Introduction
The 2015 Chevrolet Colorado is a true midsize pickup truck that competes against the
Nissan Frontier and
Toyota Tacoma. With the addition of the new
Colorado, General Motors is the only automaker to offer truck buyers the choice between a midsize, full-size, and a heavy-duty pickup.
Exterior Features
The 2015 Chevy Colorado is offered in extended cab or crew cab styles, the latter available with a short 5-foot cargo bed or a standard 6-foot bed. The beds are designed for 2-tier loading, include 13 separate tie-down hooks, and are easier to load thanks to corner-step rear bumper designs.
Chevrolet offers a cargo-management system designed to carry objects like bicycles or kayaks above a loaded cargo area.
Work Truck (WT), LT, and off-road-ready Z71 trim levels are available. The Colorado Z71 model stands apart with its Gunmetal Gray exterior trim, 17-inch aluminum wheels, and projector-beam headlights. All new Colorados are equipped with an aluminum hood, active grille shutters, and triple-sealed doors that are inlaid to the truck's sides, helping to improve aerodynamics and quiet the cabin, Chevy says.
Interior Features
Chevrolet says that the Colorado's interior is modeled after that of the larger 2014 Silverado 1500. Highlights include seats constructed with dual-density foam and covered in a choice between stain-resistant clo
th and leather, a floor-mounted gear selector, plenty of interior storage space, and a sculpted headliner to help maximize head room. Chevrolet also points to halo lighting for key controls and easy access to USB and charging ports as examples of designers' attention to detail.
Optional Features
Chevrolet offers numerous options for the new Colorado. Functional upgrades include an EZ Lift-and-Lower tailgate, a spray-in bedliner, adjustable cargo tie-down rings, and a cargo-management system. Additionally, the Colorado is offered with next-generation OnStar telematics and MyLink connectivity systems, a navigation system, and a rear-seat dual-screen entertainment system. New safety features are also available.
Under the Hood
The 2015 Chevy Colorado is equipped with a direct-injection, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that is rated to make 193 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. Chevrolet promises that 90% of peak torque is available between 2,000 rpm and 6,200 rpm, helping the Colorado to feel stronger than the numbers might otherwise suggest. A 6-speed automatic transmission delivers engine output to the truck's rear wheels, and a 4-wheel-drive (4WD) system is optional.
A direct-injection, 3.6-liter V-6 engine is optional for the 2015 Colorado. With 302 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, this engine is the one you want if you plan to tow. Chevrolet says that when the Colorado is properly equipped, it can handle 6,700 lbs. of trailer. This engine's 6-speed automatic transmission includes a tow/haul mode, and 4WD is optional for this model.
During the Colorado's first year of sales, Chevrolet will introduce a new 2.8-liter, Duramax turbo-diesel 4-cylinder engine to the lineup, one that is
expected to provide a good blend of power, fuel economy, and capability, according to the automaker.
In addition to these three drivetrains, the 2015 Colorado offers electric steering, Duralife brake rotors that are designed to last twice as long as regular rotors, and free scheduled maintenance for the first 2 years or 25,000 miles of ownership.
Safety
Standard safety features on the new 2015 Chevy Colorado include OnStar telematics with Automatic Crash Notification service, a stability control system that includes rollover-mitigation technology, hill-start assist, and trailer sway control. Optionally, the Colorado can be fitted with a forward-collision warning system and a lane-departure warning system.
Technology
Chevrolet's next-generation MyLink infotainment system, which includes gesture and voice-recognition technology, is standard for the Colorado LT and Z71 models. Equipped with an 8-inch color touch-screen display, MyLink provides hands-free text-messaging capability while delivering access to Internet radio and popular Web-based applications once the owner's smartphone is paired to the system. The Colorado also offers Siri Eyes Free technology for iPhone users.
