Colorado named top truck
Timing is everything, and for the second time in as many generations, the introduction of a Chevrolet Colorado was timed perfectly.
For the 2015 model year, after ceding the midsize truck segment to Toyota and Nissan for three years, Chevy reentered the market with a truck that outclassed its aging competition so significantly it handily won our Golden Calipers. For 2023, Chevrolet rolled out an all-new Colorado, but its launch timing meant it just missed last year’s competition. In the interim, the brand subsequently rolled out the stunning off-road-race-ready ZR2 and announced a forthcoming range-topping ZR2 Bison edition.
The 2015 Colorado borrowed liberally from an existing two-year-old global architecture and design, but this thirdgen model qualifies as truly new, from its longer-wheelbase Silverado-derived frame to its sole powertrain, a 2.7liter turbo four-cylinder and eightspeed automatic. A beefier, more offroad-capable suspension gets standard six-lug wheels, the safety gear is thoroughly updated, and the design has been toughened up inside and out.
This year, as in 2015, Chevrolet’s Colorado once again outclasses its midsize rivals by a far greater margin than any of our heavy-duty or “supertruck” contenders did in their respective segments.
Its strong value proposition, impressive off-road capability across the range – while remaining eminently livable day to day – tough good looks, strong feature content, and broad range of offerings spanning from sensible work truck to junior Baja 1000 star impressed us sufficiently to earn this Chevy a fresh set of Calipers.