Chevrolet Colorado. Versatile traveler
The Chevrolet Colorado and its analogue GMC Canyon are a series of initially compact and later mid-sized utility pickups of General Motors. In 2004, the manufacturer released the Colorado to replace the Chevrolet S-10 and GMC S-15/Sonoma compact pickups and to compete with the Dodge Dakota and Ford Ranger, which came out a year earlier. The Colorado pickup was developed jointly by GM offices in North America and Brazil and the Japanese Isuzu, and the Japanese began selling their version back in 2002. The Colorado is an extremely functional, durable, strong, simple and reasonably comfortable pickup.
The first generation
It was produced from 2004 to 2012. The first generation Chevrolet Colorado (as well as the GMC Canyon) achieved the main marketing goal by surpassing the Ford Ranger in 2005 and 2006. The first Colorado was a compact, strong rear-wheel or four-wheel drive pickup with a standard, longer and 4-door cab. Most models came with a 2.8 liter 185 hp engine, but a 3.5-liter engine with 300 hp was also available. The engines were accompanied by a 4-speed automatic transmission. There were several versions: the standard Z85, the ZQ8 version with a lower and sportier suspension, the Xtreme ZQ8 with an optional off-road body kit.
In 2007 and 2009, the modernized Colorado managed to save the pickup segment. The fact is that in 2007 the global economic crisis hit General Motors hard. The Saab and Opel brands ‘collapsed’ in Europe and dragged GM along with them, so the Americans decided to dump the ‘European ballast’ and strengthen their positions in the domestic market. The American market traditionally loves moderately expensive but powerful working pickups. Therefore, the modernized Colorado came in handy in the United States. The exterior and interior did not undergo any special changes, as they were already good enough. But the engines became more powerful and dynamic. The entry-level model received a 5-speed manual transmission, and more productive models were equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission.
The second generation
In 2011, the manufacturer introduced the prototype of the new Colorado in Bangkok, Buenos Aires, Frankfurt and Sydney. The pickup was initially international, so there was nothing surprising in such a wide geographical spread. The production model hit the Los Angeles catwalk in 2013 and has remained on the market ever since, while its restyling took place in 2016. But so many changes have been made during this time that the latest version of the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado is practically a completely different vehicle.
The new Chevrolet Colorado is available in three different cab styles: Regular Cab (4.8m), Crew Cab (4.9m), Extended Cab (5.2m). The pickup looks very similar to the successful 2014 Chevrolet Silverado model. The entry-level Colorado had 16-inch steel wheels, power windows and door locks (no keyless access). The engine range has acquired a Duramax LWN engine with 308 hp, accompanied by a 6-speed manual gearbox.
GM Defense and U.S. Army TARDEC used the Colorado ZH2 version to build an experimental military fuel cell truck for long autonomous trips, unobtrusive to any tracker, with the ability to extract water, generate electricity directly on board and overcome the most difficult off-road conditions.
2021 model
The newest Chevrolet Colorado looks very cool. It gives the impression of not just a good working truck, but a sporty pickup that can bounce around any potholes. The design fully reflects its key qualities: day-to-day functionality, broad off-road capability and impressive towing and payload performance.
The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado features a 3.4-inch driver monitor, 8-inch color touchscreen infotainment screen, multiple USB drives, Wi-Fi, OnStar and MyLink systems with gesture and voice recognition, and other advanced features. However, the interior trim corresponds to the working class, which implies cheap finishing materials, simple seats, as well as durable and ascetic ceiling. Thus, the interior is fully suitable for a worker wearing tarpaulin boots and a helmet. At the same time, there are plenty of storage options, including a deep box in the center console and a generous storage compartment under the rear seat, for the best cargo capacity in its class.
Chevrolet claims the new Colorado is the most powerful pickup in its segment. The base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine produces 193 hp and 253 Nm of torque. The 3.6-liter engine generates 302 hp (224 kW) and 366 Nm of torque. With such engines and a cargo body kit, the Colorado is capable of towing 3,039 kg.
In 2020, the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) was released. It is based on the Colorado ZR2. This is a new full-time high-speed light military all-terrain vehicle of the US Army. It quickly moves across any terrain, carries 9 terminators, it can be attached to Black Hawk and Chinook and sent to the rear of the enemy from the air. The fact that the Colorado was chosen as the basis for the saboteur's combat vehicle once again shows the exceptional versatility of this vehicle.
The 2021/2022 Chevrolet Colorado received four stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This is certainly not the best rating, but very good for a working truck. At the same time, the pickup is well-equipped with advanced safety options:
- six standard airbags;
- side curtain airbags to protect the head;
- rear view camera system;
- forward collision warning;
- lane departure warning system;
- StabiliTrak ESP;
- rollover prevention system;
- trailer swing control system;
- hill start assist and hill descent control.
The Colorado target audience will be especially pleased with a full set of design and electronic working functions. Moreover, with its own length of more than 5 meters, the pickup can turn around on a spot with a diameter of 12.5 meters.
