If you’re in the market for a new pickup truck, there’s an excellent chance you’re considering a trip to your local Chevy dealer. After all, Chevy trucks are among the best in the marketplace and come equipped with highly efficient powertrains and the features the modern driver looks for. The Chevy Colorado and Silverado 1500 aren’t just two of the finest offerings from the Chevy fleet; they’re some of the best in the industry. Today, we’ll review the various purposes drivers use these trucks for and which is the better option for your needs.
Fuel Efficiency
One factor to consider when choosing between both trucks is how often and how far you drive. Getting the most out of a fill-up might be vital, especially if you plan on using a Colorado or Silverado 1500 to tackle the daily commute. Both vehicles can be fuel efficient depending on how they’re configured.
With the Colorado being a smaller truck, it might be assumed that’s the clear-cut choice for fuel economy. The way to get the best fuel economy is by opting for a rear-wheel drive version of the Silverado 1500 with the 3.0L diesel six-cylinder. You’ll be able to achieve an EPA-estimated 23 MPG in the city and 29 MPG on the highway for a combined total average of 26 MPG. If you opt for the RWD version of the Colorado, you’ll still have admirable fuel economy, with 20 MPG in the city, 24 MPG on the highway, and a combined average of 22 MPG.
The diesel powertrain of the Silverado 1500 can allow you to go longer in between fill-ups, but diesel fuel isn’t always readily available at every gas station. The base engine of the Colorado offers sustainable fuel economy without having to pay more for a different powertrain.
Towing and Payload Capacities
This aspect of the pickup truck is easily the most utilized among owners. Choosing between the Colorado and Silverado 1500 might hinge on this very topic. Both vehicles have exceptional tow ratings, and depending on how much you want to carry, either can facilitate the task at hand. One unique advantage of the Chevy Colorado is that despite being a midsize truck, it leads its class with an available tow rating of 7,700 lbs. This can be beneficial if you need a smaller pickup truck to do light towing occasionally. Family-oriented drivers who enjoy weekend excursions such as camping trips will find the Colorado advantageous in this area.
If you’re looking for a workhorse to facilitate towing or occupational duties, you’ll undoubtedly want to choose the Silverado 1500. Towing applications vary by powertrain, with the base 2.7L engine allowing for the highest payload of 2,260 lbs. To unlock the Silverado’s highest towing potential of 13,300 lbs, you have to opt for the 6.2L V8 or the 2.7L diesel engine. While the Colorado is ideal for light towing applications, for those who require the ability to move mountains and accomplish arduous tasks, the Silverado 1500 is your best bet.
Off-Roading Prowess
Many drivers who enjoy the rough and tumble world of off-roading have relied on pickup trucks to facilitate these adventures. The Silverado 1500 and Colorado can be valuable items in the hands of the bold and daring. We’ll focus on deciding which is better equipped for the less traveled path.
Like most pickup trucks that come with 4WD and have a selection of competent powertrains, the Silverado 1500 can undoubtedly handle itself off the pavement with relative ease. To unlock the full capability of the Silverado 1500, the ZR2 edition is formulated explicitly for adventure. You’ll choose between two powertrains and some heavy-duty skid plates to protect your truck’s underbelly from dirt, debris, and gravel. Obstacles become a nonissue thanks to the ZR2’s 11.22-inch ground clearance. You can enhance this even more with the ZR2 Bison package, which includes many items from AEV, including 18-inch wheels and skid plates to offer more protection during your journeys.
As for the Chevy Colorado and its off-road abilities, it shares many similarities with its larger sibling. The Colorado comes with a ZR2 and ZR2 Bison trims. This is notable as the Silverado ZR2 is an entirely separate vehicle. The Colorado’s off-roading capabilities are a near-perfect example of doing more with less. Powered by a TurboMax engine and 33-inch all-terrain tires, the ZR2 edition of the Colorado offers everything you need for adventure. The ZR2 Bison, the top trim of the Colorado, gives you all of the accessories and features from AEV. With a 12.2-inch ground clearance, an abundance of skid plates, and 35-inch all-terrain tires, the Colorado lives up to its namesake as the king of the wild frontier.
Both trucks are exceptional in off-roading, especially with their ZR2 editions. However, the Colorado offers more ground clearance, and its off-roading enhancements are much more accessible than those of the Silverado 1500. The Colorado is a smaller truck, which means it has the potential to be more agile than the larger Silverado.
Both Pickups Offer Something for Every Type of Driver and Lifestyle
Well, it’s all about deciding which Chevy pickup is best suited for your needs. Quite a few items merit discussion, and the first one has to do with versatility. Items we neglected to touch on earlier are the cab configurations. This is where trucks can be utilized for many different purposes. While adept at many things, the Colorado only comes in one configuration: a four-door crew cab with a single bed length. The Silverado 1500, with multiple configurations that can supplement towing capacity, payload, and passenger space, means that there’s more to choose from, and crafting the perfect vehicle is more accessible.
The Colorado might not be the best choice for a work truck, and depending on what type of field someone works in, opting for the better towing capacity offered by the Silverado 1500 will undoubtedly be the better option. However, the Colorado does manage to outperform the Silverado in terms of convenience. With better fuel economy and a smaller size, the Colorado is great for the daily commute around town. As we mentioned earlier, this maneuverability also works in its favor in off-roading scenarios.
The right powertrain is essential depending on what you’re attempting to accomplish or apply yourself to. There’s a notable difference in how engines are paired with both trucks. The Colorado has a single engine whose performance specs vary based on trim. While this isn’t necessarily bad, it means paying more for the amount of horsepower and torque you want to have at your disposal. The Silverado has four unique powertrains: a four-cylinder, two V8s, and a diesel-fueled six-cylinder. It’s possible to have a different engine equipped on a lower trim, which is another way the discerning customer offers variety.
Which one should you choose? As we mentioned earlier, the truck can be used for many applications. Both the Chevy Colorado and Silverado 1500 have their own unique advantages. Based on what you’ve read today, you can determine which one will suit you best. Ultimately, what you decide to purchase is up to you, and you’re getting some of the best quality and craftsmanship that’s beyond compare.
