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If you've been in this country for more than, say, a day or two, you probably already know about GM's full-size trucks. With advertising campaigns equal in size to the GDP of small countries, the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra enjoy almost endless exposure on billboards and television in a quest to assure that every American is well aware of their powerful engines and sturdy construction.
While those full-sizers have become national celebrities, General Motors' compact pickups haven't enjoyed quite the same level of attention. With smaller sales numbers, less powerful engines and limited ability to tear a tree stump out of the ground, the Chevrolet S-10 and GMC Sonoma soldiered on for a nearly a decade under substantially smaller spotlights.
For 2004, those spotlights will get just a little bit brighter with the introduction of the all-new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon compact trucks. Larger in most dimensions than their predecessors, the Colorado and the Canyon were designed to be as comfortable as they are tough. New engines and class-exclusive features are also part of the mix to help give both trucks the edge they need to compete in a category filled with strong domestic and foreign competition.
Drive either truck and the improvements over their predecessors are obvious. They're stiffer and smoother on the road and more spacious inside. It doesn't quite feel like 10 years' worth of development work went on, but there's at least a good three or four years of solid engineering under each skin. It's not the kind of overwhelming goodness that will vault Chevrolet and GMC directly to the head of the line, but as compact trucks go, the Colorado and Canyon are two of the best currently available.
Prominent on the list of improvements is a significantly stiffer frame that allows for more precise suspension tuning and less flex under stressful conditions. Unlike the previous trucks that flopped and wobbled over rough terrain, the Colorado and Canyon maintain their composure without compromising ride quality. In fact, on smooth pavement the overall feel is softer than you might expect for a pickup. A revised rack-and-pinion steering system further contributes to the more refined feel of the new trucks, but numbness on center keeps them from feeling truly connected to the road.
Three different suspensions are offered: the standard heavy-duty setup, an elevated Z71 off-road package and a lowered street performance design. Despite its rough-sounding name, the standard heavy-duty setup is quite forgiving, making it ideal for everyday driving. Four-wheel-drive models sit 2 inches higher than their two-wheel counterparts but otherwise use the same basic design.
If you plan on having your truck dirty as often as it's clean, the Z71 option is worth considering. Available on both two- and four-wheel-drive models, the Z71 suspension raises ride height three inches over a stock two-wheel-drive model. Also included in the package are larger tires, an underbody skid plate, heavy-duty shocks and a locking rear differential. The ride is slightly soggier than the standard suspension mostly due to the larger, more heavily treaded tires, but it's still better than previous GM compacts.
For those looking for the ultimate in street performance, the Colorado offers a ZQ8 sport suspension on two-wheel-drive models designed to deliver sharper handling and a slammed custom truck look. Reduced height springs drop the ride height two inches lower than stock, while Bilstein shocks, a quick-ratio steering system and 17-inch wheels and tires provide added control. The stiffer setup is instantly noticeable behind the wheel, but it's not so harsh that you curse it over every bump in the street. Not only will it give Toyota's Tacoma S-Runner a run for its money in the handling department, it has well-defined looks to complement its performance.
As well sorted out as both trucks are when it comes to their suspensions, the two available engines might leave power-hungry drivers wishing for more. The base engine is a 2.8-liter inline four-cylinder rated at 175 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque, while the optional power plant is a 3.5-liter inline five-cylinder that generates 220 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are scaled-down versions of the 4.2-liter six-cylinder engine found in the TrailBlazer and Envoy SUVs. A five-speed manual is standard on all models; a four-speed automatic is available as an option.
With 220 hp, the optional 3.5-liter engine gives the Colorado and Canyon the highest horsepower rating in the class, but like its six-cylinder cousin, the power is situated higher in the power band than on most truck engines. Off-the-line grunt is just average as the engine fails to deliver much of a pull until nearly 4,000 rpm — a far cry from the old 4.3-liter V6 that delivered plenty of power down low but ran out of breath quickly thereafter. A unique growl at full roar and a smoother power delivery give the new five-cylinder an overall edge, but those looking for the trucklike feel of a large-displacement V6 may find the 3.5 a bit lacking.
Such a drawback might seem inexcusable on a pickup truck, but GM designed the Colorado and Canyon to appeal to a wider range of buyers than the typical work truck market. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the cabin where larger dimensions and additional amenities add more passenger comfort and convenience. The truck's overall length remains virtually unchanged, but a longer wheelbase stretches the cabin for added legroom front and rear, while a wider body adds slightly more hip- and shoulder room. The dimensional differences are slight, but anyone who has ever spent much time in the previous GM compacts will notice the added room.
Less impressive is the overall design and quality of the interior, as it still wears the drab gray plastic panels of its predecessors. The gauge cluster is slightly better but not great, and the build quality still isn't very impressive as most of the trim pieces flex and move when pressed upon. The flat seats lack much contour, and even the upgraded leather upholstery fails to elicit an upscale look and feel. In all fairness, there are few compact trucks on the market that could be called plush, but if GM really wants to court personal-use buyers, a more stylish and higher-quality interior would have helped.
That said, there are some areas in which these trucks excel. They are the first compact trucks to offer side airbag protection as well as OnStar and factory-installed satellite radio. The optional 3.5-liter engine may not have the torque all buyers are looking for but with EPA fuel ratings of 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, it's a more efficient power plant than most of its competitors' V6s. Then there's the styling, a subjective matter for sure but one in which both trucks seem to garner the same positive results.
