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Writer's Notes
2004 Chevy Colorado Specifications:
Base price: $15,000-$16,000 (estimated)
Engine: 2.8-liter inline-4 (175 hp @5,600 rpm, 185 lb.-ft. @2,800 rpm) or 3.5-liter inline-5 (220 hp @5,600 rpm, 225 lb.-ft. @2,800 rpm)
Transmission: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 111.3-125.9 in.
Length: 192.4-207 in.
Width: 67.6 in.
Height: 64.8 in.
Head/hip/legroom:
Regular cab: 40/53/42 in.
Extended cab: front: 39.3/53/42 in.; rear: 37.9/57.6/23.1 in.
Crew Cab: front: 39.3/53/42 in.; rear: 38.3/53/34.7 in.
Curb weight, lbs.: 3351-4150
Fuel economy: NA
Safety equipment: Dual-stage frontal airbags with passenger deactivation; available side-curtain airbags; Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) anchor system for child seats; front disc and rear drum brakes with ABS
Standard equipment includes air conditioning; a locking, removable dual-position tailgate; four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS); and driver and front passenger frontal airbags with dual-stage inflators.
5 questions about the Chevrolet Colorado
Where is the Colorado built, when does it go on sale and what will its pricing be? Built at GM's Shreveport, LA assembly plant. On sale in November, Colorado pricing starts at $16, 200 (includes a dealer freight charge of $635) for the base 2WD Regular Cab; $18, 645 for the Extended Cab 2WD Crew Cab; $20, 670 for the LS 2WD Crew Cab; $23, 230 for the LS 4WD Crew Cab.
How about options? Options and their pricing are as follows: The Power Convenience Group ($500); Comfort Convenience Group ($395); additional options include side curtain airbags ($195); XM Satellite Radio ($325); OnStar ($695);Trailer hitch and wiring ($255) and traction control for the two-wheel-drive models with the G80 locking differential ($295).
What are its best features? This all-new midsized pickup comes with new engines and transmissions; enhanced safety features and quietness; and a wide array of cab and suspension configurations. Chevy claims its Colorado is "segment leading", with the most horsepower in its class in its base engine; exclusive head curtain airbags; the most interior volume on regular and crew cabs; the largest bed volume; an exclusive dual-position locking tailgate; and the most tie-downs.
How many different versions does the Colorado come in? Colorado comes in three cab styles, there trim levels, with two drive lines, two engines (I5 and I4), two transmissions, and three suspensions. Its 2wd crew cab is a new offering.
Any complaints? One complaint was the tire squeal evident with tight corners, even when taken a fairly slow speed. And, being avid 4wd enthusiasts, we were disappointed that we had no opportunity to take it into the woods and off-road tracks of the Green Mountain State.
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Although it shares styling cues with the larger Silverado pickup and Trailblazer SUV, the all-new Chevy Colorado is not a miniature version of either. Instead, the Colorado uses a distinct body-on-frame construction that was specifically designed and engineered to serve a mid-size truck. The new truck replaces the last generation S10, just as GMC's Canyon relieves the existing Sonoma of duty. Both new trucks, however, are larger (wheelbases and overall lengths have grown a few inches) than their compact counterparts and therefore can be considered 'mid-size' trucks. EPA classification, however, remains 'compact pickup'.
Beefier styling
Compared to looks of the S10, the new Colorado's styling is more upright and pronounced, especially in the front. The headlamps sit tall and are accentuated by the large horizontal chrome bar (with the signature Chevy emblem) that splits the grille and lighting fixtures. This feature also appears on the Silverado, Trailblazer, and redesigned Malibu. Along the sides, fender flares increase width, while body moldings on the door bottoms protect sheetmetal.
Inline torque
All '04 Colorados arrive standard with a 2.8-liter inline-4 that generates 175-hp. at 5,600-rpm and 185-lb.-ft. of torque at 2,800-rpm. The larger 3.5-liter inline-5 is optional on every trim model. This engine produces 220-hp. and 225-lb.-ft of torque. Inline technology allows peak torque to be accessed across a broad rpm range - up to 90-percent is available from 1200-5600-rpm on the 2.8-liter and from 1400-5200-rpm on the 5-cylinder. Both mills are derived from the existing 4.2-liter Vortec inline-6 that serves the Trailblazer. In fact, three-quarters of the components on the new engines are shared with the inline-6. Between the 4- and 5-cylinder powerplants, almost 90-percent of the parts are common.
