carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Truck |
| Base Price | $17,920–$22,252 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado at 6.5/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this truck. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.0/10. It's a capable but unexceptional truck — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability is the weak spot: 6.1/10, under the class average. Review the recall record on this page and price in extra maintenance headroom. The safety score of 7.0/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.5/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.1/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $17,920–$22,252, 10 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Colorado sits in the budget-friendly tier of the truck market. The value score of 6.9/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado is a passable truck but not a standout one. Weaknesses in value and performance and reliability and technology hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Chevrolet Colorado ranks #514 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 0% of the segment. Its 6.5/10 overall score is 0.9 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $17,920 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 49%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Truck ranking →
Across the Colorado model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.6/10 | $32,851 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.6/10 | $32,851 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.5/10 | $31,895 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.6/10 | $30,938 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.4/10 | $29,981 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.4/10 | $29,024 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.4/10 | $28,067 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.2/10 | $27,110 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $26,153 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.2/10 | $25,197 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.1/10 | $24,240 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $23,283 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Seat belts / Front 17/11/2011 · 11V552000 | GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET COLORADO AND GMC CANYON VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 19, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER… |
|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkages / Hood / Latch 19/12/2012 · 12V594000 | General Motors is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured from November 9, 2009, through August 28, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 113,… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
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