2015 Chevrolet Colorado 4WD LT (with crew longbox)
Base price: $32,385
As tested: $37,995;
Fuel economy: 17 mpg city, 24 highway with the V-6 and 4WD
Engine: 2.5-liter 4-cylinder
Torque: 184 pound-feet
It’s unlikely many folks have missed the old Chevrolet midsize truck, the Colorado, since it was discontinued in the U.S. a couple years back. It was underpowered, inefficient and couldn’t haul itself out of its own way.
So, like seven other brands over the past decade, the Colorado dropped, and Chevy yielded to the market champs: the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma.
Chevy may have been down but apparently it’s not out: The Colorado is back for 2015 with sharper looks, refined powertrains and deeper with technology this time around. Oh, and it already has laid claim to Motor Trend’s 2015 Truck of the Year, an award reserved for new or dramatically updated trucks and vans.
Motor Trend editors said they were impressed with Colorado’s “handsome, clean sheet design, right-sized package, excellent handling and overall capability.” And they liked its best-in-class fuel economy, too (17 mpg city, 24 highway with the V-6 and 4WD).
Not a bad start for the new Colorado.
So exactly what’s new? Better to say, what isn’t? This was a top-down renewal from sportier and smoother exterior lines to every switch and knob on the inside.
Power comes from a new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine — smaller than the 2.9-liter it replaces but more powerful by 15 horses. It feels even more powerful because its 184 pound-feet of torque gives its best punch between 2,000 and 6,200 rpm, Chevy says.
This engine is for the masses handling light, around-town duties. Those who need more should opt for the direct-injected 3.6-liter V-6 engine that offers 302 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. This is the one for those who plan to tow — it can pull 6,700 pounds of trailer.
A 2.8-liter 4-cylinder turbo diesel also will be available later this year.
Acceleration with the 3.6-liter feels hearty, and a six-speed automatic shifts up and down the gears smoothly and decisively. A manual transmission is available but only on some extended-cab models.
Its electric steering system is well-balanced and turns the Colorado within an amazing 41-foot turning radius. And it keeps its composure on corners.
A 4-wheel-drive option is available but it must be switched on manually. It gets a 2-speed, low-range transfer case that’s controlled by a dashboard switch. An automatic locking rear differential is standard on Z71 models.
Off-roaders should keep in mind that Colorado 4WDs only offer 8.4 inches of ground clearance — same as the 4x2s. And the front end hangs low in favor of fuel economy rather than a comfortable off-road approach angle.
Chevy built a more functional cargo bed this time around. It dropped the short-wheelbase regular cab version and introduced a 140.5-inch wheelbase with a 6-foot 2-inch bed.
Plus, the cargo box will grab your attention at first glance with its depth: It’s 2 inches deeper than the competition. That not only means more total volume but a longer tailgate for hauling.
Tying down bulk is a cinch with 13 tie-down locations. And GM’s convenient CornerStep rear bumper is standard on Colorado. The easy-lift tailgate, however, is optional.
While the functionality of this truck may be important to most, the interior shows a marked improvement over the previous gen.
So, for now, the refreshed Colorado is a worthy contender in this midsize truck segment. But keep your eyes open as Tacoma and Frontier redesigns should be right around the corner, too.
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