Truck-driving Traveling Mom on the Redesigned 2015 Chevy Colorado
Who knew Moms and Chevy trucks would be the perfect pairing?
While my stylish big-city girlfriends test drove the snazzy red Camaro SS convertible Chevy shared during the TravelingMom social media blitz retreat at Walt Disney World in early May, I grilled the company’s new product guru about a pickup truck, the 2015 Chevy Colorado.
Well, I live in rural America and families need trucks. Shocked me to learn that moving to the hinterlands 40 years ago, but I embrace my truck now.
Family Friendly Truck
Chevy called their redesigned truck the Colorado, rolling it out for autumn 2014. It suits my size needs —not the big-tire, high-climb-to-the-seat truck farmers or contractors use.
This is a mom truck in ways far better than the brands I’ve driven since 1980. Here are two specific reasons why:
- Babies can be secure in the back seat. For generations my husband and I have juggled sedan vs. truck driving to accommodate car seats because mid-size pickups haven’t had safe locking mechanisms or safe spaces for infant and toddler seats.
- The four door Chevy Colorado so kids can easily get in and out of the back seat. That makes a grandparenting family flexible. Dare I believe manufacturers have been listening to truck-driving moms?
Redesigned from bumper to bumper
“This truck is all new,” Chevrolet Assistant Community Manager Otie McKinley told me and there’s a real reason why. “We didn’t manufacture the Colorado for the past two years during bankruptcy adjustments.
“That means the research and development are brand new, not just tweaked a little,” McKinley said.
Loading capabilities
I’ve always struggled lifting bales of hay to mulch my vegetable garden or bins of recycling in my Toyota pickup. Loading into the back of the Chevy Colorado is easy with an indentation, a cutout in the back bumper.
With this truck, I can step up safely and not have to reach so high. Also, the tailgate lowers slowly because of an assist lift feature. All I’ve ever known is a quick drop when the latch was loosened.
That quick-drop tailgate in my other truck is a danger zone with toddlers standing at my thigh.
Related: Why Taylor Swift bought a Chevrolet Colorado
High Technology Chevy Truck
My convertible-driving friends were experimenting with high-resolution touch screen controls on the Chevy MyLink system, including 4G connectivity. Drag-and-drop features, vibrations in the seat if the driver veers a bit too far left or right, forward collision alert technology and a multitude of OnStar assistance features too.
I can expect the same in my Colorado pickup truck. And, oh yes, the soft-touch premium leather seats too.
Safety for Families of Small Children
Curious how Chevy designed the child seat security system in the traditionally narrow back seat of a small pickup?
Th headrest pulls out since the babe is not so tall anyway and plugs into the seat front, extending the seat to support the child carrier.
Try this safety feature first thing when you test drive the new Chevy Colorado in a few months.
While pricing hasn’t been finalized, the 2014 Silverado started at about $43,000.
Categorized:Car Reviews