The Chevrolet Colorado is easy to appreciate for its truck basics, but there is much more hiding behind its familiar controls and cargo bed. Some of its most useful features are tucked into places owners may rarely inspect, while others appear only after opening a particular menu or setting. From clever tailgate equipment to camera views and driver controls, these details can make daily driving, hauling, and weekend trips easier.
Availability depends on the Colorado’s trim level and equipment, so not every truck will have every feature. Still, these ten features are worth knowing because they show how much thought Chevrolet has put into making the Colorado useful beyond its standard pickup duties.
1. StowFlex Tailgate Storage
The available StowFlex tailgate gives the Colorado a handy storage area that can be easy to miss. Rather than placing everything inside the cabin or loose in the cargo bed, owners can use a compartment built directly into the tailgate.
Open it, and there is room for smaller items such as hand tools, straps, recovery equipment, gloves, or other gear that might otherwise move around the truck. Because the compartment can be locked, it also offers a more secure place for belongings than leaving them exposed in the bed.
There is another clever detail that makes this storage space more useful. A drain is built into the compartment, allowing it to serve as a cooler when needed. That can be convenient during outdoor trips, workdays, tailgating, or any situation where keeping drinks or other items cold is useful.
The StowFlex design also makes practical use of an area that would normally serve only as part of the tailgate. Owners who regularly carry small equipment may find this feature particularly helpful because it keeps frequently used items organized and separate from larger cargo.
2. Built-In Tailgate Measurement Tool
A pickup truck often becomes an improvised workbench, and Chevrolet has added a small detail to the Colorado that supports that role. The tailgate includes a molded measurement scale, giving owners a quick way to check the length of materials without reaching for a separate measuring tape.
That may sound like a minor convenience, but it can save time during everyday jobs. A driver picking up lumber, checking the length of a cable, or handling another long material can use the markings directly on the tailgate. There is no need to search through a toolbox just to make a quick measurement.
The feature fits naturally into the Colorado because the tailgate is already an obvious place to work with materials. Having measurement markings built into it means the truck can help with basic tasks before the cargo even gets loaded.
It is also the type of detail that can easily go unnoticed during a dealership visit. Most shoppers focus on engine output, towing ability, cabin technology, and exterior styling.
A measurement scale molded into the tailgate does not attract much attention, yet it can prove useful when the truck is being used for actual work.
For owners who frequently transport boards, pipes, cables, or similar items, this simple feature adds a little extra convenience without requiring another accessory.
3. Mid-Position Tailgate
The Chevrolet Colorado’s available mid-position tailgate gives the truck a handy way to handle longer cargo. Rather than leaving the tailgate completely closed or dropping it all the way down, drivers can place it halfway up when the proper setup is used.
That position creates an extended support point for certain materials while keeping part of the bed usable. Chevrolet rates this configuration for up to 500 pounds when it is used with the required boards, giving owners another practical way to carry longer items.
For someone picking up lumber, trim pieces, pipes, or similar materials, the setup can be useful. Longer objects can extend past the normal bed length while receiving support from the partially raised tailgate. This can make loading and positioning certain materials easier without requiring a separate support accessory.
The feature makes particular sense for people who use their Colorado for home projects, construction tasks, or occasional hauling. Instead of searching for another way to support a long load, the truck already provides an additional configuration.
There is one important detail to remember, though. The mid-position should be used according to Chevrolet’s instructions, including the proper boards and the stated weight limit. It should not be treated as a general-purpose platform for carrying any heavy object.
Once owners understand how the setup works, the mid-position tailgate becomes a useful addition to the Colorado’s cargo capabilities. It is easy to overlook during a normal walk-around, yet it can make a real difference when longer materials need to be transported.
4. Underbody Camera Views
Certain Chevrolet Colorado models can be equipped with cameras that show what is directly beneath the truck. That can be especially helpful during off-road driving, where knowing where the wheels are going is only part of the challenge.
The underbody camera views provide a look at the area beneath the vehicle, helping the driver judge rocks, obstacles, and wheel placement. Instead of relying entirely on what can be seen through the windshield, the driver receives additional information from the camera system.
This can be useful when moving slowly through uneven areas. A driver approaching an obstacle may want to know exactly where the tires are positioned before moving forward. Seeing the area beneath the truck can provide extra confidence when choosing a path.
Chevrolet identifies these underbody views as an exclusive camera capability within its truck lineup, making the system one of Colorado’s more unusual technology features.
The feature is also a good example of how modern pickup cameras can do more than assist with parking. Traditional rear cameras are familiar to most drivers, but additional views can serve a very different purpose.
Availability depends on equipment, so shoppers interested in this capability should check the specific Colorado trim and package. For drivers who spend time away from paved roads, however, the system can provide useful visual information when ordinary sight lines are limited.
5. Multiple Off-Road Camera Views
The Colorado’s camera system can offer much more than a standard rear-facing image. Depending on the truck’s equipment, drivers can access several perspectives designed to make tight movements, obstacle checks, and off-road driving easier.
That matters because a pickup’s size can make certain areas difficult to see from the driver’s seat. A camera view can provide another angle when the driver needs to position the truck carefully or check an area that is difficult to see directly.
The system can also provide split views, including images showing areas ahead of and behind the truck. When moving through a tight section, having more than one perspective available can help the driver make better decisions without repeatedly stopping to check outside the vehicle.
These views are especially useful at low speeds. They are not meant to replace attentive driving, but they can provide extra information while the truck is being positioned.
The advantage becomes clearer when the Colorado is used for more than commuting. A driver carrying a trailer, approaching a tight campsite, or moving around obstacles may appreciate having additional camera angles available.
Because camera availability varies by configuration, buyers should check the equipment list for the particular Colorado they are considering. Owners who already have the system should also take time to learn where the different views are located within the truck’s controls.
