2015 Chevrolet Colorado

But, not TOO small. That about sums up the new mid-sized Chevy Colorado pickup. Size is relevant. It’s definitely smaller the full-sized Silverado though.

I imagine a truck this would appeal to people from a few different categories: A) price shoppers—consider that the Silverado starts at over 26 grand, while a base Colorado can be had for as little as $20,120. B) size matters—let’s say your garage is like mine, a multiple-car structure built in the 1920s with individual doors. Not only would a Silverado not get through the opening, it would stick out a few feet and not allow closure of the door. And C) utility—consider how many people never fully utilize the bed to carry actual stuff, it may as well be a smaller space.

Have no fear, however, about the Colorado being puny. Approaching a crew cab short box truck last week, I really needed the (optional) assist steps, as it’s quite high and without the step you’re sure to dirty your pant legs on the way in. Once in, the front passenger compartment was roomy enough, with things well within reach; and I never got the feeling that the passenger door was in another zip code. The back doors of the crew cab have a good size opening, but after I got in I was a bit disappointed in the leg room with the driver’s seat in position for me. And I’m only six-feet tall; taller drivers might create quite a problem for an adult sitting behind them.

Looks? I think the Colorado (and its GMC twin the Canyon) are better-looking than their predecessors, but—and remember this is a personal preference—I think the small Japanese pickups have a leg up in the styling department.

Although not as complicated as the Silverado lineup, you still have body style choices: extended cab long box, crew cab short box, and crew cab long box. No regular cab is offered, nor is a short-bed crew cab, which I think is a shame. Only the Crew Cab is available as a base model, while all three body styles offer upgraded WT, LT, and Z71 trims. All but the base model are available in either two- or four-wheel drive.

What drives the new Colorado? The base model’s only powertrain choice is a 2.5L four-cylinder mounted to a six-speed manual transmission. A 3.6L DOHC V-6 is optional on all but the base model, and a six-speed automatic comes standard on some but not all of the upper-level models. Yes, this sounds complicated, but it’s not. Check Chevy’s website and go to the “build your own” section, or peruse the online brochure, where it should become clearer.

While there you’ll discover that maybe, just maybe, Chevy is trying to discourage buyers from choosing a base Colorado. Not only is the powertrain limited to one choice, but there are only three colors offered, and I’m sure you can guess what they are (black, white, and silver—the three most boring); moving up to a nicer, and more expensive, truck will yield you seven more exterior color choices and a couple of interior trims. All interiors however (save one, which has some dark blue thrown in), are drearily colored black or blackish).

The WT model, as you may have guessed, is being marketed as a work truck. It adds the V-6 and automatic (depending on body style), carpeting and carpeted mats, either dual rear seats (extended cab), or folding rear bench seat (crew cab), both with underseat storage.

The LT and Z71 models start getting a little more car-like in the equipment areas, with such goodies as OnStar, nicer rims, better audio, Bluetooth and USB connections, cruise, remote keyless entry, and eight-inch color touch-screen display on the LT; while the Z71 adds better headlamps, fog lamps, EZ Lift & Lower tailgate, automatic climate control, remote starter, power seats, and an electric rear window defogger.

Years ago the small pickup segment was booming. Not so much lately, but GM hopes to turn that around with these all-new entries.

I don’t see why it shouldn’t work.

more info at: chevrolet.com