The “Golden Calipers,” which represent the Truck of the Year (TOTY) award, is one of the most prestigious and sought-after prizes in the automotive industry. To win, a vehicle must pass a grueling series of tests, going head-to-head with worthy competitors from other manufacturers. A panel of judges, comprised of Motor Trend’s editorial staff, put each nominated truck through its paces.
Each contender was judged on advancement in design, engineering excellence, efficiency, safety, value, and performance of its intended function.
Reinventing the Mid-Sized Truck
While the small to mid-sized truck seems to have gone the way of the dodo bird in favor of super-sized trucks with extreme hauling and payload capabilities, the Colorado’s triumphant return after a three-year hiatus demonstrates that buyers can still have a solid, mid-sized truck without sacrificing some of the benefits of those larger beasts.
As one Motor Trend judge said: “The Colorado to me is the perfect-sized truck again. Its simplicity and purity are what a truck ought to be.” Another judge declared: “This is a really good, honest little truck.” The Colorado also received high marks for its value, coming in as the least expensive of all the TOTY contestants.
Award-winning Performance
The 2015 Chevy Colorado is offered with either a 200 hp 2.5 liter four-cylinder or a 305 hp 3.6 liter V6. Plans call for Chevy to introduce a 2.8 liter turbo diesel inline four cylinder sometime next year. Both engines are mated to either a six-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission or an Eaton six-speed manual. The V6 has a 7,000-pound rated towing capacity, while the 2.5 liter four can haul up to 3,500 pounds. Judges found the Colorado to offer a “solid, smooth, and nimble ride” regardless of whether or not it was empty or loaded. “The Colorado has the best steering I’ve ever experienced on any truck,” enthused one judge.
The Colorado also excelled in fuel economy, posting EPA-estimated 20 mpg city/27 highway for the four-cylinder and 17 city/24 highway mpg for the V6. It comes in either extended or crew-cab body styles and can be had with either a short or a long-bed configuration. Four-wheel drive is also an option.
Safety First
The Colorado also outshined the competition in terms of both technology and segment-first safety features, such as forward-collision alert, lane-departure warning, six airbags, and standard backup camera. The optional Chevy MyLink® offers hands-free calling, text to speech, 4G LTE Wi-Fi connectivity, and audio controls. Other features that made the Colorado stand out included Chevy’s “CornerStep®” which allows easy access to the truck bed, 13 tie downs, optional moveable cargo rings, and an “EZ Lift-and-Lower®” tailgate on the upscale Z71 model.
Well-equipped and Well Liked
The Motor Trend panel of judges also commented that the Colorado comes well-equipped with quality materials throughout, even in its base configuration. “You’d never use the word ‘cramped’ to describe this truck,” said one reviewer. Other judges gave high marks for the many storage bins, a 3.5 digital information display in the instrument cluster, and a large, programmable 8-inch touchscreen mounted above the center stack.
The judges also raved about the Colorado’s overall appearance, noting that its exterior design was “inspiring;” deliberately setting it apart from its larger Silverado sibling. And editors also praised the top-of-the-line Z71’s excellent off-road capabilities. “It felt so light and capable, I just wanted to tear across the desert with it,” noted one judge.
Overall, the 2015 Chevy Colorado simply outscored and outperformed the other TOTY finalists: “…no contender that we tested excelled in all six of our judging criteria to the extent the Colorado did,” the magazine said.
Get an Award-Winning Deal on the All-New Chevy Colorado at Dimmitt Chevrolet
See for yourself why the new Chevy Colorado was named Motor Trend’s 2015 Truck of the Year by scheduling a test drive today at Dimmitt Chevrolet, your preferred Chevy dealer near Tampa. Now’s the time to take advantage of 3.9% APR 60-month special financing on a new 2015 Chevy Colorado. We’re located at 25485 US Highway 19 North, Clearwater, FL 33763. To learn more, call our sales department at 888-867-1203.
Sources:
http://www.chevrolet.com/colorado-small-truck.html?cmp=OLA_DISPLAY_8450706_114385147_287324058_60959103
http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/truck/1502_2015_truck_of_the_year_contenders/photo_01.html
http://www.motortrend.com/oftheyear/truck/2015_chevrolet_colorado_is_the_motor_trend_truck_of_the_year/
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