Chevy · 2004-2012
Colorado (1st Gen)
The first-generation Colorado (2004-2012) replaced the S-10 with a larger, jointly developed GM/Isuzu platform and the 2.8 I4 / 3.5 I5 engines, later 2.9 I4 and 3.7 I5, with a rare 5.3 V8 from 2009. It was offered in Base, LS and LT trims with Z71 off-road and Xtreme sport options.
- Years
- 2004-2012
- Drivetrain
- RWD (4x2) · 4WD (4x4)
- Engines
- 2.8 L LK5 · 2.9 L LLV · 3.5 L L52
- Sold in
- US · Canada · Mexico
Spec sheet
- Generation
- 1st Gen
- Production
- 2004–2012
Production: October 2003 to August 2012.
- Assembly
- Shreveport, LA
- Rayong, Thailand (export)
- Sold in
- US
- Canada
- Mexico
- Thailand / global (Holden Colorado in Australasia)
- Codes
- GMT355 platform
- Body styles
- Regular cab
- Extended cab
- Crew cab
- Bed lengths
- 6 ft (regular/extended cab)
- 5 ft (crew cab)
- Drivetrains
- RWD (4x2)
- 4WD (4x4)
- Transmissions
- 5-speed Aisin AR-5 manual
- 4-speed 4L60-E automatic
- Trims
- Base / WT
- LS
- LT
- Z85 (standard suspension)
- Z71 (off-road; G80 locking rear diff)
- ZQ8 sport suspension (4x2 only, 17-in wheels)
- Xtreme (ZQ8-based appearance package)
- Sport (5.3 V8 with sport suspension, by 2010)
- Width
- 68 in
- Payload
- Up to 1,603 lb (2010 Z85; 1,520 lb Z71, 1,129 lb Sport)
- Towing
- Up to 6,000 lb (2010, 5.3 V8)
Engines
| Engine | Disp. | Config | HP | Torque | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 L LK5 | 2.8 L (171 cu in) | I4 | 175 | 185 lb-ft @2800 | 2004-2006 |
| 2.9 L LLV | 2.9 L (177 cu in) | I4 | 185 | 190 lb-ft @2800 | 2007-2012 |
| 3.5 L L52 | 3.5 L (214 cu in) | I5 | 220 | 225 lb-ft @2800 | 2004-2006 |
| 3.7 L LLR | 3.7 L (223 cu in) | I5 | 242 | 242 lb-ft | 2007-2012 |
| 5.3 L LH8/LH9 | 5.3 L (325 cu in) | V8 | 300 | 320 lb-ft @4000 | 2009-2012 |
Related
Overview
Developed by GM North America, GM Brazil and Isuzu, the Colorado entered production in October 2003 and replaced the S-10 for 2004 on the GMT355 platform, which also underpins the Hummer H3. Regular, extended and crew cab bodies were offered, with 6-foot beds on regular and extended cabs and a 5-foot bed on the crew cab.
Launch engines were a 2.8-liter four and a 3.5-liter five-cylinder. For 2007 the trucks were facelifted and received the 2.9-liter four and 3.7-liter five that replaced the earlier engines after head problems, and in 2009 a 5.3-liter V8 making 300 hp joined the lineup.
Trims were Base/WT, LS and LT (Canyon: Canyon, SLE, SLT). Z71 added off-road suspension with a locking rear differential, while ZQ8 and Xtreme were lowered street packages continued from the S-10. US sales peaked at 163,204 in 2005. Production ended in 2012 and a new-generation Colorado returned for 2015.
Trims, Bodies and Drivetrains
Trims
- Base / WT
- LS
- LT
- Z85 (standard suspension)
- Z71 (off-road; G80 locking rear diff) — Off-Road suspension package with the automatic locking rear differential standard (2010)
- ZQ8 sport suspension (4x2 only, 17-in wheels)
- Xtreme (ZQ8-based appearance package)
- Sport (5.3 V8 with sport suspension, by 2010)
Cab and bed
- Body styles: Regular cab, Extended cab, Crew cab
- Beds: 6 ft (regular/extended cab), 5 ft (crew cab)
Drivetrain and transmissions
- Drivetrains: RWD (4x2), 4WD (4x4)
- 5-speed Aisin AR-5 manual
- 4-speed 4L60-E automatic
Highlights
- Sales peaked in 2005 at 163,204 units, beating the Ranger
- Facelift for 2007 introduced the 2.9 L I4 and 3.7 L I5 "due to numerous head problems" in the original engines
- 5.3 L V8 added for 2009 (300 hp)
- Colorado and Canyon share a GMT355 platform with Isuzu D-Max and Hummer H3
Known Issues
- Original 2.8 L / 3.5 L engines had head problems (Wikipedia, re: reason for 2007 2.9 / 3.7 introduction).