Here's a quick review of my new 2024 Colorado ZR2 in what they call the "summit white" color that has a large portion of the hood in black:
Quick background. I had a Chevy S-10 back in the mid 90s, and it was my first new vehicle. Bare bones truck. Didn't even have a radio in it, let alone AC or anything like that and it was like $9600. But it was mine, right? Had the 2.2L 4 cylinder that went in the Cavalier amongst other vehicles. Long story short, 45,000 miles or so and there was some sort of internal engine issue (don't know what it was - didn't have much know-how back then) that they wouldn't even attempt to fix even though I had an extended warranty and I lost the clutch as well. I didn't beat on that truck by any means, had all the maintenance done, and I feel like I was good at driving a MT. I guess the clutch could have been me, but I don't really think so, and it was the only vehicle I ever had clutch issues. Anyways, I was done with Chevy.
I think people carry those same feelings, right or wrong, rational or irrational. Have a brand of car that does you wrong? "I'm never buying _______ ever again!"
I felt that way.
Anyways, I have been casually looking for a mid size truck for a few months, never hastily, but with the intent to purchase. I'm a Toyota truck fanboy, and was locked in on the Tacoma. Opted to avoid the Tacoma with some of the early issues, and I had a 3rd gen and didn't like the drivability of it at all. Liked what I read about the GM 2.7T, and really liked the looks of the Colorado and went to test drive one.
Loved it, obviously. Bought the ZR2 and now have 1000 miles on it, so this is more like first impressions than a legit review.
I have yet to try out any of the off-road functions. I have an intermountain west road trip in the initial planning stages for April next year and plan to get it off pavement plenty, but I'm not going to Moab or intending to crawl with it. The suspension for on-pavement driving works well. The bumps are absorbed easily, and 33's make everyday road blemishes and potholes feel almost non-existent. The aggressive off road tires can be noisy, but that's expected.
I also haven't towed yet. I have about a 4000lb 20ft. boat/trailer combination. The ZR2 trim is rated at only 6000lbs compared to the other trims which are well over 7000lbs for the tow rating.
Trucks are taking a lot of heat for going to turbo I4s. I'd say put those reservations to bed. This truck has crazy torque for a mid size (430ft-lbs I think, or close to it...whatever) and the GM 8 speed transmission does fine. No gear hunting, holds gears long enough, and shifts are smooth enough. I read GM upgraded the Colorado transmissions 2 or 3 years ago due to many problems, but this new iteration seems to be working out well so far, and you don't hear a peep in terms of complaints or issues for the time being. For those that want the deeper note of the V6 of the past, I get it, but once you feel that engine go, you're not going to care. Roll the windows down on a nice day, and the high pitched whine of the turbo is definitely a nice consolation prize, and you don't have to rev it high by any means to hear it...it's completely awesome. Big thumbs up to the driveline so far. Only complaint is that the gas pedal can feel like a rock, and you've really got to put your foot into it to get it to downshift. You don't have to mash it to the floor, but for some reason, it feels like it takes another level of effort to depress the pedal to the point where it will downshift, more so than "normal" if that makes sense at all.
A little early to tell on gas mileage, but it looks like normal mixed driving is around 19mpg. I feathered the gas on a straight, flat 20mi drive tonight that had only a few stoplights and got the computer to read out 27.4mpg for that particular trip. The second you get that turbo going, the mpgs take a good hit, obviously.
I'm not picky on things like interiors. The instrument cluster is sharp and easy to read with several layout options. I'd like a few more knob controls than, say, touchscreen controls, but it's fine. You can monitor a zillion things with your truck like transmission temps and brake pad life. AC is plenty cold. Visibility is good, but it can actually be a little hard to see out the back in reverse. I'm old school turn-your-head-180-degrees-to-the-right when backing up, but I find myself using the rear camera a lot more with this truck due to blind spots directly behind the truck that I've never really experienced with a pickup before (I'm sure it's the lift). I have heated seats and ventilated seats. Ventilated seats are nice, hit you in the small of the back, and prevent summer swamp (rear end) lol. Seat is more than comfortable, but again, I'm not picky, and I'm 5-11, 175lbs.
Biggest complaint: no driver's side grab handle. There is one on the passenger side, but not the driver's side. Some have speculated it's bc of the curtain airbag, but wouldn't the passenger side have the same issue? No idea. But the lifted truck definitely needs an assisted boost to pull yourself into it, and I don't want to use the steering wheel. I may have to resort to adding steps to the sliders which they do sell (and it's nice the steps are removable from the sliders).
I swore off Chevy, but here I am in one again. And I absolutely love it so far -- I really think they knocked it out of the park. Driving to some is getting from point A to point B. For others, like me, it's an experience. I'm blown away by this truck so far, and it's not just the novelty of the new vehicle. Just hope it will hold up...what made me a fanboy of Toyota trucks was the reliability. We shall see!
