Chevrolet Colorado Grabs the Spotlight as Motor Trend Truck of the Year for 2024

The Chevrolet Colorado has won the prestigious Motor Trend Truck of the Year award for 2024. This marks the second time the Colorado has received this honor, highlighting its exceptional performance and features in the midsize truck category.

Key Points

1. Motor Trend Truck of the Year (2024): The Chevrolet Colorado secured the prestigious Truck of the Year award for its outstanding performance, features, and value proposition in the midsize truck category.

2. Strategic Timing: Chevrolet’s introduction of the Colorado in 2015 marked a timely return to the midsize truck segment, and for 2023, the brand launched an all-new model. The delay in timing coincided with Motor Trend’s move to Michigan, providing an enhanced terrain for off-road testing and favoring the Colorado lineup.

3. Performance and Utility: The Colorado demonstrated strong towing stability and utility, with features like corner bed steps, tie-downs, and various mounting points for accessories. Off-road capabilities, especially in the ZR2 model, were highlighted with Baja-ready shocks, locking differentials, and knobby tires.

4. Design and Engineering Excellence: The 2023 Colorado featured a redesigned exterior, modernized interior with digital instrumentation, and engineering highlights like Multimatic spool-valve shocks. Despite some issues with the turbo engine and transmission, the overall engineering showcased capabilities comparable to larger trucks.

5. Value Proposition: The Colorado maintained a competitive edge with its value proposition, creative use of screens, contrast stitching, and class-above features. Pricing, starting at $30,695 and $48,295 for the ZR2, was considered reasonable, especially when compared to rivals like the Jeep Gladiator.

6. Safety and Efficiency: Safety features included in Chevy Safety Assist technology were noted, although full crash test results were pending. Efficiency was not a strong suit, with lower EPA ratings compared to some competitors, especially with the transition to an all four-cylinder turbo/automatic transmission lineup.

7. Versatility and Broad Range: The Colorado impressed with its versatility, offering a broad range of offerings from a sensible work truck to a junior Baja 1000 star. Its strong performance, off-road capabilities, and varied features made it a standout choice in the midsize truck segment.

Key Features:

Timely Introduction: Chevrolet Colorado was strategically introduced in 2015 and re-entered the market in 2023, aligning well with Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year competition in Michigan.

Off-Road Capabilities: The Colorado lineup, especially the ZR2 model, showcased impressive off-road features like Baja-ready shocks, locking differentials, and knobby tires.

Redesigned for 2023: The 2023 model featured a fresh design, a modernized interior with digital displays, and advanced engineering, including Multimatic spool-valve shocks.

Specifications:

Powertrain: The 2023 Colorado came with a 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Configurations: Available only as a crew-cab/short-box combo due to low demand for other configurations.

Price Range: Starting at $30,695 and $48,295 for the ZR2, offering competitive pricing in the midsize truck segment.

Pros:

Strong Off-Road Performance: The Colorado lineup, particularly the ZR2 model, excelled in off-road conditions with its advanced features.

Versatility: A versatile range of offerings, from practical work trucks to off-road-ready models.

Value Proposition : Competitive pricing and features maintained a strong value proposition, even against rivals like the Jeep Gladiator.

Cons:

Efficiency Concerns: The transition to an all four-cylinder turbo/automatic transmission lineup resulted in lower EPA ratings, raising concerns about fuel efficiency.

Limited Body Configurations: Due to low demand, the third-gen model lost the option of different body configurations, available only as a crew-cab/short-box combo.

Some Engineering Issues: Despite overall strong engineering, there were reported issues such as engine sound and occasional malfunctions, possibly due to early-production teething problems.

Timing played a crucial role in the Colorado’s success. In 2015, after relinquishing the midsize truck segment to Toyota and Nissan for three years, Chevrolet made a triumphant return with a truck that surpassed its aging competition.

Fast forward to 2023, Chevy introduced an all-new Colorado, although it missed the previous year’s Truck of the Year competition. The delay coincided with Motor Trend moving its competition to Michigan, offering an improved terrain for testing off-road capabilities. This was especially beneficial for models like the ZR2, allowing the Colorado lineup to shine brighter.

The 2015 Colorado borrowed design elements from an existing global architecture, but the third-gen model for 2023 was genuinely new. It featured a longer-wheelbase Silverado-derived frame and a sole powertrain, a 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The suspension was beefier, enhancing off-road capabilities, and the safety features were updated. However, the third-gen model lost the option of different body configurations, now available only as a crew-cab/short-box combo.

