The Chevrolet Colorado comes with a choice of two engines. The standard truck comes with a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine making 200 hp, while an optional 3.6L V6 makes 305 hp. Both engines provide good fuel economy for a truck. The Colorado is rated at 27 mpg on the highway for 4-cylinder 2WD models, with the V6 truck coming in at 26 mpg highway in 2WD trim. Despite this, the truck is still able to tow up to 7000lbs when properly equipped with the bigger engine and a tow package.
The Colorado is available in three basic body styles, extended cab long box, crew cab short box and crew cab long box. While the extended cab has rear hinged back doors and a small pair of rear seats, the crew cab features four-doors and rear seats big enough to comfortably sit adults, even on long drives. 4-wheel-drive and 2-wheel-drive variants are available in any of the three body styles.
There are four trim levels for the Chevrolet Colorado, Base, WT, LT and Z71. Base models are only available on extended cab variants and while they obviously feature the fewest amenities, bells and whistles, they still have several notable features. Base models come standard with 4-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock brakes, a 6-speed manual transmission, power adjustable mirrors, a rearview camera and a chrome rear bumper.
WT trims are similar to the base model but can be ordered with the crew cab. The WT trim also adds heavier duty suspension, an improved infotainment system and an automatic transmission.
The LT trim adds a little bit of luxury to the mid-sized pickup. A 4-way power adjustable driver's seat is standard as are 17-inch wheels, a body colored rear bumper, an 8-inch color screen, remote entry and a leather wrapped steering wheel.
For buyers who want a Colorado with improved off-road capabilities, there's the Z71 off-road package, including heavy duty suspension, a locking rear differential, some underbody protection, a powered front passenger seat, automatic climate control and an automatic liftgate.
Safety features on the Colorado include Stabilitrak stability control, traction control and ABS. There are six airbags in the Colorado including dual stage front airbags. A rearview camera is standard as are 4-wheel disc brakes.
Small Truck Utility
Good Fuel Economy
Car-like Ride And Handling
Technology Laden Features
The Chevrolet Colorado gets a full redesign for 2015. The new Colorado has a sleek new exterior to complement its more quiet and comfortable interior. The truck looks modern and aerodynamic from the outside and suggests a vehicle less compromised by classic pickup truck utility. Indeed, Chevrolet have made an effort to make the Colorado much more usable as an everyday vehicle for 2015, while at the same time not compromising the core features that people expect out of a truck. Both turning radius and fuel economy are very car like, while at the same time, the Colorado has a tow rating of up to 7000 lbs.
Chevrolet calls the Colorado a "Mid-sized" pickup truck, but it's actually the smallest pickup truck built by GM, slotting below the Silverado and Silverado HD. That said, the Colorado is available in a couple of cab and bed styles allowing it to stretch out and haul more cargo depending on the individual trim ordered with the vehicle. Starting under $21,000 the Chevrolet Colorado competes closely with the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger as a truck that can both haul cargo and drive around in the city without any serious concerns about parking or street size.