2009 Chevrolet Colorado

TheCarConnection.com's editors have driven the new V-8 Chevrolet Colorado, along with more basic four- and five-cylinder versions, in order to give you an expert opinion. And to help you make the most of some of the most reputable review sources on the Web, TheCarConnection.com has brought some of the most useful information together here.

Likes
Acceleration with the V-8
Fuel efficiency with the four
Choice of body styles
In short-bed form, a real compact truck

Dislikes
Doesn't steer as well as some rivals
The longer six-foot might still be too short
Lots of chintzy hard plastic inside
Rough-running four- and five-cylinders
Five-cylinder gets V-8 gas mileage

For the first time ever, Chevrolet has seen fit to put a V-8 engine in a compact truck. Although offered in only the Extended and Crew Cab models, the 2009 Colorado (along with its nearly identical sibling, the GMC Canyon) is now available with a 5.3-liter V-8 engine producing 300 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque--bringing a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds and sub-seven-second 0-60 acceleration. The new engine is mated to Chevrolet's smooth, reliable four-speed automatic transmission.