2017 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab LT Review and Test Drive

I had the new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado for review in late 2014, just after it was named the Motor Trend Truck of the Year, a bit of a surprise for all of us who expected the all-new, all-aluminum 2015 Ford F-150 to walk away with the award.

My review truck this week is the 4-wheel drive LT short box Crew Cab and it is nicely equipped.  It is red in color with the black interior, and it has the 3.6-liter V6 and a 6-speed automatic transmission.  You can get a 200-horse 4-cylinder if you wish, and you can also get a 4-cylinder Duramax diesel putting out 181-horses, but it has a ton of torque.

Let’s talk size for a moment; this is NOT a compact truck. 

It is mid-sized truck with plenty of room inside for five adults, and lots of rear seat room.  Colorado comes in plenty of different configurations including a base model which starts at about $21,000, the Work Truck (W/T) that starts about $31,700, then on to the LT like I am testing which starts at $34,465, and finally to the top-of-the-line Z71 which has a base price of $36,500.

Notable standard equipment on the LT includes hill descent control, rearview camera, keyless entry, tow hooks, power driver’s seat, cast aluminum wheels, and steering wheel controls. 

Everything inside operates by an 8” color touch screen that lets you choose a suite of apps, including one that turns the inside of the cab into a Wi-Fi hotspot.  Front seats are bucket with a center shift transmission.  The seats are comfortable and appear to be of high-quality materials.  The Colorado is pleasing to look at and drive, and it is very quiet inside, even at highway speeds.

I love that the Teen Driver system comes standard on this package. 

If your kid likes to borrow your car, this Colorado will be their worst nightmare. In the settings on MyLink, you can set up Teen Driver, which can only be changed by use of a PIN. The settings take effect when you hand your kid, or a valet, a particular key fob.

From there, parents can learn how far their child has driven, how fast they’ve gone, and how many times they braked hard.  Teen Driver automatically mutes the radio until front safety belts are fastened. Additionally, the radio system’s maximum volume can also be set. The system will also make sure all safety features are automatically turned on. Parents can select a maximum speed between 40-75 mph, which, if exceeded, activates a visual warning and audible chime, letting the teen know that the info will be recorded on the report card.  This could be a lifesaver.

It also has the terrific GM rear seat reminder as standard equipment. 

If you open either of the back passenger doors, the next time you turn the vehicle off, a chime sounds and a warning flashes on the dash to check the back seat.  This of course is primarily to keep people from leaving a child in the back seat by accident, which happens way too much in America.  This is a great first step to eliminate this problem and I expect other automakers to offer something similar soon.

Options on my tester are the Luxury Package, which gives you a power front passenger seat, dual lumbar supports, automatic temperature controlled air, heated seats, and power heated mirrors.  That will set you back $1080.

It also has $1000 worth of 18” Dark Argent cast aluminum wheels, leather seats that run $950, the Convenience Package for $690 that gets you remote start, sliding rear window with defroster, fog lamps, and the EZ lift and lower tailgate.  Here is a bargain; for $395 be sure to get the Safety Package which is forward collision alert and lane departure warning.

The Colorado is a very enjoyable truck. 

It is capable of towing 7000 pounds with this 6-cylinder, it would be terrific for people who want to go off road or stay on the pavement, and it has a lot of standard safety features.   

I like this truck a lot, and since I had the Colorado in 2014, GM has gotten aggressive with incentives and now I consider it to be a good buy.  I love the Silverado and if you need the extra room, it’s not a huge step up in price.  However, the Colorado is easier to park and make U-turns in and has plenty of room in the cab.

I get asked a lot to compare the Colorado to the 2016 Toyota Tacoma.  Honestly, I think the Tacoma will go farther with fewer problems, but for me, the Colorado rides better and is an overall more enjoyable truck.

Photo Credit: Chevrolet