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The 40 mpg Cars of 2013

2008 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab

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Curious about the newer model? Check out the 2012 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab

Overview

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2008 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab Review

By KBB.com Editorial Staff

As gasoline prices continue to edge upwards, the compact pickup is beginning to look mighty attractive. Though it can't tow or haul like a full-size Silverado, the 2008 Chevrolet Colorado makes an attractive alternative for those whose truck use tends to be more recreational than occupational. The Colorado's 185-horsepower four-cylinder and 242-horsepower five-cylinder engines provide good power and excellent fuel economy, while a four-wheel-drive option allows the compact pickup to tackle deep snow and venture off-road. Although the Colorado's cab and bed are not the largest in this segment (and its turning radius is uncommonly wide), the truck remains competitive with Ford's Ranger series and, to a lesser extent, the Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier and Dodge Dakota.

You'll Like This Car If...

If you like the rugged, bold look of the full-size Silverado, but want it in a smaller package that gets better fuel economy, check out the Colorado. The standard four-cylinder engine is surprisingly strong yet, with two-wheel drive, is EPA-rated at 24 miles per gallon on the highway.

You May Not Like This Car If...

Some may find the Colorado too narrow and, with the Crew Cab model, short on rear-seat legroom. Also, the Colorado's optional 3.7-liter in-line five-cylinder engine does not offer as much torque as the V6 engines from Toyota and Nissan.

What's New for 2008

OnStar with the Safe and Sound package is standard on 1LT and Z71 trim levels.

Driving the Colorado Regular Cab

Driving Impressions The Colorado's greatest strengths can be found in its chassis and powertrains. The newest body-on-frame chassis is much more rigid than previous Chevrolet compact pickups and you can feel it...

in the way the Colorado handles off-road and in the corners. Even over washboard roads, the Colorado exhibited no sign of dash-rattling or squeaks. Chevrolet has also created a number of performance and off-road packages that enhance the Colorado's rugged image. Surprisingly, for such a small truck, the Colorado has a rather wide turning circle. The standard in-line four-cylinder is fairly potent for such a small engine. When ordered with the manual transmission, it also offers exceptionally good fuel economy.

Favorite Features

Tailgate
The Colorado's rear tailgate can be set at a 55-degree angle so that items can rest flat on the tops of the wheel wells and align with the tailgate.

Side-Curtain Airbags
Optional side-curtain airbags are a first for this segment.

2008 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab Details

Interior

The Colorado's interior layout is highly functional, with all the gauges and controls in clear sight and easy reach of the driver. The seats offer firm bottoms and good lumbar support, and the cloth fabric is both durable and comfortable. Crew Cab models are a bit tight when it comes to rear-seat legroom, but front seat occupants should be more than satisfied. The one drawback may be the over-abundance of gray throughout the cab. Chevrolet has revamped the interior color scheme to lessen this mass of gray plastic, but the most vivid improvements show up only in the pricier trim levels.

Exterior

The Colorado definitely has the look that says "Chevy." Bulging fender flares and bright alloy wheels punctuate tall slab sides. Regular Cab models ride on a 111.3-inch wheelbase while Extended and Crew Cab models are on a 126.0-inch wheelbase. The bed length for the Regular and Extended Cab models is roughly six feet, while that for the Crew Cab model is about five feet. Both beds feature tall sidewalls, for deeper storage, which give the Colorado best-in-class cargo volume. The Colorado has a clever tailgate that can be opened flat or set at a 55-degree angle, effectively placing the top of the gate in line with the tops of the rear wheel wells, which makes it easy to load and carry, for example, large, flat panels.

Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment

The Colorado LS features a five-speed manual transmission, 2.9-liter four-cylinder engine, air conditioning, cruise control, anti-lock brakes (ABS), tilt steering wheel, dual outside mirrors, automatic headlamps, color-keyed carpeting, AM/FM stereo, tachometer and forward-facing jump seats in the Extended Cab. The LT trim adds chrome front and rear bumpers, Deluxe Cloth upholstery, CD player, leather-wrapped steering wheel and some trim items. To that the Z71 adds the Z71 off-road suspension, auto-dimming mirror, rear sliding window and the 3.7-liter five-cylinder engine.

