic climate control
- Automatic locking rear differential
- Synthetic leather upholstery
- Automatic climate control
- Heated seats and steering wheel
- Wireless charging
Safety Feature
- Rear Park assist
5. ZR2
This is the most powerful and efficient Chevy Colorado trims, starting at $42,495, making it the most expensive trim. This doesn’t mean that it’s more comfortable than the Z71 trim.
Due to its focus on off-road performance, however, it is only available in the 4WD model. Its standard engine option is the 3.6L V6 ($43,200), although you can choose the 2.8L Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine as well.
You can choose the crew cab with a short box or the extended cab with a long box for the cabin configurations.
Additional Features apart from those in the Z71 trim:
- Increased ground clearance
- Multimatic DSSV™ damping system
- Off-road suspension
- Off-road appearance package
- Increased ground clearance
- Available 4G LTE Wi-Fi® hotspot
- A trailer hitch and an integrated trailer brake controller
- A unique hood
- Fascia and grille
- Front and rear wheel flares
Safety Feature
- Tire fill alert
Towing Comparison to Other Mid-Size Trucks
1. Cost
Compared to other mid-size trucks, the Chevy Colorado is the cheapest with enough power for towing, starting at an MSRP of around $21,000.
Similar trucks like the Ford Ranger start from $24,000, while the Toyota Tacoma starts at $26,000. With Chevy Colorado, you save on gas because it goes for 20 mpg in areas with high traffic and 30 mpg on the highway.
2. Towing Power
As discussed above, the towing power of a truck depends on its engine. The Chevy Colorado has three engine options you can choose from. Refer to the tables above for more information.
However, if you want to upgrade to the V6 engine, the price comes to around $27,000. The most powerful engine is the V6 diesel engine, available on the off-road trim – the Chevy Colorado ZR2, which will set you back around $46,000.
The ZR2 might be expensive, but it’s worth every penny. It has been listed as the Kelly Blue Book 2020 Best Buy and the Popular Mechanic’s off-roading choice. The Chevy Colorado has a maximum payload of around 1,578 lbs. and 49.9 cubic feet of cargo space.
3. Towing Features
It comes with helpful and state-of-the-art technology to help you tow. The towing camera allows you 15 different angles to help you while backing up. It also comes with a hitch guidance system that allows one person to navigate with a trailer attached.
You can also add the integrated brake controller, which assists in displaying trailer gain and output on the driver information center. Additional features include a lockable EZ-lift tailgate and a corner step for an easier climb in and out of the truck bed.
Is The Chevy Colorado Good for Towing?
The Chevy Colorado is an excellent truck for towing. Even though there are maximum capabilities based on the configuration and engine power, you can tow and haul cargo easily using this vehicle.
You can tow campers, trailers, and boats if you choose. With the new 2021 model, additional towing features have been added to make towing easier for the truck owner.
