Chevrolet produces superior trucks, and some of their most popular models are Silverado and Colorado. Many potential buyers feel confused when selecting the best truck between these two.
If you make the wrong choice, you might regret it later. In your decision-making process, therefore, consider your specific needs.
Do you need a truck for heavy-duty work? If yes, Chevy Silverado is the best choice. If you want a small-sized truck with perfect mobility, opt for the Chevy Colorado.
For more information, read our Chevy Colorado vs Silverado guide below.
Table of Contents
What is the Difference Between a Chevy Colorado and a Chevy Silverado?
Common Features of Chevy Silverado
Chevy Silverado model is famous for having the best towing capacity. Taking the 2021 Silverado as an example, it can hurl 13,300pounds. Other features include:
- A towing technology called Trailering System
- Ten paint choices
- Rear-view camera technology
- Eight trims levels with unique features
- A drive-mode selector
- Six unique engine options.
Common features of Chevy Colorado
Again, we will consider the features of the 2021 Chevy Colorado. Notably, it is a small-to-medium-size truck with less towing power and easier maneuverability. Other features include:
- 200 horsepower engine
- Best off-roading suspension
- Four trim levels
- CornerStep rear bumper
- Multimatic™ DSSV damping system
- Three engine choices.
Chevy Colorado vs Silverado: Actual Differences
Comparing Chevy Colorado and Silverado can allow you to select the right vehicle for your needs. We will compare the two models based on these parameters:
- Performance
- Towing Capacity
- Engine and transmission
- Size
- Price
- Fuel Efficiency
- Interiors and technology
- Handling
- Security
Performance
Chevy Silverado has a 420-horsepower engine that allows it to haul bulky items. Chevy Colorado has a 200hp engine and less hauling power.
Because of their build, both vehicles offer unique performances.
While Chevy Silverado can easily pull heavy things, it is too heavy to accelerate as quickly as the more athletic Chevy Colorado can.
If one considers how the two cars score in off-road driving, the Chevy Colorado ZR2 wins.
Even if the Silverado Trail Boss model has a lifted suspension with advanced shocks and tires, it still cannot beat the ZR2 in this context.
No other 2021 Chevy Colorado or Silverado model fits off-roading trips better than ZR2.
Towing Capacity
From the onset, the Chevy Colorado has more towing power and capacity.
Due to its size and engine power, the Chevrolet Silverado can tow bulky construction materials better than the Chevy Colorado.
Using the Chevy Silverado, you can haul 13,300pounds and only pull a maximum of 7,700pounds with your Chevy Colorado.
Hence, choose Silverado if you want to carry heavy equipment like a boat or bulky construction materials.
As for Colorado, it has an adequate storage compartment and can tow cargo that is fit for its size and horsepower.
Engine and Transmission
We must commend Chevrolet for making superior-quality engines. In our comparison between Chevy Colorado and Silverado comparison, we believe Silverado is better.
However, the Silverado has a more dominant base engine: 4.3-L V6, 305hp/3.5lb-ft than its counterpart.
Chevy Colorado’s 2.5L 4-cylinder 200hp/191lb-ft base engine is smaller and less powerful.
Both trucks have a 6-speed transmission. Nevertheless, the Chevy Silverado packs more power because it has eight trim levels while the Chevy Colorado has only four.
Size
As earlier hinted, the Chevy Silverado is larger and heavier than the Chevy Colorado. Both trucks have an engine that supports their unique performances.
If you need a workhorse, go for the heavier Chevy Silverado. And if you need a small truck with better acceleration and off-roading skills, the Chevy Colorado might work for you.
Pricing
Almost any buyer will consider the price of each truck model before buying the best. Note that each truck model offers at least four options.
For Chevy Colorado, you can select the WT, LT, Z71, or ZR2. Of these four, the ZR2 is the most expensive at an estimated price of $41,600.
If you opt for the Chevy Silverado, you have four options: WT, Silverado Custom, Silverado Custom Trail Boss, and Silverado LT.
