The year is 2015 and what may seem like just another year to some, actually serves as a crucial year in the truck market as it represents the year that an American automaker decided to reintroduce themselves into the midsize truck market. General Motors has released two new midsize trucks, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, into a market that has been dominated by two Japanese pickups for the past five years – the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier.

As a market segment, the midsize market has gone by the wayside for all American automakers as they have stuck with their decision to push buyers towards full-size trucks for their extra features, capacity, and midsize-esque fuel economy made possible with new technology. While the full-size Ford F150 and Chevy Silverado continue to dominate the full-size market, buyers looking for a smaller pickup have flocked to the Frontier and especially the Tacoma, which sold 140,000+ units in 2014 alone. 

Seeing the obvious demand for midsize trucks among American buyers, GM went all-in for 2015 to see if it could take some of the Japanese truck market share – beating out Ford and Chrysler in the process too. It’s a risky business decision that could potentially undercut GM’s own full-size Silverado and Sierra.

When GM gave us a call to see if we would be interested in trying out a 2015 Colorado for a week, we had to jump at the opportunity – especially to see if it’s (A) a contender against the Japanese midsize offerings, and (B) a suitable replacement for a buyer who doesn’t really “need” a full-size truck.

The Truck

We were anxiously awaiting the arrival of the 2015 Colorado and while we were expecting a more mid-level 4×4 model to arrive, when the fully-loaded Z71 Crew Cab 4×4 showed up in Silver Ice Metallic, we were pretty blown away. The Z71 package is the pinnacle of the Chevy Colorado lineup, and it shows. From the 17-inch dark argent metallic cast aluminum wheels to the sport cloth/leatherette seats, this truck redefines what a midsize truck can be with some modern features and an as-tested MSRP just shy of $38,000.

Exterior

From the outside, the Colorado has quite a few styling cues that we would consider globally-inspired, resembling the flock of trucks one would find in other countries. From the smooth exterior design that almost appears to be leaning forward to the side windows that feature strong upward curves on the bottom edge (especially the back window), there are quite a few design elements that are shared but improved upon from the market-leading Tacoma.

The front of the truck is rounded and smoothed in a masculine way with a large grille, headlights, and bowtie that proudly display this is a Chevy. Aerodynamics were clearly a focus during the design process, as this truck looks sleek and has current-generation features like the front lower valance to aid in dispersing air – more on that valance later though. The hood is wide and relatively flat which integrates nicely with the grille and windshield to aid in the truck’s overall streamlined look. 

Out back, it is very apparent that this truck is designed for the bed to be used. While our truck was the (short) five-foot two-inch bed, it is very deep (something the Tacoma should learn from) and there are ample hooks and holes to secure cargo straps to. Even better, the tailgate, which feels very sturdy, has assisted opening that’s operated by pulling a lever to open it and let go without the tailgate slamming down. Nice touches like this make this truck feel very refined from a build quality standpoint. As one of the best aspects of the cargo area, the bed is actually made of metal, which is a huge win over the Tacoma’s composite bed. Finally, access to the bed is aided through the corner step rear bumper that is a nifty little feature carried over from the big-brother Silverado. 

Overall, the Colorado looks big, as it should because it is only about a foot shorter than a similarly-configured Silverado and six-inches more narrow. With that being said, it feels much more maneuverable than today’s crop of full-size trucks which feel like you’re driving a dump truck in a tight alley anytime it’s in a less-than-rural location.

Interior

Being that our Z71 came fully loaded, it had all (and more) of the technological goodies you would come to expect from today’s luxury cars, and was mind-blowing for a midsize truck. With an eight-inch touchscreen navigation display, premium Bose speakers that are phenomenal, four-way heated power front seats with power lumbar, automatic air conditioning, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with enough buttons to control nearly everything in the vehicle, the interior of the 2015 Colorado demonstrates what a next-generation midsize truck interior should feel like, and puts the Tacoma and Frontier interiors to shame.

From the driver’s seat, this truck is very comfortable. The seats are firm but supportive, very similar to how those of a German car feel, and get increasingly more enjoyable as you get more seat time with the truck. We had numerous people of all different shapes and sizes sit in the truck and it received the thumbs-up, one and all. Aided in part by the tall cab and large doors, the truck is easy to get in and out of even if you are north of six feet tall, something that cannot be said about some of the competition.

Over the past twenty years, trucks have received increasingly more interior appointments and styling that has carried over from passenger cars, which is a good thing for someone who uses their pickup as their daily driver. The Colorado continues this trend with a nicely laid out center dash cluster, and every gauge you need including a fully-digital four-inch information screen, as well as ergonomics that put everything comfortably within the driver’s reach. We didn’t find ourselves reaching for anything, nor did we find anything that felt blatantly out of place. 

Where a full-size truck’s interior may feel cavernous and a mini-truck (Toyota Pickup, Ford Ranger, etc) interior feels like you’re sitting on your passenger’s lap, the Colorado’s midsize interior feels just right. As someone who has owned full-size trucks his whole life, it pains me to admit it, but the Colorado’s interior size (and exterior size for that matter) is the perfect size for the vast majority of buyers.

Powertrain

GM introduced the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon with your choice of a 200 hp 2.5-liter I4 or 305 hp 3.6-liter V6. In addition, buyers can choose from a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, depending on the engine. As tested, our 4×4 Z71 came with the direct-injection 3.6-liter V6 mated to the six-speed 6L50 automatic transmission. It features an electronic shift on the fly two-speed transfer case that offers 2-Hi, 4-Hi, and 4-Low depending on your needs.

