Chevy has a great truck lineup that includes the full-size Silverado 1500 and midsize Colorado. One of the biggest challenges you’ll have is deciding which of these excellent pickups you’d like to put in your garage. Luckily, each truck has its own strong points that cater to specific customer needs. Here at Huffines Chevrolet Plano in Texas, we took a closer look at both vehicles to help you decide which one would best suit your lifestyle. Let’s explore the engine options, trim configurations, and interior features you’ll find in the 2024 Chevrolet 1500 and Colorado.
Chevrolet Colorado vs. 1500: Features and Trims
Chevy offers the midsize Colorado in six trims for the 2024 model year: the WT (which stands for Work Truck), LT, Trail Boss, Z71, ZR2, and ZR2 Bison. The upholstery available across the lineup ranges from standard cloth seats in the base trim to a more luxurious interior with high-quality leather seats in the ZR2 Bison. Whatever trim you choose, you’ll gain access to an infotainment system with an impressive array of features, including a standard 11-inch touch screen, 11-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless smartphone compatibility.
There are eight trims to choose from with the Silverado: the WT, Custom, LT, RST, Trail Boss, LTZ, High Country, and ZR2. The base trim has the classic configurations of a workhorse, including vinyl upholstery, a single-row bench seat, and an extra-long cargo bed. However, the trim options are diverse enough to allow you to give the cab a facelift, turning it into an upscale environment for your family or friends to join you for a drive out of town. The range-topping High Country and ZR2 trims have luxury features such as leather upholstery and ventilated front seats.
One thing to keep in mind when comparing these trucks’ features is price. The starting point for the Colorado is significantly lower than the Silverado. You can get a base Colorado with an MSRP of just under $30,000, while the starting MSRP for the Chevrolet 1500 comes in at over $36,000. If you can afford the higher price tags associated with the Silverado’s trims, you’ll be able to choose from a wide variety of features. However, if your priority is finding a truck with a good infotainment system on a modest budget, the Colorado could be just right.
Specs and Dimensions
The 2024 Colorado offers one engine throughout the trim lineup, but it has two configurations. The base version of the turbocharged four-cylinder unit puts out 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The upgraded version churns out 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. Keeping in mind that the Colorado is a compact pickup, these numbers are impressive. They ensure that you’ll easily be able to tow a load of up to 7,700 pounds at the rear. On the highway, you can get up to 25 mpg from the powertrain.
The Silverado boasts a broader range of engine options. The base engine is a 2.7-liter four-cylinder unit that puts out 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. You can step up to a six-cylinder turbodiesel with 305 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque, which is great for towing.
Alternatively, there are two V-8s to choose from: a 5.3-liter unit putting out 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque and a 6.2-liter monster capable of 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. If you need to reach the Silverado’s maximum towing capacity of 13,300 pounds, you’ll want to go for either the turbodiesel or larger V-8 engine.
The Colorado’s interior dimensions remain relatively constant in all trims since they all operate with a five-seater Crew cab and a cargo bed with a length of 5 feet 2 inches. If you want to keep things simple and don’t require extra performance features, this option is great.
The Silverado has numerous interior configurations, with three cargo bed and cab options, not all of which go together. The Regular cab is a three-seater with a bench seat that’s ideal for work trucks. It can only be paired with the long cargo bed measuring 8 feet in length.
The Double cab adds a second row with the same amount of legroom that you’d find in a compact car, while the Crew cab offers a more expansive second row. These two cab options can be paired either with the standard cargo bed (6 feet 6 inches) or the short option (5 feet 8 inches).
Safety and Tech
Both trucks have a lot of safety features built into their base trims. This includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane departure warning. You also get a rear seat alert that reminds you to check the back seats so you don’t leave kids or pets in the pickup when you get out. Teen Driver offers you the opportunity to place restrictions on how your truck is used by other drivers while they’re learning.
As you move up the trim ladder, you can add features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Rear parking sensors or a surround-view parking camera come in handy when you’re trying to maneuver the Chevrolet 1500 or Colorado into a parking spot. You can also opt for adaptive cruise control and the Silverado’s SuperCruise system, which allows for semi-automated driving on certain routes.
Driver safety is one area where these trucks are basically tied for performance. They both feature all the modern assistive technology that helps make your job behind the wheel much easier.
Test-Drive a Chevy Truck at Huffines Chevrolet Plano Today
Are you ready to choose your favorite 2024 Colorado or Chevrolet 1500? If you still have questions or would like to experience your preferred truck on the road first, we’d be delighted to set up a test drive in Plano for you. Just reach out to our friendly team or stop in at our Chevy Plano dealership today. We’re also on hand to help you with your financing options, including competitive auto loans and our popular vehicle trade-in program. Don’t hesitate to contact us at Huffines Chevrolet Plano today if you have any further questions.