Representative photo — may show another model year
Truck
2016 Chevrolet Colorado
Independent review & score by Carivo
Price Range
$24,240–$30,430
Fuel Economy15 MPG
Seating5 passengers
CategoryTruck
Est. Annual Fuel$3,500/yr
The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado scores 7.1/10 at Carivo, ranking #381 of 515 trucks, with 4 NHTSA recalls on record and an estimated $3,500/year fuel cost.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
About the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado
The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado is a truck that earns a Carivo score of 7.1/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.6/10. 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. At 6.9/10 for reliability, this truck trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.6/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.0/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. Technology scores 6.8/10 — 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 $24,240–$30,430, 15 MPG, seating 5, the Chevrolet Colorado sits in the budget-friendly tier of the truck market. At 7.4/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and technology scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
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 →
How It Ranks Among Trucks
The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado ranks #381 of 515 trucks in the Carivo database — better than 26% of the segment. Its 7.1/10 overall score is 0.3 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $24,240 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $35,138 by about 31%.
$0 — 4 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
Insurance
Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Which Colorado Year Should You Buy?
Across the Colorado model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well
✗ Where it falls short
Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
Fuel economy at 15 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly
NHTSA Recalls — 2016 Chevrolet Colorado (4 on record)
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 with our free VIN recall checker.
Air bags / Frontal 05/10/2017 · 17V621000
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.
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…
Latches/locks/linkages 01/12/2015 · 15V807000
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…
Air bags / Frontal 02/03/2016 · 16V125000
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…
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2016 Chevrolet Colorado that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
Common Questions — 2016 Chevrolet Colorado
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado reliable?
We rate the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado's reliability 6.9/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado worth buying?
It scores 7.1/10 overall, ranking #381 of 515 trucks in our database (better than 26% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
How much does the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado cost?
The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado starts at $24,240 and ranges up to $30,430 across trims (MSRP when new). At 15 MPG, expect roughly $3,500/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Which Colorado years should you avoid?
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Colorado years we've rated are 2016 (7.1/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.6/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
What problems does the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado have?
The documented issues for the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline, Latches/locks/linkages (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Owner Essentials — Chevrolet Colorado
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Similar Truck to Consider
Other trucks at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Representative photo — may show another model year
