Chevrolet Colorado 2.5 LT Test Drive Report

Chevrolet Colorado 2.5 LT Test Drive Report

by -

Although the Ford Ranger was responsible for opening up the pick-up truck market in Malaysia, the segment has since been overrun by Japanese models, specifically the Toyota Hilux. Ford is seeking to address that imbalance with the upcoming all-new Ranger T6, but waiting in the wings to jointly puncture Japanese dominance is Chevrolet with the all-new Colorado.

The Colorado was originally scheduled for its Malaysian launch in December, but that plan failed to materialize. Last year’s disastrous floods in Thailand’s Ayutthaya province did not affect GM’s plant in Rayong directly, but enough suppliers were crippled to push the company’s timeline back several months. Things have since gotten back on track, and local distributors Naza Quest are in final preparations for the Colorado’s debut in our shores.

Shortly after the Trailblazer world debut which we covered last week in Bangkok, we had the opportunity to test Thai-spec units of the Colorado in a lengthy and comprehensive 500km round trip from Bangkok to Uthaithani. It was one of the longest and most comprehensive drive routes I’ve experienced in my career, covering demonstrations of the Colorado’s behaviour on and off roads.

When it comes, the Colorado will be one of the bigger trucks in the market.


Variants

Naza Quest has confirmed since last year that the Colorado will be offered with three powertrain variants – 2.5 manual, 2.8 manual, and 2.8 auto. Two trim levels have been specified – LT and LTZ, the latter being the better-endowed option. The obvious likelihood is that the 2.5 will be offered in LT trim whilst the 2.8 variants will most probably wear LTZ badges. The absence of a 2.5 auto is a curious oversight.

Although the difference in actual capacity between both of the Colorado’s Duramax turbodiesel engines are small, the use of a variable geometry turbo in the 2.8 creates a significant performance gap from the 2.5. The smaller powerplant makes an already respectable 150hp and 350Nm; the 2.8 bumps it up to a class-leading 180hp and 470Nm, though the manual version had to be detuned to 440Nm due to the lower torque capacity of its manual box – unusual, we know.

The 6-speed automatic transmission used in the Colorado is taken from GM’s parts bin for high capacity engines, and in addition to being able to take more torque than its manual counterpart, it also boasts one ratio more. Chevrolet saw it fit to make do with five ratios for its stick shift box. Not a big problem yet, as only the Nissan Navara and soon-to-arrive Ford Ranger T6 have moved to 6-speed manual boxes thus far.

Two trim levels will be on offer – LT and LTZ


Specs and Equipment

Chevrolet plans to position the Colorado as a premium alternative in the pick-up truck market, and as such, a healthy list of equipment is promised. We understand that 4×4 will be standard, and the Colorado features in electronic shift-on-the-fly system operated by a rotary knob placed along the centre console.

The lower-spec LT models will probably have to do away with a few of these items, but the Colorado’s arsenal of gear includes a wide range of safety features, some of them unheard of among pick-ups – ABS, traction control, stability control, brake assist, cornering brake control, brake fade assist, side impact beams and dual airbags.

Audio is operated by a 2-DIN head unit with Bluetooth and USB connectivity plus MP3 capability. Sound is pumped out from six speakers, and LTZ models get the added luxury of steering mounted controls, auto air conditioning and cruise control.

All-round power windows and electric side mirrors.


Design

Those of you bored of the boxy look that adorn most pick ups will probably be the first to appreciate the Colorado’s unconventional design cues. Chevrolet’s trademark split grille design dominates the front fascia, and the high-set headlamps give an almost lanky appearance when viewed from the front. Of course, that might also be due to the fact that the Colorado is in actual fact tall and boasts a class-leading 270mm ground clearance.

Inside, the aesthetics are similarly more car than pick-up. Chevrolet is keen to highlight the Corvette-inspired double cockpit design feature of the Colorado’s interior, but the similarities are vaguely obvious to this pair of eyes. Overall build quality stands up in comparison against rivals, and a couple of particular nice touches include the presence of grip handles in both A-pillars to help us climb on board – particularly useful in variants without side steps.

The LT and LTZ versions have noticeably different centre stacks from each other. A conventional three knob climate control layout is adopted for the lower spec model but the LTZ gets everything clustered into a circle with a digital temperature display in the middle. Looks futuristic, but for my tastes, the simple old-fashioned design seemed to appear more attractive.

The LT model’s straightforward three-dial climate control has a more fitting appearance.


Driving Experience

For the whole duration of our 500km drive, your humble writer here found himself in a 2.5 LT 4×4 manual test unit – the lowest Malaysia-bound spec. The immediate good news is that it was not at all bad. The Nissan Navara will comfortably brush it aside in a straight line, but brisk progress isn’t an issue. Rapid overtaking progress can be easily summoned by diligent working of the five available ratios.

Another commendable trait of the Colorado is its exemplary sound-proofing. The engine is impressively quiet at a cruise, and tyre noise is almost none existent. Wind noise at the A-pillars is noticeable at triple-digit speeds, but still very well muted. If we are to name a stand out quality of the Colorado – it has to be sound-proofing. This writer has yet to test a quieter pick-up in his career.

Our test unit was a 2.5-litre 5-speed manual 4×4 unit.


Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of its ride quality, and in this area, the Mitsubishi Triton can teach it a few lessons. Even compared to pick-up trucks, the Colorado’s ride is on the uncomfortable side of stiff. Modern pick-up trucks use double wishbone suspension in front and leaf springs at the back. As a result, most pick-ups feel very pliant in front but bouncy at the rear. In the Colorado, that pliancy in front is noticeably missing, but the bounciness of its rear remains.

In the jungle leg of our drive programme, the Colorado acquitted itself well to the rugged demands of off-road driving. Chevrolet left the standard highway terrain tyres on, which allowed us to have a bit of a giggle kicking the rear out when 2WD mode can be used. The steep slopes of the off-roading track were comfortably dealt with using 4WD low range mode, and our test car emerged from the ordeal with only a broken number plate holder to report.

Colorado’s soundproofing is impressive, but ride can be better.


Verdict

Based on evidence of our 2.5-litre test car, the Colorado is a competent product with a good blend of on and off-road strengths. Its ride quality on the road is a little off-putting, but the refinement of its engine and serene cabin atmosphere when cruising makes up for that deficit somewhat. Strong engine performance is another feather in its cap.

The bigger problems that surround the Colorado however, are not its credentials as a product, but rather the opinion of Malaysians towards the Chevrolet brand. The pick-up market in particular is sensitive not only towards purchasing price but also long term maintenance costs. If Chevrolet and Naza Quest are able to keep prices of parts down and build up a strong service network, the Colorado will be able to gain a foothold in the market.

Further Details:
Chevrolet vehicles prices & specifications in Malaysia
List of Chevrolet official dealers and branches in Malaysia

1 COMMENT

Leave a Reply