2015 CHEVROLET COLORADO

Let's be frank: The argument for the small truck is, or at least was, dwindling. With full size trucks being offered in more configurations than ever before, and benefiting from more powerful and more economical engines, small truck sales in North America waned. By doing a quick search into Wichita Chevrolet Traverse, you'll start to understand why a vehicle like this is quite popular within the auto industry.

This of course meant the highly-profitable full-size truck market grew larger, which meant more competition between the brands, with more investment required in the full-size lineups to remain competitive. And in and amongst all this, the small truck slowly withered, eventually dying off completely on some lots.

But Chevrolet hopes to change all that, with the first significantly revised small truck in recent memory; the second-generation Chevrolet Colorado. And when we say significantly, we mean it; this truck is like no small truck you've seen before. With attractive and thoroughly modern styling that mimics that of many of the Australian and European compact trucks, the Colorado's exterior finishing is easily matched by its pleasant and equally modern interior. Even in its most austere trim, the interior is well-laid out, easy to use and comfortable. That said, with fabric seats and a dearth of the luxury options we're used to seeing in modern trucks, our basic six-speed manual-transmission, four-cylinder-powered model felt decidedly "work trucky." Not that that was a bad thing, since the inclusion of a third pedal and a stick shift in a truck of any sort is something of a revelation, as far as we're concerned.

Unfortunately, however, the manual transmission can only be found in the more basic levels of the Colorado's trim packages; according to GM it is available only in rear-wheel drive, 2.5L four-cylinder and 3.6L, 306-horsepower V6-powered trucks. Opt for anything with four wheel drive and you'll have to settle for an automatic. But, as tested, we found little to complain about with regards to the basic little Colorado as the tiny four cylinder may not have broken any speed records but did reward with excellent fuel economy that averaged just 9L / 100 kilometers in our testing. As long as one remembers it's just a 2.5L four-cylinder producing 191 pound-feet of torque and 200 horsepower at relatively high RPMs, it can be made to motor along quite well, while the broad spectrum of ratios offered up by the six forward gears helps you maintain engine speed. In short, if you drive it like a four-cylinder car, it's fine. Drive it like a truck by leaning on low engine speeds and high torque outputs though, and you'll rapidly find yourself being left behind.

Under way is really where the Colorado shines. Few vehicles manage all environs as well as small pickup trucks typically do, and the Colorado is the best among them. On the highway, its longer wheelbase and softer suspension give it a supple and very smooth ride, while a sharp steering rack, small turning circle (12.6 metres to pull a u-turn!), and tall vantage point give it the nimble qualities of a much smaller vehicle in the city. Splitting our time in the Colorado between city and highway almost equally, we never found the truck to feel anything other than comfortable, in fact this is probably the most easy-driving truck we've ever driven. Even in Vancouver's bike-lane-infested streets and overcrowded parking lots, the Colorado was no more a handful than a mid-size sedan. On the highway where the quiet cabin and excellent seating position conspired with the great suspension and tall-sixth gear to make it almost luxurious, it was even better, and to be frank every opportunity to drive the diminutive pickup was enjoyed thoroughly.

And yes, that is bordering on hyperbolic praise, but it's not untrue nor are we alone in this assessment. In fact, the new Colorado has been such a big hit that Chevrolet themselves have been relatively caught out by the demand, and are currently running the plant that produces these trucks at maximum capacity in an attempt to meet demand. Note, we said attempt, because in many markets around North America these things are still selling within moments of touching their dealership lots. And why not? If the Ranger and S-10 were buoyed to the immortal popularity they were on the strength of their user-friendly nature and thrifty powertrains, the Colorado is destined for the same future. Because in and amongst the models, from the basic four cylinder to the upper models with their 7700-pound towing capacity, and an expected fuel economy average of somewhere around 6-7L / 100 km for the diesel, there's probably a Colorado that can do 99% of what most truck owners need their truck to do... and manage all the rest of its tasks with more grace, better economy and all the while saving a bit more of your driveway space.

So what will it cost to get one? Well, like all modern trucks, that varies... greatly. In its most basic form, a six-speed, four-cylinder base model, with no options, will set you back just $21,695. By the time you spec the V6-powered, range-topping Z71 package with its leather interior, fancy wheels, luxury features, and 4x4 off-road package you're looking down the barrel of a $31,745 bill. The diesel motor, which is a 2016 model-year addition, will add slightly to that bottom line and is expected to carry a premium of about $2,000. This vehicle is one of the more affordable options these days. Whilst $21,695 is still a lot of money, compared to other vehicles this is more reasonable. Although, that's not to say that everyone will be able to afford this vehicle. Some people might have to consider looking at financing options. This does depend on your credit score, however, your score can be improved with the help of a credit card. For any newcomers to the US, you may struggle to get a credit card without a Social Security Number. However, there is more info here for anyone struggling to get a credit card. Hopefully, this vehicle should be more accessible to everyone with a decent credit score.

Honestly, maybe we're just automotive extremists, but the two bookends of the Colorado lineup; the basic 2.5L model and the 2.8L turbodiesel Z71-spec truck seem to be the most widely appealing. On one hand you have essentially a compact car at a compact car price that just happens to be a truck. On the other, you have a fully loaded truck that still undercuts most fully loaded full-size trucks by half or more, but promises even more economy than the base Colorado and almost ½-ton capability. It's hard not to consider a truck that gets almost Prius mileage but can pull a 28-foot Airstream an unequivocal hit, and for that reason, we think the Colorado might just be one of the smartest buys on the market today.