Driving report: The sporty climber

driving report
The sporty climber

As is well known, everything in the USA is a bit bigger and more than ever this also applies to the pick-ups, the bread-and-butter vehicles of the Americans. Mass-produced trucks in the truck league are the gargantuan Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram and Toyota Tundra. But things have also been hotting up in the lower class for a long time now, and the Chevrolet Colorado has been playing one of the main roles here for years. Last year it took second place in the official registration statistics for mid-size trucks, as the class is officially called, behind the Toyota Tacoma. In contrast to many other models, the 5.40 meter long Chevrolet Colorado is positioned emphatically in the direction of leisure activities and lifestyle. That is especially true for the Colorado Z71. Z71 stands for the sports version with its 3.6 liter V6 engine that delivers 230 kW / 308 hp and a maximum torque of 373 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The six-cylinder always sounds as powerful as it drives, not least because of its generously dimensioned exhaust system. In contrast to the just 181 hp common rail diesel, there is very little from the speed cellar. The situation is different in the medium speed range, where the all-wheel drive pushes on powerfully and underlines the sporty claim of a Z71 version. Due to the rustic tires, the top speed is manageable at 160 km/h, at least in the home market USA.

The sporty climber

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The top-of-the-line Z71 model in the Colorado series has an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard, along with selectable four-wheel drive, which ensure that the sporty loadmaster can tow trailers weighing up to 3.2 tons. This would make it one of the most dangerous competitors of the Ford Ranger and VW Amarok, which are currently not offered in the USA. In the USA, the direct competitors, alongside the bestseller Toyota Tacoma, Ford Maverick and GMC Canyon, and in the second row also Jeep Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline. The base Colorado with its 2.5-liter, 200-hp four-cylinder starts at just under $28,000, while the top model with the 3.6-liter V6 costs at least $39,000 – including one largely complete standard equipment. The Chevrolet Colorado Z71 not only looks fat, because all-wheel drive, knobby tires, reduction, off-road decoration and limited-slip differential on the rear axle ensure, in addition to the ample ground clearance, that the North American doesn’t run out of breath even in rough terrain. If that’s not enough, the Colorado can also treat itself to the hard off-road version of the ZR2, which goes even further off the beaten track.

Inside, the Colorado doesn’t offer as much space as its big, full-size brother, the Chevrolet Silverado, but four to five occupants can easily fit into the crew cab. If you want to use the loading area, which is protected by a large plastic trough, for large loads, you can fold down the rear seats in two easy steps, giving the Chevy an impressive loading space in the cabin. The interior is extremely practical with partially electric synthetic leather seats, numerous storage compartments and a central eight-inch multifunction screen. For most customers, aside from all weekend-over-week leisure tendencies, one like the Chevrolet Colorado is itself a sturdy workhorse where practicality reigns supreme. There are analogue instruments and rustic controls that the occupants can use to operate the various functions.

The chassis of the two-ton pick-up is as rustic as you know it. But just like the competition, the Colorado has gained in comfort despite the frame construction and rigid rear axle, even though the payload of 668 kilograms and the ample towing capacity have other priorities than gentle cushioning. One of the most important reasons to buy the Chevrolet Colorado Z71, in addition to its practical qualities, is its sporty appearance and powerful six-cylinder engine.

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