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2012 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab

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Overview

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2012 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab Review

By KBB.com Editors

KBB Expert Rating: 6.1

Mid-size pickup trucks make a lot of sense, especially if you use your vehicle for work and play rather than shuttling to the office and running weekend errands. But, with budgets tight and fuel expensive a full-size pickup is probably overkill for most needs, which is why the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado is the right-size pickup for today's light-duty chores. Although its aging platform isn't as fresh as the Toyota Tacoma or Nissan Frontier, the Colorado still has a rugged charm about it. And its price point certainly can't be argued with, offering one of the most affordable entry-level trucks on the market. With the temporary demise of the Ford Ranger for 2012 (an all-new model is set to debut in 2013) and Ram not offering a Regular Cab Dakota, the Colorado has the domestic market all to itself. With a broad range of models, cab and bed configurations and engine choices, not to mention rear-wheel or 4-wheel drive, the Colorado is an attractive prospect for budget-conscious working folk and truck junkies in general.

You'll Like This Car If...

If your pickup's capabilities are more important to you than its fancy styling or cushy interior, the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado is a truck that should be in your driveway. Those worried about the cost associated with driving a pickup will appreciate the base model's impressive fuel economy and surprisingly strong 4-cylinder engine.

You May Not Like This Car If...

The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado is more compact than mid-size when compared to its competition. It is not as wide or long as Tacoma or Dakota, and Crew Cab models aren't big on rear-seat legroom, either. Those who need to tow heavy loads should note the Colorado's 3.7-liter in-line 5-cylinder engine cannot equal the torque output of the V6 engines from Toyota and Nissan.

KBB Expert Ratings

Overall Rating

6.1
Driving Dynamics

5.4
Comfort & Convenience

5.2
Design: Interior & Exterior

6.0
Value

5.6
Safety

7.9

How It Ranks

#3

out of 5

MPG

#1

out of 5

Horsepower

View all rankings

Consumer Rating

7.8 out of 10

View all
consumer ratings

2012 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab Low/wide front photo

What's New for 2012

For 2012, Chevrolet makes a number of equipment changes to the Colorado line. The Power Convenience Package is added to 1LT trims, while 2LT trims gain standard front bucket seats. LT models no longer offer a manual transmission, and the 5.3-liter V8 engine is no longer offered on the 1LT. A locking rear differential is made standard on 2LT, 3LT and 1LT 4x4 models.

Driving the Colorado Regular Cab

2012 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab Front angle view photo

Driving Impressions Among the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado's greatest strengths are its solid chassis and potent yet fuel-efficient powertrains. The Colorado's rigid body-on-frame architecture renders rattles and vibrations nearly nonexistent, even on washboard...

roads and rough pavement. Thanks to Chevy's off-road and performance packages, the Colorado can step up its off-road game, as well as its around-town image. If there is one fly in the Colorado's ointment, it's the unusually wide turning circle, which can prove problematic when trying to maneuver in tight quarters. We think the standard 2.9-liter engine is quite robust for its size and offers exceptionally good fuel economy.

Favorite Features

Tailgate
The Colorado's tailgate can be set at a 55-degree angle so that items can rest flat on the tops of the wheel wells and align with the tailgate.

Side Curtain Airbags
Standard side-curtain airbags are an important safety feature worth having.

2012 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab Details

2012 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab Dashboard, center console, gear shifter view photo

Interior

The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado offers a no-frills interior that is highly functional and easy to maintain. Seating is comfortable for front-seat passengers, with good thigh support from the firm cushions. However, the Extended Cabs tiny jump seats are not fit for human occupancy over any great length of time, and while the Crew Cab offers true 2-person seating, rear-seat legroom is tight. Base models have an overabundance of gray plastic and gray cloth seats, neither of which is very inviting. Higher-level models can be equipped with cloth or leather cashmere colored seating and feature a bit more dash and door-panel embellishment to brighten the interior.

