[Taboleo] The 'Sturdiness' That Captivated Off-Roaders... Chevrolet Real New Colorado

Breaking German Car Dominance, September's Top Imported Car Sales
'Beopallo' Emerging with a Sturdy Exterior
2170mm Cargo Bed Length with Tailgate Open
Ample Space for Camping with Tent Setup

312 HP Maximum Output · 38 kg·m Maximum Torque
Automatic Drive Mode Switching According to Road Conditions
Equipped with LSD and Lock-Up Function for Enhanced Driving Stability

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] As off-road trips such as car camping and camping gain popularity, there is a vehicle attracting attention. In the Korean market, where German luxury sedans sell well, Chevrolet's pickup truck Colorado broke the four-year and two-month dominance of German cars in September and took first place. From January to November this year, 3,440 units were sold, and even in September, when all imported car sales plummeted due to the semiconductor supply shortage, 758 units were sold. Although it lags behind Ssangyong Motor's Rexton Sports & Khan, it boasts overwhelming sales among imported pickup truck brands. On the 16th, I test-drove the Chevrolet Real New Colorado for about 80 km from Yongsan-gu, Seoul to Namdong-gu, Incheon, near Incheon Grand Park.

- How is the design?

▲ While every automaker has different designs for all types of vehicles, the differences are much more pronounced in pickup trucks. If you think of the Jeep Gladiator's sleek yet rugged look or the Ford Ranger Raptor's thick, elephant-like build, the first impression of the Colorado reminded me of a buffalo with a sturdy head and shoulders. The hood and bumper drop at right angles but the body has a voluminous feel, featuring a front black radiator grille, a bumper that wraps around the fog lights and lower air intakes, and a skid plate design that gives a thick and solid appearance. The rear design has Chevrolet lettering engraved lengthwise on the tailgate, reminiscent of past retro-style Chevrolet truck models. Exterior colors include Tuxedo Black, Pure White, Ash Gray, Cherry Pop Red, Topaz Blue, and the 2022 model adds Sand Dune as a new exterior color.

- Since pickup trucks are favored by drivers who carry a lot of cargo, loading capacity is important.

▲ The loading capacity is also superior compared to pickup trucks in the same class. The Colorado's length × width × height × wheelbase measures 5395 × 1885 × 1795 × 3258 mm. The cargo bed length and width are 1567 mm and 1468 mm, respectively. I, a reporter who is 180 cm tall, lay down with the tailgate open and did not feel the length was short. This is because opening the tailgate extends the cargo bed length to 2170 mm. If you lay a mat in the cargo bed and set up a simple tent on top, you can enjoy camping. The maximum payload registered by Korea GM is 400 kg, which is a conservative figure considering off-road and rough terrain driving conditions. On regular roads with steady driving, it is said that heavier loads can be carried.

- Does it have the power and driving performance suitable for a pickup truck?

▲ Every time I pressed the accelerator pedal, I felt the engine strongly pulling the body forward. The Colorado is equipped with a 3.6L 6-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine and a Hydra-Matic 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering a maximum output of 312 horsepower and maximum torque of 38 kg·m. It also features an electronic AutoTrac Active 4WD system that allows the driver to select and switch the drive mode. Additionally, it supports an Auto mode that automatically changes the drive mode according to road conditions, enhancing ease of operation. A mechanical locking differential is standard on the rear axle, featuring a limited-slip differential (LSD) that restricts differential function based on traction differences between left and right wheels, and a lock-up function that automatically locks the differential gear when traction differences are severe, improving driving stability. Notably, the Colorado, as a traditional pickup truck model built with a high-strength full box frame body, can tow a massive caravan weighing up to 3.2 tons. It also features an advanced trailering system rarely seen in the domestic market.

- How about the interior configuration and convenience features?

▲ The interior features a neat black interior with natural leather seats as standard. The driver's seat is long and wide front to back, providing a comfortable seating feel, and is set high for good visibility. However, sitting in the second row, the space between the knees and the front seat is only about the width of one fist, which can feel cramped.

The instrument cluster is an analog type with a 4.2-inch color display, and the center display is 8 inches. The instrument cluster display shows vehicle and driving information such as fuel efficiency and driving mode, while the center display intuitively arranges phone connectivity like Android Auto, audio, navigation, rear camera, and interior temperature control functions, making it easy to operate.

- Are the price and maintenance costs economical?

▲ The price of the Colorado ranges from 40.5 million to 45.4 million KRW for the Extreme trim, and from 47.39 million to 48.89 million KRW for the Z71-X. While this may seem somewhat expensive, compared to other imported pickup trucks priced around 60 million KRW, it is relatively affordable. Since pickup trucks are classified as cargo vehicles, the annual automobile tax is only 28,500 KRW. Individual consumption tax and education tax are also exempted. However, for drivers who frequently travel long distances, fuel efficiency may be a burden. The combined fuel efficiency is 8.3 km/L for 2WD and 7.9 km/L for 4WD, and it is a gasoline model.