2006 Chevrolet Colorado: Road Test
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2006 Chevrolet Colorado ▼
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- MSRP: $14,730 -$23,830
- Invoice: $13,920 -$22,281
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Our road test for the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado includes a full evaluation of the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado help you decide if a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| 2WD LT ZQ8 reg. cab, 4-cyl man. | 2WD LT Z71 ext. cab, 4-cyl auto. | 2WD LS Z85 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto. | 4WD LT Z71 Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 4.8 |
In Colorado, Canyon, and Isuzu pickups, 4-cyl is adequate with 2WD and manual transmission, sluggish with 4WD and automatic. The 5-cyl is sprightly with 2WD, adequate with 4WD. Both engines well-matched to quick-shifting automatic transmission.
FUEL ECONOMY
| 2WD LT ZQ8 reg. cab, 4-cyl man. | 2WD LT Z71 ext. cab, 4-cyl auto. | 2WD LS Z85 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto. | 4WD LT Z71 Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Extended cab 2WD 5-cyl averaged 18.8 mpg. Crew Cab 4WD 5-cyl averaged 18.1. Though both were driven mostly highway miles, fuel economy should still be slightly better than V6 rivals'. Manual-transmission 2WD 4-cyl regular cab averaged 18.1 mpg in mostly city driving. Both engines use regular-grade fuel.
RIDE QUALITY
| 2WD LT ZQ8 reg. cab, 4-cyl man. | 2WD LT Z71 ext. cab, 4-cyl auto. | 2WD LS Z85 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto. | 4WD LT Z71 Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4.3 |
Better than most compact pickups. Still evident, however, are abrupt vertical motions over bumps and dips, with some jittery feel on badly broken surfaces. Base suspension furnishes best ride. Colorado and Canyon's available off-road and brutally stiff sport suspensions grow tiresome on long drives.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| 2WD LT ZQ8 reg. cab, 4-cyl man. | 2WD LT Z71 ext. cab, 4-cyl auto. | 2WD LS Z85 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto. | 4WD LT Z71 Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.9 |
All corner with reasonable poise, though some testers found them slow to react to steering inputs. Overall, among the more-agile compact pickups. Good straightline stability. 4WD models have noticeably larger turning radius than 2WD versions. Brakes provide quick, even stops with good pedal feel.
QUIETNESS
| 2WD LT ZQ8 reg. cab, 4-cyl man. | 2WD LT Z71 ext. cab, 4-cyl auto. | 2WD LS Z85 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto. | 4WD LT Z71 Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4.4 |
Less wind and road noise than most competitors, though highway wind rush prominent around doors. Five-cyl engine louder, coarser than rivals' V6s; 4-cyl par for the class.
CONTROLS
| 2WD LT ZQ8 reg. cab, 4-cyl man. | 2WD LT Z71 ext. cab, 4-cyl auto. | 2WD LS Z85 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto. | 4WD LT Z71 Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5.8 |
Audio/climate controls simple to use, clearly marked. Gauges easy to read, but some digital readouts wash out in direct sunlight. Interior materials and fit-and-finish above average for the class. Still, some test models had a few squeaks and rattles from the dashboard area.
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| 2WD LT ZQ8 reg. cab, 4-cyl man. | 2WD LT Z71 ext. cab, 4-cyl auto. | 2WD LS Z85 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto. | 4WD LT Z71 Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5.2 |
Lots of leg and head room. Seats adequately comfortable for long drives, though some testers complain of hard, flat seatbacks in LS Colorado. Middle seat for occasional use only.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| 2WD LT ZQ8 reg. cab, 4-cyl man. | 2WD LT Z71 ext. cab, 4-cyl auto. | 2WD LS Z85 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto. | 4WD LT Z71 Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2.5 |
Extended cab's rear seat best suits preteens; adults lack leg room even if front seats pushed well forward. Crew Cab more spacious, but leg room still no better than a compact sedan's. On both, rear seats hard and undersized, and entry/exit difficult through small door openings.
CARGO ROOM
| 2WD LT ZQ8 reg. cab, 4-cyl man. | 2WD LT Z71 ext. cab, 4-cyl auto. | 2WD LS Z85 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto. | 4WD LT Z71 Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3.7 |
Interior storage limited on regular cabs, good on extended and Crew Cabs with rear seats folded. Unique dual-position support cable allows tailgate to be secured partially open, permitting 4x8 sheets to be carried atop wheelwells with support from tailgate.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| 2WD LT ZQ8 reg. cab, 4-cyl man. | 2WD LT Z71 ext. cab, 4-cyl auto. | 2WD LS Z85 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto. | 4WD LT Z71 Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6.2 |
Chevy's Colorado and GMC's Canyon focus on the light-duty noncommercial user--assuming heavy haulers will move up to the large Silverado and Sierra. Given that mission, these are useful, well-balanced small trucks. Similar Isuzu i-280/i-350 share these attributes, but a sparse dealer network and questions about Isuzu's long-term viability blunt their value.
Total Score
| 2WD LT ZQ8 reg. cab, 4-cyl man. | 2WD LT Z71 ext. cab, 4-cyl auto. | 2WD LS Z85 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto. | 4WD LT Z71 Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto. | Class Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | 38 | 44 | 44 | 44.8 |
Total Score: 40
Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks
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