The Fast Lane Truck had the opportunity recently to take to the streets of San Diego in three different offerings from the small truck segment, to see if the new 2015 Chevrolet Colorado had leap-frogged the competition from Toyota and Nissan.
Let’s take a minute to be honest; we all wish that the two presenters had had the chance to take these trucks off-road, even if only for a bit. That doesn’t happen in this review, so unfortunately, we’ll have to wait on that for awhile. It’s a pity, too, because all three trucks have four-wheel-drive, and this Toyota is equipped with its top-of-the-line TRD off-road package, while the Colorado has its respective Z71 package.
Ah well. The Fast Lane Truck‘s review of these three pick-ups instead comes down mostly to initial driving impressions around the streets of San Diego. But before you write it off as a useless review, keep in mind that most of us use our trucks as daily commuters, and drive on dry pavement for 99 percent of the vehicle’s service life.
Both the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma make nearly equivalent power and torque, and achieve about the same 18 MPG fuel economy, with the same number of forward gears (five). The Toyota edges out the Nissan on account of its better interior treatment, exterior styling, and reputation for boundless reliability.
But this review isn’t really about that battle; it’s about the Chevrolet Colorado fighting off both of those two. For that reason, we recommend that you skip ahead to the 12:54 mark in the video where the Colorado comes in, and watch from there.
Yeah, it’s a long review. You can watch the video (or part of the video) below:
Comments
USA Today’s review of the CC twins was Not very flattering for the all new trucks…. Calling the interior cheap plastic n over priced in mid $30k to $40k with just low-20s MPG…. Not much better than full size trucks.
Good luck…. Just wait until the new F150 cones out with High-20s MPG… In the powerful n efficient 2.7 EcoBoost..!
The fact remains, you read USAtoday for automotive reviews. You might as well read Womans World with the expectation of top-shelf automotive journalism at the rate you’re going.
Mr. Healey’s USA Today review that includes multiple references to a regular cab Colorado should not be allowed to influence anyone’s opinion of the trucks.
Greg you can not even get it right as a fan boy.
At this point you should be praising the fact Ford is now working on mid size truck for the American market.
This is your queue to say Oh it will be greater than the Colorado.
See you can not even get the fan boy stuff right. LOL!
This is a good truck and the others will follow with their own. I really think the half ton market is going to be made more and more expensive to drive people to the mid size and 3/4 segment with lower fuel requirements The bread crumbs are all there.
If you note GM is working hard on the 3/4 line to make it as appealing as it ever has been. Ford is just going to transfer the Aluminum to the F250 and come out with a mid size truck too. While all this goes on the half ton crew is now stickering for $50K and will only go higher.
There is an agenda to change this segment and they all will be doing it.
USA Today’s review is just a 3rd party’s opinion of the mediocre CC twins that is a reasonable review because GM did a mediocre effort on the trucks in a market segment with a very low bar for improvement.
Compared to the mega competitive full size 1/2 ton segment.
My point is… If the new F150 with the Hot 2.7 EcoBoost can deliver Better MPG than these CC twins…. Why would anyone by GM junk…!!!
I configured a nicely equipped 2015 F150 XLT SuperCab with the 2.7 for mid $30s….!!! Gonna be Very competitive vs the CC twins with more capability and similar price…!
Sounds like the Colorado is exactly what I need and probably many others. Feels bigger than it is. GREAT.
I haven’t read the USA Today review yet, but I did go down to my dealership and see the Colorado in person. It really does have a cheap hard plastic interior. It reminds of GM mentality and design of the early 2000’s and has no business being in such an expensive vehicle. Moreover, GM also shortchanged Colorado owners with the lack of an Auto 4WD mode, and the lack of leather options in the Z-71.
What were they thinking?!? They took brand management too far, and forgot that people who by Chevy’s do actually want nice interiors too. Also, people born in the 80s and early 90s want to be flexible in how they buy the options for their cars and trucks, and not limited to premade packages with no ability to alter or customize them. I guess the bean counters are back in charge.
To be fair to GM, Ford put some really cheap materials in the last generation F150s. I haven’t sat in the new one’s yet.
I just ordered a new 2015 Tacoma. If not for the UAW’s connection with DumoRats, I would have seriously considered the the Chevy Colorado. No way, will I consider any UAW/Democrat vehicle!!!