Quick background. I had a Chevy S-10 back in the mid 90s, and it was my first new vehicle. Bare bones truck. Didn't even have a radio in it, let alone AC or anything like that and it was like $9600. But it was mine, right? Had the 2.2L 4 cylinder that went in the Cavalier amongst other vehicles. Long story short, 45,000 miles or so and there was some sort of internal engine issue (don't know what it was - didn't have much know-how back then) that they wouldn't even attempt to fix even though I had an extended warranty and I lost the clutch as well. I didn't beat on that truck by any means, had all the maintenance done, and I feel like I was good at driving a MT. I guess the clutch could have been me, but I don't really think so, and it was the only vehicle I ever had clutch issues. Anyways, I was done with Chevy.
I think people carry those same feelings, right or wrong, rational or irrational. Have a brand of car that does you wrong? "I'm never buying _______ ever again!"
I felt that way.
Anyways, I have been casually looking for a mid size truck for a few months, never hastily, but with the intent to purchase. I'm a Toyota truck fanboy, and was locked in on the Tacoma. Opted to avoid the Tacoma with some of the early issues, and I had a 3rd gen and didn't like the drivability of it at all. Liked what I read about the GM 2.7T, and really liked the looks of the Colorado and went to test drive one.
Loved it, obviously. Bought the ZR2 and now have 1000 miles on it, so this is more like first impressions than a legit review.
I have yet to try out any of the off-road functions. I have an intermountain west road trip in the initial planning stages for April next year and plan to get it off pavement plenty, but I'm not going to Moab or intending to crawl with it. The suspension for on-pavement driving works well. The bumps are absorbed easily, and 33's make everyday road blemishes and potholes feel almost non-existent. The aggressive off road tires can be noisy, but that's expected.
I also haven't towed yet. I have about a 4000lb 20ft. boat/trailer combination. The ZR2 trim is rated at only 6000lbs compared to the other trims which are well over 7000lbs for the tow rating.
Trucks are taking a lot of heat for going to turbo I4s. I'd say put those reservations to bed. This truck has crazy torque for a mid size (430ft-lbs I think, or close to it...whatever) and the GM 8 speed transmission does fine. No gear hunting, holds gears long enough, and shifts are smooth enough. I read GM upgraded the Colorado transmissions 2 or 3 years ago due to many problems, but this new iteration seems to be working out well so far, and you don't hear a peep in terms of complaints or issues for the time being. For those that want the deeper note of the V6 of the past, I get it, but once you feel that engine go, you're not going to care. Roll the windows down on a nice day, and the high pitched whine of the turbo is definitely a nice consolation prize, and you don't have to rev it high by any means to hear it...it's completely awesome. Big thumbs up to the driveline so far. Only complaint is that the gas pedal can feel like a rock, and you've really got to put your foot into it to get it to downshift. You don't have to mash it to the floor, but for some reason, it feels like it takes another level of effort to depress the pedal to the point where it will downshift, more so than "normal" if that makes sense at all.
A little early to tell on gas mileage, but it looks like normal mixed driving is around 19mpg. I feathered the gas on a straight, flat 20mi drive tonight that had only a few stoplights and got the computer to read out 27.4mpg for that particular trip. The second you get that turbo going, the mpgs take a good hit, obviously.
I'm not picky on things like interiors. The instrument cluster is sharp and easy to read with several layout options. I'd like a few more knob controls than, say, touchscreen controls, but it's fine. You can monitor a zillion things with your truck like transmission temps and brake pad life. AC is plenty cold. Visibility is good, but it can actually be a little hard to see out the back in reverse. I'm old school turn-your-head-180-degrees-to-the-right when backing up, but I find myself using the rear camera a lot more with this truck due to blind spots directly behind the truck that I've never really experienced with a pickup before (I'm sure it's the lift). I have heated seats and ventilated seats. Ventilated seats are nice, hit you in the small of the back, and prevent summer swamp (rear end) lol. Seat is more than comfortable, but again, I'm not picky, and I'm 5-11, 175lbs.
Biggest complaint: no driver's side grab handle. There is one on the passenger side, but not the driver's side. Some have speculated it's bc of the curtain airbag, but wouldn't the passenger side have the same issue? No idea. But the lifted truck definitely needs an assisted boost to pull yourself into it, and I don't want to use the steering wheel. I may have to resort to adding steps to the sliders which they do sell (and it's nice the steps are removable from the sliders).
I swore off Chevy, but here I am in one again. And I absolutely love it so far -- I really think they knocked it out of the park. Driving to some is getting from point A to point B. For others, like me, it's an experience. I'm blown away by this truck so far, and it's not just the novelty of the new vehicle. Just hope it will hold up...what made me a fanboy of Toyota trucks was the reliability. We shall see!
