2016 Chevy Colorado
For at least a decade the Toyota Tacoma has owned the midsize pickup truck segment, as others (including GM) pulled out or left their offerings to languish. With a 70 percent market share and the best long-term resale value in basically the entire car industry, it was hard to argue against it—at least from a business perspective. But the “Taco” was getting long in the tooth as well, and GM has now come after it with both guns blazing. A 2015 model year Chevrolet Colorado, driven around the holidays, made it clear how serious the American company takes this fight.
It’s no surprise the Colorado looks great—GM has always employed great stylists—nor that it has a functional, well laid out interior. What is surprising is how much nicer the Chevy is to drive than the new-for-2016 Toyota. It is smoother riding, with better damping over rough roads while also having slightly better steering accuracy and response. The Colorado’s body is better controlled, with less in the way of lateral and vertical motions. Its 3.6-liter, direct fuel injection V6 has 305hp and 269lb-ft of torque—about the same torque but substantially more power the the Toyota. The GM engine is smoother, and joined more adroitly to its 6L50 six-speed transmission. It holds gears longer, shifts more intuitively and generally behaves better on-road. The Colorado’s 0-60mph run is roughly a half second faster in independent tests, though that would be hard to feel from the seat of the pants.
What is noticeable is that you sit in a more upright manner inside the Colorado; the Tacoma still feels like its chair is right on the carpet, and occupants’ legs splay out straight in response. And while neither machine has a huge back bench, the Chevrolet’s is well shaped for two, at least for shorter trips. The 2015 model year GM infotainment interface still needed some work, as it was prone to crashing with Apple devices; the 2016 system tested in other Chevy models is better. Material quality appears about the same in both; Toyota’s have typically remained more robust feeling for longer, leading to speculation that perhaps the Tacoma would be the better long-term purchase. It certainly has history on its side in terms of durability and residual values.
While the Colorado is an unknown in these regards, GM’s fullsize trucks are the toughest, most durable and highest resale in their class. Hopefully this translates to the smaller sibling. While we’re waiting to find out, we can all enjoy the way the Colorado goes about its business, leading the midsize class in driver engagement and refinement.
More info: chevrolet.com
Isaac Bouchard is owner of Bespoke Autos, an auto brokerage that helps people save time, money and hassle when buying or leasing vehicles. Since 1991 he has helped his clients save over $1 million dollars. He has written extensively about getting the best deal possible when buying or leasing a vehicle, arranging financing or trading in a car. Isaac has been a professional automotive journalist as well for over 12 years, having reviewed most all types of car, truck and SUV.
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