Here, the Chevy Silverado Custom Trail Boss is the most popular and expensive. At $41,300, the price is too high for most people.
If we consider the base model, WT, the starting price for Colorado is $25,200 and $28,900 for the Silverado.
Thus, Colorado is cheaper overall because its LT is $27,700 while the Silverado LT is $40,000.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel economy is a vital consideration when purchasing a pickup truck. Between Chevy Colorado and Chevy Silverado, the former offers better fuel mileage if you opt for its gasoline engine.
If you choose its only diesel engine, you will enjoy the best fuel consumption of 20mpg in the city and 30mpg on the highway.
If you want the Silverado category, the best model in this context is the 3.0L turbocharged diesel engine with 23mpg in the city and 33mpg on the highway.
As you can see, Chevy Colorado offers the best fuel economy overall.
Interiors and Technology
If we consider the interior appearance of both trucks, we favor the Chevy Silverado.
We love the spacious interiors of the Silverado as it creates 44.5 inches of front legroom and 43 inches of front headroom.
We also love its various storage compartments, including under-seat storage space.
Also, the Chevy Silverado’s interiors include heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated leather steering wheel.
In contrast, the Chevy Colorado’s interiors are mostly plastic and offer a single-zone (manual or automatic) climate control, while the Silverado has dual-zone climate control.
Concerning technology features, both Chevy trucks have many of them. Nevertheless, the Chevy Silverado wins because it has eight trim levels.
These enable it to have more USB ports, wireless device charging, a superior Boss stereo system, and an 8-inch screen.
Handling
Most users on forums consider Chevy Colorado the easiest truck to handle. Due to its compact size, Chevy Colorado is a convenient daily-use car for off-the-road driving fun.
People admire its impressive level turning abilities too.
Even if the Silverado does not score well in the handling department, it has a heated and more responsive leather steering wheel that adds to the ride’s comfort.
Security System
Chevrolet has ensured that the Silverado and Colorado trucks are some of the safest trucks around. Each Chevy truck has standard security features.
Nonetheless, the Chevy Silverado feels safer because it has more advanced features.
For instance, Silverado’s Rear-View Camera and Teen Driver system keep young drivers safe by letting them set their best speed and audio limits.
Pedestrian detection, cruise control, and automated emergency braking features prevent road accidents.
Other remarkable features include lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, front pedestrian braking, front and back park assist, etc.
Specifications of Chevy Colorado and Silverado
We have summarized the specifications of Chevy Colorado and Chevy Silverado as shown below.
| Specification | Chevy Colorado | Chevy Silverado |
| Engine Type | 2.5L DOHC I-4 | 4.3L V-6 VVT DI with Active Fuel Management |
| Bore and Stroke in mm/inches | 3.46 x 3.97 / 88 x 101
|
3.92 x 3.62 / 99.6 x 92 |
| Construction material for engine and Cylinder head | Cast Aluminum | Cast Aluminum |
| Fuel Delivery system | High-pressure direct fuel injection featuring electronic throttle control | High-pressure direct fuel injection featuring Automatic Fuel Management |
| Valvetrain | -Dual overhead camshafts,
-Four cylinders with four valves each, -Variable valve timing |
-Dual overhead camshafts
-Two valves per cylinder -Variable valve timing. |
| Horsepower | 200/149hp at 6,300rpm | 285/212hp at 5,300rpm |
| Torque | 191/259lb-ft at 4,400rpm | 305/413lb-ft at 3,900rpm |
Silverado double cab vs Colorado crew cab comparison
| Feature | Chevy Colorado | Chevy Silverado |
| Starting MSRP | $25,200 | $28,900 |
| Cab and bed options | Crew cab, extended bed | 3 cabs and 3 beds |
| Exterior dimensions | · length – 212.7inches – 224.9inches
· Curb weight 3,935lbs to 4,815lbs |
· Length-229.5inches – 241.2inches
· Curb Weight-4,400lbs – 5,150lbs |
Top Questions
Between Chevy Colorado and Chevy Silverado, which truck has more cargo space?
