General Motors is reducing the available engine options for the Chevy Colorado, leaving the pickup with just one. However, that powertrain is the 2.7-liter turbocharged TurboMax offering 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. While obviously the most exciting powertrain on offer, streamlining the model does reduce consumer choice and will likely raise MSRPs.
The manufacturer had already reduced options for the GMC Canyon, so it makes sense that platform-sharing Colorado would follow suit. Neither model offers different bed or cabin options, so moving to a single engine should further reduce production costs. But it may not reduce MSRPs, as GM is retaining what was formerly the premium motor found beneath the hood of the ZR2 Bison variant (pictured above).
While the base 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder yielded 237 horsepower, and was occasionally criticized as underwhelming, it kept the price down. Base-trimmed Canyon pickups could be had starting at $30,480 (all prices include destination) for the 2022 model year. But the MSRP for base models jumped to $38,395 when GMC went to just one powertrain for the following year. This meant that the Chevrolet Colorado could be had for significantly less. However, those days are likely coming to an end due to Chevy likewise running with the TurboMax as the default engine.
Despite GM Authority having confirmed the change just this week, it was inevitable. It wouldn’t have made sense for General Motors to continue producing the 2.7L L2R for the GMT 31XX platform unless the goal was to create more distance between GMC and Chevrolet. While the former is technically supposed to be the automaker’s luxury truck division, most of the heavy lifting done at GMC comes from its Denali sub-brand.
The real difference between the brands are how they’re marketed and the fact that GMC tends to offer the occasional unique feature that has yet to migrate over to Chevrolet.
With the 2.7-liter turbocharged L3B “TurboMax” being the only option for 2025, customizing the Colorado will arguably get a little easier. An eight-speed automatic is the only transmission available and there aren't any cab or bed options to choose from. Customers basically just have to decide between wheels, tires, and any off-road packages that might be of interest to them.
As a perk, maximum towing should improve across the board to 7,700 pounds acceleration will likewise improve. However, the Chevy should see a modest decline in fuel mileage. There are also some lingering questions about long-term reliability, as the base 2.7-liter motor was effectively a de-tuned version of the TurboMax.
If General Motors launches the 2025 Chevrolet Colorado without a price bump, then the above represents a huge win for consumers and will give the model an advantage over other midsize pickups. But the model is likely to see MSRPs rise in a manner similar to what happened with the GMC Canyon when its engine options were tweaked, which could potentially price the Chevy above its primary competition at Ford, Toyota, and Nissan.
[Images: General Motors]
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