Live Review: 2015 Chevrolet Colorado

[Zane]

Words & Photos by: Zane & Josh Merva
Editors, GM-Trucks.com
10/27/2014

This week, Josh and I are re-starting our live post series. Get ready for for a three part, hands-on review experience of the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado. Not too many weeks ago we brought you our First Drive review of the 2015 Colorado and Canyon. This week, we've got a lot more time with Chevy's new mid-size pickup and we want to share the experience. Today, we'll dive into how our review Colorado is equipped. We'll also cover notable features and our first thoughts after driving it on our home roads.

Wednesday, we will bring you a deeper look into the interior of the 2015 Colorado. We'll examine Chevy MyLink, the OnStar 4G WiFi hotspot, and the overall proportions of the crew cab configuration.

Friday, we'll wrap it all up when we focus on the performance and handling of the new Colorado. We will examine the 3.6L V6, daily fuel economy, chassis responsiveness and towing capabilities.

We hope this three part series will give you a better understanding of what the 2015 Colorado is all about. Let's start things off!

Our review Colorado


Here is the Colorado we're driving this week. It's a four-door crew cab equipped in LT trim.


Here is the window sticker. Our tester has a recommended price of $38,870.

How it's equipped

This long box, 4x4, crew cab Colorado has a starting price of $32,385. Here's what kind of options it is equipped with.

-Luxury Package [$1,080]
-18" Dark Argent Wheels [$1,000]
-Leather Seats [$950]
-LT Convenience Package [$615]
-Bose Audio System [$500]
-Chevy MyLink with Navigation [$495]
-Safety Package [$395]
-Locking Rear Differential [$325]
-Trailering Equipment Package [$250]

After $5,610 of options and a $875 delivery charge, this 2015 Colorado has an MSRP of $38,870

We'll dive into these features, how well they work, and if they are worth the price later this week.

 

Notable Features & Improvements

The 2015 Colorado is completely new. In fact, it shares more with the 2015 Silverado than the last generation Colorado.


The interior has many similarities with big brother Silverado.


Rear corner steps into the bed have also trickled down from the full-size line.


The rear end even looks like the Silverado with the tail lamps being near matches.


You can even get a spray in liner from the factory. Yup, just like the Silverado.


The Colorado features inlaid doors for a quieter ride with less wind noise inside the cab.

First Impressions

This is the first time we've had a chance to try the Colorado on our home roads. It's been great to compare the Colorado to our 2011 Sierra and other full and mid-size pickups we've driven in the past.


The Colorado has grown in size. It doesn't feel much smaller than the Silverado, but is it more maneuverable?


Like us, you were probably disappointed that the 4.3L V6 didn't make its way into the Colorado. Is the 3.6L V6 up to task?


How does the interior compare to the last generation? Is it a huge step up as claimed? Will it appeal to crossover buyers?


Is this mid-size actually more refined than the Silverado? That's a question we're seriously considering as we drive the Colorado this week

What's next

Check back this week as we continue this Live Review on Wednesday and Friday. Each day we'll start a new thread. Here's what you can expect.

Wednesday: We take a deep dive inside. We'll explore the Colorado's interior, MyLink System, Lane Departure and Collision avoidance systems, WiFi hotspot, and the driver/passenger experience.

Friday: We will explore the Colorado's 305-horsepower 3.6L V6 and how see well it serves as the optional engine in a pickup. We'll share fuel economy, daily driving observations, and towing performance. We will also explore the chassis, braking, transmission, and 4x4 system.


Your turn

Time for you to take part. Ask us anything! We'd love to share what driving this truck is like and will try our best to answer any questions you have about the 2015 Colorado.

