2016 Chevrolet Colorado

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

Chevrolet Colorado
Pictured: 2024 Chevrolet Colorado Z71, front left, 09-28-2024. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
Body styles
Crew Cab L/Box 2WD, Crew Cab L/Box 4X4, Crew Cab S/Box 2WD, Crew Cab S/Box 4X4
Engines
2.8L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
25 combined · 22 city / 30 hwy
Length
212.6–224.8 in
Curb weight
3,949–4,480 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 25 MPG combined — 17% better than the average 2016 small pickup truck (21.4 MPG).
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Higher rollover riskNHTSA estimates a 22% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado is a small pickup truck offered with 3 engines (2.8L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 4-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 225 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 141-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,259 lb (Crew Cab L/Box 2WD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (22 city / 30 highway), 17% better than the 2016 small pickup truck average of 21.4 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 714 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.

What changed for 2016

  • New diesel version
  • Engine added: 2.8L 4-cyl turbo
  • Best combined MPG up from 22 to 25

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Colorado →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–3.6L 6-cyl
DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

Z71LT

Built in: Wentzville, Missouri

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2016 Colorado configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Crew Cab L/Box 2WD224.8 in74.4 in70.5 in140.6 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,259 lb57/43
Crew Cab L/Box 4X4224.8 in74.4 in70.5 in140.6 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,480 lb57/43
Crew Cab S/Box 2WD212.6 in74.4 in70.5 in128.3 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,041 lb57/43
Crew Cab S/Box 4X4212.6 in74.4 in70.5 in128.3 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,411 lb57/43
Extended Cab L/Box 2WD212.6 in74.4 in70.5 in128.3 in62.2 / 62.2 in3,949 lb57/43
Extended Cab L/Box 4X4212.6 in74.4 in70.5 in128.3 in62.2 / 62.2 in4,169 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Colorado 2WD Diesel2.8L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25+17%$3,850409
Colorado 4WD Diesel2.8L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23+15%$4,150447
Colorado 2WD2.5L 4-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22+3%$3,050408
Colorado 2WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive20 / 26 / 22+3%$3,050400
Colorado 2WD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 21-2%$3,200427
Colorado 4WD2.5L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive19 / 24 / 21+5%$3,200427
Colorado 4WD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 200%$3,350450
Colorado Cab Chassis 2WD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 17 / 16-24%$4,200555
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.4 MPG2016 Small Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2016 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC RWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★21.9%
2016 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC 4WD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★21.2%
2016 Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC RWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★22%
2016 Chevrolet Colorado PU/EC 4WD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★21.4%
StandardElectronic stability control
OptionalForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2016 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC RWD
Frontal crash test — 2016 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC RWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2016 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC RWD
Side crash test — 2016 Chevrolet Colorado PU/CC RWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2016 small pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Chevrolet Colorado (this car)25 MPG★★★★★4
2016 Toyota Tundra17 MPG★★★★★5
2016 GMC Canyon25 MPG★★★★★4

Recalls (4)

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · May 31, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V358000 · 895 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Risk
A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
Air Bags › Frontal · Oct 5, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V621000 · 16 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Risk
An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 17387.
Air Bags › Frontal · Mar 2, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V125000 · 1,579 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado vehicles manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016, Chevrolet Malibu vehicles manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016, and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
Risk
An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 28030.
Latches/Locks/Linkages · Dec 1, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V807000 · 8,763 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorado trucks manufactured August 25, 2015 to September 24, 2015, and GMC Canyon trucks manufactured August 28, 2015 to September 24, 2015. The affected vehicles have a console compartment lid latch assembly that may fail to keep the compartment door closed in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."
Risk
If the console compartment door does not remain closed in a crash, the contents stored in the console may strike the vehicle occupants, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the console compartment door latch assembly, free of charge. The recall began on January 5, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16370.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Chevrolet Colorado is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

714Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
14Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
6Injuries reported
43,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Steering461
Electrical System117
Power Train95
Unknown Or Other48
Engine48
Service Brakes39
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)36
Vehicle Speed Control24
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/11: 424/12: 325/01: 225/02: 125/03: 525/04: 1225/05: 825/06: 1025/07: 825/08: 1325/09: 1225/10: 925/11: 925/12: 426/01: 426/02: 226/03: 626/04: 326/05: 326/06: 526/07: 226/08: 426/09: 1026/10: 524/1125/0225/0525/0825/1126/0226/0526/08max 13

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Chevrolet Colorado buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Steering — 461 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  3. Electrical System — 117 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Power Train — 95 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 43,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Colorado years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Colorado21213 inNot rated118
2025 Colorado20213 in★★★★★127
2024 Colorado22213 in★★★★★3125
2023 Colorado22213 in★★★★★3137
2022 Colorado23224.8 in★★★★★156
2021 Colorado23224.8 in★★★★★180
2020 Colorado23224.8 in★★★★★088
2019 Colorado23224.8 in★★★★★0150
2018 Colorado25224.8 in★★★★★1183
2017 Colorado25224.8 in★★★★★1216
2015 Colorado22224.8 in★★★★★7493
2012 Colorado21207.1 inNot rated228

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →