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Chevy Colorado debuts
New pick-up truck replaces outdated S-10
Drew Dorian
Echo Online - Dimensions Editor
JUNE 15, 2004
When it comes to innovation, General Motors is rarely the segment leader. In the past year, however, the General has been slowly introducing their new product image with an all-new cast of cars, trucks and SUV’s.
One of the most important projects was revamping the GM family of compact pick-ups. The Chevrolet S-10 and its corporate twin, the GMC Sonoma, have been replaced, finally, with two brand new trucks.
The Chevrolet Colorado, which was provided to us by Carnahan Chevrolet of Ypsilanti, and its cousin, the GMC Canyon, are oodles better than the antiquated S-10/Sonoma trucks.
That’s not to say that the previous S-10 wasn’t a dedicated workhorse. It was. In fact, my younger brother has had his ’92 S-10 for quite a while and it has performed well and without much trouble. However, that truck exhibits quite a bit of the typical shake, rattle and roll seen in other S-10/Sonoma platform trucks.
The Colorado has a much stiffer frame and a much more comfortable cabin than the old model, exhibits much less cowl shake and seems less of a punishing ride than its predecessor.
Our tester, a well-equipped, two-wheel-drive crew cab model, included many innovative features not found on other trucks in its class. The crew cab also included many storage nooks to make stowing inside the cab a breeze. An area under the rear seats can store small items like a toolbox, laptop or textbooks. This provides an out-of-sight storage space for expensive items as well.
An attractive and easy to read instrument display and controls setup worked well and looks simple. It does not take long to get used to the controls. The gauges are easy to read and straightforward. Radio and HVAC controls are within reach and easy to use. The dashboard itself could use a touch of attention, though. A cheap-looking and feeling plastic covers the dash and does nothing to enhance the look of the interior.
The inline-five provides plenty of power needed to tow up to 4000 pounds of Jet Ski, trailer or whatever you need to move. Fuel economy is around 17 miles-per-gallon in the city, which is better than most compact pickups.
The exhaust note leaves a bit to be desired, however. Instead of sounding like a truck, it sounds more like a sick dog’s growl. The weak sound makes the Colorado’s power output seem anemic, when in fact it has quite a bit of torque and horsepower. It just doesn’t fit.
Overall, the Colorado is leaps and bounds better than the old S-10.
Full Review Here
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New pick-up truck replaces outdated S-10
Drew Dorian
Echo Online - Dimensions Editor
JUNE 15, 2004
When it comes to innovation, General Motors is rarely the segment leader. In the past year, however, the General has been slowly introducing their new product image with an all-new cast of cars, trucks and SUV’s.
One of the most important projects was revamping the GM family of compact pick-ups. The Chevrolet S-10 and its corporate twin, the GMC Sonoma, have been replaced, finally, with two brand new trucks.
The Chevrolet Colorado, which was provided to us by Carnahan Chevrolet of Ypsilanti, and its cousin, the GMC Canyon, are oodles better than the antiquated S-10/Sonoma trucks.
That’s not to say that the previous S-10 wasn’t a dedicated workhorse. It was. In fact, my younger brother has had his ’92 S-10 for quite a while and it has performed well and without much trouble. However, that truck exhibits quite a bit of the typical shake, rattle and roll seen in other S-10/Sonoma platform trucks.
The Colorado has a much stiffer frame and a much more comfortable cabin than the old model, exhibits much less cowl shake and seems less of a punishing ride than its predecessor.
Our tester, a well-equipped, two-wheel-drive crew cab model, included many innovative features not found on other trucks in its class. The crew cab also included many storage nooks to make stowing inside the cab a breeze. An area under the rear seats can store small items like a toolbox, laptop or textbooks. This provides an out-of-sight storage space for expensive items as well.
An attractive and easy to read instrument display and controls setup worked well and looks simple. It does not take long to get used to the controls. The gauges are easy to read and straightforward. Radio and HVAC controls are within reach and easy to use. The dashboard itself could use a touch of attention, though. A cheap-looking and feeling plastic covers the dash and does nothing to enhance the look of the interior.
The inline-five provides plenty of power needed to tow up to 4000 pounds of Jet Ski, trailer or whatever you need to move. Fuel economy is around 17 miles-per-gallon in the city, which is better than most compact pickups.
The exhaust note leaves a bit to be desired, however. Instead of sounding like a truck, it sounds more like a sick dog’s growl. The weak sound makes the Colorado’s power output seem anemic, when in fact it has quite a bit of torque and horsepower. It just doesn’t fit.
Overall, the Colorado is leaps and bounds better than the old S-10.
Full Review Here