Exterior

2012 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab photo

While the Colorado's look is not exactly ground-breaking, it is unmistakably Chevrolet. Like its Silverado big brother, the 2012 Chevy Colorado displays its strength through bulging fender flares, slab-sided doors and bright machine-finished alloy wheels. Regular and Extended Cab models feature a 6-foot bed, while the Crew Cab offers a slightly shorter 5-foot, 1-inch bed. Thanks to the tall side walls, the Colorado's bed offers best-in-class volume, and the clever tailgate has a 2-position setting that allows it to either lay flat or be propped at a 55-degree angle. When in the propped position, the top of the tailgate is parallel with the tops of the rear wheel wells inside the bed making it easier to load and carry, for example, sheets of plywood or dry wall. Regular Cab models ride on a 111.3-inch wheelbase while Extended and Crew Cab models are on a 126.0-inch wheelbase.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado WT features a 5-speed manual transmission, 2.9-liter 4-cylinder engine, air conditioning, cruise control, anti-lock brakes (ABS), side-curtain airbags, stability control, Bluetooth, tilt steering wheel, dual outside mirrors, automatic headlights, carpeting, AM/FM stereo, XM Satellite Radio, tachometer and forward-facing jump seats in the Extended Cab. The LT trim adds an automatic transmission, chrome front and rear bumpers, Deluxe Cloth upholstery, CD player, power mirrors and leather-wrapped steering wheel. To that the Z71 adds the Z71 off-road suspension, auto-dimming mirror, rear sliding window and the 3.7-liter 5-cylinder engine.

Optional Equipment

Options for the 2012 Chevy Colorado include 4-wheel drive, 4-speed automatic transmission, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, heated leather seats, automatic locking rear differential, tow package;, 16-, 17- and 18-inch wheel options; 6-disc CD changer, traction control, Z71 off-road package, the ZQ8 performance package (18-inch wheels, sport suspension and 5.3-liter V8 engine) available on the Sport trim.

Under the Hood

2012 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab Engine photo

Engine choices for the 2012 Chevy Colorado include 4- and 5-cylinder powerplants, as well as a V8 engine on the LT trim. The standard 2.9-liter 4- and the optional 3.7-liter 5-cylinder engines might seem small, but they are both big on power. The 2.9-liter 4-cylinder produces an impressive 185 horsepower and offers up most of its 190 pound-feet of torque between the ranges of 1,200 and 5,600 rpm. That's enough power to muscle any lightly-equipped 4-wheel-drive vehicle through the toughest terrain. The optional 3.7-liter engine makes 242 horsepower. Both of these engines produce class-leading horsepower while returning good fuel economy. The big 5.3-liter V8 is powerful but not easy on gas and is best ordered only when towing is a priority.

2.9-liter in-line 4
185 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
190 lb-ft of torque @ 2,800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 (2WD), 18/24 (4WD, manual), 17/23 (4WD, automatic)

3.7-liter in-line 5
242 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
242 lb-ft of torque @ 4,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/23 (2WD), 17/23 (4WD), 16/21 (4WD, Crew Cab)

5.3-liter V8
300 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm
320 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 14/20 (2WD), 14/19 (4WD)}

Pricing Notes

The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado ranges from around $18,000 for a WT Regular Cab to about $24,500 for a Crew Cab LT. A fully loaded LT Crew Cab with 4-wheel drive tops out at close to $34,000, while the base Regular Cab model can be loaded with options and still remain around $21,000. To help make your best deal, be sure to check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase price. It shows what the Colorado is typically selling for in your area, a valuable piece of information when negotiating. As for resale potential, the Colorado falls far short of the values held by the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier. Kelley Blue Book expects the Colorado to retain less-than-average residual values.

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2012 Chevrolet Colorado Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.8

Out of 10

Based on 898 Ratings for the 2004 - 2012 models.

Review this car

Value

8.1/10

Quality

8.0/10
Reliability

8.4/10

Performance

8.1/10
Comfort

8.1/10

Styling

8.4/10

alot of bang for the buck

By boltzman (TN) on Saturday, July 27, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 102,000

10 8.0

overall rating 8 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 8/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 6/10

Pros: "value dependable"

Cons: "kinda boring"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"if your looking for a compact truck that fits into anyones budget then this is the most truck for the buck, trust me i done my homework, i needed a 4 door small truck and couldnt afford a frontier or tacoma so i went with the colorado,overall it will get the job done for half the price of the competion, i recommend it and its very decent on fuel and peppy if your already rolling at say 35-40 mph,to sum it up you cant beat the value i plan on buying another next year but with 4x4 but im keeping this one for my son."

