[Test Drive] Handles Slopes and Gravel Roads with Ease... The Authentic Off-Roader 'Real New Colorado'

'Z71-X' Trim Added with Enhanced Off-Road Capability

Real New Colorado (Photo by Korea GM)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] When Korea GM first introduced the Colorado at the end of last year, opinions were divided on whether the traditional American-style pickup truck could establish itself well in the domestic market. In South Korea, the pickup truck market is small, with SsangYong Motor standing alone, and even then, there were significant differences in price and performance, making it uncertain how much demand would arise. The only hopeful factor was the rapidly growing popularity of off-road vehicles.

The question mark surrounding the ‘unfamiliar vehicle’ Colorado soon turned into an exclamation mark. This year, a total of 3,272 units have been sold, averaging over 400 units per month. Riding this momentum, Chevrolet launched the facelifted model ‘Real New Colorado’ within a year. It features a tougher design and adds a new trim, the ‘Z71-X,’ which enhances off-road capabilities. Korea GM set up an off-road test course at Oseongsan, including puddles and gravel paths, allowing customers to experience the new Colorado’s performance firsthand.

The Colorado is equipped with a 3.6L V6 gasoline engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering a maximum output of 312 horsepower and a peak torque of 38 kg·m. The advanced four-wheel-drive system, called Electronic AutoTrac Active 4×4, distributes power appropriately to all four wheels according to the situation. It also supports an AUTO mode that automatically switches the drive mode based on road conditions.

Real New Colorado (Photo by Korea GM)

The test drive began on muddy paths and water puddle sections. Passing through severely rutted muddy roads and areas covered with large and small gravel, the true value of the Colorado was confirmed. Despite the rough road conditions visible to the eye, the impact inside the cabin was not significant. The vehicle remained stable and moved forward smoothly even on rough terrain. It crossed deep mud puddles, deep enough to submerge the wheels, without hesitation.

The new Colorado also appears to be a good choice for those considering trailer use. On this day, a 500 kg trailer was attached and driven on mountain roads, and the vehicle demonstrated enough power to the point where the weight was hardly felt. The Colorado’s towing capacity reaches up to 3.2 tons.

Steep slopes are no problem either. On a section with an incline of about 30 degrees, there was a momentary fear that the vehicle might tip sideways, but overall stability was maintained. The same applied to the bumpy course where one side of the road repeatedly had deep ruts. Several times, the diagonally positioned front and rear wheels were lifted off the ground, forcing the vehicle to navigate the course using only two wheels, but the balance was not significantly disturbed. Thanks to sufficient damping stroke (the range of vertical movement of the shock absorbers), the actual shock felt by passengers was reduced.

Real New Colorado (Photo by Korea GM)

On the downhill course, the newly added ‘Hill Descent Control’ function performed its role. On steep slopes, there is a risk of excessive acceleration causing the vehicle to slip, but this feature allows the vehicle to apply braking power autonomously. It was possible to safely descend the slope at a constant speed without pressing the brake.

The prices for the Real New Colorado are 38.3 million KRW for the Extreme, 41.6 million KRW for the Extreme 4WD, and 43 million KRW for the Extreme-X. The newly added Z71-X trim is priced at 44.99 million KRW, and the Z71-X Midnight Edition at 46.49 million KRW.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.