The 3.6-liter is a strong motor that is part of a new breed of midsize and full-size V6 powerplants that are lower displacement than years past but still generate strong power figures – think Ford’s 3.7-liter F150 V6, or Ram’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. For someone who is looking to upgrade from an older pickup with a previous-generation V6, like the 4.0-liter V6 found in the 2005-2015 Tacoma, the powerband is different. While V6s of old used to feel very punchy off the line, this new breed of V6s makes power higher up in the RPM range. For instance, when driving the Colorado’s 305 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque V6, you really don’t feel the thrust until the 3,000 rpm range, tapping out at 6,800 rpms. 

Power is put to the ground through Kevlar-reinforced Goodyear Wrangler tires.

This new-age V6 is designed with efficiency in mind, and even though it takes more throttle input to get going, it works, it’s just a different driving experience. The Colorado is adequately powered off idle, but when merging onto the freeway or trying to get through difficult terrain, especially sand in four-wheel-drive, the motor needs to build up steam before it really gets going. The experience is very similar to driving a Civic Si – adequate power down low to get things moving, but once the motor builds some RPMs, it takes off.

On Road Driving Impressions

Using this truck as a commuter, as we did for a week, is a real pleasure. First off, this truck is quiet, like the type of quiet one finds in a library, even at freeway speeds. This is due in large part to the insulation, design, and the fact that this truck is a cab-on-frame design (as a truck should be) which does not transfer road noise through the cab as much as a unibody. Oftentimes, when vehicles are extremely quiet, you seem to notice a lot of rattles, but that was not the case with the Colorado.

One trip down some uneven pavement and we could tell this truck is built solid, both from the lack of interior noise and the ride quality. Our truck, which keep in mind is a media truck (so Heaven only knows what’s been done to it previously), did have a ticking noise in the steering column that was very irritating. We looked for the source, but couldn’t find what it was. Regardless, we probably wouldn’t have even noticed it had the truck not been so quiet! 

The ride quality of the Colorado is another one of its strong suits and can only be described as firm, yet supportive. The truck does not wallow over uneven roads, nor does it ever feel the slightest bit out of control – even when only one side of the truck goes through bumps. This, combined with the well-tuned electronically assisted steering, gives the driver a lot of confidence knowing that the truck is going to go where it’s pointed and will be extremely predictable.

With fuel prices on the rise again, fuel economy is on everyone’s mind. The EPA estimates the Z71 Colorado at 17-city, 24-highway, and 20-combined. As tested, we averaged 17.7 mpg over the course of the week, which did include some four-wheeling that negatively affected fuel economy as well as a couple periods of long idling. Because of this, we feel that 18-20 mpg averages would be very attainable depending on the circumstances. Using the computer’s MPG calculator, which proved to be surprisingly accurate, we were able to average an impressive 22.6 mpg over a 50-mile trip of mixed freeway and city driving.

Driving on the highway or backcountry roads is where the powertrain really shines. Smooth shifts, comfortable cruising, and a nicely geared 1,700 rpms cruising at 65 mph all combine to give the driver a very comfortable and efficient driving experience.

Off Road Driving Impressions

We wouldn’t be called Off Road Xtreme if we didn’t love going off-road. As such, as soon as the Colorado showed up, we knew we had to try out the four-wheel-drive system. Driving the Colorado down rough dirt roads at speeds up to 40 mph is a satisfying experience. The truck feels planted to the dirt below and does not skip around across rough terrain, which is confidence-inspiring and something that is uncharacteristic of small to medium-sized trucks.

This same sensation becomes even more apparent in 4-Hi and is almost too-tempting because with the combination of the quiet ride and creature comforts of the interior, you don’t feel like you’re going as fast as you are until you look at the speedometer. If off-roading surrounded by midsize luxury sounds like a good time, then this is your automobile.

Putting the Z71 suspension package to the test, we ran the truck through a local wash in 4-Hi and 4-Low that is a guaranteed bad day in two-wheel-drive. While the four-wheel-drive system works great, especially with the fully automatic locking differential, the only issue we noticed in the sand was the truck searching for the right gear when in drive. 

The powertrain combo that works great on the highway did have some trouble in the resistance-heavy sand and would require 3,000-4,000 rpm to power through (which raises an eyebrow if it’s for an extended period of time). In addition, the front valance, which is designed to push air to the sides of the truck rather than getting caught underneath, is just too low. The valance, which sits about eight-inches off the dirt, is relatively the same height as a passenger car and heavily reduces the angle of approach when climbing something. Thankfully, the valance is soft plastic (and removable) so even when it does hit the dirt, it doesn’t cause any damage, and still provides the economy benefits.

Final Verdict

Having driven this vehicle full-time for a week, we can safely say that the 2015 Colorado sets a new standard in the midsize truck market and really shows the age of its competition. Simply put, this truck is what a midsize pickup should be for the general public – it’s quiet, gets good gas mileage (for a truck), seats five large adults comfortably, has ample utility with the well-designed cargo area, and doesn’t take up more than its fair share in a parking lot.

For someone who wants a truck but doesn’t need the capability of a full-size, the 2015 Colorado does everything asked of it and is the new benchmark for the next wave of midsize trucks. GM has essentially put the competition on notice, because it is much more refined and feels much more like a 2015 model than any other midsize on the market. 

If you are looking for your next midsize truck and don’t mind paying a premium for a premium midsize, then the Chevy Colorado or GMC Canyon are both great options you need to check out.