[Hightong]

Ok since you asked for any questions does it have any vibration problems at city or highway speeds?If you are road testing this truck please check anything that future buyers may experience eg paint,body fit ,body panels wandering,simple things like lifting tail gate with grittiy hands and scratching paint.im 6 feet plus

and can barely reach the dip stick on my 2014 GMC Sierra (v6).People may buy based on your opinion,be honest

[Zane]

Ok since you asked for any questions does it have any vibration problems at city or highway speeds?If you are road testing this truck please check anything that future buyers may experience eg paint,body fit ,body panels wandering,simple things like lifting tail gate with grittiy hands and scratching paint.im 6 feet plus

and can barely reach the dip stick on my 2014 GMC Sierra (v6).People may buy based on your opinion,be honest

Thank you! I will make sure I address your concerns in Parts 2 & 3.

 

I can say there is no vibration at all. I'm very happy with the way the Colorado drives.. It's consistent and predictable at all speeds. I will address this more during Friday's thread.

 

I promise we will tell you everything. If we don't like something, you will know.

[arz71]

Wished they had one with a diesel, 4x4 without all of the electronic dashboard stuff and no urea tank.

 

Plus, a manual transmission.

 

Did they ever fix the v6 that has timing chain problems???

[Nargg]

No vibration? In other words, the tires are good.

 

I don't know why, at current prices, they don't just make the spray on bed liner standard on all pickups....

Edited October 28, 2014 by Nargg

[GPGuy]

Looking forward to this. Especially overall how it feels to drive one as compared to a Silverado, including interior.

[tmfldem]

Im super interested in the maneuverability. Hopefully it fills the niche between crossovers and half ton. If so, my wife will own one.

[00Silverado4x4]

Still not very keen on the front end appearance. The rest looks pretty good. I do have some concern with all the dirt streaks that are coming up from the tires. It would seem that is an oversight by GM. Since I live on a dirt road a vehicle is hard enough to keep clean but with those areas around the tires would make it impossible to keep a vehicle clean even on paved roads. Mud flaps would be a must for this truck.

[2016 Sierra Owner]

It's got a floor shifter. Maybe some of these full size truck guys will switch to the smaller truck?

[Zane]

Wished they had one with a diesel, 4x4 without all of the electronic dashboard stuff and no urea tank.

 

Plus, a manual transmission.

 

Did they ever fix the v6 that has timing chain problems???

You'll get close. The Diesel is coming next year. I have not heard anything about a manual but will ask. This is one of the better 3.6L V6 implementations I've driven.

[Zane]

Im super interested in the maneuverability. Hopefully it fills the niche between crossovers and half ton. If so, my wife will own one.

Great comment. Despite feeling not much smaller than a full-size on the inside and out, the Colorado drives much smaller than a full-size. In fact, I'd compare it more to the ride of an Equinox. It fits the niche you've described to a "T". Take your wife to the dealership.

[Zane]

Still not very keen on the front end appearance. The rest looks pretty good. I do have some concern with all the dirt streaks that are coming up from the tires. It would seem that is an oversight by GM. Since I live on a dirt road a vehicle is hard enough to keep clean but with those areas around the tires would make it impossible to keep a vehicle clean even on paved roads. Mud flaps would be a must for this truck.

Agreed. Mudflaps would be a must. Lots of dirt thrown on the side and this isn't even a Z71 with the off-road tires!

It's got a floor shifter. Maybe some of these full size truck guys will switch to the smaller truck?

They wouldn't be giving up much in a switch. I do love the floor shift.

[jcmesaco]

I recently sat in one of these at a car show and was quite impressed. I enjoy my 2012 GMC sierra 1500, but next year when the diesel comes out, I'm going shopping.

[arz71]

Will the diesel have the urea exhaust stuff on it?

 

I know it is causing MAJOR problems like limp mode and constant nightmare to work with. The EPA along with King Obola has decimated the auto industry with draconian rules/regulations.

 

Being from Arkansas the entire Urea is a HUGE SCAM basically paying money for URINE from chicken farms and such.

 

Unless one could do the delete kit on one (in the future) as I would not buy a new one being $40000 which is beyond stupid.

 

If a truck now is $50000 and some running up to $70000+ I think the environmentalist have done their job. Like King Obola does if he cannot sign an executive order he does not enforce the law...

[SY2455]

Why is the gear ratio missing from the window sticker? The 4.3 should be the V6 for this truck.