The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado is a midsize pickup built around one strong, single powertrain: a 2.7-liter TurboMax turbo four-cylinder rated at 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, standard on all six trims. Pricing starts at $32,400 for the WT (before the $2,095 destination charge) and runs to $50,700 for the trail-ready ZR2, with a properly-equipped max tow rating of 7,700 lbs on WT, Custom, LT, Trail Boss and Z71. For drivers around Reading and Schuylkill Haven who split time between paved commutes on US-222 and gravel access roads near Blue Marsh Lake, that is a lot of capability packed into a truck that still parks like a midsize.

Outten Chevrolet stocks the 2026 Colorado lineup for test drives and delivery, from work-focused WT trucks to the off-road-hardened ZR2. Six trims give a Berks County buyer a real choice between a fleet-priced work truck and a factory-built desert runner, all sharing the same 310-hp engine underneath.

2026 Colorado Engine and Powertrain

Every 2026 Colorado trim shares one engine: a 2.7L TurboMax turbo four-cylinder making 310 hp and 430 lb-ft, paired with an 8-speed automatic. There is no second engine to shop on the 2026 Colorado, and no detuned version of the first one. What separates the trims is equipment, drivetrain and off-road hardware; the output is the same whichever one you park in.

Drivetrain by trim

Trim	Drivetrain	Transfer case
WT / Custom / LT	RWD standard, 4WD available	Single-speed (no low range) when equipped with 4WD
Trail Boss / Z71	4WD standard	2-speed with low range
ZR2 / ZR2 Bison	4WD standard	2-speed with low range, front and rear electronic locking differentials

Fuel economy, EPA-estimated (fueleconomy.gov), varies by drivetrain and tire package: WT, Custom and LT rate 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined mpg with 2WD, and 17/22/19 with 4WD. Trail Boss and Z71, running 32-inch all-terrain tires, rate 17/20/18. ZR2 rates 17/17/17, and the ZR2 Bison, on 35-inch tires, rates 16/16/16. All trims run on regular unleaded from a 21.4-gallon tank.

4WD-equipped Colorados offer up to five selectable drive modes, depending on trim: Normal for everyday driving, Off-Road for loose surfaces like grass, mud, gravel or deep snow, Terrain for steep hills and low-speed crawling (with automatic braking assistance), an available Tow/Haul mode that optimizes the transmission for a loaded trailer, and, exclusive to the ZR2, a Baja mode tuned for sand and high-speed desert running. 2026 is a carryover model year for the Colorado, with no major mechanical changes; Chevrolet added a new White Sands exterior color option on Trail Boss and ZR2, and destination freight is $2,095.

2026 Colorado Trim Lineup and Pricing

Six trims cover the 2026 Colorado lineup, from a work-focused entry truck to a factory-built desert runner. Every price below excludes the $2,095 destination charge unless noted; tax, title, license and dealer fees are additional.

Trim	Starting MSRP	Positioning
WT	$32,400	Work-ready value entry, cloth seats, 17-in wheels
Custom	$33,545	Style step above WT, 18-in Gloss Black wheels, black badges
LT	$36,000	Daily-driver sweet spot, EZ Lift tailgate, remote start available
Trail Boss	$40,500	2-in lift, 32-in A/T tires, off-road ready on a budget
Z71	$44,600	Off-road hardware with more cabin comfort, Bose audio available
ZR2	$50,700	Factory trail flagship: Multimatic DSSV dampers, dual locking diffs

Bison is not a seventh trim. It is an American Expedition Vehicles package layered onto a ZR2, and what it buys is hardware you can point at: 35-inch mud-terrain tires, steel skid plates, and ground clearance that reaches 12.2 inches.

Wheel sizes track the mission: WT rides on 17-inch Ultra Silver Metallic wheels with all-season tires, Custom and Trail Boss/Z71 step up to 18-inch wheels (all-season on Custom, 32-inch all-terrain on the off-road pair), LT keeps 17-inch Argent Metallic wheels, and ZR2 drops back to a 17-inch wheel wrapped in a 33-inch all-terrain tire for more sidewall cushion off-road.

WT and LT can be ordered with optional 4WD; Trail Boss, Z71 and ZR2 come 4WD-standard and are not offered with RWD. Stepping a WT up to 4WD runs roughly $37,795 including destination, and an LT 4WD lands near $41,395 including destination, both a step below Trail Boss for buyers who want 4WD traction without the off-road suspension package. As-shown pricing, which bundles popular options, runs from $35,700 on a well-equipped WT to $50,700 on a ZR2 (the ZR2's as-shown and starting price are the same, since its headline off-road hardware is standard rather than optional).

Technology and Connectivity

Every 2026 Colorado trim carries an 11.3-inch center touchscreen with Google Built-In, giving drivers native access to Google Maps and Google Assistant without a paired phone. An 11-inch digital driver display is standard lineup-wide, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on every trim, so a passenger doesn't need to hunt for a cable on a trip out toward Reading. A 6-speaker audio system is standard; Z71 and up offer a 7-speaker Bose premium system and available wireless phone charging.

An available trailering app is offered for drivers who tow regularly. The available 360-degree camera system adds an overhead view on top of the standard backup camera, which itself includes a trailer hitch alignment guide, so lining up a ball hitch solo is less of a guessing game. Available underbody cameras on the off-road trims show what's under the front bumper before it becomes a problem on a rocky approach, and Chevrolet offers up to 10 available camera views across the lineup.

Interior and Comfort

The Colorado is a crew-cab-only truck across the entire 2026 lineup, seating five in every trim. There is no extended-cab and no 6-passenger configuration on any Colorado trim. The cabin design leans utilitarian on WT and Custom and adds comfort features, like heated front seats and dual-zone climate control, moving up through LT and the off-road trims. Front-seat head room runs around 40 inches with roughly 45 inches of front leg room, generous for a midsize truck, and the second row keeps around 35 inches of leg room for adult passengers on a crew-cab commute or a family trip out toward Kutztown University.

Every Colorado's 5-foot bed carries a multifunction StowFlex tailgate with integrated lockable storage, a built-in measurement tool, up to 17 available tie-downs, and available bed lighting and a 110-volt power outlet, useful for anyone charging tools at a jobsite around Morgantown or Bally. The tailgate also holds a mid-position setting rated to support 500 lbs, handy for using the open gate as a workbench or tailgate seat without dropping it flat.

Towing and Payload Capability

Properly equipped, the WT, Custom, LT, Trail Boss and Z71 tow up to 7,700 lbs, enough for a boat off Blue Marsh Lake or a landscaping trailer full of equipment. The ZR2's off-road hardware trims that maximum to 6,000 lbs, so it is never accurate to state one blanket towing figure across the whole lineup. Payload varies by configuration; see the dedicated Colorado Towing and Payload page for the full breakdown, and ask our sales team for the exact figure on a specific truck.

Off-Road Capability

Trail Boss, Z71 and ZR2 are the 2026 Colorado's three off-road trims, each adding more hardware than the last. Trail Boss and Z71 both add a 2-inch factory lift, 32-inch all-terrain tires, skid plates, and an auto-locking rear differential over the RWD-based trims, with Trail Boss leaning rugged and Z71 adding more cabin refinement. The ZR2 goes further with Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers, front and rear electronic locking differentials, a 2-speed transfer case, 33-inch tires and a 3-inch lift. Those DSSV dampers use a spool valve rather than a traditional shim stack, letting the suspension stay controlled over sharp, repeated hits (washboard gravel, rock ledges) without the harsh rebound a standard shock produces at speed. An off-road performance display, standard on Trail Boss, Z71 and ZR2, shows live pitch, roll, and steering angle so the driver can see how the truck is loaded on uneven terrain rather than guessing. The ZR2 Bison edition raises capability further still, with 35-inch mud-terrain tires and up to 12.2 inches of ground clearance, aimed at drivers who actually leave pavement rather than just look the part.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Every 2026 Colorado trim, WT included, carries the same Chevy Safety Assist suite. A driver commuting the unlit stretches of PA Route 61 gets the identical protection as someone in a loaded ZR2: forward collision alert that watches for pedestrians and cyclists, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, a following-distance indicator, IntelliBeam auto high beams, and blind-spot monitoring, none of it held back for higher trims. Every truck also gets a standard backup camera, and the off-road trims can add a 360-degree overhead view that doubles as a trail-reading tool as much as a parking aid. NHTSA scores the 2026 Colorado 4 out of 5 stars overall (5 side, 4 frontal, 3 rollover); the ZR2 Bison hasn't been crash-tested on its own. Full results are posted at nhtsa.gov.