Both new engines feature all-aluminum construction, dual overhead cams, and four valves per cylinder. A high 10:1 compression ratio, electronic throttle control, and exhaust cam phasing are features shared with the existing 6-cylinder.
A 5-speed manual transmission is fitted as standard equipment behind both engines. The tranny is designed to respond to high-torque situations, and is calibrated to provide smoother shifts, better launches, and increased fuel efficiency. For the driver who prefers two pedals to three, a Hydra-Matic 4-speed automatic transmission is available on all Colorados. The maximum trailer weight for a 5-cylinder automatic version is close to 4000-lbs.
Structured for trucking
The Colorado rides on a ladder-type frame meant to increase torsional stiffness and durability. On 2WD models, the front suspension is independent and uses coil springs, while 4WD trucks get torsion bars up front. Both drive lines use live rear axles with leaf springs.
Stopping power originates in dual-piston front disc brakes and rear drums, with standard ABS. Several wheel and tire combinations are available, from base 15-in. steel wheels with 205/75R15 all-season tires to 17X8-in. aluminum wheels wrapped in P235/50R17 low-profile radials. Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering guides the Colorado through bends.
4WD models get a shift-on-the-fly system that activates via a dashboard switch. 2WD trucks are available with traction control, and an automatic locking differential can enhance both 2WD and 4WD models, with either engine choice.
4WD models get a shift-on-the-fly system that activates via a dashboard switch. 2WD trucks are available with traction control, and an automatic locking differential can enhance both 2WD and 4WD models, with either engine choice.
Several configurations
Interior layouts vary, depending on cab choice. Regular Cabs provide seating for two or three as either two buckets or a 60/40 bench seat are available. The Extended Cab version employs four doors and can accommodate up to five if the rear bench seats are chosen. Crew Cab models offer a 60/40-split folding rear bench and can seat six.
Chevy recognized safety concerns when designing the Colorado. The new truck comes standard with dual-stage frontal airbags, with a passenger deactivation switch in Regular Cab and Extended Cab models, without rear seats. Side-curtain airbags are optional. Small children benefit from the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system that helps ground child seats. Regular Cabs feature this technology in the front seat, while the Extended and Crew Cabs use it in the rear.
Heated leather seats, remote locking, OnStar, and XM Satellite Radio are all optional. Also available is a driver information center that communicates vital information, such as remaining oil life.
Drive Time
You might have expected that we would drive the all-new Colorado in the state it was named for-we did. But, instead, we drove it on some of the wonderful snaking roads of northern Vermont. How did it perform? There's lots to like, with plenty of power to scoot it along and enough towing capacity (4,000 lbs.) ferry small campers or a trailer with two wave runners. We liked its utility with the two-tier loading open tailgate that will accommodate 4 x 8 sheets of plywood and the forward-facing rear seats, instead of the side-facing, as in the past generation. We enjoyed its ride overall and found steering and braking do their respective jobs effectively. One complaint, however, was the tire squeal evident with tight corners, even when taken a fairly slow speed. And, being avid 4wd enthusiasts, we were disappointed that we had no opportunity to take it into the woods and off-road tracks of the Green Mountain State.
Personalization
Exterior customization is optional for owners seeking a bit more flair. Chrome tubular steps and molded splash guards provide both functional and visual enhancement. The cargo area is better protected if bed-rail and tailgate edge moldings are chosen, and the entire space grows when the bed extender, which lengthens the box, is ordered. Two tonneau covers - one hard, one soft - protect items stored in the box. Hard covers are lockable and fold into position behind the cab, while the soft version is snapless and allows the vehicle operator to access cargo through the tailgate without removing the cover.
All options installed before delivery are covered under GM's Bumper-to-Bumper warranty. Parts permanently attached by a GM dealer after purchase are insured for no less than 12 months or 12,000 miles. Built at GM's Shreveport, LA assembly plant, Colorado goes on sale in November, with pricing starting at $16, 200 (includes a dealer freight charge of $635).
--Story by Sue Mead
Sue Mead works as a photojournalist and features writer for more than two dozen publications. She has written for Parade, Popular Science, Open Road, the Road & Track Buyers Guide, Men's Journal, Popular Mechanics and Diversion and she has worked as an auto editor for CNN/fn. Sue has co-driven in two of the world's toughest off-road races, the Baja 1000 and the Paris-Dakar Raid. She attended four Camel Trophy adventures for Land Rover North America and has participated in several long-distance adventure drives. She recently completed her first book, "Monster Trucks and Tractors" published by Chelsea House. Sue lives in New England.
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