I love small trucks, they are so awesome. For some reason, I'm always searching for an old ZR2 S10 that is in mint condition, has low miles and of course no rusting in the rockers. I miss the Ranger and Dakota too. Not because I would like to buy one of these as a daily, I really have no need. They just have a special place in the market and some people really don't need the larger, full size Silverado or F150. In the garage is the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado, an award winning top notch player that GM has basically resurrected from the grave.

When this truck was first shown, I was so excited. The looks, styling and quality of the entire package looked like nothing I'd ever seen on a GM small truck. When I finally saw it in person, the size took me by surprise, and it probably will with you the first time you see one in person. It is closer to 80s Silverado than 90s S10, so keep that in mind as you go look at them. After the initial size shock has chilled out, you start to realize how nice this truck actually is. The fit/finish is so nice, front end looks are spot on, and they gave it a stance that looks lifted and ready for business. The other neat thing I found with this truck if this makes sense, it looks so high end and professional. This could easily be sitting on a job site or in the parking lot of your accountant, they just styled it so cleanly it looks amazing, and there is room to grow.

The Z71 has the blacked out grille, the Trail Boss has blacked out bowties, and I'm sure more is to come. Similar to the Traverse, Chevy can help this truck grow and mature every few models years with ease implementing small styling tweaks. While driving this guy, I felt that the power was good, but the high end power didn't seem very truck like. It felt more at home on the highway than how it would work down a trail. Lots of online forums want a different engine in these, and that may come, but we do know the diesel will be here soon enough. Ride and handling were comfortable, firm and somewhat truck like. In all honesty though, I really felt like I was driving a car, rather than a Z71 off-road truck. That brings me to my overall thoughts on this truck.

The Colorado in nearly every format looks amazing, so in the looks department you really can't go wrong with whatever model you pick. This being the Z71 though, you are paying top dollar for that. Getting the Z71 features which I mention in my video is totally cool, but I found them to be somewhat not worth it, for me. If I was personally building one of these to buy, I would easily go LT, add the MyLink, Bose Speakers, some better wheels and maybe even some GM accessories to round it out. The Z71 stuff I really feel like I wouldn't use - hill decent control, the transfer case skid is kind of weak, wheels/tires...ok maybe. The 4:10 axle and locking differential is cool stuff, but once again most of my time was spent on road and not really needing this. To me, the Z71 costs so much, it would scare me off-roading this thing. I get it that it can and that is what they are made for, but when you factor in the costs and the average buyer, I think LT optioned up is your best choice.

Don't get me wrong here, this is a great truck and if you have the means, go for the Z71. I love that Chevrolet once again has an amazing small truck option to go up against Toyota and Nissan. Small trucks are so useful, practical and of course when done right they look so cool. If I was looking for a serious off-road truck though, I'd be waiting for the ZR2 to be resurrected by the general. Hopefully that will be sooner than later....