The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado is engineered to deliver great capability with great refinement, a quiet, controlled ride, and great steering and braking feel — attributes that provide driving confidence when using the truck’s capability to its fullest. These driving attributes are enabled by a capable chassis and suspension that consists of:
- A fully-boxed frame
- Coil-over-type independent front suspension
- Solid axle with multi-leaf springs rear suspension
- Electric power steering
- Automatic locking rear differential
- Hill Descent Control
- Four-wheel disc brakes
- Available 4WD
Fully-Boxed Frame
The Colorado was engineered to deliver the capability expected of a Chevy truck. It offer better payload performance than any competitor as well as segment-leading trailering.
The Colorado’s foundation is a fully-boxed perimeter frame that provides the strength to support those capabilities while enabling a confident, smooth and quiet ride.
The main rails and major cross members of the frame are formed from high-strength steel, providing a rigid base for maximum hauling capability, great noise and vibration isolation and excellent crashworthiness. The stiff chassis enables more precise tuning of the front and rear suspensions for a more responsive feel with smoother performance and less vibration and shake, particularly on harsh terrain.
Front Suspension
All Colorado models, both 2WD and 4WD, feature a coil-over-shock independent front suspension design. The design features aluminum knuckles that are low in mass and high in strength, contributing to a more responsive feel and efficiency.
Rear Suspension
A solid axle/rear suspension is used with two-stage, semi-elliptical multi-leaf springs, complementing the higher-torque powertrains to deliver maximum strength under load.
Electric Power Steering
The Colorado features the segment’s first application of electric variable-assist power steering, which reduces steering effort at low speeds.
The electric power steering system delivers two additional advantages:
- Enhanced fuel efficiency as a result of avoiding the energy used by what conventionally is an engine-driven feature
- Eliminating the maintenance associated with hydraulic power steering
Short Turning Radius
The Colorado has a short turning radius of 41.3 feet (12.6 meters), enabling easier turning in tight areas such as city streets or backing a trailer into a camping spot.
Automatic Locking Rear Differential
The Colorado offers the G80 automatic locking rear differential, giving drivers a traction advantage when needed. It is standard on Z71 and available on WT and LT.
StabiliTrak Stability Control System
The Colorado also features GM’s StabiliTrak stability control system with rollover mitigation technology, trailer sway control, hill start assist and, on the Z71, hill descent control.
Hill Descent Control
The Hill Descent Control feature is engaged by the driver and uses the anti-lock braking system to enable a smooth and controlled descent in rough terrain. It is included with the Z71 suspension package.
Four-Wheel Disc Brakes
Four-wheel disc brakes, with four-piston front calipers, are standard and feature Duralife brake rotors. They can offer up to double the service life, which can save money on vehicle maintenance.
2WD & 4WD
The avaialble four-wheel drive system of the 2016 Colorado employs an electronically-controlled transfer case that allows the driver to shift from 2WD to 4WD.
The system allows the driver to select from three modes: 2WD, 4WD HI or 4WD Lo.
