GM describes its 2015 Colorado as an all-new, midsize pickup with the style and versatility of a truck and the refinement, manoeuvrability and efficiency of a crossover. The brand hopes it will appeal to those who want some respectable capability in a truck but are looking for ease of manoeuvrability and better fuel economy ratings.
The 200 horsepower, 2.5-litre, two-wheel drive Colorado models get a fuel consumption rating of 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway. That jumps slightly to 9.2 litres per 100 kilometres for the 305 horsepower, 3.6-litre V-6 models, making driving one of these to town a little easier on the pocketbook than piloting a full-sized truck.
Despite its smaller size, the Colorado can still muster up a decent trailer towing rating of 7,000 pounds (3,175 kilograms) with the V-6 under the hood.
“Many people like the ‘can-do’ spirit of a truck, but they want a vehicle that is easier to manoeuvre in traffic and easier to park at work or at home,” says Tony Johnson, Colorado marketing manager. “For them, bigger is not necessarily better.”
How much smaller is a Colorado? The cab and bed configuration choices include an extended cab model with a 6-foot, 2-inch bed, a crew cab with a 5-foot, 2-inch bed and a crew cab with a 6-foot, 2-inch bed. With the tailgate down, the longest bed can haul 8-foot-long loads.
Models and trim levels include the base WT, LT and Z71. The off-road-inspired Z71 features a gunmetal grille surround — a change from the chrome standard on the other models — projector headlamps and 17-inch aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires.
A pretty good chunk of the options available on its big brother, the Silverado, trickle down to the Colorado, too. Things like a spray-in bed liner, EZ lift-and-lower tailgate and connectivity features inside the cab.
The Colorado also gets six standard airbags and GM’s StabilliTrack and trailer sway control systems for safety along with Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning, which uses camera-based technology to warn a driver of potential crash threats.
The Colorado recently began production at GM’s Wentzville assembly plant and hit the market in late 2014.
