2012 Chevrolet Colorado

The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab is available only in one major trim, which is the LT. The LT trim is further classified into three sub-trims, which are 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT. The 1LT is the base model, which is priced at $24,285. This trim will fetch you 16-inch alloy wheels, a front split-bench seat, a tilt steering column, air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, OnStar Navigation, AM/FM Stereo, privacy glass, deluxe cloth upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, 6-speaker audio system, CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, etc.

The next in line is the 2LT, which is for $27,490. It comes with all the features standard on 1LT and adds a few more. The 2LT gets an off-road suspension, a sliding rear window, leather-wrapped steering wheel, chrome exterior trim, and front bucket seats. The 3LT is priced at $28,340 and is the only trim that is available only in the RWD drivetrain. It is pretty much the same as the 2LT, but it gets a more powerful V8 engine and 18-inch wheels as standard. It also gains a sports suspension. Leather upholstery is optional on all trims.

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The 3LT is pretty much the same truck as the 2LT. The only difference is that the 3LT is equipped with a more powerful V8 engine and is only available in RWD. The 2.9L Inline-4 engine standard in the 2LT and the AWD configuration is a better choice for those who seek a more refined ride quality. But if you want all-out power from your pickup, go with the top-end 3LT trim in the lineup.

A whole lot is going on for the engine in the 2012 Chevy Colorado. The base engine is a 2.9L Inline-4, which produces 185 hp @ 5600 RPM and has a max torque of 190 lb-ft @ 2800 RPM. The second engine, which is an option for other Colorado’s but is standard for all AWD Colorado Crew Cab configurations, is a 3.7L Inline-5 engine that manages to generate 242 hp @ 5600 RPM and has a peak torque of 242 lb-ft @ 4600 RPM. Finally, the third engine option is a 5.3L V8, which is standard on the 3LT and is optional on the 2LT. This engine is capable enough to produce 300 hp @ 5200 RPM and is rated 320 lb-ft @ 4000 for maximum torque output.

The standard transmission for most of the Colorados is a 5-speed manual, but all the Crew Cab configurations have a 4-speed automatic gearbox regardless of the engine under the hood. The standard drivetrain is an RWD with an option to go for the AWD. However, the 3LT is available only in RWD which is unfortunate. The smaller engines, which are the 2.9L and the 3.7L engines, are smooth and amount to considerable performance, but the V8 outperforms them with ease. The transmission which is a 4-speed automatic is prompt in its shifting regardless of the engine choice. We prefer the 3.7L with the AWD drivetrain as this combination may have a slight advantage off-road.

The Nissan Frontier is the cheapest among the three trucks mentioned above. At the price of just over $23,000, it offers a 4.0L V6 engine. which automatically becomes the more desirable option. The Frontier also has the best towing capacity in the segment which is 6,100 pounds. The GM trims come with the same powertrain setup and offer the same power and torque output, although the Chevrolet gets an upper hand in towing capacity by offering 500 lbs more than GMC's 5,500 lbs.

The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab’s three engines and two drivetrain options result in a variety of fuel economies. Out of the lot, the best fuel economy is offered by the 2.9L Inline-4 engine with the 4-speed automatic transmission and the RWD drivetrain. The figures for this combination are mentioned below in the table. The 3.7L engine manages to offer 16/21/18 MPG (city/highway/combined), while the V8 has the worst mileage out of the three engines, producing 14/20/16 MPG.

The figures for the Canyon and the Colorado are completely identical. They both lead in terms of fuel economy, but the Frontier has a much bigger fuel tank capacity. This, however, does not help the Frontier achieve a better range than the other two pick-ups because of its low fuel economy. The GM twins offer better overall range in the competition at 399 miles.

The interior of the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab is uninspiring. It is filled with mediocrity and bland design, and it simply lacks the freshness and modernity which other pickup trucks in this segment have successfully delivered. The upright design of the dashboard provides more space for the front passengers, but the design, however, looks dated.

