2026 Chevrolet Colorado Interior, Engine, Release Date – Thanks to the midsize truck’s comeback, shoppers may pick from a wide variety of models, including everything from daily drivers to purebred weekend warriors. Smack dab in the center of the unexpectedly booming market is the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Trail Runner, a vehicle that manages to combine the best of both worlds: the utility of a pickup truck with the good looks and functionality of a pickup. 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Interior
Table of Contents
2026 Chevrolet Colorado Redesign and Update Plan
Exterior and Interior
Even if 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. Also, as you press down on the accelerator on bumpy roads, the driveline will bounce back and forth as the back wheels jump over obstacles. 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Interior
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 ridiculously large frames should try it on first.
The small and rigid cushions on the seats aren’t great either; they quickly cause cramps and fatigue, topping off an otherwise unpleasant experience. These chairs come with a fabric and leatherette combo upholstery as standard, but you can upgrade to genuine cowhide for an extra $1,095.
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. In contrast to the ZR2, which leans toward the most extreme end of the pickup truck spectrum—a little unnecessary—the Trail Runner package provides a taste of the vehicle’s style and substance without going crazy. 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Interior
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. Improved suspension parts, a transfer case skid plate, hill descent control, and an automated locking rear differential are all standard. 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’d much rather keep the around $7,000 and go with the Z71 because that specific Colorado modification is so specialized and concentrated. 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Interior
Because of this, the case for the Trail Runner gains significant momentum. Massive 31-inch Goodyear Duratrac tires adorn this vehicle, which borrows the ZR2’s grille and also has extra rock rails and skid plates. Everything adds up to make the Colorado Z71 feel and look a little bit rougher while still being a functional pickup, even though none of it is specifically ostentatious.
Engine and Performance
A gas-powered V6 engine was located under the hood of the truck I tested. There are a lot of things I like about this engine, even though it isn’t the one I would buy (I like the 2.8-liter turbo diesel). 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). 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Interior
This is coupled to 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. In tow/haul mode, it acts a little more cautiously, keeping gears engaged for a little longer so it stays in the meaty part of the powerband.
2026 Chevrolet Colorado Fuel Economy
When discussing the quantities of gasoline used, context is key. A week of testing yielded an average rating of 11.9 liters per hundred kilometers, which isn’t great but is higher than the 12.2 liters per hundred kilometers assigned by Colorado Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). I must admit that I resorted to driving in two-wheel drive for the bulk of my time, snaking north of the GTA on secondary highways.
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. It seems to be underperforming, though, when compared to other products that use the same engine. Take the Blazer RS, for example. I had a little better luck with it a week ago; it averaged 11.5 liters per hundred kilometers during our test. 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Interior
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. There aren’t a ton of high-tech safety features on this car, so here’s hoping that the same holds true for them. 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.
However, lane-departure and front collision warning systems, together with rear parking sensors, can 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.
Colorado did poorly in the investigation of the brief front overlap on the passenger side, but overall, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) crash tests yielded positive results. According to the non-profit group, “the passenger’s survival space was not maintained well,” which explains why the safety cage’s structure and integrity were rated poorly. 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Interior
2026 Chevrolet Colorado Price and Release Date
The Colorado Z71 crew cab starts at $40,798 without the expanded box and adds $600 more. When you consider the V6 engine under the hood, that is actually quite respectable performance for a modern truck. (Another startling $4,585 is tacked on to the final price when diesel power is chosen.) There is a similarly equipped Ford Ranger that uses a turbocharged four-cylinder engine but costs around the same. In contrast, a model with same features in the Toyota Tacoma would set you back a pretty penny. 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. There was a total of $5,385 worth of optional equipment included in this. Considering the practical and usage benefits, that is a reasonable level of change, even though it is still substantial. 2026 Chevrolet Colorado Interior