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Had two Chevy Colorado's

By colorado driver (OR) on Friday, July 19, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 126,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 9/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "well built, great offroad, great inline 5 engine."

Cons: "replace lights more often, and suspension"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"I had a 2005 Chevy Colorado LS that was a manual. This truck has a sporty interior design and handled anything I threw at it. I took it off road with moderate traction tires. I went on the sand dunes and in the deep snow and everywhere in between. It handled anything I threw at it. It's in line 5 is a unique engine that offers some power down low and hauls toy hauling trailers with ease. It's like having a V6 with the economy of a V4. I unfortunately totaled that truck and I simply had to have my truck back. I got a 2006 Colorado LT. It handles very well and the only thing I don't like compared to my old truck is the fact that this one is an automatic. Both have been very well built and dependable. The shocks normally need to be replaced by 100k to 125k miles. I wish the front plastics under the chrome bumper were thicker because they tend to crack easier than a standard bumper. Lights need replacements more often than what I think would be normal. I see a basic form of this truck all around town now and I know why. This truck is very dependable and will cause you very few mechanical headaches."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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wouldnt start on wet days

By coolman (MN) on Thursday, May 23, 2013

I owned and sold this car
Reason: wouldnt start on wet days - My approximate mileage is 152,000

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 8/10
Reliability: 2/10
Quality: 5/10
Performance: 7/10
Styling: 9/10
Comfort: 8/10

Pros: "nice to drive"

Cons: "starting problem"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 3

"my 04 chevy colorado crew cab 4x4 3.5 liter was a great little truck until on moist damp mornings or evenings you got in turned the key the starter would spin the motor but it wouldnt fire up it would take about 20 min and it would start just fine it left no code in the computer or check engine light the shop told me it would be like finding a needle in a hay stack it would have to do it when it is hooked to there computer like that would ever happand when it only did it once a month or so"

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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Great Looking TRuck

By cheyennesport (TN) on Sunday, May 19, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 39,800

10 7.0

overall rating 7 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 7/10
Value: 9/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 10/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "black-has the 18's"

Cons: "no trailer package"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 6

"I purchased 2012 colorado crew LT 1 with sport apperence packeage with 18's in Sept 2011 with 11 miles on the truck when i brought it home and i was working as a independent contractor so i put 1000 miles per week on the truck i have only used pennzoil platinuim 5w30 and wix filters and i put a K&N air filter in the truck. I also added a snap tonneau cover by lund stopped independent contracting just before a year went back to driving a semi truck and have parked the colorado but still drive it once a month now to get the miles down. When i ran my route i was getting 22 mpg per week and then i drove it to pick up my semi i got 24.5 on the way to and from. I wish chevy would start building this truck again..."

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Great ,very dependable truck

By The kid (MA) on Friday, May 17, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 40,300

10 10.0

overall rating 10 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 10/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 10/10
Quality: 7/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 10/10

Pros: "Excellent in snow,roomy for a small truck"

Cons: "Cannot pull much weight"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Own an 09 z71 crew cab and love it,the truck is so good in the snow you hardly ever have to put in 4 wheel drive.interior is a little chinsey but fine. I have a fisher homesteader plow on it and it plows snow no problem.im 5 ft 8 245 lbs and am very comfortable in the truck have done many long trips with no problems and am very comfortable.the only thing I could say bad about the truck is you cannot tow a lot of weight,I love my Colorado and would buy one again in a minute."

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It's a decent truck

By realz (CO) on Monday, May 06, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 59,000

10 6.0

overall rating 6 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 6/10
Value: 6/10
Reliability: 7/10
Quality: 6/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 6/10
Comfort: 5/10

Pros: "gas mileage, fairly cheap, good in snow"

Cons: "seats, bed length, plain interior, seats!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 6

"Style and looks are good in my opinion. It is pretty good in the snow. I have the 3.7 inline 5 and it is pretty gutless but gets good gas mileage for it's class. The bed could use a 6 foot option like the Toyota. The interior is plain and basic with few options. Couple that with uncomfortable seats and a tight suspension and it make road trips painful! It does have a fair amount of cup holders though! Over all it's not to bad for what it is."

2 people out of 2 found this review helpful

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