2006 Chevy Colorado Review
2006 Chevy Colorado Review
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Used Colorado for sale
Appraise This CarChevrolet Colorado model years
Chevrolet Colorado types
- Extended Cab
- Crew Cab
- Regular Cab
See Edmunds pricing data
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Handles well on- and off-road, simple controls, side curtain airbags available on all body styles.
Cons
- Not much low-end torque, no six- or eight-cylinder engine option, low tow ratings, subpar build and materials quality.
What’s new
Other than package and trim level revisions, there are no significant changes to the Chevy Colorado for 2006.
Edmunds 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 major competitors, the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado comes up short in power, interior room and overall fit and finish.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado Work Truck 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.8L 4cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.28 per gallon for regular unleaded in Iowa.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Iowa
$194/mo for Colorado Work Truck
Colorado Work Truck
vs
$222/mo
Avg. Compact Truck
Vehicle overview
Slightly larger than the S-10 truck that it replaced, the Chevrolet Colorado is bigger, bolder and more refined than any compact Chevy truck in years. Built on a tough ladder frame chassis, the Colorado offers three body styles, two- and four-wheel drive and a choice of two Vortec inline engines.
Derived directly from the 4.2-liter straight six found in the TrailBlazer SUV, the Colorado's all-aluminum four- and five-cylinder power plants are the most technologically advanced engines ever offered in a compact Chevy truck. Both engines use dual-overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and electronic throttle control to deliver a broad range of peak torque that extends from 1,200 to 5,600 rpm on the standard 2.8-liter four-cylinder, and from 1,400 to 5,200 rpm on the optional 3.5-liter five-cylinder. Both engines offer a choice of a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual. The suspension consists of a solid rear axle with leaf springs and an independent coil spring front suspension. An off-road package swaps out the coil springs for torsion bars, while a sport package adds an anti-sway bar in back.
Off-road enthusiasts will also appreciate the Colorado's dual-speed push-button transfer case as well as the optional locking rear differential. Since the majority of compact truck buyers purchase their vehicles for personal use, the Chevrolet Colorado was given a more refined and feature-laden cabin than the S-10. The overall design is simple, with rotary dials for the climate control system and a large radio faceplate for easy control of the XM Satellite Radio-compatible audio system. Extended cab Colorado models feature reverse-opening rear doors on both sides for easier access to the backseats, while the larger crew cab models offer a 60/40-split-folding rear seat that can accommodate three adults. Side curtain airbags are available that provide head protection in the event of a side impact or rollover accident. Standard antilock brakes and optional traction control on 2WD models further contribute to the Colorado's complement of safety features.
On paper, the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado offers all the necessary ingredients to satisfy the majority of compact pickup buyers. The engines provides both efficiency and power, and with three body styles to choose from in both two- and four-wheel drive, finding a configuration that meets your needs isn't too difficult. The problem is, the Colorado feels cheap, even in a class of vehicles where functionality and value come before upscale accommodations. The doors are lightweight and tinny, and the first thing you'll notice when you slide behind the wheel is how low-grade the dash looks and rough the upholstery feels. Out on the road, neither the four- or five-cylinder engine provides acceleration on par with V6 and V8 engines offered by the Dakota, Frontier and Tacoma. If you're shopping for a small pickup, make sure you explore all the options before settling on the Chevy Colorado.
Performance & mpg
A 2.8-liter, four-cylinder engine is standard on all models and is rated at 175 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. The optional 3.5-liter inline-five engine offers 220 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, but a four-speed automatic is also available on all models. Four-wheel-drive models feature a dual-range transfer case with pushbutton controls. Maximum towing capacity, at 4,000 pounds, is relatively meager for this class of truck.
Safety
The Chevrolet Colorado was the first compact pickup to offer roof-mounted side curtain airbags; they're optional on all body styles. Four-wheel antilock brakes are standard, and. traction control is optional on 2WD trucks. In government crash tests, the Colorado earned four stars (out of five) for both the driver and front passenger in frontal-impact testing, and four out of five stars in side-impact testing for front passengers, and five stars for rear passengers.
