The Chevy Colorado follows the lead of the Silverado in styling with its bold chrome crossbar grille and multi-lens headlamps (high and low beams, daytime running lamps and turn signals). On models so equipped, fog lamps are inset into the bumper. The lamp assembly has a flying wedge contour, higher at the outside. Otherwise the Colorado has a clean, modern look, the Crew Cab looking well balanced despite the extra cab length. Reach-through door handles allow a full handful of grip for easy opening even with gloves.Cargo boxes are 6-foot, 1-inch on regular and extended cab models and 5-foot, 1-inch on the Crew Cab. A two-position locking tailgate, fully closed or 55-degrees open, as well as lowered to horizontal, provides more cargo utility. When partway down, the Colorado can carry a 4-by-8 foot sheet of plywood flat. Chevrolet dealers have a range of accessories, including a bed extender, hard and soft tonneau covers, tubular assist steps and splash guards, that can be installed at the time of delivery, naturally at extra cost. For more information, visit www.gmaccessories.com.
The interior of the Chevrolet Colorado LS is swathed in hard plastic that's not very finger friendly but should prove to be durable, important in a pickup truck. Inside door releases feel solid and sturdy, though have the same hard feel. The leather wrapped steering wheel, however, is well cushioned and feels good in hand and should for the long haul. Each door panel has a molded map pocket that's also contoured for a bottle or can. The center console has cup holders as well and these look capable of handling a variety of drink containers. The center arm rest opens for a small storage space, big enough for a large wallet, and it wobbles when pushed. A small tray on the console will be useful for all sorts of oddments that don't need to be covered. The instrument panel is traditional white on black with orange needles. It's very legible and doesn't hide its functionality with artsy markings. Practical control design continues to the center stack. No ground-breaking innovation here, just straightforward knobs and dials that don't require a post graduate degree to operate. The front buckets are wide and soft and most derrieres should find them comfy on long trips. They offer little lateral support, but that would be important only to those who try to drive their Colorado like a sports car. The Crew Cab's rear seat has surprising leg room and a comfortable back angle, not the near vertical back rest found even in some full-size pickup cabs. The chair-height rear seat gives lots of legroom. Wider cabin gives more shoulder room for adult males, but don't expect full-size cab width. |
