The 2007 Chevrolet Colorado was first launched in
2004 as a mid-sized pickup truck. It comes in two or four-wheel
drive with the option of regular cab, extended cab and Crew Cab body
styles. Extensive revisions were made to the 2007 model. Chevrolet swaps both
engines for larger versions, netting a power increase of up to 10 percent. New
wheel choices, a mild interior update and an improved transmission round out the
major changes. Details within the cabin have been improved with chrome
highlights. There is a choice of a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic
transmission control. Along with the standard 185hp 2.9-liter engine with
variable valve timing, a 242hp 3.7-liter engine is also now available. In
addition to the standard suspension, both a Z71 off-road performance suspension
and a ZQ8 low-riding sport suspension are available. Trim levels offered include
base W/T, LS, and the step-up LT. The Xtreme edition includes the ZQ8
suspension, a unique body-colored front fascia with fog lamps, rocker extension
moldings and monochromatic paint in a choice of four colors. A Sun & Sound
Package with a sunroof and in-dash six-CD changer is available for the LT
edition. A Street Pack option adds a color-keyed appearance to base,
regular-length extended cab models.
2007 Lineup
The 2007 Chevrolet Colorado is available in Regular
Cab, Extended Cab, and Crew Cab configurations. Regular and Extended Cabs come
with a six-foot bed. Crew Cabs come with a five-foot bed. It is offered in
three suspension packages. The base-trim model is a commercial-grade work truck.
Only the standard suspension is available. The base comes with hose-it-out vinyl
floor mats and durable vinyl seating. Air conditioning is standard, along
with tilt steering, a tachometer, driver information center, AM/FM stereo,
cruise control and two 12-volt power outlets.
With the LS trim level, cloth upholstery is
standard, brightwork is added to the interior, and chrome bumpers are included.
The LS rides on 225/75R15 tires rather than the standard 205/75R15s.
LT trim adds reclining seats with upgraded
upholstery, metallic interior trim, more stereo speakers, color-keyed grille and
side moldings, and aluminum wheels. To that, the 2LT Package adds bucket seats;
power windows, mirrors and locks with remote keyless entry; deep-tinted glass;
and a self-dimming rearview mirror. It also makes the five-cylinder engine and
automatic transmission standard. Package 3LT includes all 2LT equipment plus
additional upgrades like carpeted floor mats, a sliding rear cab window, and fog
lamps.
Colorado Powertrain
For 2007, both Colorado engines are not only
larger, but greatly improved, with larger intake and exhaust valves, revised cam
profiles, new 2M electronic control module, and a number of refinements to
reduce noise. A new 2.9-liter engine utilizes variable valve timing to
make 185 horsepower and 190 pounds-feet of torque, both of which represent gains
over the outgoing 2.8-liter engine. Last year's 220-hp, 3.5-liter inline-five is
also canned for a new 3.7-liter engine that makes 242 hp and 242 pounds-feet of
torque. Five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions are available.
The maximum towing load for the Colorado with the five-cylinder engine and
automatic transmission is 4000 pounds, compared with 6500 for the V6 Tacoma,
6100 for Frontier, and 7150 for the max-V8 Dakota. Chevrolet's
shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system operates with a dashboard-mounted
switch. A locking differential is optional, and rear-drive models can be
equipped with traction control.
Driving the Chevy Colorado
The 2007 Colorado produces a distinctive,
siren-like sound at full throttle. The inline-5 engine is much more
responsive than the four-cylinder. It delivers quicker acceleration and is also
smoother. This Chevy truck has struck the right balance between capability
and comfort for its midsize pickup. Colorado rides like a truck, but it isn't
uncomfortable. Colorado accelerates decently in traffic and the Hydra-Matic
4L60-E four-speed automatic shifts even smoother in '07, thanks to a new input
speed sensor.
Colorado Cabin Features
For 2007, Chevy has dressed up Colorado's interior
(all but the base-level W/T) with chrome accents added to door handles, air
outlet control knobs, front door sill inserts, small speaker bezels, and
instrument cluster trim rings. The center stack and HVAC trim are now painted
silver, and cloth has been added to the door insert padding. The Crew
Cab's back seat is comfortable, especially compared to older models. There's a
reasonable amount of leg room and the seat is
comfortably high. The seatback angles back slightly, making it more comfortable
than the bolt-upright backrest found in some other pickups. The cabin gives
enough width for adults in the rear, but not as wide as a full size pickup.
Getting in and out of the back seats is a bit difficult because the door is
narrow and you have to swing your feet in to clear the wide B-pillar.
Beyond these improvements, the interior is covered in hard plastic. Inside door releases are sturdy, but have the same hard feel as
the plastic. The leather-wrapped steering wheel is well cushioned. Extended cab Colorados have four doors and forward-facing rear seats. Crew Cab models have a
60/40-split, folding rear seat that holds three adults. Regular cab trucks
feature a 60/40-split bench seat upholstered in cloth or leather, and bucket
seats are available. Options include remote keyless entry, heated leather
seating, General Motors' OnStar communication system and XM Satellite Radio.
2007 Colorado Design
The Colorado's styling is aerodynamic, angular and
athletic, for a truck that is. The Colorado has an independent front suspension
and a solid rear axle. Overall, the Colorado has a clean, modern look. The
fender bulges are angular and aggressive, more so than Silverado's.
Regular cab trucks are 192.8 inches long overall on a 111.2-inch wheelbase,
while extended cab and Crew Cab models measure about 207 inches long on a
125.9-inch span. Standard steel wheels measure 15 inches in diameter, but
aluminum or chrome wheels are available. The ZQ8 package includes 17-inch tires,
and 18-inch tires are mounted on models with the Xtreme option. Hydraulically
assisted rack-and-pinion steering is installed. Colorado looks like a
downsized and slightly rendition of the full-size Silverado, beginning with its
bold chrome horizontal-bar grille and multi-lens headlamps. The lamp assembly
has a flying wedge contour, higher at the outside, and houses high and low
beams, daytime running lamps and turn signals. The Crew Cab looks well balanced,
despite the extra cab length. Cargo boxes are 6-foot, 1-inch on Regular and
Extended Cab models and 5-foot, 1-inch on Crew Cabs. A two-position locking
tailgate, which opens to 55 degrees or to fully horizontal, provides more cargo
utility.
Safety
The 2007 Chevy Colorado includes front disc and
rear drum antilock brakes. Dual-stage front-impact airbags are
standard and roof-rail side curtain airbags are optional. Side-impact airbags
for the front seats are not available. Safety features include dual-stage
front airbags and front seatbelt pre-tensioners. Curtain-style side-impact
airbags designed for head protection are optional on all models.
The Chevrolet Colorado is a truck which favors roominess, ride comfort and
fuel efficiency over traditional truck virtues such as payload and towing
capacity.
The 2007 model offers the increased roominess of the newest generation of
mid-size pickup trucks. This truck is perfect for anyone looking for a
smaller truck that's not cramped on the inside, but is still capable of handling
a respectable load or pulling a lightweight trailer. The Colorado handles
it all and gets an estimated fuel efficiency of 26 mpg Hwy, and 20 mpg City.