Test Drove Z71 Extended Cab Colorado

Greg · January 3, 2004

Summary: Competent. Superior to the current S-10, but not tremendously so.

Interior: Seemed roomier. Seats seem located closer to the doors leaving more room between occupants, but closer to the window glass. The instruments are clear. The look and feel of the dash and controls are improved, but the switches are not as crisp as they could be. The view out the windshield is more like the Silverado than the S-10. I liked the seat fabric on the deluxe buckets. The rear seats are useable for small occupants and/or small distances. If you use a baby seat, the metal loops to attach the seat are very accessible, not hidden between the cushions. The rear seat depth is short, I don't know if all baby seats would fit. The seats flip up easily, to expose little storage bins. These bins are handy, but would be in the way of a flat floor for a dog to ride.

Exterior: Lots of Avalanche / Silverado styling cues. I like it.

Driving: Z71 ride is stiff and jiggly. I liked it, but my wife wouldn't. The sales guy says that all the Colorado models ride more stiffly than their corresponding S-10 models due to the stiffer boxed frame. I didn't drive any of the other models, yet. The performance of the 3.5 I5 is different than the 4.3 V6. It didn't seem noticeably slower or faster. It sounded and felt more like a strong 4, an I5 Mercedes diesel, or a tractor than a V8 Silverado.

Summary: I'd like to buy a basic truck later this year and the Colorado is a good alternative to the Silverado. (I only buy GM.) I'd like to drive a Z85 crewcab since it may fit our needs best. My son, who has a S-10 and is thinking about buying something new sometime, previously drove a couple Colorados. He really likes the extended cab Z85, but thinks the interior space of the extended cab Silverado is superior to the Colorado crewcab for not much more money.

Mulerider71 · January 7, 2004

Yesterday, I test drove a Canyon Crew Cab SLE Off-Road 4x4...I must say I LOVED IT. It just felt right. I currently drive an 01 Silverado Z71 Ext Cab with the 5.3L and as far as just scooting down the road, the I-5 isn't all that slow. It sounds a lot like an I-4 engine...but its also as smooth as one. I was very impressed with the fit/finish and the performance...especially the gas mileage! I am going to start college in August and I need something smaller with better gas mileage....I think this might be the ticket!