Back in the Saddle: 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Pickup Truck
After a brief hiatus from the corporate line-up, the Chevrolet Colorado mid-size pickup truck is poised to make a return. The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is an all-new midsize pickup with the style and versatility of a truck and the refinement, maneuverability and efficiency of a crossover. The all-new midsize Chevrolet pickup is tailored to the needs of customers in North America with distinctive design cues and a quiet, comfortable interior that offers car and crossover amenities.
The 2015 Colorado is available in four-door extended- or crew-cab models; Base, Work Truck (WT), LT and Z71 trim levels; and 5’2” or 6’2” cargo box lengths. With the tailgate down, the 6’2” bed allows hauling of eight foot long items. The Colorado’s North American design is unique, with a confident stance and a sporty demeanor. Taller bedsides, for example, are exclusive to North America and match the aggressive, raked belt line of the cab, creating a distinctive proportion that reinforces the truck’s athleticism while better securing items stored in the bed.
The new Chevrolet pickup features triple-sealed doors inlaid in the body sides, like the larger Silverado, for improved aerodynamic performance and a quieter interior. To help keep overall mass down, lightweight materials such as a segment-first aluminum hood are used. It also offers the segment’s first active aero grille shutters, designed to enhance aerodynamics when closed.
Power for the new pickup truck is generated by a choice of a 2.5L four-cylinder or 3.6L V-6 engines. Torque is communicated to the ground through an Eaton N8D six-speed manual gearbox or Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic transmission. The available four-wheel drive system employs an electronically controlled transfer case that allows the drive to shift from 2WD to 4WD. The driver can select from three modes: 2WD, 4WD HI or 4WD Lo.
Colorado’s innovative solutions for hauling and accessing cargo include: standard CornerStep rear bumper design; EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgate that uses an internal torsion bar to make raising the tailgate easier with one hand, and a damper for more-controlled lowering (Z71); standard locking tailgate; standard two-tier loading that allows a platform to effectively split the bed into upper and lower sections; thirteen standard tie-down locations throughout the bed for use with available, movable cargo tie-down rings; standard bed rail and tailgate protectors; and available factory-installed spray-in bed liner.
The Colorado rides on a robust fully boxed perimeter frame – like the larger Silverado. Control hardware includes a coil-over-type front suspension that features aluminum knuckles that are low in mass and high in strength. At the rear of the truck, suspension hardware includes a traditional solid axle with semi-elliptic two-state multi-leaf springs and twin-tube shock absorbers. The G80 automatic locking rear axle is standard on Z71 models.
Inside the passenger cabin, the Colorado blends cues from Silverado with a style all its own. A bold, upright instrument panel with large controls and a center console with a floor-mounted shifter greet the driver. Designers paid exceptional attention to detail and premium appointments, including a sculpted headliner that enhances headroom, halo lighting on key controls for easier view and an open area at the front of the center console for easier phone charging. The Z71 model features exclusive color and trim details, including embossed seatbacks and contrast stitching.
Additional interior details include: sculpted door panels that make it easier to enter and exit the vehicle; upper-instrument panel storage bin – when not equipped with the uplevel audio system; standard center console with room to store a tablet; and door-to-door rear under-seat storage that offers additional concealed cargo management in the cabin.
The Colorado’s seats are designed for long-haul comfort and wear, too. They use dual-firmness foam for greater comfort on long drives and high-wear, stain-resistant cloth seating trim. Leather-appointed seating is available.
Comfort is enhanced with technologies, connectivity and other features that support owners’ daily and recreational lives including a 3.5-inch-diagonal driver information screen in the instrument cluster.
Dimensions & specifications
Extended Cab
Wheelbase: 128.3; overall length: 212.7; width: 74.3; height: 70.4 (70.3/4WD)
Crew Cab – standard cargo box (5’2”)
Wheelbase: 128.3; overall length: 212.7; width: 74.3; height: 70.7 (70.6/4WD)
Crew Cab – long cargo box (6’2”)
Wheelbase: 140.5; overall length: 224.9; width: 74.3; height: 70.6 (70.5/4WD)
All vehicle measurements are in inches.
Engine: 2.5L four-cylinder – 200 hp at 6,300 and 191 lbs-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm; 3.6L V6 – 305 hp at 6,800 rpm and 269 lbs-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.
Transmission: six-speed manual, six-speed automatic
EPA Fuel Economy: 2.5L four-cylinder – (2WD) – 19 city/26 hwy. (manual), 20 city/27 hwy. (automatic); (4WD) – 19 city/25 hwy.; 3.6L V6 – 18 city/26 hwy. (2WD), 17 city/24 hwy. (4WD).
Payload capacity: 1,590 lbs.
Towing capacity: 7,000 lbs (3.6L V6 w/Z82 Trailering Package)
Safety features
Dual front airbags, front seat mounted side-impact airbags, dual head curtain side-impact airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock brake assist, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, hill start assist, rear vision camera, daytime running lamps, engine immobilizer, and tire pressure monitoring system. 2LT adds Bluetooth hands free phone system, OnStar communications system, and alarm system. 2Z7 adds remote vehicle starter system, front fog lamps, automatic locking differential, hill decent control, and full-size spare tire.
Warranty
Basic: 3-year/36,000 mile
Powertrain: 5-year/100,000 mile
Corrosion: 6-year/100,000 mile
Roadside Assistance: 5-year/100,000 mile 24-hour
Pricing
The base Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck starts from $20,120 for the Extended Cab models and $27,110 for the Crew Cab models. Destination charges add $875.
