Spied: 2015 Chevy Colorado (10 new photos, taken 7/2013)

[Kaisen]

http://www.automedia.com/Blog/post/Spied-2015-Chevrolet-Colorado-and-GMC-Canyon.aspx

Photos taken in Death Valley by my friend Brenda
It looks too big to me. What do you think?

 

[rkj__]

They are clearly trying to compete with the Tacoma, which is pretty big in crew cab long box format as well.

Right now, the size of the previous generation suits my wants and needs much better.

 

[Clutch]

Looks to be on par with what is available in the global pickup market...the HiLux is no longer smaller than the Tacoma.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/pickuptrucks-com-global-pickup-shootout/#photo-5246834/

Seems a bit more squared off than what the Colorado looks like overseas (not a bad thing)

Is it too big? Yes and no...I do like the size of the current Tacoma, it just needs some improvements here and there. fuel economy is a glaring improvement it needs, and price is getting a bit too high. we need a bare bones stripper 4WD model at $25K or under.

Could it be smaller? sure. I like the size of the 1st gen Tacos too...I go back and forth.

 

[BurbanAZ]

i think it does look a little too big for a Colorado. I never understood why they made the Tacoma that big because now i don't really see why i would want a Tacoma instead of a tundra unless i just liked the looks better.

I personally like the bigger trucks better but i can see how the smaller trucks has a place. I just don't think anyone really offers a smaller truck now like they used to.

 

[bloodyWEST]

strange. i dont understand the marketing plan. its like the opposite of what ford did when they dropped the ranger.

in these pics, it looks like a 7/8 scale silverado

 

[Larry]

You know Brenda? I met her many years ago in Arizona at Sands Chevrolet. Nice lady with an exciting job!

Well, I always have an opinion of something and my opinion of the Colorado/Canyon (or whatever they will be calling them when the day comes) is they are way too big. It seems pointless to me to offer a truck that is 7/8’s the size of a full-size Silverado. Look at that picture of the crew cab long bed (looks somewhat long like maybe 6 ft.?) Colorado….it is huge! Why does that big of “small” truck even need to exist? Dumb

When it comes down to it, a diesel Colorado will end up costing more than a well-equipped Silverado with a 5.3L. It will be fun to see how many diesel wishers actually put their money where their mouth is once they are available for purchase. I have heard many GM dealers are already complaining up the ladder through dealer council meetings that the new Colorado is too big with too much overlap to the Silverado. I agree!

I really wish GM, Toyota and Nissan need to get back to true small trucks like they offered 15 years go. These 7/8’s size trucks are not in the least bit desirable to me. A true small truck (the size of a pre-2005 Tacoma, S10, and Frontier) would be something I would be interested in.

One thing that is still puzzling me is what will become of the G-Van that is currently built in Wentzville, Missouri once they start building these anomalous trucks there. With the latest rumors of GM may sell PSA Peugeot Citroen commercial vans in the United States leaves the uneasy feeling GM may be planning to join everybody else in ditching body on frame full-size vans for Eurovans. The death of the Express/Savana van looks inevitable. The really odd thing is the PSA Peugeot Citroen commercial van is made by Fiat and is being introduced in the US as a Ram Promaster right now. So, we may have two identical vans one wearing a Ram’s head and another wearing a Bowtie? Don’t get me wrong, I like the van but that would just be weird to have the same van marketed by two different competing companies albeit rumors are the GM version would be powered by a GM gas engine with a VM Motori diesel option whereas the Ram ProMaster launching now is powered by the Pentastar DI 3.6L with a Fiat diesel as an option. Odd there haven't been more reports on the fate of the Express/Savana at Wentzville yet though.

Oh, back to the Colorado….yeah, I don’t like the size of it. If I could wish a small truck to production this is what I would wish for…. The 2002 concept Dodge M80. The only problem is it was too big too (Dakota size). Been nice to see it go into production and be smaller than the Dakota. None the less, the M80 is still a neat little truck that would still look great today, and probably still better looking than whatever the Colorado/Canyon will look like once the camo is peeled off.

Even had a manual transmission with a real LEVER on the floor for 4wd…none of that electric shift BS.

 

[Clutch]

I really wish GM, Toyota and Nissan need to get back to true small trucks like they offered 15 years go. These 7/8's size trucks are not in the least bit desirable to me. A true small truck (the size of a pre-2005 Tacoma, S10, and Frontier) would be something I would be interested in.

1/2 tons sure have grown over the years. It almost seems there should be three sizes of trucks, a true mini, mid size, then on up to the 3/4-1 tons. The 1/2 tons
of today are the 3/4's of yore.

There was an article a while back that compared an 80's F150 to a modern one, but this is all I could find. a 1980's F150 could be considered a 7/8's truck
by today's standards... I like the 7/8's size myself.

Even had a manual transmission with a real LEVER on the floor for 4wd…none of that electric shift BS.

That is my biggest gripe with all the new 1/2 tons, no manual trans...I know it is silly, but that is the numero uno thing that keeps me out
of a modern 1/2 ton truck. Only way to get a truck with a manual trans is to give up capacity and buy a Tacoma or Frontier.

It will be fun to see how many diesel wishers actually put their money where their mouth is once they are available for purchase.

Not many, I am guessing...no cost real cost savings, cost of ownership might be a little more in the long term, when things like injectors and fuel pumps start to fail out of warranty.

I would think the only reason to get a small diesel is the torque advantage over the gas version, how many people are going to use all that torque in such a small package?

