The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado rolls into its fourth year of the third generation with a clear strategy: polish what works instead of reinventing the wheel. Here at Turan-Foley Chevrolet, we’ve spent time with both models, and here’s what our Gulfport customers need to know: you’re looking at styling tweaks and some features moving from optional to standard. Everything that makes this truck capable? That stays put. This insight helps you decide smarter – whether those fresh looks are worth paying for, or if grabbing a 2025 gives you everything you actually need.
Overview: What’s New in the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado
Let’s cut to the chase: the redesigned Chevy Colorado 2026 brings new paint colors, different wheel options, and previously optional features like LED lighting now come standard. The 11-inch driver information center also gets standardized across more trims. What didn’t change? The powertrain, towing capacity, and infotainment system carry over unchanged.
This distinction actually matters quite a bit. We’re talking about a visual refresh on a platform that already works well, not some complete overhaul. The 2026 Chevy Colorado engine lineup stays simple: just that single TurboMax engine across every trim level (Work Truck, LT, Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2). If you want the newest styling cues and those premium features as standard equipment, the 2026 makes sense. Prioritizing capability and getting the best deal? The 2025 performs identically.
Both years share these core specs:
| Specification | 2025 & 2026 Colorado |
| Engine | 2.7L Turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 310 hp |
| Torque | 430 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Max Towing Capacity | 7,700 lbs |
| Infotainment Display | 11.3-inch touchscreen |
| Connectivity | Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi hotspot |
Exterior Design and Styling Updates
The Chevrolet Colorado redesign for 2026 keeps that bold, aggressive front end but focuses on the details. New wheel designs from 17 to 20 inches give you more ways to customize your truck’s look. Fresh paint options add some personality to the mix.
These changes won’t affect how your truck handles when you’re pulling a boat down to the Mississippi Gulf Coast or navigating those sandy beach access roads, but they do give the Colorado a more modern appearance. The overall design language stays rugged and purposeful, which fits perfectly with this truck’s double duty as both a work vehicle and weekend adventure machine.
New Colors and LED Lighting Enhancements
The new Chevy Colorado 2026 adds two eye-catching colors: White Sands and Magnus Gray Matte Metallic. These join the existing color lineup, giving buyers more ways to make their truck their own. That matte metallic finish is particularly striking – it gives the Colorado a premium look that really stands out.
LED lighting moves from the options list to standard equipment on most trims for 2026. This isn’t just about looks, though the LEDs do look sharp. When you’re driving along the Gulf Coast, especially during those sudden afternoon storms or early morning fishing runs, better visibility becomes crucial. LED headlights and taillights deliver brighter, crisper light output compared to old-school halogen bulbs. They also last longer and use less power from your electrical system.
Here’s the breakdown of updates:
| Feature | 2025 Colorado | 2026 Colorado |
| Exterior Colors | Previous palette | Adds White Sands, Magnus Gray Matte Metallic |
| Wheel Designs | Existing options | New 17-20 inch designs |
| LED Lighting | Available | Standard on most trims |
| Driver Information Center | 11-inch display | 11-inch display (standard) |
Interior Refinements and Comfort Features
Step inside the 2026 Chevrolet Colorado and you’ll find essentially the same cabin as the 2025. The layout, seats, materials, and storage solutions carry over without significant changes. That’s not necessarily a problem – the third-generation Colorado already got the interior right with practical touches like that multi-position tailgate, clever storage compartments, and seats that work for both short commutes and long road trips.
What we like about the Colorado’s cabin is how it balances work truck durability with everyday comfort. Whether you’re hauling equipment around Gulfport for work or loading up the family for a weekend getaway, the interior handles both jobs well. The 2025 and 2026 models deliver this same versatility.
Technology and Infotainment Upgrades
Technology stays consistent between the two model years. The Chevrolet Colorado 2026 doesn’t get a brand-new infotainment system or connectivity overhaul – instead, it standardizes that 11-inch driver information center on more trim levels. The same 11.3-inch diagonal touchscreen, wireless device charging pad, and Wi-Fi hotspot you’d get in a loaded 2025 now comes standard on the 2026.
