Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs Chevrolet Colorado

Midsize trucks are having a moment. Rugged, off-road-ready lifestyle pickups and SUVs are all currently in vogue. In the past few years, we’ve seen redesigns for the Ford Ranger, the Nissan Frontier, and, long-awaited, the Toyota Tacoma. General Motors has joined the party with a redesigned GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado.

The popularity of smaller trucks has ebbed and flowed through the decades, but based on all of these redesigns, automakers are convinced that there are sales to be made. One way these trucks have evolved is by pivoting from downsized work vehicles offering weekend-warrior and lifestyle-off-roader versions, to focusing specifically on those weekend warrior and lifestyle shoppers.

Verdict: The Colorado has evolved from merely offering more content and upgraded versions to focusing on well-equipped, upgraded trims catering to recreation more than work.

Whether it’s towing your boat out to the lake house, hauling power tools to the job site or transporting the kiddos to school, a pickup truck is the ultimate get-things-done vehicle. Now well into its fourth generation, the full-size Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup truck stands out thanks to its available diesel engine and Super Cruise hands-free driving assist on the very top trim.

Verdict: The 2024 Chevy Silverado looks good, offers a versatile range of engines, and can be had in three different cab sizes. It doesn't tow or haul quite as much as a Ford F-150, but we're impressed with its overall value, and the ZR2 trim's off-road chops.