Photo by Chris Wolski.

Photo by Chris Wolski.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of test driving the Chevrolet Colorado several times, and each experience has been more rewarding than the last. Yes, for fleets, the Colorado is fundamentally a truck, designed for a specific, utilitarian purpose, but Chevrolet also didn’t forget the driver—hence it’s the perfect melding of form and function.

The mid-size pickup is filling a void left by the near desertion of the segment by most OEMs, including Chevrolet, two years ago, which should please fleet managers and drivers who were devoted to the segment’s earlier models.

The Colorado’s compact size and ease of use is particularly well-suited to congested urban settings where parking is at a premium and maneuverability can be tough even for a sedan. Its driveability makes it easy to use for that employee—such as a technician—whose primary responsibility is not driving.

For fleets, the Colorado should deliver the kind of capacity they expect from its larger cousins the Silverado 1500 and HD models, including up to 7,000 pounds towing capacity, in a small, versatile, comfortable package. Adding to its ideal function as a mobile office is the Colorado’s available hotspot, which allows up to seven mobile devices to operate at field sites and other remote locations. The Colorado also comes standard with a rearview camera, and is available with lane departure warning and forward collision assist. The Colorado literally has it all.

Photo by Chris Wolski.

Photo by Chris Wolski.

But, most important is how it drives. In a word: beautifully. The truck has a surefootedness that is more typical of a sedan, but with the functionality of a pickup. I’ve driven the Colorado now in both rural, mountainous, and highway conditions and it performed beautifully no matter the conditions. While the available 3.5L V-6 is obviously powerful, producing 305 hp, the 2.5L is equally impressive, producing 205 hp. The engines both get excellent mpg 27 mpg highway for the 2.5L 2WD model and 26 mpg highway for the 3.5L V-6.

Chevrolet designed the Colorado with fleets in mind. The Work Truck model is available with a rear seat delete allowing for additional, secure storage, and more rugged and economical vinyl seats. A box delete version will also be available, giving fleets more options for upfitting the pickup.
No matter how you look at it, the Colorado is both fun and functional.

Related:

Photos: 2015 Chevrolet Colorado Walkaround

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet

About the author
Chris Wolski

Chris Wolski

Former Managing Editor

Chris Wolski is the former managing editor of Automotive Fleet, Fleet Financials, and Green Fleet.

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