Midsize Trucks Are Making a Comeback
When you live in Colorado, you need a vehicle that's part people mover, part toy hauler, part off-roader, and part highway cruiser – you need a Chevy Colorado. Smaller than its full-size big brother, the Silverado, the Colorado is Chevrolet's entry into the revitalized mid-size truck market. And if we had to guess, we'd bet that Chevrolet had the Centennial State in mind when they built it. That's because the Colorado offers features things that no other truck in its class (excluding its GMC cousin) can offer, and they're particularly useful to those who dwell near mountains.
So let's get the basics out of the way. Most trucks in this segment offer much of the same benefits. You can get a Tacoma, a Frontier, and the like with an extended cab or a crew cab. They all offer 4-wheel-drive, adequate ground clearance, and V6 engines. And more often than not, you'll be able to tow a covered Uhaul trailer or haul a piece of furniture somewhere.
However, that's about where the similarities end.
The Colorado – in regular trim – appears more road oriented, at least more so than its competition, which makes sense. Most trucks spend the majority of their time cruising the highway, and as we all know, getting to our favorite parts of Colorado require lots of miles. That's not to say, it can't off-road. It'll get you wherever your heart desires, but unless you're going to Moab, there's no reason to sacrifice the road manners and efficiency. For that, you can get the Colorado ZL2.
But speaking of efficiency, the Colorado is the only truck in its class to offer a diesel. Rated at nearly 30 MPG on the highway, the Colorado is not only one of the most fuel-efficient offerings, but with its 7,700-lb towing rating, one of the most capable. To put that in perspective, that's about the same efficiency as a 6-cylinder Subaru Legacy, and that's absolutely astonishing from a truck.
In select trims, you can get a Colorado with remote start, heated seats, and Apple Carplay. Yet, the Colorado lacks electronic safety offerings like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, parking sensors, and automated braking. To be honest, though, those things are easy to live without and I find it to be part of the Colorado's ruggedness.
The fact that I can get nearly 30 MPG when I'm cruising out on the eastern plains, or tow the boat/ATVs/snowmobiles up to Grand Lake with the same rig is enough for me. I just might have to sneak up to Tyrrell Chevrolet and pick one up.
What are your thoughts? Do you have a Colorado? If so, what do you think of it? Let us know in the comments below!