Pushing the new Colorado and Canyon as personal-use trucks rather than true workhorse pickups may prove to be a smart move for GM. Most buyers fall into that category and are more likely to appreciate a more refined ride and extra passenger space than big-time tow ratings. However, doing so with such bland and unimpressive interiors and smaller displacement engines may threaten the automaker's ability to attract new customers. With all-new compact trucks coming next year from Dodge, Nissan and Toyota, the Colorado and Canyon are going to have their hands full. Both GM trucks offer levels of refinement and comfort that are as good as anything currently on the market, but if you were hoping for serious power or a modern cabin design, these trucks come up a little short.
Used 2004 Chevrolet Colorado listings and inventory:
Shop Edmunds' used car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million pre-owned vehicles to find a cheap used and certified pre-owned (CPO) 2004 Chevrolet Colorados for sale near you. There are currently 204 used and CPO 2004 Colorados listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as 6,588 and mileage as low as 103,848. Simply research the type of used car, SUV, or truck you're interested in and then select a vehicle from our massive database to find cheap pre-owned vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the used 2004 Chevrolet Colorado. Then select Edmunds' special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to 275 on a used or CPO 2004 Colorado available from one of 2,632 dealerships in your area.
What's a good price on a used 2004 Chevrolet Colorado ?
Save up to $274.9 on one of 9 used 2004 Chevrolet Colorados for sale at dealerships within 25 miles with prices as low as $6588 as of May 23, 2018, based on data from 9 dealers and 7 consumer-driven dealer ratings ranging from 1 to 5 out of 5 stars.
Price comparisons for used 2004 Chevrolet Colorado trim styles:
The used 2004 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 LS Base is priced around $6984 with average odometer reading of 153925 miles.
The used 2004 Chevrolet Colorado Z85 LS Base is priced around $6588 with average odometer reading of 103848 miles.
The used 2004 Chevrolet Colorado Z85 LS is priced around $9397 with average odometer reading of 137270 miles.
The used 2004 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 LS is priced around $6900 with average odometer reading of 78542 miles.
The used 2004 Chevrolet Colorado Z85 is priced around $8696 with average odometer reading of 147253 miles.
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near you. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
What options are available on the 2004 Chevrolet Colorado?
Available Chevrolet Colorado 2004 Submodel Types: Crew CabExtended CabRegular Cab
Available Chevrolet Colorado 2004 Trims: LTZ71Work TruckZR2LT11LTBaseLSLT22LTZ71 LSZ71 LS BaseZ85 LSZ85Z85 LS Base
Exterior Colors: BlackSilver Ice MetallicSatin Steel Gray MetallicKinetic Blue MetallicCajun Red TintcoatGraphite MetallicDeepwood Green MetallicRed HotCentennial Blue MetallicCyber Gray MetallicRed Rock MetallicBrownstone MetallicSheer Silver MetallicRainforest Green MetallicLaser BlueAqua Blue MetallicDeep NavyDeep Ruby MetallicLaser Blue MetallicSilver Birch MetallicVictory RedBlack Granite MetallicBlue Granite MetallicBurning Hot MetallicCardinal Red MetallicCherry Red MetallicDark Cherry Red MetallicIndigo Blue MetallicInferno Orange MetallicRally YellowSummit WhiteTangier OrangeYellow
Interior Colors: Jet Black clothJet Black leatherJet Black leatherette/clothJet Black/Dark Ash clothJet Black/Dark Ash vinylEbony premium clothJet Black/Dark Ash leatherVery Dark PewterVery Dark Pewter premium clothEbony leatherMedium Dark PewterMedium Pewter vinylVery Dark Pewter leatherEbony/Light Cashmere leatherLight Cashmere premium clothMedium Pewter clothSport Pewter
Popular Features: Post-collision safety systemStability ControlTire Pressure WarningPower Driver SeatAux Audio InputsBack-up cameraTrip ComputerUSB InputsAlarm6000lb Towing CapacityApple Carplay/Android AutoBluetoothMobile InternetAudio and cruise controls on steering wheelTowing HitchRemote StartHeated seatsAuto Climate ControlUpgraded StereoNavigation5000lb Towing CapacityLane Departure Warning3500lb Towing CapacityAWD/4WDFold Flat Rear SeatsLeather SeatsRear Bench Seats6ft BedUpgraded EngineCrew CabExtended CabStandard Cab
Engine/Mechanics: 6458 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATICMANUAL
Fuel Types: dieselregular unleaded
Drivetrains: four wheel driverear wheel drive
Used 2004 Chevrolet Colorado Overview
The used 2004 Chevrolet Colorado is offered in the following submodels: Regular Cab, Extended Cab, Crew Cab. Available styles include 4dr Extended Cab Z85 4WD SB (2.8L 4cyl 5M), 4dr Extended Cab ZQ8 Rwd SB (2.8L 4cyl 5M), and 2dr Regular Cab ZQ8 Rwd SB (2.8L 4cyl 5M). Pre-owned Colorado models are available with a 0-liter gas engine, with output up to 0 hp, depending on engine type. The used 2004 Colorado comes with four wheel drive or rear wheel drive. Available transmissions include: 5-speed manual.
