Chevy Colorado follows the styling lead of the Silverado, with its bold chrome horizontal-bar grille and multi-lens headlamps. The lamp assembly has a flying wedge contour, higher at the outside, and includes high and low beams, daytime running lamps and turn signals. On models so equipped, fog lamps are inset into the bumper.Colorado's fender bulges are angular and aggressive. The leading edge of the front fender flares isn't finished elegantly, but otherwise the Colorado has a clean, modern look. The Crew Cab looks 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 Crew Cabs. A two-position locking tailgate, which opens to 55 degrees or to fully horizontal, provides more cargo utility. When the tailgate is partway down, the Colorado can carry a 4-by-8 foot sheet of plywood flat, supported by the wheel wells and the rear edge of the tailgate. The ZQ8 Sport models look slammed with their lower ride height. In fact, they ride 3.5 inches lower than the standard 2WD Colorado, with a ground clearance of just 5 inches. The standard Colorado has 8.5 inches of ground clearance, 2WD or 4WD. The Z71 off-road suspension raises the ground clearance to 9.3 inches, 2WD or 4WD. All Crew Cab and Extended Cab models ride on a 126-inch wheelbase, while regular cab models ride on a 111-inch wheelbase. Overall length is 207 inches for all but regular cabs, which are 193 inches. Overall height is about 65 inches for the standard Z85 suspension, 66.3 inches with 4WD; 63.5 inches for the low-rider ZQ8 Sport models; 67 inches for the Z71 off-road models, 2WD and 4WD. Chevrolet dealers offer a range of accessories, including a bed extender, hard and soft tonneau covers, tubular assist steps and splash guards. All can be installed at the time of delivery and can be financed as part of the deal.
The interior of the Chevrolet Colorado is swathed in hard plastic that's not finger friendly but should prove to be durable, important in a pickup truck. Inside door releases feel solid and sturdy, but have the same hard feel. The leather-wrapped steering wheel, however, is well cushioned and feels good in hand and should remain comfortable for the long haul. The front bucket seats are wide and soft, but both cloth and leather versions lack lateral support. Getting into the Z71 off-road models requires stepping up. Specifically, Z71's step-in height is 22 inches, compared with 21.4 for the standard 4WD suspension, 18.4 with 2WD, and just 16.5 for the low-riding ZQ8 Sport. Each door panel has a molded map pocket contoured for a bottle or can. The center console has cup holders that look capable of handling a variety of drink containers. The center arm rest opens into a small storage space, big enough for a large wallet, but 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 easy to read and doesn't hide its functionality with artsy markings. This practical approach continues to the center stack. No ground-breaking innovation here, just straightforward knobs and dials that don't require a postgraduate degree to operate. Turning on the dome light requires fumbling around for a small thumbwheel, however, which we found difficult while navigating in pre-dawn darkness. For this reason, we recommend the optional electrochomic (automatic-dimming) rearview mirror ($175), which features map lights, compass and outside temperature display. The Crew Cab's back seat is surprisingly comfortable, particularly when compared with the back seats of past compact crew cabs. There's a reasonable amount of leg room, especially with a little cooperation from those sitting in front, and the seat height is comfortably high. The seatback angles back slightly, making it more comfortable than the bolt-upright backrest found in some pickups. The wide cabin provides enough shoulder room for adult males, but don't expect the width of a full-size cab. Getting in and out of the back is a little awkward because the door is relatively narrow and you have to swing your feet in to clear the wide B-pillar (the post between the front and rear doors). Forget about sitting in the back of an Extended Cab. It has back seats, but they're only good for hauling kids and only then for short distances. The rear seats flip down, providing a good place for cargo and, with modifications, it would be okay for a medium-size dog. The rear doors swing open suicide style. |
