The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado lasts around 250,000 miles with relatively minor brake wear and transmission noises. At $22,998 to $40,990, it’s a great value for a compact truck with a high towing capacity.
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado a Good Used Truck?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2020 is a good year for the Chevy Colorado since it’s a reliable small truck capable of towing. Owner reviews praise the efficient engines, four-wheel drive system, along with the reasonable ownership costs as it ages.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Interior materials are durable yet basic, the seats are reasonably comfortable for a truck, two bed lengths are also offered.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no widespread problems on the 2020 Chevy Colorado. Avoid models from 2015–2018 since they have engine issues, while 2019–2022 are more dependable choices.
- Performance 8/10 – Performance is okay from the base engine while the available V6 or diesel 4-cylinder offer good towing performance for a compact truck.
- Safety 7/10 – The 2020 Colorado is reasonably safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. There’s a standard rearview camera, while parking sensors along with lane departure warning are both optional.
- 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 $54 cheaper than average at $195 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2020 Chevy Colorado is a good value since it’s cheaper than many other small trucks while depreciating slowly.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Chevy Colorado?
- Consumer Reports says the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado is a great alternative to larger full-size trucks on the market with good owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Colorado at 3.7/5, enjoying the available diesel engine, but doesn’t like the lack of in-cabin storage.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Colorado a 4.3/5, praising the high towing capacity at up to 7,700 pounds, but owners don’t like the smaller interior.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado Have?
Common problems found on the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado include premature brake wear, noise from the transmission, along with some chipping paint. Overall, these problems are similar to other small trucks on the market, leading to average ownership costs as it ages.
Premature brake wear is the most widespread complaint from 2020 Chevy Colorado owners in the first 5,000 miles. If you plan on using a Colorado to tow a lot, it would be a good idea to upgrade the brake pads since the stock ones wear out quickly. Replacing the brake pads costs around $200, while an upgraded set is around $250.
Noise from the transmission has also been reported by Colorado owners at around 20,000 miles. Usually the noise occurs while shifting from first to second gear. The first thing to do is change the fluid in the transmission and see if that solves the problem. If it doesn’t then you will want to investigate any issues with bearings.
Chipping paint is another issue on some Colorado models in the first 25,000 miles. Paint which is improperly cared for and left in direct sunlight will start to wear down and be more susceptible to chipping as it ages. If you get a lot of chips, the only way to fix the problem is by repainting the affected area, costing around $1,000 per panel.
There are no recalls on the 2020 Chevy Colorado, which is better than many other small trucks on the market. This just means that none of the issues with the Colorado have been widespread enough for Chevrolet to issue a full recall.
How Long Will the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado Last?
A well-maintained 2020 Chevy Colorado can last around 250,000 miles, which is around 100,000 miles less than the long-lasting Toyota Tacoma. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other trucks according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $555 per year.
As a used 2020 Chevy Colorado reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the control arm bushings for $400, the radiator hose costing $500, along with the tie rods which cost around $150.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is very good for a truck with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system which has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Optional upgrades include a more powerful stereo system and a larger 8-inch touchscreen.
Safety technology is worse than some of the competition, only offering a standard rearview camera and teen driver mode which allows you to set limits on volume and speed. Optional driver assistance features are also lacking, with only rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning available.
Is the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado a Good Value?
Yes, the 2020 Chevy Colorado is a good value since it offers a high towing capacity with improved reliability ratings from earlier years. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $22,998 to $40,990, making it similar to a Ford Ranger or GMC Canyon. The more expensive models are certified pre owned with a warranty. When new, the price range was $21,300 to $43,000. Depreciation is similar to other small trucks, losing around 3% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Chevy Colorado?
There are five models of the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado offered from the entry-level Base model, all the way up to the more capable ZR2 mode. The Colorado also comes with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, depending on the model.
Base is the entry-level model with:
- Extended Cab Only
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Vinyl Upholstery
- Air Conditioning
- Power Windows
- Vinyl Floor Covering
- 7-Inch Infotainment 3 System
- Six-Speaker Sound System
Work Truck (WT) is a step up, adding:
- Crew or Extended Cab Options
- Cloth Upholstery
- Remote Keyless Entry
- Cruise Control
- Remote Locking Tailgate
- OnStar Connectivity
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot
LT is next in the lineup with:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Tilt and Telescoping Steering Wheel
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Satellite Radio
- Heated Front Seats
- Automatic Climate Control
- Upgraded Audio System
Z71 adds features such as:
- Off-Road Tires
- Improved Suspension
- Unique Upholstery
- Locking Rear Differential
- Hill Descent Control
ZR2 is the flagship model which features:
- Standard Four-Wheel Drive
- Raised Suspension
- Fender Flares
- Unique Front & Rear Bumpers
- Spray-In Bedliner
- Electronically Locking Rear Differential
What Engines Come In the Chevy Colorado?
- The base engine is an average 2.5L 4-cylinder which makes 200 horsepower and 191 lb.-ft. of torque and gets up to 22 MPG. It comes with a standard six-speed automatic transmission. The towing capacity is reasonable at up to 3,500 pounds.
- An available upgrade is the stronger 3.6L V6, which produces 308 horsepower and 275 lb.-ft. of torque at up to 20 MPG. This engine has an eight-speed automatic transmission. This pulls up to 7,000 pounds.
- The most efficient motor is the 2.8L 4-cylinder diesel, which is good for 181 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft. of torque while getting 23 MPG. It also features the six-speed automatic transmission. It can tow up to 7,700 pounds.
What Colors Does the Chevy Colorado Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Chevy Colorado?
The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado is a reasonably comfortable pickup truck. It offers comfortable seating with adequate head and legroom for passengers in both the front and rear seats of the crew cab.
The interior is well-appointed and has a premium feel, and higher trims come with features such as a power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather upholstery, and a heated steering wheel. The 2020 Colorado provides a comfortable and well-rounded driving experience, making it a good choice for those who need a truck for both work and daily use.
How Much Storage Space Does the Chevy Colorado Have?
The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado has two bed options, either a 5-foot-2-inch short bed, or a longer 6-foot-2-inch extended bed.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The second generation of the Chevy Colorado was introduced for the 2015 model year, and is going to be replaced by the third generation in 2023.
2015: Fully redesigned for the second generation after being removed from the lineup for three years.
2016: 4-cylinder diesel engine available, optional Apple CarPlay.
2017: Upgraded V6 engine, new 8-speed automatic transmission, ZR2 model with off-road suspension.
2018: New 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
2019: Improved rearview camera, updated stereo system, more USB ports.
2020: Remote locking tailgate added.
2021: Entry-level model discontinued, new front bumper added.
How Does the Chevy Colorado Compare to the Competition?
The 2020 Chevrolet Colorado is a very good compact truck which is cheaper than some of the competition while still offering a great towing and hauling capacity for its size.
The Ford Ranger is another small truck which is available for around $2,000 more. Passenger room is a bit better in the Ford Ranger, while the Chevy Colorado offers more efficient engine choices. We recommend the Ford Ranger since you get more features for your money, although both are good trucks for 2020.
The Toyota Tacoma is a competitor available for roughly $5,000 more. Off-road performance is better in the Toyota Tacoma, while the Chevy Colorado has a higher towing capacity with its diesel engine. We recommend the Toyota Tacoma since it’s the longest-lasting compact truck on the market with the lowest ownership costs as it ages.