This is the new Chevy Colorado, the newest addition to the quickly heating up mid-size truck segment.
LAst year we got the new Frontier, this year the Colorado, and before we know it we’ll have a new Ranger and Tacoma
And this Colorado sets a pretty high benchmark…but nothing is perfect so let’s hit the highlights…both good and bad
I’ve been driving it the last 2 days on-road and off and here are some of my favorite…and least favorite things about it…
Let’s get the bad out of the way first:
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Bad:
1 – engine “options”
Sure you get three different power outputs
But no more V6 and no more diesel
The 2.7T is the only engine and all the way boosted up to 310hp and 430 lbft means real high compression and with all the knocking and shaking off-road I’d start to worry about durability
2 – trail boss looks cool but is really basic
Cloth interior
Hard plastic dash
No rear seat center cupholder
No LED headlights
So if you want the A/T tires and off-road kit you have to have a crap interior or fork up ZR2 money
3 – no rock rails
I believe the ZR2 will come with them but neither the trailboss nor the Z71 come with rock sliders under the fenders
Of course you can option them as an accessory and you do get skids on the trail boss but I would have thought between the 2 trims one would come with the rock rails
4 – the rear
There’s not a huge amount of room
No charging ports
Some trims don’t even get a center armrest or cupholder
No map pockets
Under seat storage is there…kinda
5 – the dash
We touched on this with the Trail boss thing but the WT and Trail boss literally just have a scratchy plastic dash
Maybe it’s for durability, maybe it’s easier to clean – but I’ve been off-roading enough times to know that a canvas wrapped dash or synthetic leather one would hold up fine enough
Also the steering wheel is plastic/rubber not leather
It just makes the whole interior feels cheap when the dash is this material – which is a shame because the rest of the interior is pretty nice…and speaking of which lets talk about the best things about this new Colorado
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Good:
1 – the screens
Donning your dash behind your steering wheel is a segment exclusive 8 inch completely digital gauge cluster
The graphics are bright and crisp and you get some nice customizablity
But it doesn’t stop there
You also get a 11.3 inch screen for your center infotainment
Again, you’re not getting that anywhere else in this segment.
I really like the system here as well the animations are quick and fluid and it feels like working your phone
And since it’s so good they’ve brought things like the headlight controls into the center screen
Which I’m not sure how I feel about quite yet
But the screen is great
2 – The look
These midsize trucks are getting more muscular and rugged looking and the Colorado builds on that
It’s angular and agressive and muscular
The track is wider (esp in trailboss and zr2)
Th wheelbase is 3.1 inches longer
Trailboss has 2 inch lift
ZR2 has 3 inch lift
3 – the tailgate
GM and their tailgates man I swear…
HOWEVER, their multi pro tailgate in the Sierra was really nice
AND they’ve brought a nice little feature here too
The tailgate has a hidden compartment
48 inches long
4 inches deep
It doesn’t exactly lock so I wouldn’t put valuables in there, but it’s nice to have and makes use of space that would otherwise be wasted…reminds me of ram boxes but doesn’t eat into your bed space
4 – towing
The Colorado in its base power output has a max towing capacity of 3500 lbs
BUT in the middle and top output your towing increases to 7700 lbs which isn’t too shabby!
There’s also several cameras and assists for hitching and trailering
5 – Cameras
Not only are the cameras nice and bright and high resolution, but you get a lot of them!
You get 10 cameras for the 360 system
They’re great resolution
And the Z71 and ZR2 get an extra camera underneath to help you pick your line in trail
6 – ZR2 & Desert Boss
The incomignZR2 and Desert Boss are interesting additions to the segment
Of course the Colorado has offered and ZR2 for years and even a diesel ZR2 Bison
but now with the additional power, additional finesse and refinement it’s more compelling than ever
Will the Tacoma still sell more TRD Pros?
Probably. But that’s not because it’s a better truck…granted we haven’t been able to drive the ZR2 yet but based on this platform I expect some Toyota engineers to lose sleep…especially if the Taco is 2.4T only…
7 – Price
We’re going to make another reference to the Tacoma as it’s the segment sales leader
The Colorado starts in WT trim at $30,650
And if you go on the Toyota website that’s about what you’ll pay for a base SR5
The difference being the Colorado is a more modern and better equipped truck…especially at that price
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Conclusion:
So that’s the best and the rest with the new Chevy Colorado…keep these things in mind as we begin to see the new Ranger and Tacoma
And thanks again to Blender, Melin, and Pedal Commander…remember to check out the discount codes in the description
And while you’re down there let me know what you think of the new Colorado…