Driving
Our performance review of the 2006 Chevrolet Colorado finds that the inline engines are reasonably refined, but their lack of off-the-line punch and odd exhaust notes are disappointing compared to the larger V6s offered in competitors. Shifts from the four-speed automatic are firm and well timed, and the five-speed manual gearbox is about as good as you're going to find in a compact pickup. The stock suspension tuning is on the soft side, but the Chevy truck handles well for its class. If you're intent on going fast or bashing boulders, the sport and off-road packages provide noticeable performance benefits in these areas.
Interior
Trucks may have gotten more hospitable in recent years, but don't expect anything fancy in the Colorado's cabin. Materials range from average to substandard in quality, and build quality is inconsistent. On the plus side, simple rotary climate controls and a large stereo faceplate make the interior seem instantly familiar as soon as you get in. The gauges are similarly basic, but functional in their design.
2006 Chevrolet Colorado models
The Chevrolet Colorado comes in regular, extended- and crew-cab body styles, and all are offered in both two- and four-wheel drive. Regular and extended-cab models have a 6-foot bed, while the crew cab gets a 5-foot bed. There are two basic trim levels: base and LT. Base models come with air conditioning and an AM/FM stereo. An LS package upgrades trim and seating. The LT adds titanium-colored trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel and alloy wheels. Both the Z85 heavy-duty and Z71 off-road packages add a torsion-bar front suspension with heavier-duty shocks. The Z71 offers the tallest ride height, along with a locking rear differential, oversize tires and skid plates on 4WD models. There's also an Xtreme package with a lowered suspension, quicker-ratio steering, 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/50 performance tires, and color-keyed wheel flares, grille and bumpers.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2006 Chevrolet Colorado.
5 star(37%)
4 star(35%)
3 star(17%)
2 star(8%)
1 star(3%)
96 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
Very Surprised.. And Happy with my Colorado
colorred, 04/07/2013
2006 Chevrolet Colorado LT 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.8L 4cyl 4A)
I bought my Colorado used with only 48K miles on the OD. I've doubled that and it still runs like a top. I'll admit I was a bit of a skeptic but saw some positive reviews and I'm glad I took the chance. The inline 5 is a great engine, though not overly powerful it suits my needs perfectly. The crew cab has lots of comfortable space. So far (knock on wood) I've only performed regular … maintenance and it hasn't required any repair needs. I keep the brake pads changed perhaps a little more often than normal as I was told new rotor replacements will be big bucks. They weren't designed to be changed easily.
4.63 out of 5 stars
Surprised
jmatt360, 10/08/2012
2006 Chevrolet Colorado LT 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.8L 4cyl 4A)
I bought this truck used and was kinda hesitant about it's performance. After driving for awhile I was really impressed. Drove it 360 miles in one weekend and got great gas mileage. Estimated about 27 mpg with a load of furniture on the back. Sure it gets more without furniture. Loved the handling of it through Altanta traffic. Would recommend it to anyone interested in a mid - size … truck.
5 out of 5 stars
Reliable
watchman3, 11/09/2011
2006 Chevrolet Colorado Work Truck 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (2.8L 4cyl 5M)
I have owned my truck since new and have put over 100K miles on her, now and have never experienced a single issue.
I do regular maintenance and she is the most dependable vehicle I've ever owned.
4.5 out of 5 stars
'06 Z85 Crew
cameron, 11/25/2009
2006 Chevrolet Colorado LT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (2.8L 4cyl 4A)
Purchased this truck a year ago. Have used it for city driving, long trips, and off roading. I have enjoyed it for all of them. The 3.5L is a little weak but not bad. Driving 65 on the interstate yields about 24mpg, 21mpg @ 75mph. We purchased this truck because it seemed like the best deal for a small 4-door 4x4 truck. We needed the back seat for an infant car seat. It has been a … great truck so far with no problems. It even hauls more than I thought it would.
2006 Colorado Highlights
Extended Cab
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $17,330 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 21 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $194/month |
Seating | 3 seats |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Max Towing Capacity | 4,000 lbs. |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5PassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintMarginal
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