2027 Chevy Colorado vs. 2026: Every Trim Gets 350 Horsepower, and MPG Holds Steady

Cory Fourniquet   |  

Nov 11, 2026

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share via Email

When the Chevy Colorado returned for 2023, every truck got a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. However, Chevrolet offered that one engine in three different states of tune, so the power you got depended on the trim you bought. The 2027 Chevy Colorado changes all of that.

Now, every trim gets the same enhanced 2.7-liter TurboMax with 350 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. Better yet, the official EPA ratings are now posted on fueleconomy.gov, and the extra power doesn’t come with much of a fuel economy penalty.

One 2.7L TurboMax for Every 2027 Colorado

From 2023 through 2026, the Colorado offered three versions of its 2.7-liter turbo four-cylinder:

• 2.7L Turbo: 237 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque on the Work Truck and LT
• 2.7L Turbo Plus: 310 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, standard on the Z71 and Trail Boss
• 2.7L TurboMax: 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, standard on the ZR2

Now, every trim from the Work Truck to the ZR2 shares one engine. To illustrate, here’s how much each of the old tunes gains:

What Changed Under the Hood

According to Chevrolet, the enhanced TurboMax gets real hardware changes, not just a new name. Specifically, it adds a new turbocharger, upgraded fuel injection, improved active thermal management, and redesigned pistons. In addition, Chevy says those changes improve durability and efficiency, which helps explain why fuel economy holds steady despite the extra power.

Meanwhile, Pickup Truck + SUV Talk reports that the Colorado keeps its eight-speed automatic, while the full-size Silverado pairs the same engine with a 10-speed. Maximum towing also stays put at 7,700 pounds when properly equipped.

2027 Colorado vs. 2026 Fuel Economy

So what does all that extra power cost at the pump? Surprisingly, not much. First, here’s how the official EPA ratings compare:

In short, combined fuel economy holds steady on everything except the ZR2 Bison. In fact, the 2WD and 4WD trucks each gain one MPG in the city. On the other hand, 4WD models drop two MPG on the highway, from 22 to 20.

Overall, that’s a better story than its big brother. By comparison, most 2027 Silverado configurations lose one or two MPG with their new V8s. Notably, the 2026 Colorado also had a separate mud-terrain tire rating of 18 MPG combined, but no 2027 version of that listing has posted yet.

ZR2 and ZR2 Bison Ratings

The ZR2 keeps its 17 MPG combined rating, even though its city number dips from 17 to 16. However, the ZR2 Bison takes a hit. Specifically, its highway rating falls from 16 to 14 MPG, and its combined rating drops from 16 to 15.

As a result, the EPA’s annual fuel cost estimate for the Bison climbs from about $3,900 to $4,150. Meanwhile, for the rest of the lineup, the annual estimates are unchanged from 2026.

2027 Chevy Colorado Pricing

Finally, here’s where each 2027 Colorado trim starts on Chevrolet.com:

Our Take on the 2027 Chevy Colorado

Ultimately, simplifying the lineup to one engine is a smart move. In particular, Work Truck and LT buyers are the biggest winners, picking up 113 more horsepower and 191 more lb-ft of torque without paying for a pricier engine upgrade.

Even better, fuel economy barely moves. After all, for a family looking at a midsize truck for daily driving, weekend projects, and the occasional camping trip, that’s a lot more capability with no real penalty at the pump. Still, we’ll be curious to see whether the extra torque changes how the Colorado feels around town once we get behind the wheel.

In the meantime, sign up for our newsletter using the form at the bottom of this page.