The 2022 Chevy Colorado is a midsize pickup truck with decent gas mileage, an energetic V6 engine, great towing capabilities and some specialty off-road trims. The Silverado 1500 is a full-size truck that has some great off-road capabilities of its own and a first-ever Silverado ZR2. Let’s look at both.
Design
The 2022 Chevy Colorado offers a smooth, comfortable ride around town or adventures on the off-road. The Colorado offers four trims: WT, LT, Z71, and ZR2 trims. The WT and LT trims offer available Crew Cab/short bed and Crew/long bed configurations. The Z71 and ZR2 feature off-road abilities and are capable of tackling trails and terrain; available in Extended Cab/long bed and Crew Cab/short bed configurations. Extended Cab models seat four and Crew Cab models seat up to five passengers, with spacious, comfortable seating up front. There are plenty of available bed features, including multiple tie downs, a step built into the corners of the rear bumper and an EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgate. There have been some updates to the exterior but there are plenty of hard plastics and low-grade materials throughout the cabin. Higher trims will offer a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and optional heated front seats. The Extended cab seats four and the Crew Cab models seat five. For 2022, a new Trail Boss package is available. This package enhances the off-road abilities of the LT and Z71 trim and turns the exterior badges black, brings red tow hooks, eliminates the front air dam and includes a set of black 17-inch rims. Pricing starts at $25,200 for the WT Extended Cab/long bed configuration and ranges to a starting price of $43,200 for the ZR2 Crew Cab/long bed configuration.
The Silverado 1500 has had a refresh with interior and exterior enhancements. The Regular Cab Silverado models seat up to three, while Double and Crew Cab models seat up to six with plenty of room for everyone. Synthetic leather upholstery comes standard and leather upholstery is available. The seats aren’t the plushiest, with hard plastics throughout the cabin, but seating is comfortable and it features lots of head- and legroom, especially in crew cab models. It is available with a 5-foot-10inch, a 6-foot-7-inch, or an 8-foot-2-inch bed. Available features, such as a multifunction tailgate and an in-bed power outlet will improve the bed’s versatility and usability. It also offers a wide and deep bed. The Silverado is now available in nine trims: WT (Work Truck), Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, ZR2, and High Country. The WT starts at a base price of $30,095, while the Double Cab models start at $32,500 and the Crew Cab models start at $34,900. Pricing ranges to $56,395 for the Silverado High Country, with added pricing for different cab styles on select trims. Chevrolet Silverado also offers several Work package options for added costs.
Safety and Technology
The Chevy Colorado’s available OnStar System provides an emergency crash notification, stolen-vehicle notification, and remote locking and unlocking. This safety package comes standard on the LT and above. Also available on the LT and Z71 models includes forward collision and lane departure warning systems. A rearview camera and the Teen Driver Mode comes standard on all models, and lets you have custom key settings for secondary drivers and provides in-vehicle reports. Chevrolet’s Infotainment 3 system comes standard in the Colorado and includes a 7-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker audio system. Its infotainment system is easy-to-use with easy to reach controls and an intuitive menu layout. An 8-inch touch screen, a seven-speaker Bose audio system, HD Radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, additional USB ports, and navigation are available; as well as remote start and automatic climate control.
Every Silverado comes with standard Chevy Safety Assist, a package of six advanced safety and driver assistance features including forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, following distance indicator, and intellibeam high beam assist. The Silverado also offers plenty of available advanced safety features including a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, surround-view parking camera system, rear camera mirror, and a safety alert seat. The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system is easy-to-use with a touch screen that responds quickly to inputs. Its updated interior includes a 13.4-inch diagonal infotainment touch screen and a 12.3-inch diagonal driver information center standard on LT and above trims. Two speakers, two USB ports, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are also standard. It is available with navigation, a six-speaker audio system, a seven-speaker Bose Audio system, satellite radio, HD Radio, wireless device charging, additional USB ports, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Available on High Country, Super Cruise is a hands-free driver assistance technology that manages speed and steering on more than 200,000 miles of compatible roads; as well as being functional when towing.
Performance
The Chevrolet Colorado features a fuel efficient 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission; along with rear-wheel drive. With plenty of power, this is great for everyday driving needs. There are two available engines – a 3.6-liter V6 with 308-horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque or a 2.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine with 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the diesel comes with a six-speed automatic. The Z71 and ZR2 models offer four-wheel drive, along with heavy-duty suspension and locking rear differential. The ZR2 is even more capable with driver-selectable full-locking front and rear differential. When equipped with the turbodiesel engine, maximum towing capacity reaches 7,700 pounds and it can haul up to 1,578 pounds. Fuel is estimated at 19/25 mpg city/highway for the base four-cylinder and rear-wheel drive.
The Silverado 1500 offers the first-ever Silverado ZR2, featuring a rugged style with off-road action. The Silverado 1500 offers several powertrain options. The standard engine option is the 2.7-liter turbo high-output, with 310 horsepower and 420-lb-ft of maximum torque. This engine comes in the WT, Custom, and Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST Double Cab and LT Trail Boss. Standard on RST Crew Cab, LTZ and High Country is a 5.3-liter Ecotec3 V8, with 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. A 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque is standard on the ZR2 and available on the Custom Trail Boss, LT, Trail Boss, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, and High Country. Lastly, a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbodiesel with 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque is available on the Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT TrailBoss, LTZ, and High Country. Rear-wheel drive is standard and four-wheel drive is available. Towing capacity reaches 13,300 pounds and it can haul up to 2,280 pounds. It gets an estimated 20/23 mpg in the city and on the highway, and 17/23 mpg city highway with its 5.3-liter V8 engine.
Conclusion
The 2022 Chevy Colorado and Silverado 1500 are two off-road vehicles with capabilities for your next adventure. The biggest difference between the Chevy Colorado and the Chevy Silverado 1500 is size; the Chevy Colorado is a midsize truck, while the Chevy Silverado 1500 is a full-size pickup. The Colorado is smaller, making it more athletic and the Silverado is heavier and longer, with a more powerful engine.
