2011 Chevrolet Colorado — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2011 Chevrolet Colorado is a pickup offered with 3 engines (2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl). Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 25 mpg (UK) / 21 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 19–25 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Chevrolet Colorado workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2010 Chevrolet Colorado: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 25 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine (most efficient) | 2.9L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Engine options | 2.9L 4-cyl · 3.7L 5-cyl · 5.3L 8-cyl |
| Transmission (most efficient) | Automatic 4-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Pickup |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 25 combined / 22 urban / 29 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 21 combined / 18 city / 24 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 263 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,200 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 8 configurations for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado across 3 engines (2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl). Combined fuel economy ranges from 16 to 21 mpg (US), or 19 to 25 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (17/23) | 276 | $3,350 |
| 2.9L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (18/24) | 263 | $3,200 |
| 2.9L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 24 | 20 (18/24) | 276 | $3,350 |
| 2.9L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (18/25) | 263 | $3,200 |
| 3.7L 5-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 22 | 18 (16/21) | 307 | $3,700 |
| 3.7L 5-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 19 (17/23) | 291 | $3,550 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 16 (14/19) | 345 | $4,200 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 16 (15/20) | 345 | $4,200 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado
Running Costs: 2011 Chevrolet Colorado
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2011 Chevrolet Colorado at 25 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,455 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,200 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2011 Chevrolet Colorado Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns that include the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Latches/locks/linkages (1), Power train (1), Visibility (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Latches/locks/linkages — campaign 12V594000, reported 19 December 2012. Risk: If the primary hood latch is not engaged, the hood could open unexpectedly. During vehicle operation, this could obstruct the view of the driver and increase the risk of a crash.
- Power train — campaign 11V337000, reported 28 June 2011. Risk: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AS THE DRIVER OR OTHER OCCUPANTS EXIT THE VEHICLE OR HAVE EXITED, RESULTING IN THE POSSIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE STRIKING THEM OR…
- Visibility — campaign 11V276000, reported 6 May 2011. Risk: DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Suspension — campaign 11V007000, reported 6 January 2011. Risk: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING.
Showing the 4 most recent of 5 campaigns.
Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado. The most-reported areas are Electrical system (14), Air bags (10), Unspecified (4). Complaints include 4 reported crashes, 4 reported injuries. That is well below the median of 84 complaints across the 15 Chevrolet Colorado model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Electrical system (14 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Air bags (10 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Doors & latches (1 recall campaign) — Test every door, boot and bonnet latch and the central locking.
- Transmission & drivetrain (1 recall campaign) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Chevrolet Colorado compare to similar pickups? Pickups in our database average around 25 mpg (UK) combined — this model sits close to that average, within 0 mpg. Its 263 g/km CO₂ figure is 20 g/km lower than the 283 g/km average for pickups on this site. This comparison is based on 264 pickups in our dataset.
Chevrolet models in our database average about 29 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado's 25 mpg is 4 mpg below that make average. Its 263 g/km CO₂ figure is 17 g/km higher than the 246 g/km Chevrolet average.
Of the 15 Chevrolet Colorado model years we cover, the 2011 ranks 11th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (25 mpg UK combined, against a high of 30 mpg). See every Chevrolet Colorado year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado have?
EPA lists 3 engines for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado: 2.9L 4-cyl, 3.7L 5-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl. The most fuel-efficient configuration pairs the 2.9L 4-cyl with a automatic 4-spd.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado?
The most efficient configuration returns around 25 mpg (UK) combined, or 21 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 19 to 25 mpg.
How much does the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,200 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns that include the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Latches/locks/linkages (1), Power train (1), Visibility (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2011 Chevrolet Colorado?
Among the 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Electrical system (14 complaints), Air bags (10 complaints), Unspecified (4 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Chevrolet Colorado's fuel economy good for a pickup?
It returns around 25 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 25 mpg among the pickups we track.