2010 Chevy Colorado Review

 The Colorado is engineered for room and comfort, for a smooth ride and for fuel efficiency. There are only minor changes for the 2010 Chevy Colorado. For this model year curtain airbags are now standard on all Colorados. The 5.3-liter V-8 has been enhanced with variable valve timing for marginally better emissions and performance across its power band. Starting MSRP of the 2010 Chevy Colorado comes in at $16,985 - $28,915. It has an EPA Fuel Economy of 14 - 18 mpg city and 19 - 24 mpg highway. In 2009 Chevy finally offered a 300-horsepower V-8 in the Colorado, just as a slowing economy started directing shoppers to smaller, lower-priced engines. The Colorado has always been a favorite among consumers because of its extensive lineup and numerous options. Chevy Colorado features three suspension setups to help differentiate its models. The Z85 is for normal operation, the Z71 is tuned for off-road use and the ZQ8 is designed for sports-car-like handling. The Chevrolet Colorado offers a variety of cab styles, suspensions and powertrains that make it both versatile and practical. Available in two- or four-wheel drive, the Colorado offers three body styles: regular cab, extended cab and crew cab.

Colorado Power

 The base engine for the 2010 Colorado is a 185-hp 2.9-liter 4-cylinder engine, while a 242-hp 3.7-liter 5-cylinder engine is available (standard on crew cab LT) on all models. A 300-hp 5.3-liter V8, now flexible-fuel, is available on extended and crew cab models. Transmission choices are a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Colorado engines were derived from the Vortec 4200 inline-6 used in the Chevy TrailBlazer. GM lopped cylinders off the six to get the five and four. These are modern engines featuring all-aluminum construction, dual overhead camshafts with four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, electronic (drive-by-wire) throttle control, and a high 10:1 compression ratio.

2010 Design of the Colorado

 All Crew Cab and Extended Cab models ride on a 126-inch wheelbase, while Regular Cab models ride on a 111-inch wheelbase. When the Colorado debuted for 2004, it carried over the front-end styling from that generation's Chevy Silverado, including the familiar power bar grille and angular "bat wing" headlamps. It looked great on the Colorado then, but now the Silverado has been restyled and the Colorado is looking a little long in the tooth. The Colorado has a little more muscle in its silhouette than some other compact trucks, which is great in four-wheel-drive and/or Z71 trims. Changes in recent years added body-colored moldings, bezels and surrounds to add a more sporty appearance to some trim levels. For businesses and contractors looking for a customized small work truck, the Colorado can be ordered in a chassis cab configuration that can be upfitted with panel van-style or "midbox" storage solutions. Ride height varies by suspension grade and has a dramatic effect on the truck's appearance. The standard Colorado has about 7.3 inches of ground clearance with 2WD and 7.7 inches with 4WD, varying slightly with cab style. The Z71 off-road suspension raises the ground clearance to around 8.9 inches, with 2WD or 4WD. Overall, the Colorado has a clean, modern look. The fender bulges are angular and aggressive, more so than Silverado's.

Chevy Colorado Handling

All models offer stable and predictable handling. The suspension is firm enough to handle hard stops on pavement without drama. The Colorado is a truck, however, so it doesn't corner or stop like a car. The Z71 models ride well for a pickup with an off-road suspension. Standard four-wheel ABS helps the driver maintain steering control in an emergency braking maneuver. Colorado accelerates decently in traffic, and its Hydra-Matic 4L60 four-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly. By aiming for a more modest towing capacity, GM engineers were able to reduce the rear spring rate and tune the suspension for a smooth ride. The rear end doesn't bounce around on washboard dirt roads the way it does on older trucks.

Inside the '10 Colorado

The Colorado's interior does have a lot of plastic, but it also features an effective gauge layout and easy-to-reach audio and climate controls. There are some nice chrome accents but this is mostly a utility-friendly cab with adequate storage and reasonably spacious surroundings for a compact pickup. The seats are wide and comfortable, and the crew cab offers decent headroom and legroom for people of most heights. The Extended Cab has back seats, but they're only good for hauling kids short distances. The Crew Cab's back seat is surprisingly comfortable, particularly when compared with the back seats of old-generation compact Crew Cabs. There's a reasonable amount of leg room, especially with a little cooperation from those sitting in front, and the seat is comfortably high. The seatback angles back slightly, making it more comfortable than the bolt-upright backrest found in some other pickups. Instruments are traditional white-on-black with orange needles. They are easy to read and don't hide their functionality with artsy markings. This practical approach continues to the center stack. The optional front bucket seats are wide and soft, and lack lateral support, whether upholstered in cloth or leather.

Conclusions

GM has improved the Colorado's safety credentials by adding standard side curtain airbags. Stability and traction control are also standard. GM's electronic stability system uses electronic brake controls to help the driver maintain control of the vehicle in certain situations. The 2010 Chevy Colorado is a great truck for those looking for something smaller and better mileage, but also the utility and power of a truck. For the latest information on this model, visit the official 2010 Chevy Colorado site.