How Does The Colorado Compare To The Silverado 1500?

Need a pickup truck capable of towing your boat or trailer? Perhaps you don’t just like to drive trucks, but need one on your job site. Between the next-generation Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the world-class Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup, you’ll find exactly what you need. The two trucks have many of the same excellent characteristics, including a wide range of powerful engine options for different lifestyles, but there’s far more going on than mid-size versus full-size. If you’re stuck on which to get, let’s compare the Colorado and Silverado.

Trim Levels

The Chevy Colorado is a mid-size truck available in four trim levels: WT, LT, Z71, and ZR2. There are two body options, both four-seaters: the two-door Crew Cab and the Extended Cab with four doors and a larger second row.

The Chevy Silverado 1500, on the other hand, is available in eight trim levels: WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country. Silverado 1500 models are available in Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab configurations. The Crew Cab is a bit larger in the rear, but the Double Cab is not far behind, and the Regular Cab serves as a one-row, two-door model. Both the Crew Cab and Double Cab have four doors.

Comparing the Colorado and SIlverado’s starting trims, both WT models keep it simple and live up to their titles as work trucks. Comparing the highest trims, the Colorado ZR2 is built for agile off-road racing, while the High Country is more of a capable, luxurious low-riding cruiser. Between these extremes, drivers have many choices for how to upgrade or customize their truck of choice. Naturally, drivers who only want a front seat row would look to the Silverado in its Regular Cab model, but drivers interested in two-row Chevy pickup trucks have plenty to choose from.

Exterior and Colors

The 2022 Chevy Colorado sports a beautifully sculpted appearance and a smart décor with minor styling changes, whilst the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 retains its classic design throughout in a similar way. Clearly both the Colorado and Silverado are some of the most beautiful pickups on the market, and many styles are possible between the different trim levels.

The Colorado comes with seven color options: Sand Dune Metallic, Crush, Satin Steel Metallic, Summit White, Black, Bright Blue Metallic, and Cherry Red Tint Coat. The Silverado 1500 offers eight color options: Black, Satin Steel Metallic, Red Hot, Oxford Brown Metallic, Summit White, North Sky Blue Metallic, Silver Ice Metallic, Shadow Gray Metallic.

Engine and Powertrains

The 2022 Colorado’s standard powertrain option is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque, while the top trim models use a 3.6-liter V-6 engine with 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. A 2.8-liter four-cylinder diesel engine with 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque is also available. If you need a truck with a lot of pulling power, the V-6 and diesel engines both have enticing advantages. Both have substantial power and capability numbers while still performing gracefully on the highway.

The Chevrolet Silverado comes standard with a 4.3-liter V-6 engine that produces 285 horsepower and 305 pound-feet of torque. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 5.5-liter block, and a 6.2-liter V-8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque are also available. The Colorado and Silverado 1500 both come with rear-wheel drive standard. Drivers who need more traction can choose four-wheel-drive on any trim level. All told, both trucks have a great balance of engines and powertrain options for their sizes.

Performance

With specialty trims like the Colorado ZR2, drivers have amazing off-roading and other rugged performance capabilities, or some trim levels may combine these benefits with luxury packages. Still, while towing, hauling, and other tasks matter, Chevy proves trucks can do all that and be fun to drive on the pavement, unencumbered. That applies to both the Colorado and Silverado 1500, both ideal for daily driving thanks to a level turning and a calm, quiet ride. Steering is crisp and neither vehicle should be any more difficult to navigate in the city than a modern car.

Cabin Volume and Interior

The Colorado and Silverado 1500 provide a wealth of comfort and entertainment features. Both trucks have a modern interior design with cotton, vinyl, or leather seat trim, depending on the version you pick. Seat trim options for the Colorado include fabric and leatherette. The Silverado 1500 has more luxury amenities than the Colorado in higher trim levels, and overall, drivers who like upgrading to the most comfortable and ritzy version of a truck will enjoy the Silverado’s options, while more of the Colorado’s upgrade potential goes into off-roading.

The Colorado isn’t that much smaller than the Silverado, but it’s a good second option for drivers who could go either way. If you don’t want to give up any interior comfort and want a very similar experience to the Silverado, only a touch more compact, the Colorado will serve well. Finally, as for the interior of the beds, the Colorado has either a 41-cubic-foot short bed or 50-cubic-foot long bed, and the Silverado gets three bed lengths: a 63-cubic-foot short bed, 72-cubic-foot standard bed, and an 89-cubic-foot long bed.

Infotainment Systems

Both the Colorado and Silverado use Chevy’s latest infotainment system, with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an available Wi-FI hot spot. The trucks both use Chevy’s well-regarded MyLink, which stands above systems due to its quick touch functionality and easy-to-read menus.

The Colorado gets a 7-inch touch screen standard, while higher trims can use an 8-inch screen. While both serve their purpose and are larger than some screens by competing trucks in the class, the Silverado got a substantial upgrade for 2022. Chevy’s full-size pickup now features a 13.4-inch infotainment touch screen at the base model and up, one of the biggest infotainment screens in the market.

When it comes to performance, capability, technology, and feature availability, you can’t go wrong with either truck. There are many choices that likely could fit your needs, which is why we’re eager to assist you in your search. Find your next new truck at Stan McNabb Chevrolet of Columbia, and take advantage of our extensive inventory of new Chevy models.