Chevy Tightens Its Aim on the Toyota Tacoma with a Notable List of Pending Updates

New and improved seats and an upgraded engine are just some of the highlights in store.

Close-up of a blue vehicle's front grille with a black and red Chevrolet emblem and a "ZR2" badge.

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By Chris Chin

Published 1 hour ago

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Updated 30 minutes ago

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Chevrolet’s Colorado midsize pickup truck turned three years old this year, which means it’s about ready for a mid-cycle refresh. According to enthusiast site, GMAuthority, that’s exactly what Detroit’s Golden Bowtie is preparing.

According to the report, Chevy’s engineers are teeing up some major updates to help focus the brand’s aim on the competition. Some of the updates involve major changes under the hood, as well as newly redesigned front seats for better comfort and functionality.

The updated Colorado will get a new engine

Two Chevrolet pickup trucks, one yellow and one blue, parked on a dirt area with dry trees and hills in the background. — The updated Chevy Colorado is on track to get some real meaningful updates.

Firstly, the new engine. The Chevrolet Colorado currently makes do with GM’s 2.7-liter turbocharged gasoline inline-four, dubbed the “L3B.”

It’s the same four-pot powering the old full-size Silverado, which recently received its own complete overhaul as it enters the fifth-generation. Naturally, it was only inevitable that the Colorado’s inline-four gets updated as well.

Yellow Chevrolet pickup truck driving on a dusty, sandy terrain with headlights on. — The biggest update will apparently occur under the hood with a revised 2.7-liter turbo-four.

Interestingly, the new 2026 fifth-gen Silverado still makes do with the L3B. Whereas the new Colorado will supposedly get an upgraded “L4B” inline-four.

There weren’t any specific details available. But the current Colorado’s L3B punches out 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque.

As an evolution, we anticipate the new L4B will put down even more power.

The Colorado will get redesigned, more ergonomic front chairs

Gray leather car seats with yellow stitching inside a vehicle cabin. — If you thought the Colorado’s seats were underwhelming in any trim, you’re not alone.

More big news waits on the inside, too. Word has it that the updated Chevrolet Colorado will get newly redesigned front seats with better six-way power-adjustable capabilities.

Customers supposedly reported feeling underwhelmed by the model’s current seating arrangement and design. Thanks to the upgrades, front occupants will benefit from more adjustability, a better outward view and an improved driving position.

White Chevrolet pickup truck kicking up dust on a dirt road with trees in the background. — Chevy’s team also heard the call and is updating the front chairs across the board.

Said six-way power front seat will supposedly be available for more expensive Z71 and ZR2 trims, complete with the Convenience Package III. Passengers also won’t be left out either for the lesser and more basic models as the shotgun chair will undergo a complete redesign for the same reasons.

Will this be enough to sway more midsize pickup buyers away from the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier and towards the General?

Only time will tell.

Availability and pricing

Availability and pricing information about the updated Chevrolet Colorado isn’t yet available. But the current model’s been with us since 2023 and it’s still available at local dealers.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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