Chevy’s New 2013 Colorado – What To Expect
After a long wait, details surrounding the 2013/2014 Chevrolet Colorado are finally starting to emerge. Chevrolet’s line of trucks will be getting an update soon and we have the newest information.
The new 2013 Chevy Colorado has a more subtle, rounded design than older Chevrolet pick-ups.
Production of the “world version” of the Chevrolet Colorado is currently underway in Thailand, the country with the largest market for mid-size trucks in the world. Many automotive reviewers have already seen/drove the Thailand version. The truck market in Thailand has been an important testing ground for the Colorado and has helped GM decide to relaunch the Colorado in the North American market, likely in 2012 or 2013 as a 2013 or 2014 model.
The Chevrolet Colorado is a mid-size pickup and will compete with the Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier. Historically, its appearance is tough and rough, akin to Chevrolet’s “Like a Rock” slogan. However, the new edition looks a bit more subtle. Its sharper edges have been smoothed a bit and its general design is more car-like, an important selling point in Thailand. This may have something to do with its increased size and revamped body-on-frame platform, not to mention the growing importance of aerodynamic design on vehicle fuel economy.
Keep in mind, the 2013 Colorado (or possibly 2014) will be a small truck under the new federal fuel economy regulations. It will have to be a strong performer in terms of gas mileage in order to satisfy new gas mileage laws.
The 2013 Chevrolet Colorado is marginally wider and longer than any previous model of the Colorado. This space is mostly used to give the vehicle more hip and headroom, as the legroom in the front seats actually decreased by about two inches. The interior has been changed up a little and looks stronger and sturdier using lots of hard plastics.
It’s hard to comment on the truck’s engine at this stage, as North American engine details are still up in the air. So far, the only model of the Chevrolet Colorado anybody has seen is a diesel and most experts expect the diesels will NOT be an option in America. The Thailand version use two kinds of Duramax turbo-diesels, a 2.5-liter and a 2.8-liter. It is more than likely that the American models will offer an I-4 and a smaller turbo V-6 with “ecoboost” capabilities, but nothing is certain.
Additional exterior details include:
- A streamlined “cab collar” design with a body-color hard tonneau cover on the bed
- Some sport models will likely wear 20-inch aluminum wheels featuring a “liquid metal” finish, or similar
- Outside mirrors with LED turn-signal indicators
General Motors also announced that it will invest approximately $380 million to prepare the Wentzville, Mo assembly plant for production of the all-new Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup, creating or retaining about 1,260 jobs hourly and salaried jobs.
Since the power train is still being figured out, it’s hard to know a lot about the new Colorado’s capabilities. However, it’s a near certainty that the 2013/2014 models will have improved driving dynamics and handling compared to the old Colorado, as well as a lot less bounce and better steering than previous models.
While it’s clear that the 2013 Chevrolet Colorado is going to be much more like a regular car than the trucks that have come before it, General Motors hopes truck buyers will sacrifice some towing and hauling power for a smoother, car-like ride.
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OMG, that is ugly!!! Kind of a Honda Ridgeline, but even uglier! The old Canyon/Colorado was a decent looking vehicle…I would never even consider buying the new one.
Wes – LOL. Maybe they’ll add some black plastic cladding to “GM it up” a bit.
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Wes and Jason, I disagree withyou completely. I think the old colorado looks ugly and this truck looks awsome. I also like the idea of a truck with a car like interior and ride. Not everyone wants or neads a truck for heavy towing; and if they do, they can buy a full size truck.
Barry – Honestly, I don’t think the truck looks bad. I was just laughing at Wes’s comment.
Like anything, there’s no disputing taste. If you like it, good for you.
I agree that not everyone wants or needs a big truck too – I’d like to see these small trucks be cheaper and/or more fuel efficient than the big trucks, however, because right now there’s a strong case to be made for buying a half ton over a compact truck (at least when you look at specs, cost, and efficiency).
if they bring the diesel I will be looking at one to replace my aging car. If its the run of the mill gutless gas four banger or a thirsty V6, I’ll stick with driving my super duty and replace my car with a TDI, or diesel cruze.
love it
I miss the old s-10 trucks had one and then the colorado came in and I swicthed to a tacoma, Have been waiting for GM to do something about designing a good looking, and well performing truck to compete with the tacoma which is rather ugly now ,but not as ugly as the colorado. What is wrong with the USA small truck makers??????????????
Lose the cab collar!
This truck I think could work for me. I’ve been waiting to see GM bring out something decent. I like the rounded body style but not sure about the size being larger. I now drive a toyota pickup with the frame rotting out but runs like a champ. Trucks 101 must have great frame first.
Dave,
Sadly you would think having a great frame won’t be a “target quality goal” rather a “must have quality goal.”
-Tim
between the chevy colorado gas and toyota tacoma gas i’ll go with the tacoma gas but if you guys will bring in the chevy colorado diesel you have a sale 110% i’ll buy it. love the stance of the colorado rally diesel looks great. diesel, diesel, diesel please
Ramon,
It seems to looking more and more assured that a compact diesel will be offered in the future. What isn’t so clear is which manufacture is going to offer it first.
-Tim
thanks for your reply tim i’m just so obsessed w/ mid-sized diesel trucks i grew up in the Philippines w/ the toyota hilux diesel, nissan frontier diesel, ford trekker diesel, isuzu pick-up diesel, mitsubushi pick-up diesel etc, etc, etc.
Ramon,
You and the rest of America seemed to be obsessed with diesels right now. I can’t tell you how many comments we have gotten concerning it.
Really, it will happen. However, nobody knows how much it will cost, if it will be better than current gasoline engines and/or if consumers will pay for it.
-Tim