During the ‘90s, the market was awash in light, compact trucks. But where

It made a big splash when it came out a few years back, and the Colorado is still going strong. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

did they go? They grew up (and bulked up). Their makers sent them to the gym, instilling dreams of towing thousands of pounds more, and being able to bear the burden of many extra kilos in their beds. As a result, there really isn’t much of a compact pickup truck segment anymore, they’re all really more like midsize trucks, and a lot of them aren’t as much fun as they used to be; those bigger frames need bigger motors and heavier duty suspension components. These things add up to high prices, which might make you think twice about tackling your favourite trail just for the fun of it. On the contrary, Chevrolet’s Colorado is a great reminder of what fun small trucks can be.

Like every other small truck, there are many choices to be made when it comes to buying, including possibilities such as cab and bed lengths, driving wheels and engines. If anything, it’s the last category that always raises eyebrows. The base engine for the Colorado is a stout 185-hp 2.9-litre inline-four that actually out-muscles just about every other four-cylinder truck on the market. That’s pretty good if you’re fuel conscious - there’s no point in sacrificing too much capability in the name

Z71 sticker indicates a Colorado that's prepped for exploring the landscape. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

of eking out that little bit extra. You can have it with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.

The other motor is a little more unusual. It’s the 3.7-litre Vortec inline-five, which was upgraded from the 3.5-litre engine that was launched a couple of years ago, and comes standard with a column shift four-speed automatic. To the best of my knowledge it's the first and only five-cylinder truck ever made, and you know what, despite lacking the extra cylinder that most trucks in this segment have, it works just fine. It has plenty of torque, and aside from a warbly exhaust note that can barely be heard under normal driving conditions, there’s no reason to consider it inferior to any V6. This engine is also shared with the Hummer H3, so you know it’s going to be durable and capable, and so equipped a Colorado can tow 1,814 kg (4,000 lbs) plus a max payload of 957 kg (1,733 lbs). At one point in time, GM considered slotting the 5.3-litre V8 from the H3 Alpha into the Colorado's engine bay, but that’s not on the bill anymore. You can blame the high price of fuel for that one. Either way it would have made for one mean

The interior's nothing special, but it's attractive for its class and is functional. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

4x4, and would’ve certainly rained on the Dakota’s parade as it wouldn’t be the only “small” V8-powered truck.

Part of the appeal of the Colorado, at least for me, is that it’s a good looking truck, particularly if it’s decked out with the Off-Road Z71 package. The heavy duty springs and monotube shocks lift it off the ground an additional three inches for better clearance, and its 15-inch wheels are wrapped in some of the sturdiest tires I’ve seen in quite some time. Skid plates are included too. It can be added onto any cab style too, so if you want a fun single-cab for off-roading, it can be done.

Normally, off-road biased trucks ride like real trucks, but I’m pleased to say that the Colorado is actually quite comfortable, and not just when you’re out hitting the trails. Its combination of fat sidewall tires yields comfort levels that are well above what’s to be expected in this class. Around town, and even over potholes that could double as bathtubs, the Colorado doesn't get crashy or too upset. The downside to this setup is that it’s a bit soft, and body lean negatively affects cornering. Combined with that torque rich engine, and watch out - this truck

Not a Mega Cab, but a Crew Cab. It'll seat four in relative comfort. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

may catch you off guard. This isn’t to say all Colorados ride and handle like this; the Xtreme performance truck with its low profile rubber sounds as if it would be a much different story. And with a frame that’s 250-percent stiffer than the outgoing S-10, the Colorado is also free of squeaks and rattles.

Hop inside, and it’s instantly a trip down memory lane for anyone that remembers GM products of the ‘90s. While GM has made quite an effort to up its standards overall, the retro look is fitting in a rough and tumble truck like this. Its cloth seats have soft, squishy foam that helps to absorb some of the aforementioned shock, and the driving position is actually quite comfortable, helped along in this case by an eight-way power driver’s seat. If it gets dirty or muddy, the plastic on the doors, console and dash cleans up well, and all surfaces look and feel as if they’re fit to deal with a hard life. The buttons, switches and knobs, such as those used for the stereo or transfer case, are rounded and chunky - easy to deal with while wearing work gloves. And yet, with its silver-painted accent trim, the Colorado isn’t as dark or as dated looking as either of its domestic rivals. It’ll be interesting to see what Chevy will do with its next-generation small truck, as it's certainly shown that it can produce a class-leading cabin with the Silverado.

