A few months ago we found out that General Motors is planning the new generation of its mid-size trucks. Both 2022 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon were planned with huge changes. After ten years, the company wanted to launch the third generation of pickup trucks. Nevertheless, the entire industry is facing a lot of troubles caused by a coronavirus. Still, there is enough time for the situation to calm down.
The redesign will help the 2022 Chevy Colorado cement its position as the best truck in the class. Still, the competition is tougher. The comeback of the Ford Ranger is the biggest concern, but not the only one. Jeep also decided to introduce itself in the pickup segment with the Gladiator. Toyota will soon update Tacoma and its TRD Pro model.
Still, the COVID-19 outburst already caused a few delays, including Chevy Equinox crossover introduced at Chicago Auto Show in February. Also, the flagship nameplates, Silverado truck and Camaro muscle postponed updates for 2022. General Motors already has a lot of premieres for that season and the new Colorado would be too much.
Redesign and Changes
GM didn’t make too many things official. Nevertheless, we managed to gather a few pieces of information. Well, the truck received a nice portion of changes recently, so the new generation could wait a bit. Still, the new 2022 Chevy Colorado is coming with the fresh grille and more trim levels. Packages are offering different equipment. The base trim is discontinued, while the entry-level versions are going to use skid plates and lower fascia. Gold bow-tie badge is on the grille, Z71 comes with a black one, and ZR2 will wear the big CHEVROLET lettered grille. Fans also expect a few new colors, while more features are going to be available all across the lineup.
Engines and Specs
The 2022 Chevy Colorado will keep a four-cylinder powerplant as the base choice. A 2.5-liter displacement is good for 200 hp and that is a good start. A six-speed manual gearbox sends power to rear wheels. Fuel economy is 20/26 mpg. A six-pace automatic is also an option. With it, you are also eligible to upgrade the ride with the 4×4 drive.
Another petrol unit is a 3.6-liter V6. Colorado relies on this powertrain for a long time and it is one of the main reasons why the truck is so popular. A six-cylinder plant can create 308 ponies and 275 lb-ft of torque. Converted to towing capacity, that is 7,000 pounds. A six-speed automatic is the only power router mated to a V6. All-wheel drive is optional, as well as the ZR2 package. The fuel economy suffers the most with the specialist for an off-road drive.
2022 Chevy Colorado Diesel
The best thing about the Colorado is a diesel engine. Nevertheless, this one is going to be a history soon. Some even question the appearance on the new generation. The 2022 Chevy Colorado Diesel might not be the centerpiece of the lineup, but it is still an important package. For a long time this was the most capable configuration in the mid-size truck class.
A 2.8-liter Duramax unit was ready to deliver 190 hp and 387 lb-ft of torque. Using it, engineers tuned the pickup to tow 7,700 pounds. Until last year, this was the class-leading towing capacity. Jeep installed a 3.0-liter turbodiesel into Gladiator and beat the outcome. Also, Ford is going to bring the diesel version of Ranger sooner or later. Anyway, GM will work on the hybridization and electrification for the future trucks.
2022 Chevy Colorado ZR2
While the question mark is over diesel engine, there is one thing we can be sure about – the 2022 Chevy Colorado ZR2 will be the meanest off-road pickup in the market. But it still needs a Duramax unit to maximize the performance.
Not only diesel but also a V6 can make drivers happy. More important upgrades we find around the vehicle. Special shock and suspension are the keys. Plus, the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 comes with skid-plates, bedliner, and a unique grille. The interior is also taking an update. Details are still unavailable. ZR2 will have a lot of competition. Again, Ford is the biggest threat. Ranger Raptor is at the doors. Toyota TRD Pro is already a big rival, even without a diesel unit.
When Will 2022 Chevy Colorado Be Available?
The entire situation with the COVID-19 outburst is making things difficult for carmakers. The entire industry is hit and most announced debuts are already canceled or delayed. Chevrolet has many of these postponed. We hope that 2022 Chevy Colorado is not facing the same destiny and that new generation will be here next summer. The price will go up with all the modifications expected on the truck. The most expensive version, ZR2, will cost about $50,000.
Source: GM Authority