Acceleration

2WD SLE Z71 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto.	4WD SLE Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto.	Class Average
6	5	5

With either transmission, 4-cyl has adequate power for around town driving, but lacks reserve for passing or hauling heavy loads. 5-cyl is sprightly with 2WD, adequate with 4WD. Engine well-matched to quick-shifting automatic transmission.

Fuel Economy

2WD SLE Z71 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto.	4WD SLE Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto.	Class Average
5	4	3.8

No opportunity to measure with Colorado or Canyon. Similar 2WD 4-cyl Isuzu i-290 extended cab with automatic transmission averaged 21.1 mpg in mostly highway driving.

Ride Quality

2WD SLE Z71 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto.	4WD SLE Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto.	Class Average
5	4	4.6

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. Available off-road and brutally stiff sport suspensions grow tiresome on long drives.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2WD SLE Z71 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto.	4WD SLE Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto.	Class Average
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 SLE Z71 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto.	4WD SLE Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto.	Class Average
4	4	4.5

Less wind and road noise than most competitors, though highway wind rush prominent around doors. Five-cyl engine louder, coarser than rivals' V6s.

Controls

2WD SLE Z71 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto.	4WD SLE Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto.	Class Average
6	6	5.9

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 SLE Z71 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto.	4WD SLE Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto.	Class Average
4	4	5.3

Lots of leg and head room. Seats adequately comfortable for long drives. Middle seat for occasional use only.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD SLE Z71 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto.	4WD SLE Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto.	Class Average
1	4	2.9

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 SLE Z71 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto.	4WD SLE Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto.	Class Average
3	4	4.1

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 SLE Z71 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto.	4WD SLE Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto.	Class Average
7	6	6

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. Built from the same design, the Isuzu i-290 and i-370 share these attributes, but a sparse dealer network and questions about the Isuzu brand's long-term viability in the U.S. blunt their value.

Total Score

2WD SLE Z71 ext. cab, 5-cyl auto.	4WD SLE Crew Cab, 5-cyl auto.	Class Average
45	45	46

Scores for all Compact Pickup Trucks

Low Score		31
Average Score		46
High Score		60