If you’re a family guy (or gal) and you’ve always had a big pickup, the Colorado might be an amicable solution to the problem of high fuel prices. It might not tow or haul as much as your half ton, but when equipped as a Crew Cab it’s fairly spacious inside. Sitting in the back seat I found my knees rubbed up against the front seatback, but I fit in without any discomfort. It’s even better for kids, and if they’re not very old the Colorado comes with LATCH attachments for children’s seats. Every Colorado gets standard ABS brakes and front airbags, but you will have to pay extra for side curtain airbags. GM’s StabiliTrak stability control system is currently not offered,

You couldn't miss these buttons if you tried. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

although that may change with pending regulations regarding stability control, which are slated to take place by the end of the decade.

That said, even as a Crew Cab with a short box (5’1”), the Colorado is perfectly equipped to deal with anyone’s weekend home reno projects. The box may not be long, but it’s deep, so volumetrically it can carry plenty of stuff, and the tailgate has a two-position setting that can be angled at 55-degrees, allowing a 4x8 sheet of plywood to be carried flat, atop the rear wheel arches. But, before you go loading up those barbecues, lawn mowers and mattresses, be sure to get a bedliner. This being an entry-level truck, it isn’t fitted as standard equipment from the factory. For the record, the bed’s length in extended and single cab versions is longer by one foot.

And that brings us to one very important part about small trucks: they’re

Go out there, have fun. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

affordable. Unlike that $60,000 half-ton Cowboy Cadillac, small trucks are supposed to be rugged, and ownership carefree. What good is having a fun truck if you’re too afraid to have fun with it? If you’re going to take your dirt bike to the best trails, you’re going to encounter some thorny brushes, rocks, and lots of gravel. Do it in style and comfort, yes, but don’t be afraid to get it dirty. Colorados are reasonably priced with in this regard, but like any truck, pack on those options and the price will go up. GM would like you to pay $34,255 for a Crew Cab 4X4 LT, such as this one, but with options such as those spangly chrome-plated wheels and the off-road package, sunroof and more, that rises sharply to a little over $40k. So, that might not be a particularly cheap truck, but compared to its rivals, it’s very well priced, and surely you’ll be able to haggle a bit with your local dealer.

At the end of the day, Chevrolet could very well be the winner by sticking to its guns and resisting the urge to make its Colorado a junior Silverado in capability and power. It wouldn’t be a surprise if others began to return to their roots, and downsize.

Specifications (Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab):
Price Range (MSRP): $34,255 - $43,585
Price as Tested (MSRP:): $40,780
Body Type: 4-door pick up truck
Layout: front engine, 4WD (std. 2WD)
Engine: 185-hp, 190 lb-ft torque of torque, 2.9L, 16-valve, DOHC I-4
Opt. Engine: 242-hp, 242 lb-ft of torque, 3.7L, 20-valve, DOHC I-5
Transmission: 5-speed manual (opt. 4-spd auto)
Tires: 235/75R15
Brakes (front/rear): disc/drum, ABS
Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 5,260 / 1,742 / 1,725 / 3,200 mm (207.1 / 68.6 / 67.9 / 126.0 in)
Curb Weight: 1,668 kg (3,677 lb)
Cargo Volume: 1,039 L (36.7 cu-ft)
Fuel Economy (I-5 4WD city/hwy): 14.4 / 9.6 L/100 km
Warranty (mo/km): 36/60,000 comprehensive - 60/160,000 powertrain
Competitors: Dodge Dakota, Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon, Mazda B-Series, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma
Web Site: www.chevrolet.gmcanada.com

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