If you want a truck with maximum storage space for your cargo, we think the Chevy Silverado makes an excellent choice.
While both Chevrolet trucks have different cab and bed configurations, the Chevy Silverado offers spacious storage compartments.
As a full-size truck, the Silverado has a regular cab, a double cab, and a crew cab, while its counterpart has a crew cab and an extended bed.
As for bed options, the Chevy Silverado win again because it has a short bed, a standard bed, and a long bed. In contrast, the Chevy Colorado boasts a short and a long box.
Lastly, the maximum capacity cargo area for the Chevy Silverado is 89.1 cubic feet, while Chevy Colorado’s is 49.9cubic feet.
Considering the above information, you can effortlessly see why the Chevy Silverado can carry more things.
Does Chevy Colorado offer more engine choices than the Chevy Silverado?
No, the Chevy Colorado offers only three engine options. If you choose to get it, your options are:
- 2.5L four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower, 191lb-ft torque, and 3,500lb maximum towing capacity.
- Duramax Turbo-diesel engine with 181hp, 369lb-ft torque, and 7,700lb utmost towing capacity.
- 3.6L V6 engine with 308 horsepower, 275lb-ft torque, and up to 7,000pounds towing capacity.
Should you decide to get the Chevy Silverado truck, you will choose among the following engines:
- 4.3L EcoTec3 V6 engine – You will get 285hp, 305lb-ft of torque, and a total towing capacity of 7,900lb.
- 3.0L Duramax turbo-diesel engine delivering 277hp, 460lb-ft of torque, and a maximum towing power of 9,500lb.
- 2.7L turbocharged V6 engine – Able to deliver 310 horsepower, 348lb-ft of torque, and up to 9,300 towing power.
- 5.3L EcoTec3 V engine consists of 355hp, 383lb-ft torque, and 10,000 towing capacity
- 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 is an engine that can produce 420 horsepower, 460lb-ft torque, and up to 13,300lb.
Depending on your best option, you will spend more money or less money. However, we can advise you to select the best engine based on your lifestyle and the job you want the truck to do for you.
If you want it to do hard labor, we can advise you to buy the 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 truck with maximum horsepower, torque, and towing capacity.
If you want a Chevy Colorado for light towing, you have the diesel option with a towing power of 7,700lbs.
Which truck should I buy between the Chevy Colorado and Chevy Silverado?
A truck purchase is purely a personal decision. You need a hardworking truck with maximum towing capacity and storage space.
Another person may want to buy a truck that can move swiftly even when driving on rugged terrain.
Make your decision based on the activities you want the Chevy truck to do once you buy it.
If it will carry heavy loads multiple times a day, you should by no means choose Chevy Colorado.
As a mini truck with less towing power, Colorado will only disappoint you. Besides, it has fewer internal features and storage space for your cargo.
On the other hand, choose the Chevy Silverado for the hardest hurling jobs.
Because you have more diesel options to choose from, you select the one with maximum towing power. Sadly, the Silverado will run but not as fast as Colorado.
If you plan to do off-road driving, the best Silverado model is the Trail Boss as it has better suspension and wheels. Do you want the best off-roading Colorado?
Most customers love the ZR2 option, which costs more money. As you shop around, think about your finances. Your budget size will determine the vehicle you should eventually buy.
Although both base vehicles are affordable, the Chevy Silverado is more expensive, and you can understand why.
As it is an oversized truck with more storage space, hurling power, better interiors, and advanced technology, the Silverado Chevy truck is more expensive.
Rounding Up
As we finalize our Chevy Colorado vs Silverado comparison article, we wonder what you think. Have you already decided on the best truck for you?
If yes, make sure you order your truck from a safe and reputable online source. Whether you will get a new or a used Chevrolet truck, select the best option out there.
Review other resources on these Chevy models to make a perfect purchase.