There’s only one engine choice for the 2025 Chevy Colorado, but it’s the one you actually want.
It’s annoying when some of the best options are locked behind a paywall, or when you need to work through a confusing range of options to see which one is best for you to buy in. That sort of situation is what came into my mind with the latest-generation Chevy Colorado launch, wherein you had a 2.7-liter turbo engine across the board, but with three possible power outputs. With this model year update, though, Chevrolet is making the powertrain game much clearer by only giving you the “high output” engine with 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, no matter which model you choose (even the WT).
Granted, we were already halfway there when the 2024 Chevy Colorado dropped the mid-range “Turbo Plus” engine. But now, you get the full output without having to step over the WT or LT if you’re on a budget, or without having to resort to paying a few hundred bucks to unlock the L3B Turbo Plus’ full potential.
With the “TurboMax” now the only engine moving forward, towing capacities for the lower-end models increase to 7,700 pounds, so long as you get the Advanced Trailering Package (code ‘ZL6’, if you go to put in an order). Payload also increases to 1,710 pounds for 2WD WT models, or 1,700 for 4WD versions. If you move up the trim stack, payload ratings for the Z71 and Trail Boss fall to 1,570-1,590 pounds, while the ZR2 is still at 1,310 pounds.
What else is new for 2025?
GM’s fleet order guide mentions a host of other small changes across the rest of the 2025 Chevy Colorado lineup. First up, an option that shouldn’t have been an option as far as we (and more specifically, Andre) are concerned: cruise control. It’s now available not just on the Trail Boss (huzzah!), but even the base WT trim. WT and Trail Boss trucks also now get a sliding rear window and a rear defogger as standard equipment, while the WT also gets a remote locking and unlocking tailgate as well as a floor console. Before, all of those features were part of each truck’s respective “Convenience Package”, which is now discontinued.
Colorado Z71 models get dual-zone automatic climate control, a tilting and telescoping steering column, Chevy’s “EZ lift and lower” StowFlex tailgate, an 8-way power driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support, heated front seats, remote start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and wireless phone charging.
The Trail Boss, for its part, now gets a richer feature set in its “Convenience Package II” — namely remote start, wireless smartphone charging, heated front seats and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and Evotex seats. The items that were in the second-level package, including the StowFlex tailgate and locking cylinder, are now standard fare.
Z71, Trail Boss and ZR2 models get even more gear as part of their standard kit, too. That includes blind-zone steering assist with trailering, rear cross-traffic braking and rear park assist, all of which ere previously part of the “Safety Package”.
But what about the top-dog ZR2? Chevy didn’t leave it out of the packaging game either, as it now gets the “Convenience Package III” equipment as standard gear. So, now the ZR2 gets perforated leather front seats by default, a driver seat back pocket, a rear center armrest, driver’s seat memory functionality, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel and wireless charging.
Other options across the 2025 Chevy Colorado lineup
As for standalone options, three new colors join the 2025 Chevy Colorado palette: Snowdrift Metallic, Reef Blue Metallic and Sunrise Orange. With their arrival, though, three colors are also leaving the lineup: Nitro Yellow Metallic, Glacier Blue Metallic and Sand Dune Metallic. A new Appearance and Convenience Package is available on the LT (which adds many of the same convenience features that are now baked into higher-trim models), and there’s a new Utility Wall Package across all trims.
On the WT, a new Custom Package adds in 18-inch black aluminum wheels, as well as 265/60-R18 all-season tires and blacked-out badging.
A new Midnight Edition package is available for the Trail Boss, Z71 or ZR2 trims, which also black out the badging, add a 40-inch roof-mounted off-road light bar, a bed-mounted sport bar and a power-distribution box. The Midnight Edition also adds in black aluminum wheels, though the size varies depending on which trim you choose (20-inch wheels for the Trail Boss, 18s for the Z71 and 17s for the ZR2).
Finally, new dealer-installed accessories are avialable for 2025, including a rubber bed mat, a snorkel, a transfer case underbody shield for the Work Truck and dealer-installed utility wall accessories, if you want them standalone from the full package. Certain wheels included with the other packages are also available standalone, depending on which trim you’re shopping. If you’re jealous of Ford trucks’ programmable keyless entry keypad, that’s also a dealer-installed option across all trims for 2025.
Pricing and availability?
While we have a comprehensive look at options changes across the 2025 Chevy Colorado lineup, what we don’t have yet is pricing. That’s because production at the Wentzville, Missouri plant for the 2025 models likely won’t kick off until December, or about five weeks after it was originally supposed to start.
That said, we’re rapidly approaching the end of the year. So, with all these changes in mind, we should know more about pricing here in the next few weeks, so keep your eyes out for more updates.