Touchscreen and Connectivity Improvements
Both years use the identical touchscreen interface with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Navigation, music streaming, and vehicle settings stay easily accessible through straightforward menus. The system responds quickly, and wireless connectivity means fewer cables cluttering up your cabin.
That Wi-Fi hotspot capability becomes particularly handy when you’re parked at a job site or taking a break between fishing spots along the coast. Your devices stay connected without killing your phone’s battery or burning through your personal data plan.
Performance, Towing, and Off-Road Capabilities
This is where the 2026 Colorado vs the 2025 Colorado comparison gets simple: mechanically, they’re identical twins. That same 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder drives both trucks, putting out 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy stays consistent at 20 city/25 highway MPG for 2WD models and 17 city/21 highway MPG for 4WD versions.
This Chevy midsize truck drives like you’d want a mid-size to: agile enough around town, tough enough for serious work. The ZR2 trim keeps its reputation as the off-road champion, complete with those Multimatic DSSV dampers and Baja mode for high-speed desert running (though admittedly, the Mississippi Gulf Coast offers different terrain challenges).
Engine Options and Drive Mode Updates
Chevy keeps it simple: one proven TurboMax powerplant across every trim level. This streamlines the shopping process while guaranteeing solid performance no matter which Colorado you choose. The engine’s low-end torque really shines when you’re towing or carrying heavy loads in the bed.
Drive modes stick with Normal, Off-Road, Terrain, and Tow/Haul as standard options. These adjust throttle response, transmission behavior, and traction control settings to match whatever you’re doing. The ZR2 keeps its Baja mode, which relaxes stability control for aggressive off-road driving. Whether you’re navigating muddy coastal access roads or pulling a trailer to the water, these modes adjust the Colorado’s personality accordingly.
Towing and Payload Changes
Towing capability stays identical between model years when properly equipped – enough to handle most recreational trailers, boats, and equipment you’d typically see around the Gulf Coast. The integrated trailer brake controller, available trailer camera views, and Tow/Haul mode make the whole process smoother.
Payload capacity and bed features don’t change either. That multi-position tailgate, tie-down points, and available spray-in bedliner keep doing work truck duty effectively. If you’re using your Colorado to move parts and equipment for business or tow watercraft on weekends, both model years offer identical capability.
Safety and Driver Assistance Features
Chevy Safety Assist comes standard on both the 2025 and 2026 Colorado models. This includes Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Forward Collision Alert. Optional features like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control also carry over unchanged.
These safety systems work without being annoying – they’re there when you need them but stay out of your way otherwise. The technology provides extra awareness in heavy traffic or during those long highway stretches, reducing fatigue and helping prevent accidents. We consider these essential features for any modern truck, and both model years include them as standard equipment.
Choosing Between the 2026 and 2025 Colorado at Turan-Foley Chevrolet
Why Choose the 2026 Colorado
Your choice boils down to what matters most to you. The 2026 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison, Trail Boss, and other trims offer updated styling, new color choices, and features like LED lighting now standard across the lineup. If having the latest appearance updates and knowing you’ve got the current model year is important, the 2026 delivers that peace of mind.
Why Choose the 2025 Colorado
The 2025 Colorado offers the same mechanical DNA: identical engine, same towing capacity, same technology where it actually matters. For buyers focused on getting a proven, capable truck rather than the newest cosmetic touches, a 2025 model often represents better value for your money. You get the same capability and reliability while potentially saving on the purchase price.
See Both Models at Our Gulfport Dealership
We keep both model years in stock at our Gulfport dealership, and we’d encourage you to see them parked side by side. Our team brings over 50 years of experience serving the Gulf Coast, treating every customer like family. Whether you’re replacing a work truck, upgrading for better towing capacity, or just want a reliable vehicle ready for hurricane season and daily driving, we’ll help you find the right Colorado.Take both models for a test drive to see which one clicks with you. Compare those colors in person, feel any differences firsthand, and let us walk through the specific equipment and pricing on the trucks we have available. Contact us or call 228-604-8836 to schedule your visit. We’re here to answer your questions, provide straight information, and help you make the decision that fits your needs and budget best.
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