The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado lasts around 200,000 miles with some relatively serious transmission and shaking issues. At $20,891 to $41,185, it’s cheaper than other trucks, yet still not worth it when some repairs can cost thousands.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado a Good Used Truck?
- Overall Rating 6/10 – 2018 is a bad year for the Chevy Colorado since there are still a lot of expensive transmission problems, giving it a low overall score. Owner reviews complain about costly repair bills, high ownership costs, as well as a rough suspension.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Interior materials are okay compared to other small trucks, the seats are decently comfortable, two bed lengths are also offered.
- Reliability 6/10 – There are some widespread transmission problems on the 2018 Colorado. Buyers should avoid models from 2015-2018, there are improvements in 2019–2022.
- Performance 8/10 – Performance is decent from all of the engines, the available turbo-diesel also has the highest towing capacity of any small truck.
- Safety 6/10 – The 2018 Colorado is reasonably safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. There’s a standard rearview camera as well as teen driver mode. Optional upgrades include forward collision alert, along with lane departure warning.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is good at up to 24 MPG, giving 504 miles of range from the 21 gallon tank. Gas costs are $58 cheaper than average at $186 per month.
- Value 6/10 – The 2018 Chevy Colorado is cheaper than many other compact trucks on the market, although high repair bills give it a lower value score.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Chevy Colorado?
- Consumer Reports says the 2018 Chevy Colorado is a very nice & capable compact truck, although owner satisfaction scores are lower than average.
- Edmunds rates the Colorado at 3.6/5, praising the responsive steering, but owners don’t like the limited in-cab storage.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Colorado a 4.3/5, enjoying the high towing capacity for a small trunk, but owners don’t like the relatively small cabin.
What Common Problems Does the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado Have?
Common problems found on the 2018 Chevy Colorado include the transmission shuddering while changing gears, excessive shaking, as well as leaking oil cooler lines. Overall, these problems are worse than other small trucks, leading to higher repair bills as they age.
The transmission shuddering while changing gears is a widespread complaint on the 2018 Chevy Colorado at around 15,000 miles. Some owners have been able to solve the problem by flushing the transmission and replacing the fluid for around $450. Others have had to replace the torque converter, which costs around $1,800.
Excessive shaking is another issue reported by Colorado owners at roughly 20,000 miles. Both the motor and transmission mounts wear out very quickly, causing the vibrations from them to enter the cabin. Replacing the motor mounts costs around $400, while the transmission mounts are another $300.
Leaking oil cooler lines also show up on 2018 Colorado models in the first 25,000 miles. The lines simply wear out and start to split along the seams. Replacing the oil cooler lines costs around $750, depending on local labor rates.
There’s only one recall on the 2018 Chevy Colorado, which is fewer than other trucks. It covers a fuel pump flange weld, which may fracture, although it’s only a problem on 895 total trucks, making it rare.
How Long Will the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado Last?
A well-maintained 2018 Chevy Colorado can last around 200,000 miles, which is around 100,000 miles less than the top-rated Toyota Tacoma. Regular annual maintenance costs are more expensive than some other small pickup trucks, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $492 per year.
As a used 2018 Chevy Colorado reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the radiator fan clutch for $400, fuel injectors costing $800, as well as the transfer case shift motor which costs around $500.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is very good in the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado with a standard 7-inch touchscreen which also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. Some upgrades include a larger 8-inch touchscreen and a more powerful stereo system.
Safety technology is bad compared to many other vehicles from 2018 since it has a standard rearview camera as well as Teen Driver mode, which allows you to set speed and volume limits. Optional upgrades are limited and only include forward collision alerts along with lane departure warning.
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado a Good Value?
No, the 2018 Chevy Colorado is not a good value since there are some costly repairs showing up as they age. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $20,891 to $41,185, with certified pre owned models being in the high end. It’s less expensive than a Honda Ridgeline or GMC Canyon. When new, the price range was $20,200 to $42,000. Depreciation is virtually nonexistent in current market conditions on trucks, although in normal situations it will lose about 7% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Chevy Colorado?
