2006 Chevrolet Colorado

For 2006, the Chevrolet Colorado undergoes only minor changes. The trim line-up is now the base LS and upscale LT. There’s a new ‘Sun and Sound’ package, including a six-CD stereo and power sunroof available for the LT; a new Blue Granite Metallic exterior colour; and upgraded cloth material for the LT and the Crew Cab seatback.

The Colorado, which is the same truck as the GMC Canyon, is available in three configurations: a regular cab, an extended cab with two small, rear-hinged access doors, and a crew cab with four independently-opening doors. All are available in two- or four-wheel-drive. All come base with a 2.8-litre inline four-cylinder, and all can be optioned up to a 3.5-litre inline five-cylinder. The base five-speed manual can be optioned to a four-speed automatic; all but the Crew Cab can be ordered in the two trim lines (the Crew Cab is LT trim only). It’s quite a buffet of combinations.

Depending on the configuration, features on the base trucks can include vinyl floor covering, cloth seats, variable intermittent wipers, AM/FM stereo, 15-inch steel wheels and chrome bumpers; all come with four-wheel disc brakes with four-wheel ABS.

Other available features include deep-tinted rear windows, aluminum wheels, air conditioning, colour-keyed carpet, tilt wheel, cruise control, power windows, power locks with keyless entry, and CD/MP3 system. Numerous add-ons are available, including a bed extender, side steps, a sport tent and air mattress for camping, tonneau cover, rear sliding window and leather interior.

A best-seller right out of the box in its introductory 2004 year, the Colorado’s choice of body styles makes it easy for a buyer to find the right one, especially since it’s available with an easy-clean vinyl floor for dirty jobs. At the other end of the scale, it can be ordered in Xtreme trim, with lowered suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels with low-profile performance tires, rear spoiler and monochromatic trim: all the mini-truckin’ stuff you’d normally have to visit the aftermarket shop to buy. The Colorado remains a mini-truck; it’s smaller than the Toyota Tacoma, and its extended-length models are considerably smaller than the massive Dodge Dakota. But that works to its advantage: not everyone needs or wants a huge “mini” truck, and for those buyers, the Colorado should fit the bill.