2021 Chevrolet Colorado — Used Buying Guide
5 years old · used value range $13,210 – $19,984 · max towing 7,700 lb · max payload 1,578 lb
The 2021 Colorado at a glance
The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado is a 5-year-old used pickup that originally listed at approximately $36,000 for a base configuration. After 5 years of ownership-cycle depreciation, fair market value for typical-mileage examples lands between $13,210 and $19,984, with low-mileage clean-title trucks pushing toward the upper bound and higher-mileage or salvage-history trucks anchoring the lower bound.
The Colorado at this model year was built on the Chevrolet light-duty platform and offered in regular, extended, and crew cab body styles. Maximum trailer towing capability for this year is 7,700 lb when properly equipped (typically requires the optional max tow package and the right axle ratio); maximum payload is 1,578 lb in the lightest cab/bed/drivetrain combination.
Available engines for 2021
| Powertrain | 2.5L I4 (200 hp) |
| Powertrain | 3.6L V6 (308 hp) |
| Powertrain | 2.8L Duramax I4 Diesel (181 hp / 369 lb-ft) |
Configuration options
| Cab options | Crew Cab · Extended Cab · Regular Cab |
| Bed options | 5'7" Short · 6'5" Standard · 8'0" Long |
| Available trims | WT, LT, Z71, ZR2, Trail Boss |
| Max towing capacity | 7,700 lb (properly equipped) |
| Max payload capacity | 1,578 lb |
EPA fuel economy ranges for this model year
| Powertrain class | City mpg | Highway mpg |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline V6 | 20 | 20 |
| Gasoline V8 | 15 | 18 |
| Diesel | 22 | 29 |
Common issues for the 2021 Colorado
- 8-speed transmission shudder on 3.6L V6 trucks
- Diesel emissions system sensor faults
- ZR2 suspension components wear faster on hard off-road use
Service history matters more on this model year than mileage alone. A 2021 Colorado with documented oil changes, transmission services performed at the recommended interval, and any open recalls completed is worth meaningfully more than an undocumented truck of the same mileage. Ask the seller for the maintenance binder; if it does not exist, ask the local Chevrolet dealership to pull the VIN history before you commit to a price.
2021 Colorado listings on TruckLot
| Trim & Body | Miles | Price | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trail Boss Extended Cab |
71,353 mi | $18,629 | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Trail Boss Regular Cab |
47,581 mi | $18,290 | San Jose, California |
| Trail Boss Extended Cab |
52,368 mi | $19,137 | South Bend, Indiana |
| WT Extended Cab |
41,658 mi | $17,105 | Henderson, Nevada |
Should you buy a 2021 Colorado right now?
The honest answer depends on three variables: how the truck was used, what powertrain it has, and what comparable competitors are listed for in your state. A 2021 Colorado with a clean service history, the volume powertrain (avoid first-year-of-production engines unless you have done your homework), and a price near the middle of the $13,210–$19,984 range is usually a sound buy.
If you are cross-shopping the same model year against competitors, our comparison guides work through the trade-offs with real numbers. Diesel premium, towing differences, payload differences, and depreciation curves are all spelled out so you can decide whether the $3,000–$8,000 difference between similar trucks is justified for your use case.