Performance, especially in fulfilling its intended functions, is a key aspect. Despite lacking a 6-foot bed option or a long-wheelbase variant, the Colorado proved capable in towing stability. The pickup box’s utility was enhanced with features like corner bed steps, tie-downs, and mounting points for various accessories.

The Colorado demonstrated robust towing capabilities, handling a 7,500-pound trailer well, though there were suggestions for larger side mirrors for better visibility.

The standout performance of the Colorado lineup was off-road. The ZR2, equipped with Baja-ready spool-valve shocks, locking front and rear differentials, and knobby tires, showcased remarkable go-anywhere capability. The digital features inside, including the Off-Road Performance app and up to 10 available camera views, added to the off-road experience.

The forthcoming 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison was highlighted as the most extreme midsize off-road truck, featuring 35-inch tires, an extra half-inch body lift, and equivalent suspension travel. Even the base LT model surprised with its off-road capabilities, going everywhere despite its simpler single-speed 4WD system.

Advancement in design was emphasized, with the 2023 model reinterpreting the Silverado’s rugged look. The interior was modernized with digital instrumentation on two big screens, providing an upscale feel to the cabin. However, some concerns were raised about control placements and certain features being relegated to screens.

Engineering excellence was a highlight, especially with features like Multimatic spool-valve shocks on the Colorado ZR2, delivering unparalleled off-road compliance and on-road ride quality. Despite some issues with the four-cylinder turbo engine and transmission, the engineering teams demonstrated capabilities comparable to larger trucks.

Value proposition and pricing were crucial considerations. The bill of materials for a midsize pickup is not significantly cheaper than that for a half-ton, making profit margins slimmer.

However, creative use of screens, contrast stitching, and class-above features like keyless start helped maintain the Colorado’s perceived value. The starting price of $30,695 and the ZR2’s starting price of $48,295 were considered reasonable, providing a competitive edge against rivals like the Jeep Gladiator.

Safety features, while not fully tested by NHTSA or IIHS, included Chevy Safety Assist technology with forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and other safety measures. Efficiency, however, was not a strong suit, with lower EPA ratings compared to some competitors, especially with the transition to an all four-cylinder turbo/automatic transmission lineup.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado stood out as the Truck of the Year, showcasing strengths in performance, off-road capabilities, design, engineering, value proposition, and safety. Its versatility, impressive features, and competitive pricing across the lineup made it a standout choice in the midsize truck segment.

FAQs

Why did the Chevrolet Colorado win the Motor Trend Truck of the Year award for 2024?

A1: The Colorado won due to its exceptional performance, off-road capabilities, design, engineering excellence, value proposition, and safety features, making it a standout choice in the midsize truck category.

Q2: How did timing play a role in the Colorado’s success?

A2: Timing was crucial as Chevrolet’s strategic return to the midsize truck segment in 2015, and the introduction of an all-new Colorado in 2023 coincided with favorable conditions, including improved testing terrain and competition timing.

Q3: What are the key features of the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado?

A3: The Colorado features a 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, off-road capabilities with Baja-ready shocks, digital instrumentation, and advanced safety technology. The ZR2 model stands out with unique off-road features.

Q4: How did the Colorado perform in towing and intended functions?

A4: Despite lacking certain bed options, the Colorado demonstrated towing stability and utility with features like corner bed steps, tie-downs, and various accessory mounting points.

Q5: What is noteworthy about the off-road performance of the Colorado lineup?

A5: The ZR2 model, equipped with spool-valve shocks, locking differentials, and knobby tires, showcased remarkable off-road capabilities. The ZR2 Bison was highlighted as the most extreme midsize off-road truck.

Q6: Were there any concerns about the design and interior features?

A6: While the design was praised for its rugged look, some concerns were raised about control placements and certain features being relegated to screens, affecting user experience.

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2 thought on “Chevrolet Colorado Grabs the Spotlight as Motor Trend Truck of the Year for 2024”

Chelsea Mcavoy says:

12 January 2024 at 02:05

What about budget subwoofers as add-ons since you just did one on speakers? 😇😇😇

Chevrolet Silverado EV: Decoding Pricing, Trims, and Features - boomingnews.net says:

12 January 2024 at 05:48

[…] Chevrolet Colorado Grabs the Spotlight as Motor Trend Truck of the Year for 2024 […]

Chevrolet Colorado Grabs the Spotlight as Motor Trend Truck of the Year for 2024

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