There are five models of the 2018 Chevrolet Colorado offered, from the entry-level Base all the way up to the capable ZR2. The Colorado is also offered with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
Base is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Vinyl Upholstery
- Air Conditioning
- Four-Way Power Driver Seat
- Front Bucket Seats
- Tilt-Only Steering Wheel
- Power Windows
- Rearview Camera
- Six-Speaker Sound System
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 7-Inch Display
Work Truck (WT) is a step up, adding:
- Fold-Up Rear Jump Seats
- Cloth Upholstery
- Carpeting
- Floor Mats
- Cruise Control
LT is next in the lineup with:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Keyless Entry
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Satellite Radio
- Two More USB Ports
Z71 is a popular choice which adds:
- Dark Tinted 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- All-Terrain Tires
- Off-Road Suspension
- Locking Rear Differential
- Hill Descent Control
- Cloth and Simulated Leather Seats
- Heated Front seats
- Automatic Climate Control
- Seven Speaker Bose Audio System
ZR2 is the flagship model which has:
- Standard 4WD
- Raised Suspension
- Improved Rear Bumper
- Larger All-Terrain Tires
- Fender Flares
- Spray-In Bed Liner
- Electronically Locking Rear Differential
What Engines Come In the Chevy Colorado?
- An average 2.5L 4-cylinder engine. This is the standard engine option and it produces 200 horsepower and 191 lb.-ft. of torque at up to 22 MPG. It has a six-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission. It tows up to 3,500 pounds
- A stronger 3.6L V6 engine. This is an optional engine that produces 308 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque, while getting 20 MPG. This engine has an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine can tow up to 7,000 pounds.
- The efficient 2.8L Duramax turbo-diesel engine. This is also an optional engine that produces 186 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque at up to 24 MPG. It’s offered with the six-speed automatic transmission as well. It’s the strongest tower, at up to 7,700 pounds with the available active tow system.
What Colors Does the Chevy Colorado Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Chevy Colorado?
The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado is generally considered to be a comfortable truck, with many reviewers praising its supportive seats and smooth ride quality. The cabin is also relatively quiet, with minimal road and wind noise.
The Colorado is available in a variety of seating configurations, in either extended-cab or crew-cab models so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. The front seats are generally well-padded and offer good support, with the option of power-adjustability on some models. The rear seats offer decent legroom for adults, although taller passengers may find them a bit cramped.
How Much Storage Space Does the Chevy Colorado Have?
There are two bed lengths offered including a 5-foot-2-inch short bed or a 6-foot-2-inch long bed. The bed length you choose will depend on your needs and how you plan to use your truck. The short bed is more maneuverable and easier to park, while the long bed provides more cargo space. The crew cab long bed is a good option if you need extra passenger space and still want a decent amount of cargo room.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The second generation of the Chevy Colorado was launched in 2015, and will be replaced by the third generation in 2023.
2015: Fully redesigned for the second generation after it was not produced for 3 years.
2016: Optional Apple CarPlay and a 4-cylinder diesel engine available.
2017: ZR2 model introduced with a stronger suspension, new 8-speed transmission, upgraded V6 engine.
2018: New 7-inch stereo system, standard Apple CarPlay & Android auto across the lineup.
2019: Updated stereo system, more USB ports, improved rearview camera.
2020: Remote locking tailgate available.
2021: New front bumper style, base model discontinued.
How Does the Chevy Colorado Compare to the Competition?
The 2018 Chevrolet Colorado is a bad compact pickup truck since there are more mechanical problems than many of the other compact trucks on the market, making it one buyers should stay away from.
The Toyota Tacoma is another compact truck which costs around $3,500 more. Reliability ratings are much better in the Toyota Tacoma, while the rear seats in the Chevy Colorado have more room. We recommend the Toyota Tacoma since the longer-lasting engines are worth the extra money.
The Chevy Silverado is a larger truck from Chevrolet, which is roughly $5,000 more. Passenger room is better in the Chevy Silverado, while the Chevy Colorado is easier to fit in large cities. We recommend the Chevy Silverado since it has fewer complaints from owners, and is also more capable of towing and hauling.