The seats are relaxing and comfortable regardless of the trim. All the trims are fitted with a deluxe cloth upholstery as standard. An option for leather upholstery is available on all the trims as well. There’s ample space for the front and rear passengers. The Colorado Crew Cab can seat up to 6 passengers, which is also a considerable plus point.

Both the Canyon and the Colorado are yet again identical in this category. This is because both the trucks are manufactured by GM. The Frontier somewhat matches the other two pick-ups in terms of interior space, but it falls short for cargo capacity as there is a difference of about 10 cubic feet. Some of the standout features of the interior are:

• Deluxe cloth upholstery
• Leather upholstery (optional)
• Manual air conditioning
• Cruise control
• 60/40 split-bench flat-folding rear seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror with outside temperature display

How intuitive is the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab’s infotainment unit?

The infotainment system of the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado is equipped with multiple features, but it is not among the best systems in this segment. The buttons and controls are placed in the center console with a simplistic and straightforward design in mind. Plenty of hard plastic is seen around the infotainment system and on the dashboard itself making it less attractive. This infotainment system is paired to a 6-speaker audio system as standard. OnStar Navigation is also standard on all trims, but it is somewhat tricky to use. Other standout features offered are:

• Satellite radio
• AM/FM Stereo
• OnStar Navigation
• Speed sensitive volume control
• MP3/CD player
• Bluetooth connectivity
• 6-speaker audio system
• 12V power outlet

The exterior design has received no changes whatsoever from the previous year. This is a bold move by Chevrolet as this is a rapidly evolving segment. The design looks dated and is somewhat unorthodox. The front fascia of the truck is characterized by the large awkwardly shaped headlights which seamlessly gel with the chrome strip running through the grille. The two-tier headlight design is continued to the grille as well. The fog light housing has no standout or attractive design to it. The hood is simple but large as it has to contain a big 5.3L V8 inside.

The side profile of the truck is bland. No body lines whatsoever, and even the fenders are given a simplistic design. It desperately needs some personality to attract some more buyers. The side profile comprises 16-inch alloy wheels, which are upgraded to 18-inch alloys in the 3LT trim with 7.7-inches of ground clearance and power-adjustable manual-folding side view mirrors. The simplistic design continues for the rear end as well. It comprises 2-position tailgate, perfectly shaped and attractive looking tail lights, a big rear bumper, and a single exhaust outlet.

The Colorado is the lightest truck among the 3 trucks mentioned above, whereas the Frontier is the heaviest in the segment. The Nissan Frontier also has a class-leading ground clearance of 9.8 inches. It excels in exterior dimensions other than its length and wheelbase, outperforming the GMC and the Chevy. Some of the standout features of the exterior are:

• Halogen fog lamps
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Body-colored, power-adjustable, manual-folding side view mirrors
• 2-position tailgate
• Sliding rear window
• Privacy glass

The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado may not be the best choice if you’re looking for a safe truck. Although it is equipped with plenty of standard safety features, it didn’t perform so well in the crash test analysis held by the IIHS. It earned an overall rating of “Acceptable” for the Crew Cab configuration, which is the second-best possible rating. It was rated as “Poor” for side-impact protection. The NHTSA has only conducted the rollover test on the Colorado, where it earned a 3-star rating. The base model lacks a few safety features which are standard on the higher trims. For example, the 1LT is equipped with front and rear drum brakes, while the 2LT and 3LT get disc brakes. Some of the standard safety features are:

• Electronic stability control
• Traction control
• Daytime running lights
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Child safety locks
• OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics
• Anti-theft alarm system

The Chevrolet Colorado is a popular truck because of its affordability and a variety of performance options. However, the downsides of the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab outweigh the positives. The interior and exterior design are dated, and it performs poorly in terms of safety. Although the Colorado may provide good fuel economy, decent ride quality, and a good amount of interior and cargo space, it is just not enough to convince us that it is a good purchase. If you're seeking a mid-size pickup truck, you can find better all-around performing pickup trucks than the Colorado.