Which 2026 Colorado Is Right for You?

The right 2026 Colorado trim comes down to what you tow, how often you leave pavement, and how much daily comfort you want.

If you tow a trailer or boat and want the highest rating in the lineup, the Trail Boss or Z71 at 7,700 lbs covers most weekend loads without the ZR2's reduced 6,000-lb max. See Trail Boss inventory.

If you drive a fleet or need a dependable work truck without paying for off-road gear you won't use, the WT starts at $32,400 and still carries the full 310-hp engine and Chevy Safety Assist. See WT inventory.

If daily comfort matters as much as capability, the LT adds heated seats, dual-zone climate and remote start over the value trims while starting at $36,000, excluding destination.

If you actually leave pavement, whether that's a hunting camp road near Hawk Mountain Sanctuary or a rocky trail beyond it, the ZR2 brings locking differentials and Multimatic dampers no other trim offers.

If you want the most off-road-capable Colorado sold, the ZR2 Bison adds AEV's 35-inch tires and armor over the standard ZR2.

Trail Boss, the volume pick for buyers who want both towing and trail capability, starts at $40,500 before destination and options; see current Colorado inventory for exact stock and pricing.

Why Buy the 2026 Colorado at Outten Chevrolet of Hamburg

Located at 1080 S Fourth St, we stock the 2026 Colorado lineup for drivers across Reading, Schuylkill Haven and the towns along the Schuylkill River. Whether the truck's job is hauling a trailer down US-222 or tackling a gravel fire road, our sales team can walk through trim availability, current incentives and financing. If the exact configuration you want isn't on the lot, we can also help place a factory order and track it through to delivery.

Once you're driving one home, Outten's service department keeps it running, from the first scheduled oil change to warranty work, without sending you across town. Call (610) 674-0598 to check current inventory or schedule a test drive, or get a jump on financing with pre-approval before you visit. If you're trading in a current truck, value your trade first so you know where you stand.

2026 Chevrolet Colorado Frequently Asked Questions

What changed on the Colorado for 2026?

2026 is a carryover model year, with no major mechanical changes. Chevrolet added a new White Sands exterior color option on Trail Boss and ZR2, and destination freight is $2,095.

What technology comes standard on the 2026 Colorado?

An 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google Built-In, an 11-inch digital driver display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a standard backup camera, on every trim from WT up.

What engine does the 2026 Colorado use?

Every trim shares the same 2.7-liter TurboMax turbocharged four-cylinder, rated at 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic. Chevrolet does not offer a V6 or diesel option on the 2026 Colorado.

Does the 2026 Colorado have a tailgate work station?

Every trim carries a mid-position tailgate setting rated to support 500 lbs, along with a built-in measurement tool, useful for using the open gate as a workbench without dropping it flat.

How many people does the 2026 Colorado seat?

Five, in every trim. The 2026 Colorado is crew-cab-only with a 5-foot bed; there is no extended-cab or 6-passenger configuration on any trim.

What is the difference between the Trail Boss and the ZR2?

Both add a factory lift and all-terrain tires over the road-focused trims, but the ZR2 goes further with Multimatic DSSV dampers, front and rear electronic locking differentials, and 33-inch tires on a 3-inch lift, versus Trail Boss's 2-inch lift and single locking rear differential. Z71 shares Trail Boss's off-road hardware but leans toward cabin comfort, with synthetic leather and a heated wheel available.

What is the difference between WT and Custom?

Both are entry-focused trims built on the same 310-hp engine, but Custom adds 18-inch High Gloss Black wheels, black exterior badging, and a more style-forward look for about $1,145 more than WT, without changing capability.

Does the 2026 Colorado come in a 4-cylinder or V6?

Only a 4-cylinder. The 2.7-liter TurboMax four is the sole engine offered across the entire 2026 Colorado lineup.

Does the 2026 Colorado have a factory lift on any trim?

Yes. Trail Boss and Z71 add a 2-inch factory lift, and ZR2 adds a 3-inch factory lift, both over the standard ride height on WT, Custom and LT.

Explore the Colorado