INDIANAPOLIS — I love my dad, but he sometimes lives in the 1980s. He still believes he needs a full-size pickup to tow my parents’ camper and fishing boat. When I was a kid, he drove a 1979 Chevy C10 full-size pickup, with the 167 horsepower 5.7-liter V8. Towing capacity? Around 6,000 lbs. He could be forgiven, though, because the compact S10 of the day moved 2,000 lbs. less. But, Chevy’s smallest truck today, the 2024 Colorado Z71, tows up to 7,700 lbs. How may surprise you.
The Colorado Z71 is a hunky lad with its black mask of a grille, squinty LED headlamps and chiseled hood. The crew cab body flaunts its wares with crisp beefy fenders hulking over 18” wheels wearing all-terrain tires. Around back, check pre-wiring for trailers, hitch receiver and spray-in bedliner. Concealed storage in the tailgate, household-style power plug and tie-down points make activities more convenient. The bed’s a little short for commercial work, but large enough to haul mulch or a couple of bicycles.
Interiors crib Chevy’s new EVs like the Blazer and Silverado. Big air vents, red stitching, and textured vinyl are suave, but can also be easily wiped down after a day of play. Our Z71 added luxury touches like heated/ventilated front seats, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and Bose audio. There’s no sunroof, but devices connect easily with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a charging pad. Drivers even get an underbody camera for navigating challenging trails.
There are some missing controls, however. There’s a volume knob, but none for tuning. One must swipe or tap-tap on the touchscreen. No matter the system, all cars should have two knobs. On my way to get coffee early one morning, I looked for the headlamp switch. The stalk has wipers and brights ala old-school GM, but only the trailer brake controller is on the left dash. Headlamps are automatic, so it makes sense, but manual controls are hidden on the touchscreen! OK, but really?
At least safety will be of little concern as the truck comes with automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise, front/rear pedestrian alerts, and rear seat child reminder.
My dad would lose his entire kit over this truck’s 2.7-liter “TurboMax” four-cylinder engine. But, he should just chill as it whips up 310 horsepower and 430 lb.-ft. of torque — sent to the road through an 8-speed automatic transmission and electronic four-wheel-drive. That’s a fair bit more than my dad’s old Chevy pickup on which I learned to drive, and it gets considerably better fuel economy too: 19/23-MPG city/highway.
A key advantage of driving a smaller pickup is maneuverability. The Colorado actually fits in my urban driveway, can squeeze down narrow side streets and is easier to parallel park. The Z71 off-road suspension soaks up potholes in the city and bridge joints on the highway…and absorbs the rough stuff beyond streets. Going slow or fast, the Colorado’s turbo-four seemed always to have power in reserve.
I don’t suspect I’ll ever get my dad to buy a smaller four-cylinder pickup, but the Colorado Z71 is a smart choice for many. It does everything most full-size pickup owners need, but with enhanced efficiency and maneuverability. It’s also priced reasonably, starting under $30,000 and coming to $47,550 as-tested — about the same as a proper mid-size crossover. Competitors include the Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma, Honda Ridgeline, and similar GMC Canyon.
Storm Forward!
Send comments to Casey at AutoCasey@aol.com; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.
Likes
- Turbo-four engine
- Buff styling
- Twin-screen interior
Dislikes
- No tuning knob
- No headlamp switch
- No sunroof
2024 Chevy Colorado Z71
Five-passenger, 4WD Pickup
Powertrain: 2.7-liter T-4, 8-spd
Output: 310hp/430 lb.-ft.
Suspension f/r: Ind/Solid axle
Wheels f/r: 18”/18” alloy
Brakes f/r: disc/disc
Towing capacity: 7,700 lbs.
Fuel economy city/hwy: 19/23-MPG
Assembly: Wentzville, MO
Base/as-tested price: $29,800/$47,550