 

[Clutch]

might be a repost

 

[rkj__]

might be a repost

View attachment 173654

That's the global version that went into production months ago.

 

[SouthPawXJ]

1/2 tons sure have grown over the years. It almost seems there should be three sizes of trucks, a true mini, mid size, then on up to the 3/4-1 tons. The 1/2 tons
of today are the 3/4's of yore.

That is my biggest gripe with all the new 1/2 tons, no manual trans...I know it is silly, but that is the numero uno thing that keeps me out
of a modern 1/2 ton truck. Only way to get a truck with a manual trans is to give up capacity and buy a Tacoma or Frontier.

Not many, I am guessing...no cost real cost savings, cost of ownership might be a little more in the long term, when things like injectors and fuel pumps start to fail out of warranty.

I would think the only reason to get a small diesel is the torque advantage over the gas version, how many people are going to use all that torque in such a small package?

You could always step up to a 2500/3500 Dodge with a Cummins... more capability, power, and a manual!

The advantages of diesel for me would be the higher fuel economy and extended range that comes with it. You probably won't save any money on maintenance costs, that is for sure. The torque is addicting though...

might be a repost

View attachment 173654

Oh my... I actually like most of this truck. I detest the front, and I really hope they get away from that with the US version. A mini Silverado would be just fine to me.

 

[Sock Puppet]

A mini Silverado would be just fine to me.

I don't know...I haven't warmed up to the new Silverado yet. I think they need to make markedly different from the full size trucks to attract buyers.

 

[Clutch]

You could always step up to a 2500/3500 Dodge with a Cummins... more capability, power, and a manual!

The advantages of diesel for me would be the higher fuel economy and extended range that comes with it. You probably won't save any money on maintenance costs, that is for sure. The torque is addicting though...

Have thought about that, so I could get the manny trans, I simply do not need that much truck anymore, since I do not work construction anymore, even when I did, used a Toyota for my personal vehicle, and 3/4-1 Tons for work. A 1/2 ton is about the maximum I need for my personal vehicle, even then it is probably over-kill for most of the driving I do, if I am being truly honest with myself, if you know what I mean. I like Tacoma's size...biggest gripe is the poor fuel economy for what it is.

Real curious about the new Colorados, if they get the V8 option like they did before. That new 5.3 EcoTech would be a HOT setup in that size truck. Power and fuel "economy" in a smaller package than a 1/2 ton, just might be the goldilocks of pickups for guys like me. Though we are a very small portion of the market.

The torque is nice to say the least, a good dirt bike riding buddy has a 3/4 ton cummins....day-um! He does drive a VW Jetta TDI most of his driving duties, can even tow a couple dirt bikes with it. I could make a VW Sport wagon work, in all reality...just don't like sitting that low. Found myself straining to see down the road when I drove it. And for the price of a Touareg to get the driving height I like, buy a truck.

Oh my... I actually like most of this truck. I detest the front, and I really hope they get away from that with the US version. A mini Silverado would be just fine to me.

The pictures Kaisen posted the wheel wells look a bit like this. I do not mind the front end on this version. Albeit the grill does look like a cod-piece....



Not too far removed from the current Acadia

 

[ExpoMike]

Yeah, I don't understand with the high price of fuel today, it seems everything is getting bigger and heavier and trucks really are leading this. I miss the size of the old Toyota's, Nissan Hardbodies, Chevy S10's, etc. I liked the styling of this last gen Colorado but didn't like the standard engine choice (Inline 5 had bad reviews). I really wanted the V8 model (2wd version, Like a mini SS model) but the price is just too high to justify one.

Tocoma's have almost gotten to the size of my '97 Ram but without the weight capacity. I just don't see where these 7/8 size versions really fit. Build back to smaller and lighter version, with modern engine tech and get them into the 30mpg range. That would be a great market for them.

Oh well...

 

[Clutch]

Getting bigger, is the natural progression of things...

Can see how the F-Series have ballooned over time.

History of F-Series


the 7/8's size seems like the F100/F150's of yesterday. remember when a 1/2 ton shortbed was the hot thing to have?

 

[rkj__]

Yeah, I don't understand with the high price of fuel today, it seems everything is getting bigger and heavier and trucks really are leading this. I miss the size of the old Toyota's, Nissan Hardbodies, Chevy S10's, etc. I liked the styling of this last gen Colorado but didn't like the standard engine choice (Inline 5 had bad reviews). I really wanted the V8 model (2wd version, Like a mini SS model) but the price is just too high to justify one.

Tocoma's have almost gotten to the size of my '97 Ram but without the weight capacity. I just don't see where these 7/8 size versions really fit. Build back to smaller and lighter version, with modern engine tech and get them into the 30mpg range. That would be a great market for them.

Oh well...

The 2004 Colorado launched with a 3.5L inline five, but in 2007 they revised it to a 3.7L which bumped the HP and torque up 20 to 242.

I have the 3.7L, and for my use, it has been serving me well. I don't typically carry heavy loads though. Kayaks, bikes, and tents don't weigh that much. The only time I have really felt the engine was a little weak was when I was trying to climb giant sand dunes at Silver Lake MI. The truck's 4 speed transmission could have benefited from an extra gear though.

The new truck will almost certainly get a 3.6L V6, which will probably make 235-288HP in a bigger and heavier truck than the last generation, so I don't know that it will be fantastic either. At least the new truck will get more than 4 gears in the transmission.