I test-drove the General Motors (GM) Chevrolet mid-size pickup, the "All New Colorado." Contrary to its rugged, rough image, the quieter-than-expected, smooth ride stood out. It handled rough surfaces, rain-soaked puddles, and speed bumps with stability. However, the large body made narrow roads inconvenient to use, and finding a parking spot in the city was a constant concern.
The Colorado is a model brought in from the United States, regarded as the home of pickup trucks. It is categorized as a mid-size pickup in the United States, but it is on the larger side in Korea. Its length is 5,410 mm, the same as the Cadillac Escalade and Kia's first pickup, the Tasman. Its height is 1,810 mm, width 1,905 mm, wheelbase 3,337 mm, and curb weight 2,150 kg.
The exterior silhouette and design, matched to its massive build, feel bold and rugged. The large black radiator grille at the front connects to the LED projection headlamps to make a strong impression. The overall lines from the bonnet (hood) and bumper to the sides are thick and hefty. The body section with the first- and second-row seats is longer than the open cargo bed.
You have to step on the running board to climb into the vehicle. Inside, physical buttons and the digital cluster are balanced, giving a chunky yet intuitive impression. The side mirrors offer a narrow field of view, and it is said that not a few owners replace them.
Throughout the drive, the vehicle moved generally smoothly and gently. Because the body is tall with a cargo bed attached at the rear, there was concern it might rattle at high speeds, but it was more stable than expected. There was some engine noise when stop-and-go driving in the city or on uphill sections, but it was mostly quiet.
The driving feel stood out on rough, bumpy roads. It cleared rain-formed puddles with ease, and it went over speed bumps—where other cars pitch and heave—comfortably. GM said the four-wheel-drive system includes a feature that automatically locks the differential gear—a device that allows different left-right wheel rotation—when the traction difference between the left and right wheels becomes significant.
Depending on road conditions, the vehicle offers four drive modes: normal, off-road, terrain, and tow/haul. True to a pickup, it also comes with a variety of features specialized for trailering heavy loads such as large caravans and yachts.
The vehicle's maximum towing capacity is 3,492 kg, and it also limits sway—when a trailer fishtails due to road undulations at high speed. Maximum cargo volume is 1,186 liters (L), and it can carry up to about 721 kg including passengers and cargo.
In the city, the large body felt somewhat burdensome. Securing a parking space was especially difficult, and the front of the vehicle stuck out past the parking lines each time. Because entrances and exits of urban parking structures are generally narrow with tight turning radii, getting in and out likely will not be easy either.
For daily driving rather than leisure use, fuel economy may also be disappointing. The official combined fuel economy is 8.1 km per liter (9.1 km on the highway, 7.5 km in the city). The vehicle is sold in a single Z71 trim, and prices start at 72.79 million won.
In Korea, pickup trucks are categorized as commercial vehicles, not passenger cars, and can receive various tax benefits. The special consumption tax—5% of the vehicle price (3.5% this year)—and the education tax (30% of the special consumption tax) are exempt, and the acquisition tax is 5% of the vehicle price, lower than passenger cars (7%). The annual motor vehicle taxes are also a flat 28,500 won regardless of engine displacement.