2017 Chevrolet Colorado LT 4×4 – Road Test

Over the decades I’ve driven every pickup truck available in North America. From beat-up work trucks to $70,000 luxury versions and everything in between – I even own one, but I’d never consider myself a “truck” person. I see the value in owning one because I use mine for what it was designed to do – haul stuff and tow trailers. So why did I book one to test? Well, Ford in their infinite wisdom cancelled the Ranger back in 2011 and won’t get around to building a new one until the 2019 model year. I love my Ranger, but if something ever happened to it, I couldn’t replace it (why Ford won’t import the one they already have around the world – only they know the answer to that). I do not need and will not buy, a full-size truck and the other similar Ranger-sized trucks haven’t impressed me – but will Chevrolet? Let’s find out…

What Is It?

Mid-sized Pickup Truck
4×4 Crew Cab, Short Box,
6L V6 engines with an 8-speed automatic Transmission
Seating for 5 people
Max Payload: 1,548 lbs
Max Conventional Trailering: 7,000 lbs
Optional Duramax® 2.8L Turbo-Diesel (181hp and 369 lb.-ft torque)

How Does It Look?

I really like the look of the Colorado. Parked beside my Ford Ranger it makes the Ranger look really old – 1980’s old
A lot of pickup trucks look very awkward when they have a 4-door/CrewCab version – the length of the bed makes or breaks the look – The Colorado has a good balance – the shorter bed on this Colorado is just right, although it can be ordered with an additional 12 inches in length
I loved the Rear bumper with the corner step – it makes it so much easier to get in and out of the bed

What’s It Like Inside?

I was shocked and stunned when I got the keys to the Colorado…there’s a key AND a FOB…seriously?!! What is it 1990 all over again?
Manual/power 6-way driver and 4-way front passenger seats are very comfortable and have something I’ve never seen before in a truck – heated seats that give you a choice of just the seat or the seat and heated back (part of the Luxury package)
My usual pet-peeve with GM vehicles over the years has been that there is nowhere near enough support under the knees with the seat cushion usually ending ½ way under my thighs. Surprisingly, there is no issue what-so-ever with Colorado – two thumbs up!
Rear seats have 60/40 split and fold flat making it useful for stuff you don’t want in the bed. The seat cushions also flip up to allow access to a very small storage area, and allow a different option for transporting larger items
Getting in and out is very good, I’d expected issues with the size of the rear doors
Once you’ve hauled yourself up into the cab, the seatback is quite upright and obviously not adjustable for rake, but the seat cushion is comfortable
One thing of serious note however – there are no grab handles on the A pillar to help getting into the Colorado (passenger or driver) – that’s a serious oversight especially considering it’s a 4×4
An 8-inch colour touch-screen in the centre of the instrument panel puts infotainment etc. within reach
The optional Bose 7-speaker (incl. sub-woofer) is extremely good and well worth the additional money – you have to purchase the Navigation if you want it though
According to GM/Chevrolet: “there’s no quieter midsize truck on the road today…because of the inlaid triple-sealed doors, thick windshield and side glass, and liquid-applied sound deadener to help keep outside noise out…” Without a doubt – it’s an extremely quiet interior, so they’ve got the process worked out perfectly
Every time you switch off the Colorado there’s a “bing” and a message is displayed telling you to look in the rear of the vehicle… I’m assuming that’s for parents that regularly forget they have kids, and not to see if you’ve unwittingly given Freddie Kruger a lift somewhere…

So How Quick Is It & How Does It Handle?

With over 300 hp and 275 -ft of torque, it’s very brisk off the line
The comfort level is exceptional
The suspension and handling is very good, making it feel and drive more like an SUV than a pickup truck
If feels solid and never has that bouncy, bumpy feel you usually get in a pickup truck where you feel the back end will kick out at any second (like my Ranger)

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Horsepower: 308 @6,800 rpm
Torque (lb.-ft): 275 @4,000 rpm
Top Speed: 160 km/h
0 – 100 km/h: 6.1 seconds
Towing Capacity: 7,000 lbs

What Does It Cost?
To Buy… For up-to-date pricing and options in your region visit: www.chevrolet.ca
Base: $36,310 // As Tested: $43,495

To Operate…

(L/100 km) is rated at: City – 14.0 / Highway – 9.9 / Combined – 12.2
I averaged a very consistent and impressive 10.9 – 11.1 L/100 km regardless of how I drove it over the entire week

Noteworthy Standard Features

- Rear camera
- Stability and Traction Control
- Leather-wrapped heated steering wheel
- Tilt and telescope wheel
- Locking tailgate
- Chevrolet MyLink with an 8-inch diagonal color touch-screen display

Chevrolet Complete Care: 2 years/48,000 km of complimentary Lube-Oil-Filter maintenance service, a 3-year/60,000 km New Vehicle Limited Warranty, a 5‑year/160,000km Powertrain warranty and 5 years/160,000 km of Roadside Assistance

The Competition
GMC Canyon, Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good: Even the base model comes very well appointed
The Good: Ride, handling and comfort level are top class
The Bad: Typical GM – there are a billion options available, but you have to add different options/packages to the purchase to get the one item you actually want
The Ugly: I can honestly say – I can’t find anything ugly about the Colorado – great fit and finish all round

What’s The Verdict?
I’ve never understood anyone that would buy a pickup truck and not use it for the purpose that it was intended – until now. The 2017 Chevrolet Colorado is a truck you can be comfortable driving and using – like an SUV, but have the capacity to toss stuff in the back and tow a trailer should the mood strike you. This is a truck you CAN live with every day. Would I buy one if something happened to my Ranger? Absolutely!! Though there are still some trade-offs for interior cargo space … you really need to decide if you need a truck or an SUV.