Buyers can choose from a pair of new transmissions as well. Aisin is the supplier for a buttery smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission with triple-cone synchros on the first three forward gears. It's the match of any manual gearbox you'll find in a Toyota. GM's own Hydra-matic 4L60-E four-speed automatic transmission takes care of autoshift duties and features a snow mode, which allows second-gear starts in poor traction situations. This transmission also sports electronic control of the lockup torque converter, can retard ignition timing during shifts to protect the drivetrain from shocks, and has shift stabilization to prevent hunting between gears when driving over hilly terrain.
Four-wheel-drive Colorados get a new aluminum two-speed transfer case from Isuzu that features shift-on-the-fly capability from two-wheel high range to four-wheel high range and back. The transfer case is controlled electrically by a control panel on the dash, and there's a neutral position to enable the truck to be flat-towed behind a motorhome, even if the truck's equipped with an automatic transmission.
A pleasant surprise is how much interior space GM packed into this truck. Chevrolet says the Colorado has more interior volume than any other compact or midsize truck--more than Dodge Dakota, even though the Chevy's exterior size is trimmer. This is most evident in the new Colorado extended cab, which now has a front-facing rear seat--no jump seats here. The extra room was made possible by moving the steering wheel and instrument panel forward. Also, the Colorado's seat tracks are longer (compared to last year's S-10) to accommodate a greater range of drivers. Although this is obviously a lower-priced truck, the cabin is remarkably quiet, no doubt aided by triple-seal doors, which help reduce interior noise.
There are two bed lengths: regular and extended cabs get a 6-foot-1-inch-long bed and crew cabs feature a 5-foot-1-inch-long bed. These beds are extra deep, giving the Colorado an edge over similar length--but shallower--beds in competitor models in total volume. All beds feature two-tier loading and boast a total of eight tie-downs. Four-wheel-drive models feature a side step carved into the outside of the bed to facilitate easier loading.
Colorado features a new two-position tailgate; it can be lowered parallel to the ground or roughly halfway, to 55 degrees. At this height, the angled tailgate is on the same level as the tops of the wheelwells and depressions in the bedsides, which correspond to a standard 4x8 sheet of building material. The tailgate is lockable, and it's completely removable, too.