Optional Equipment

Options include four-wheel drive, four-speed automatic transmission, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, heated leather seats, automatic locking rear differential, tow package, six-disc CD changer, XM Satellite Radio, side-impact airbags, traction control, Z71 off-road package and a Sun and Sound package that adds a six-disc CD changer and power sunroof.

Under the Hood

Engine choices for the Colorado include four- and five-cylinder powerplants. The standard 2.9-liter four and the optional 3.7-liter five are both derivatives of the in-line six found in the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy. Though the sizes of these engines might seem small, they are both big on power. The 2.9-liter four-cylinder produces an impressive 185 horsepower and offers up most of its 190 pound-feet of torque between the ranges of 1200 and 5600 rpm. That's enough power to muscle any lightly-equipped four-wheel-drive vehicle through the toughest terrain. The optional 3.7-liter engine makes 242 horsepower. Both of these engines produce class-leading horsepower while returning good fuel economy.

2.9-liter in-line 4
185 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
190 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/24 (2WD, manual), 18/24 (2WD, automatic), 16/22 (4WD, manual), 17/22 (4WD, automatic)

3.7-liter in-line 5
242 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
242 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/22 (2WD), 15/21 (4WD), 16/22 (2WD, Crew Cab), 15/20 (4WD, Crew Cab)

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2008 Chevrolet Colorado Consumer Reviews

Overall Rating

7.8

Out of 10

Based on 885 Ratings for the 2004 - 2012 models.

Review this car

Value

8.1/10

Quality

8.0/10
Reliability

8.4/10

Performance

8.2/10
Comfort

8.1/10

Styling

8.5/10

traded a silverado should have stayed with one

By markc (MO) on Saturday, January 05, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 60,000

10 4.0

overall rating 4 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 4/10
Value: 5/10
Reliability: 4/10
Quality: 2/10
Performance: 5/10
Styling: 4/10
Comfort: 5/10

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 2

"This truck has been o.k. but thats about it, have had lots of little problems , leaking headlight seals,all bulbs burning out,tire pressure monitor problems, Starting problems, Passlock system -expensive fix and chevy dealers have been less than helpful. Always owned chevys, but i think my next truck will be a toyota."

7 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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Hard Working Solid Truck - No Question

By Brian (IN) on Friday, January 04, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 150,000

10 9.0

overall rating 9 of 10rating details

Reviewer Ratings

Overall Rating: 9/10
Value: 10/10
Reliability: 9/10
Quality: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Styling: 8/10
Comfort: 7/10

Pros: "Marvelously made, great truck."

Cons: "Doesnt fit tall (6'-2" +) people well."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"Its not fancy but it gets the job done, and doesnt complain when you ask to much of it. I have the 2.8L and it can pull a 12x8 cover trailer full of furniture 200-300 miles no problem. I've filled the entire bed with gravel severely overloading it, and it got it done without complaint. Mileage varies, but I generally dont get below 20mpg, and have gotten as high as 26mpg on long hauls under idea conditions. I have beaten the truck for 70k miles and it hasnt given me any problems that are truly troubling. But there are a couple things that are starting to appear. I need to replace a sensor (prolly 02) and that is causing a sporatic abnormal idle from time to time. The emergency brake cable will get moisture in it, and in cold weather will cause the brake to lock sometimes, solution either add weight to the bed or replace the cable once every ten years. Rarely the truck will randomly not start, I'm still chasing the problem, but I think there is a position sensor or something for the clutch that is preventing the engine from starting. If you let it be, or pump the clutch, it will start. Plastic handles to move seats will break, vicegrips for the win. Really nitpicking here now. The transmission fill plug located in a way that you cant fill it easily, you will need a pump or something to fill it. In closing. I tried give a useful review, there really isnt much wrong with the truck after 150k and I'm very impressed. It doesnt burn or leak oil from the engine, transmission, or rear end. It has plenty of power when coupled with the 5spd transmission. The truck just works."

8 people out of 8 found this review helpful

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