The 2006 Chevrolet Colorado has the features and the looks necessary to become the dominant truck in the compact class. The Colorado Crew Cab 4WD is a 4-door, up to 6-passenger compact pickup, available in 3 trims, ranging from the LT1 to the LT3. The Regular Cab 2WD is priced at $15,330, while the Extended Cab 2WD at $17,705.
The Colorado provides all the trucking capacity most owners will ever use. It has a six-foot bed with Regular and Extended Cabs, and a five-foot bed on Crew Cabs. A properly equipped Colorado is rated to tow 4,000 pounds, enough for transporting dirt bikes, boats, and small camping trailers. The entry level LT1 is equipped with a standard 2.8-liter, I4, 175hp engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. The LT3 is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, I5, 220hp engine.
The Colorado accelerates decently in traffic and the four-speed automatic shifts smoothly. The inline engines are reasonably well-refined. The suspension is firm enough to handle hard stops on pavements. The Colorado is a truck, however, so it tends toward understeer when pushed beyond the grip of the tires.
Don’t expect anything fancy in the Colorado's cabin. Simple rotary climate controls and a large stereo make the interior seem instantly familiar. The gauges are basic, but functional. The Crew Cab's back seat is surprisingly comfortable. There's a reasonable amount of leg room.
The Colorado is a utilitarian Regular Cab work truck. Lots of permutations are available, giving buyers lots of choices to fit their individual needs.
