The Chevrolet Colorado, along with its counterpart, the GMC Canyon, are mid-size pickup trucks from GM, that were introduced in 2004, to replace the Chevrolet S-10 and GMC Sonoma respectively. Combined with enormous flexibility, superb power and luscious looks, the Colorado sure makes for a wholesome package you would love to own!
Available in both 2WD and 4×4 options, the Colorado comes has three models, viz. Regular Cab, Extended Cab, and Crew Cab, which in turn have four trims – Value Model, Z85, Z71, and Sport. The Colorado is assembled locally in Shreveport, Louisiana and internationally in Rayong, Thailand [See a not-to-be-missed Video of a Thai built One-Tonner Chevy Colorado here].
The heart of the Colorado is a Vortec 2.9L I-4 with 185 hp and 190 lb.-ft. of torque ( Standard in the Value Model and the Z85), a Vortec 3.7L I-5 with 242 hp and 242 lb.-ft. of torque (Standard in the Z71), and a Vortec 5.3L V8 with 300 hp and 320 lb.-ft. of torque (Standard in the Sport). The Shield is front underbody in the 4×4 only, while StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control System (including Traction Control) is Standard on all trims.
Safety features on the Colorado include:
- Air bags: driver and right-front passenger; passenger-side
includes Passenger Sensing System (Standard on all trims) - Air bags: head-curtain side-impact for driver, right-front
passenger and rear outboard occupants (Optional on all trims) - Brakes: four-wheel antilock (ABS), front disc/rear drum (Standard on all trims)
- OnStar with a one-year Safe & Sound Plan (Standard on all trims)
The Chevrolet Colorado regular cab, photographed at College Park, Maryland
Inside the Colorado, you will find:
- Power Convenience Package: includes power windows,
power-programmable door locks, power outside mirrors
and Remote Keyless Entry (Optional only in the Z85 and Standard in the others) - Steering column: Tilt-Wheel, adjustable (Standard on all trims)
- Steering wheel: leather-wrapped (Standard on all trims)
- Sunroof: power, tilt-sliding (not available on Regular Cab models) (Optional in the Z85, Z71 and Sport trims)
- Rear-sliding window (Optional in the Z85 and Standard in the Z71 and Sport trims)
Audio entertainment choices are rather limited, with an AM/FM stereo with CD/MP3 player as well as a three months trial of XM Radio as Standard on all trims.
Seating options inside the Colorado include:
- LT Deluxe Cloth three-passenger 60/40 split-bench with recliners, armrest with storage and integral head restraints as Standard on all except the Sport trim
- LT Deluxe Cloth high-back bucket seats with integral head restraints, recliners and floor-mounted center console with storage (Standard only in the Sport trim)
- Deluxe high-back leather-appointed front bucket seats with heated seatbacks and cushions, eight-way power-adjustable driver seat and six-way power-adjustable passenger seat (Optional across Trims; not available in the Value Model)
- Rear: two forward-facing, flat-folding seats with rear underseat storage compartments (Extended Cab models only) (Standard on all trims)
- Rear: three-passenger 60/40 split-bench flat-folding seat with head restraints and underseat and behind-seat storage (Crew Cab models only) (Standard on all trims)
Inside the 2009 Chevy Colorado
The wheels of the Colorado are either 16/17/18 inch in aluminum, chrome-clad or Midnight Silver.
Additional accessories for the Colorado, installed at the dealer end include a Chrome Fuel-Filler Door, Chrome Grille, Chrome Stainless Steel Tubular Assist Steps, Folding Hard Tonneau Cover, Rear-Seat Entertainment Head Restraint DVD System, and a Soft Tonneau Cover.
There is a rich variety of exterior colors in which the Colorado is available, including Victory Red, Black, Deep Ruby Metallic, Dark Gray Metallic, Summit White, and Silver Birch Metallic. New colors introduced recently include Deep Navy and Aqua Blue Metallic. Two other extra cost colors are Inferno Orange Metallic and Black Granite Metallic.
The things going for the Chevy Colorado are firstly its wide variety; with three models and four trims within each, there is easily a Colorado for everyone! But the real killer is its starting MSRP; at $16,705 the Colorado offers excellent value for money, considering all its features, especially if you compare with the 2009 Nissan Frontier Crew whose base MSRP is $26,540 [For a full, independent, competitive comparison, click here]. Combine that with a 2WD City/Highway fuel economy of 18/24 in the Vortec 2.9L manual, and you are sure of having an absolute winner at hand.
Not to be missed!