2026 Chevrolet Colorado: Specs, EPA-Estimated MPG, Towing and Pricing for the North Texas Commuter

The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado is a midsize pickup built around one job description that fits a lot of drivers in Ellis County: a truck that handles a weekday commute without punishing you at the pump, then pulls a trailer on Saturday. Every 2026 Colorado arrives as a crew cab with a 5-foot short box, seats five, and runs the same 2.7L TurboMax turbocharged four-cylinder. What changes across the lineup is drivetrain, off-road hardware, trailering equipment, and price.

What Powers Every 2026 Chevrolet Colorado?

One Engine, One Transmission

Chevrolet does not offer a V6, a diesel, or a hybrid in the 2026 Colorado. The powertrain is the same from the work-focused WT to the trail-ready ZR2:

• Engine: 2.7L TurboMax turbocharged inline-four
• Horsepower: 310 hp
• Torque: 430 lb-ft
• Transmission: Hydra-Matic 8-speed automatic
• Fuel requirement: Regular unleaded, 87 octane minimum

That matters for a commuter more than it sounds. You are not trading power for efficiency by choosing a lower trim, and you are not buying into a bigger engine to get the torque that makes a loaded truck feel composed on an on-ramp.

Drivetrain and Differentials by Trim

The Colorado is a body-on-frame truck with a rear-drive architecture and available four-wheel drive. It is not an all-wheel-drive vehicle.

The transfer case is not the same across the lineup. Four-wheel-drive WT, Custom, and LT models use a single-speed automatic transfer case, which means there is no low range. Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 come with a two-speed automatic transfer case and the low-range gearing that goes with it. If you plan to crawl, tow off pavement, or launch a boat down a steep ramp, that difference matters more than trim badging does.

Up to Five Selectable Drive Modes

Mode availability varies by trim and drivetrain. Trail Boss and Z71 offer four selectable modes, and ZR2 is the only trim that offers all five.

2026 Colorado Fuel Economy and Daily Driving Range

EPA-Estimated Ratings by Configuration

Two-wheel-drive WT and LT models are the efficiency leaders in the lineup. Four-wheel drive costs roughly two miles per gallon in every category.

Range figures are calculated from the EPA-Estimated combined rating and the Colorado’s 21.4-gallon fuel tank. Models fitted with mud-terrain tires carry a lower EPA-Estimated rating of 17 mpg city / 20 mpg highway / 18 mpg combined.

What That Means on a Local Commute

Legacy Chevrolet of Waxahachie sits on the US-287 Bypass, and the commutes our customers actually drive — across Ellis County and up to the southern Dallas County line — are short enough that a full tank covers a week of them:

• Midlothian: about 11 miles via US-287
• DeSoto: about 14 miles via I-35E
• Ennis: about 16 miles

At an EPA-Estimated 21 mpg combined, a two-wheel-drive Colorado covers a round trip to Midlothian and back on roughly a gallon of fuel. Real-world highway efficiency still varies with speed, driving habits, load, and weather.

EPA-estimated fuel economy figures are for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors.

Inside the 2026 Colorado: Cabin, Technology and Comfort

Interior and Bed Dimensions

Every 2026 Colorado is a four-door crew cab seating five, paired with a single 5-foot short box.

The bed measures 61.7 inches at the floor and holds 41.9 cubic feet of cargo volume.

Standard Technology on Every Trim

• 11.3-inch diagonal center touchscreen with Google built-in
• 11-inch digital Driver Information Center
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Chevy Safety Assist driver-assistance suite

Available Comfort Features

• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Eight-way power driver seat with power lumbar support
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Heated steering wheel
• Cloth, Evotex, or perforated leather-appointed seat trim depending on trim level
• 60/40 split-folding rear bench with under-seat storage
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror

2026 Colorado Towing and Payload Capability

Towing and Payload by Trim

Maximum towing requires the Advanced Trailering Package. Without it, WT, Custom, and LT are rated at 3,500 pounds, so the package is the single line item that separates a light-duty utility trailer from a real boat or camper. Payload moves in the opposite direction from what most shoppers assume: the work-oriented WT and LT carry the most weight, and the off-road trims carry the least, because their suspension and underbody hardware add weight of their own.

What the Advanced Trailering Package Adds

This is the single most consequential option on the build sheet if you tow, and it is not available on every trim.

The package includes a two-inch receiver hitch, seven-pin and four-pin connectors, an integrated trailer brake controller, an automatic locking rear differential, and the In-Vehicle Trailering App.

Trailering Technology

Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.

2026 Chevrolet Colorado Pricing by Trim

Starting MSRP by Configuration

The 2026 Colorado is offered in six trims. WT, Custom, and LT are rear-wheel drive standard with four-wheel drive available. Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 are four-wheel drive only.

*Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for new vehicles includes manufacturer and distributor options and delivery, process and handling fees, which may be subject to change at any time. MSRP excludes taxes, title, license and dealer installed options, accessories, fees and charges. MSRP is not the dealer advertised price. Dealer price will vary. The dealer sets the final price.

What Each Trim Adds

• WT: the 11.3-inch touchscreen, 11-inch digital cluster, and Chevy Safety Assist all come standard here, so the entry point is not a stripped truck.
• Custom: new for 2026, it layers style onto the WT’s equipment with 18-inch High Gloss Black aluminum wheels on all-season tires and black exterior badging, while keeping the same touchscreen, digital cluster, and Chevy Safety Assist.
• LT: adds daily-driver comfort including remote start with Keyless Open & Start, the EZ Lift and Lower tailgate with built-in StowFlex storage, and 17-inch wheels, with available wireless phone charging, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and Evotex seat trim.
• Trail Boss: a two-inch factory lift, 18-inch wheels on 32-inch all-terrain tires, a two-speed transfer case with transfer case shield, automatic locking rear differential, and the Advanced Trailering Package as standard.
• Z71: 18-inch wheels on 32-inch all-terrain tires, LED headlamps, taillamps and fog lamps, a Jet Black interior with Adrenaline Red accents, and standard Advanced Trailering Package, with available leather-appointed seating, ventilated front seats, driver memory, and a heated steering wheel.
• ZR2: Multimatic DSSV dampers, a three-inch lift, 33-inch mud-terrain tires, front and rear electronic locking differentials, and Baja drive mode.

Factory and dealer-installed options include the ZR2 Bison Edition package developed with American Expedition Vehicles, the Midnight Edition appearance package, the Technology Package, the Utility Wall Package, a spray-on bedliner, underbody cameras, and a power sunroof. Ask us about current new Chevrolet specials before you build.

Common Questions About the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado

Does the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado offer a hybrid or plug-in powertrain?

No. The 2026 Colorado is offered exclusively with the 2.7L TurboMax turbocharged four-cylinder producing 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. Chevrolet does not offer a V6, a diesel, or an electrified variant in this model year.

What safety features come standard on the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado?

Chevy Safety Assist is standard on every trim. The package bundles six driver-assistance features:

• Forward Collision Alert
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Front Pedestrian Braking
• Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Following Distance Indicator
• IntelliBeam automatic high beams

Additional systems including Blind Zone Steering Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Rear Park Assist, HD Surround Vision, and Adaptive Cruise Control are offered through option packages rather than as part of Chevy Safety Assist. Ask us to confirm what is on the specific truck you are considering.

How does the 2026 Colorado perform in crash testing?

NHTSA gives the 2026 Colorado a four-star overall rating. The IIHS results are a separate picture and worth reading before you buy.

The 2026 Colorado is not an IIHS Top Safety Pick.

Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 2026 Chevrolet Colorado ratings.

What bed features enhance cargo utility?

• Eight fixed cargo tie-down cleats, plus up to nine additional movable points
• CornerStep rear bumper for easier bed access
• Mid-position tailgate rated to support 500 pounds
• EZ Lift and Lower tailgate with a lockable, drainable StowFlex storage compartment on higher trims
• Available spray-on bedliner
• Available 120-volt bed-mounted power outlet

What warranty coverage protects a new 2026 Chevrolet Colorado?

Source: Chevrolet Owners Warranty Information, chevrolet.com.

This information is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Warranty coverage depends on the specific terms of your vehicle’s warranty agreement. Consult your owner’s manual or a qualified legal professional for guidance on your individual situation.

See the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado at Legacy Chevrolet of Waxahachie

Where to Find Us

• Address: 1701 US-287 Byp, Waxahachie, TX 75165
• Sales: 972-268-6126
• Serving: Waxahachie, Midlothian, Ennis, DeSoto, Corsicana, and Arlington

You can also read more about Legacy Chevrolet of Waxahachie and how our team works.

A Note on Model-Year Timing

Chevrolet dealers were able to begin entering preliminary 2027 Colorado order information on August 6, 2026, with the first dealer orders expected to be submitted on September 17, 2026. Regular production of the 2026 Colorado is currently scheduled to end October 16, 2026, and 2027 production is currently scheduled to begin October 19, 2026, at GM’s Wentzville, Missouri plant. These are tentative production dates and are subject to change. If a 2026 Colorado is the truck you want, in-stock inventory is the window.

Source: GM Authority, “Here’s When 2027 Chevy Colorado Production Is Scheduled To Start”. Production timing has not been formally announced by Chevrolet and remains subject to change.

Next Steps

Tell us how you plan to use the truck, whether that is a daily run up I-35E or a trailer on the weekend, and we will match the trim, drivetrain, and trailering equipment to it.