The Chevrolet Colorado Z71 Packs a Punch with Color and Performance
Danyel Buie
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This mid-sized pickup caters to truck fans with a V6 and upgraded suspension.
Chevrolet is one of the most recognizable truck brands and manufactures some of America’s best-known trucks, so getting my opportunity to get behind the wheel of the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 model was an experience I definitely looked forward to. Pickup trucks are very popular in the United States, and I see my fair share of them on the road just about every day. Everywhere I go in Dallas I’m guaranteed to ride side by side or be stopped at a red light with trucks both big and small, some even 8 times the size of my car! It seems like they are everywhere, but to my surprise, Texas isn’t the state with the most pick up drivers; that award goes to Wyoming, actually, where more than a third of the cars on the road are trucks. But Texas is no slouch in the pickup game, selling more pickups there than anywhere, according to iSeeCars.
Trucks have become easier to buy with comforts, features and pricing comparable to other cars on the road. The starting price of the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado comes in around $25K on the standard model, which features a 200 horsepower engine and 3,500 lbs of tow capacity for those last-minute boat tows to the lake before it gets too cold. Add the V6 engine option which upgrades the horsepower to 308 for stronger and faster speed, and the price hops to about $40K. From there, of course you can add some pretty cool package and accessory options and then … let the off-roading fun begin!
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Chevy hit all the right notes with color and performance in their Colorado Z71 Model!
Isn’t the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 A Beauty?
At first glance, The Z71 looks like a great all-around kind of truck. I was instantly curious to find out why it’s called a “Z71.” This refers to the package code name that Chevy uses when they build their vehicles. My model came with the off-road package which gives the truck better suspension and control over any bumpy trails and roads you may find yourself on while driving. I was attracted to its sleek design, and I love that Chevy took a simplistic styling approach on purpose for people like me who are taking a closer look at pickup trucks in general as a potential next vehicle. It’s a simple design that’s still sporty enough to turn heads. Speaking of turning heads, the color of my test model did just that! I can’t count how many compliments I received from family, friends and even strangers. The color name is “Crush” and I found myself crushing over how beautiful it truly is! The other color choices are:
- Satin Steel Metallic
- Summit White
- Black
- Bright Blue Metallic
- Cherry Red Tintcoat
- Sand Dune Metallic
The Z71 Package Provides a Power Punch
The Chevy Colorado is pretty impressive to begin with, but the Z71 package brings on a nice set of options that would attract those looking for a huge boost of speed and traction control. The Z71 package offers a huge jump in horsepower (from 200 to 308) which I noticed immediately as the truck was able to pick up speed quickly while driving on the highway. The 7,000 lb towing capacity (up from 3,500 standard) made me wish I had a big boat to bring to the lake.
I spent a lot of time driving it on the highway, running errands and shopping, and after about a week I only had to fill up once. This put a big smile on my face and a bit of relief in my wallet. I’ve always thought of pickup trucks as gas guzzlers, so getting about 20 MPG with a large 21 gallon tank means not stopping as often for gas.
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The Chevy Colorado has a V6 Direct Injection engine Photo Credit: Automotive Addicts
Thanks for the Ride!
Aside from the attractive color and great gas mileage, it was all about the ride quality for me. Knowing that the Z71 was an off roading package, I had to take the opportunity to take her out for an off-pavement spin. It’s a quiet truck with smooth suspension that gave me great traction and control during my quick (and fun!) off roading adventure. From the twists and turns on the highway to the gravel roads on the way to my favorite lake that week, my ride was smooth, pretty much bump free and I felt completely comfortable and safe.
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So many music, navigation and entertainment options make for fun road trips and quick trips around town!
An Inside Look at the Chevrolet Colorado Z71
Not only does the Chevrolet Z71 boast a beautiful yet sporty exterior design, but the interior workings are also an added bonus and where the vehicle shines.
The well-equipped interior comes with your choice of a regular, extended or crew-cab body style configuration, 2-wheel or 4-wheel drive, an 8-speed automatic gearbox and a ton of interior storage which really came in handy for my lake trip essentials and those quick grocery store runs. It is a feature I never knew I needed and appreciated in real time. The front and rear seats gave everyone plenty of head and legroom to stretch out without feeling closed in – nice in a smaller pickup truck.
In-Truck Tech Helped me get Some Work Done
You don’t know how useful these features are until you have them. The satellite navigation system got me everywhere I needed to go and with precise location accuracy. In fact, it was one of my favorite features in the Colorado. Another really cool feature for those with teen drivers is the Teen Driver mode; this allows parents to review their driving habits help coach their new driver in their absence.
The touchscreen was easy to navigate, and I was able to connect my phone in seconds to enjoy my favorite music and podcasts. The 6-speaker sound system was decent, and I enjoyed the surround sound effect it created in the truck. I loved that the truck was equally compatible with both the Apple and Android phone systems as I was able to activate both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with ease.
I also managed to get a little work done during some downtime thanks to the built in Wi-Fi Hotspot. It was fast and stayed consistent the entire time I worked.
My Time with the Colorado Z71 Wasn’t Long Enough
Driving a pickup truck was new for me and I loved it. I only wish I could spend more time behind the wheel. The Chevy Colorado Z71 delivered a smooth driving performance, comfortable seating and of course, that color! It’s easy to see why so many people love pickup trucks for all the tough jobs they do as well as being an easy, comfortable, well appointed and storage-filled daily driver.
Disclosure: Chevrolet provided the Colorado Z71 for me to test drive. All opinions are solely my own.
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