6. Teen Driver Mode
Teen Driver gives parents extra control when a younger driver gets behind the wheel of a Chevrolet Colorado. Instead of relying only on reminders about speed or safe habits, the system allows several settings to be adjusted before the trip begins.
A designated fob can activate features such as an audio-volume limit, speed warning, speed limiter, and Buckle to Drive. These options give parents a practical way to establish certain driving rules without having to monitor every moment from the passenger seat.
There is also a useful reporting feature built into the system. After the trip, the Colorado can generate an in-vehicle report card with information about the driver’s journey. Parents can use that information to get a better idea of how the truck was used.
For households where a Colorado is shared between parents and teenagers, Teen Driver can make the arrangement easier to manage. The settings can be prepared in advance, allowing the truck to enforce the selected limits during the drive.
Used Colorados can have another surprise for buyers. A previous owner may have already enabled Teen Driver, meaning the feature could be available without being immediately obvious to someone purchasing the truck.
The exact functions depend on the vehicle’s equipment and configuration. Parents should read Chevrolet’s instructions and learn what each setting does before handing over the fob.
Teen Driver is therefore more than a basic warning system. It brings several controls together in one package, giving families additional tools for encouraging responsible driving while allowing younger motorists to gain experience behind the wheel.
7. Hidden Virtual Controls
Modern vehicle interiors do not always put every function behind a physical button. In Colorado, certain controls can be accessed through the Controls app on the center display.
This approach can be easy to overlook because drivers may assume that anything without a dedicated button must be buried somewhere inside the main Settings menu. Chevrolet’s Controls app provides a quicker route to certain vehicle functions.
For someone who uses the Colorado regularly, knowing where these virtual controls are located can make the center display feel less confusing. Instead of searching through several layers of menus, the driver can use the dedicated control area when an available function is needed.
The idea is particularly useful when a truck has many technology features. As screens become responsible for more vehicle functions, knowing the difference between general settings and dedicated controls can save time.
The exact functions available through the app depend on the Colorado’s equipment. Not every truck will present the same list, which means owners should check their particular display rather than expecting every Colorado to have identical controls.
This is also one of those features that becomes more useful after spending time with the vehicle. A quick look through the center display can reveal functions that are easy to miss during a short test drive.
8. Reconfigurable Cargo-Bed Features
The Colorado’s bed contains several practical details that may receive little attention until the truck is actually being used for hauling. Multiple tie-down points, bed pockets, stake pockets, and three-tier loading capability give owners several ways to organize cargo.
Available in-bed lighting adds another useful touch. When loading items after dark, having light inside the cargo area can make it easier to find equipment and position smaller objects without relying entirely on a flashlight.
There is also an available 120-volt outlet in the bed. That expands the truck’s usefulness for work and recreation because certain compatible electrical equipment can be powered directly from the cargo area.
These features matter because a pickup bed is not just an empty box. Its built-in hardware determines how easily different types of cargo can be secured, separated, and accessed.
Three-tier loading capability can be useful when carrying items of different sizes, while tie-down points provide places to secure cargo properly. Bed pockets and stake pockets add additional options depending on the load.
Some owners may discover these features only after using the truck for a while. Taking a closer look at the bed before loading cargo can reveal several options that make better use of the available space.
9. Motorcycle Tire Grooves in the Bed
The Chevrolet Colorado has a clever detail in its cargo bed that motorcycle owners may appreciate. Built-in tire grooves are designed to help position a motorcycle during transport, giving the bed a purpose that goes beyond carrying everyday cargo.
Loading a motorcycle into a pickup can require careful positioning, especially when trying to keep the bike centered and stable. The grooves provide a designated path for the tires, helping guide the motorcycle into place as it is loaded. That can make the process more manageable before the bike is secured for the trip.
For Colorado owners who regularly transport motorcycles, having this feature built into the bed can be a welcome convenience. There is no need to rely solely on guesswork when deciding where the motorcycle’s tires should sit.
The truck provides a built-in reference point that can help with positioning. Someone who rarely uses the Colorado for hauling motorcycles could easily miss the grooves.
They are part of the cargo-bed design and do not stand out like a large exterior feature or an item displayed on the dashboard. A quick look around the bed may be all it takes to discover them.
This feature also shows that the Colorado’s bed was designed with different types of users in mind. Some owners may use their truck for tools and supplies, while others may need it for recreational equipment.
Anyone planning to transport a motorcycle should check the grooves and follow Chevrolet’s recommended loading and securing procedures. Proper tie-down practices remain essential, even with this helpful built-in feature.
10. Remote Start With Automatic Climate Operation
Cold mornings and scorching afternoons have one thing in common. Nobody enjoys sitting inside a truck waiting for the cabin to reach a comfortable temperature. On equipped Chevrolet Colorados, remote start helps solve that problem by letting the engine run before the driver gets inside.
Chevrolet’s documentation states that the climate controls can operate during remote starting. That gives the cabin a head start on warming up or cooling down, depending on the conditions outside.
The exact operation can vary based on the truck’s equipment and the settings selected by the owner, so every Colorado may not behave exactly the same way. Picture a freezing morning when you start the truck remotely before leaving the house.
By the time you reach the driveway, the cabin may already be warming up. On a hot afternoon, the same feature can give the air conditioning time to work before you climb behind the wheel.
That convenience can make a noticeable difference during regular commutes. Instead of immediately dealing with an uncomfortable cabin, you can give the truck a few minutes to prepare itself while you finish getting ready.
Remote start may not seem like a major feature at first, but its value becomes clearer when it becomes part of your daily routine. Once you become accustomed to entering a more comfortable cabin, you may miss it when driving a vehicle without the feature.
