2009 Chevrolet Colorado: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2009 Chevrolet Colorado receives a new available engine and a few other changes. This compact pickup truck shares its basic design with the GMC Canyon. Regular and extended cab body styles are offered in Work and LT trims. A 4-door LT Crew Cab is also available. Regulars and extendeds have a 6-foot cargo bed. Crew Cabs have a 5-foot bed. All Colorados offer rear-wheel drive or part-time 4-wheel drive that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but has a low-range gear for off-roading. Standard on most models is a 185-hp 2.9-liter 4-cylinder engine. Standard on 4WD Crew Cabs and optional on other Colorados is a 242-hp 3.7-liter 5-cylinder engine. Available on extended and Crew Cab models is a 300-hp 5.3-liter V8. Four-cylinder models are available with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Five-cylinder and V8 versions use the automatic only. Maximum towing capacity is 6000 lb. Available safety features include ABS, an antiskid system, traction control, and curtain side airbags. Optional equipment includes an off-road suspension, sunroof, and leather upholstery. Sixteen-inch wheels are now standard on Work Truck models, and LT models are now available with 16-, 17-, or 18-inch wheels. Satellite radio is now standard on LT models. Also new for 2009 is a re-tuned version of the ZQ8 sport suspension package, which is available on V8 models and includes 18-inch wheels, performance tires.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Pickups offer a true-truck design in a relatively modest package. They are best suited for personal or light-duty use rather than commercial use, heavy hauling, or towing.

Our Best Buy is the Toyota Tacoma. Our Recommended picks are the Dodge Dakota, Honda Ridgeline, and Nissan Frontier.

New for 2009 is the Suzuki Equator.