The second-generation Chevrolet Colorado is one of America’s most popular pickups. To commemorate the fourth anniversary of the current-generation model, Chevy’s rolling out a pair of special edition Colorado models, specifically the Colorado RST and the Colorado Z71 Trail Runner. The two special edition pickups cater to off-road specialists and street cruisers, respectively. They also join a growing slate of Colorado models that have been released in the past few years, including the Z71, ZR2, and the muscular ZR2 Bison. Both the Colorado RST and the Colorado Z71 Trail Runner will go on sale in 2019.

Born out of Popularity

It’s hard to believe that it’s only been four years since the second-generation Chevrolet Colorado burst into the pickup scene. Since then, it’s become of the highest-selling pickups in the U.S. Chevrolet moved 112,996 units of the Colorado last year, and this year, it’s already reached that threshold, ensuring another record-setting sales year for the popular pickup. In total, Chevrolet is approaching 500,000 sold units of the Colorado, a staggering number considering that the second-gen model is only four years old. Good vibes abound within Chevrolet, which probably explains why the automaker is two new special editions — the Colorado Z71 Trail Runner and the Colorado RST — to the model’s lineup.

Colorado Z71 Trail Runner

Let’s talk about the new 2019 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Trail Runner first. This is the special edition Colorado you want if you’re going to dive deep into the outdoors. This special edition Colorado blends packages from the Z71 with extra protection coming from the ZR2. It’s fitted with the Z71 Off-Road Package, ensuring that the pickup is capable of roughing it out without even batting an eyelash.

The key ingredients included in the Z71 Off-Road Package include new shocks, a heavy-duty automatic locking rear differential, and beefed-up suspension characteristics. In addition to the Z71 Off-Road Package, the special edition Trail Runner also benefits from components taken from the beefier Colorado ZR2. The underbody skid plates in the front and rear are now made from stamped aluminum so even the sharpest of rocks have no chance of penetrating it, especially with Chevy throwing in additional rocker protection. The new Colorado offspring also benefits from riding on a set of burly Goodyear Duratrac tires.

To say that the Colorado Z71 Trail Runner is ready for the outdoors is a massive understatement to its full capability. It sits one notch lower to the ZR2 in the Colorado trim hierarchy so it’s loaded in what it can do in the outdoors. Its bed - buyers can get it as a 6-foot-2-inch Long Box or a 5-foot-2-inch Short Box — is deeper than most of its rivals, making it easier to haul bulky items. That same bed is also equipped with the EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgate, another feature the Colorado Z71 Trail Runner has at its disposal.

Colorado RST

Now let’s move on to the second special edition Colorado: the RST. The nomenclature sounds familiar, doesn’t it? That’s because we’ve already seen other Chevrolet models use it, including the Tahoe, Suburban, and Silverado. Unfortunately, the Colorado RST doesn’t have the same performance chops as the Z71 Trail Runner. It’s not even based on the Z71 trim the way the Trail Runner is. Instead, the Colorado RST is a prettier version of the pickup’s LT trim.

Don’t mistake it, though, for a pushover, because it’s far from one. The Colorado RST still benefits from all the LT trim’s features. It’s equipped with goodies like keyless entry, satellite radio, and an upgraded version of Chevy’s MyLink system, complete with an eight-inch touchscreen. At the cost of extra cheddar cheese, you can opt to include packages like the Luxury Package and the LT Convenience Package. All of that comes on top of what makes the Colorado RST a special-edition model in the first place.

The exclusive touches are mostly of cosmetic variety. It’s dressed in a monochromatic theme in the exterior that’s offset with black beltline and body side moldings. It also wears a black tailgate bowtie and RST badging throughout its body, and it’s also the first variant of the Colorado to come out of the factory wearing a set of 20-inch wheels. There’s a reason why Chevrolet bills the Colorado RST as a street-focused version of the pickup.

As an added treat, both the Colorado Z71 Trail Runner and the Colorado RST come with the same flow-through “CHEVROLET” lettered grille that it first introduced on the range-topping ZR2 Bison. That’s awfully nice of Chevy to throw that in, though even if you’re not buying either of these two special edition Colorados, you can avail of the same grille for an extra $395.

Going on Sale in 2019

Both the Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Trail Runner and the Colorado RST are scheduled to go on sale in 2019. Chevy hasn’t released pricing details for the two special edition Colorados, but rest assured, both will be hot-ticket items when they arrive.

Further Reading

Read our full review of the Chevrolet Colorado.

Read our test drive of the Chevrolet Colorado Z71.

Read our full review of the Chevrolet Silverado.