2005 Chevrolet Colorado Review
Fuel Economy
18 - 21 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
It has the features and the looks necessary to become the dominant truck in the compact class, but next to the all-new pickups from Dodge, Nissan and Toyota, the Colorado comes up short in power, interior room and overall fit and finish.
Pros
Versatile size, fuel-efficient engine lineup, available side curtain airbags and locking differential, standard ABS.
Cons
Not much low-end torque, no six- or eight-cylinder engine option, low tow ratings, subpar build and materials quality.
What's New for 2005
No major changes this year.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Very Reliable Truck - Trailers Great!!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Chevrolet Colorado 4dr Crew Cab ZQ8 LS Base Rwd SB (3.5L 5cyl 4A)
Review
I have had pretty good luck with this Chevy. I bought it with 8K miles, and it now has 52K miles. I have driven across country with a boat trailer weighing 2500 lbs, as well as a camper weighing 3000 lbs, and also a camper weighing 4000 lbs. It pulled all of the trailers smoothly with no problem. It has the sport suspension package which helps great for handling. The longest drive with a trailer was about 600 miles, and it was the 4000 lb(24 ft) camper, I had no problem keeping it at 60-65 mph across KS and MO. I had the stabilizer bars on. It handles a trailer great with the added Class III hitch, aftermarket. Best gas mileage I had was 26mpg with full bed going 65mph.
Favorite Features
I like the daytime running lamps, fog lamps and the low stance. It also has very easy to use controls. It can haul a motorcycle just fine with the tailgate held halfway open.
Suggested Improvements
Offer an upgrade available to increase the older 3.5L to 3.7L. I would like a little bit more room in the rear seat for passengers.
Built Cheap 05 Colorado
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 4 | Fun-to-Drive: | 3 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 4 | Interior Design: | 2 | Reliability: | 4 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 3 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Chevrolet Colorado 2dr Regular Cab ZQ8 Rwd SB (2.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This truck is cheaply built. I have had to replace the tires on it at 30K miles. Now they tell me I need to spend $1500-2000 on new brakes, shocks, struts, and tie rods. I have had the front end aligned once and it needs it again at 50K miles. The interior molding in the windshield was ruined after 1 year. Numerous rattles and squeaks. I would be ashamed as a manufacturer to sell this vehicle.
Favorite Features
Gas mileage for a 5 speed manual transmission.
Suggested Improvements
Sturdier build, better brakes and suspension package, more durable interior
Good Little Truck
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Chevrolet Colorado 4dr Extended Cab Z85 LS 4WD SB (2.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I did a lot of homework before buying this truck and test drove most of the competitors. I liked the Colorado and it met my needs at least as well as any of the others, but I was concerned because of the poor reviews the "experts" had given it. I think the experts missed the boat on this one. I had a couple of rough spots with it right out of the box (electrical problems and front end alignment) but these were quickly corrected by my dealer and I have been very pleased with it for the nearly three years I have owned it. Performance, utility and appearance are excellent and it has done all I've asked of it. Don't be fooled by the poor reviews - this is a nice little truck.
Favorite Features
The 3.5 engine is high-tech and gives great performance and mileage (always in the low to mid 20 mpg area on the highway.) Fit and finish is quite good, and although many have complained about the interior quality, I find it comfortable and very adequate for a pickup. Appearance is a plus, too.
Suggested Improvements
The newer GM products have achieved a higher quality of fit and finish than this vehicle has. Although quite good, I think this could be improved to a point where it would compare with what they are turning out now (check the 2009 Malibu.) Maybe it already has improved on the newer Colorados.
Nice looking but too many problems
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 4 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 3 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 2 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Chevrolet Colorado 4dr Crew Cab Z71 LS 4WD SB (3.5L 5cyl 4A)
Review
Got this truck and it was great. The promise of an inline 5 engine to save gas seemed promising but it burns gas hard. The first thing to go bad was the air conditioning, it would just stop and only the highest speed (4) would work and the others would start when they want to. Then there was a problem where the brake lights would stop working, had to take it in to the dealer to fix these problems a lot and just the brake switch is OK now after we found there was a recall on the brake switch. The engine has this problem now that the dealer claims to have fixed twice where the RPM drops low/stalls and causes overheating cause engine fan spins too slow and the lights get dim.
Favorite Features
4WD on the fly, the styling, windows work without key in ignition if door was not opened, with a lot of weight in back didnt seem to have much problems.
Suggested Improvements
Fix the suspension problems. I cannot press the gas pedal on any bumpy roads or it feels like it's about to spin out, and ride is much too bumpy even for a truck, drove a tacoma and felt wrong choice was made
40 months of great service
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2005 Chevrolet Colorado 2dr Regular Cab Z71 LS Rwd SB (2.8L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Average 24 to 27 mpg. That's 50 hwy 50 city. Hauls all I need, drives great. Had crap general tires I replaced with BFG trail. 4 cyc 5 sp manual. Cheap cost, great value, will probably get another in 8 mo when this one's paid off
Favorite Features
Always starts and runs
Suggested Improvements
6 or seven speed trany
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