Vehicle Overview
For 2004, the new Colorado pickup truck has almost edged aside the compact S-10, which has a long history in Chevrolet’s truck lineup. General Motors has announced that S-10 production will continue unchanged into 2005, but only in Crew Cab form.
Serving as a close cousin to the S-10, the GMC Sonoma compact pickup will be replaced by a new truck called the Canyon, but production of Crew Cab Sonomas will continue.
S-10 Crew Cabs have four full-size front-hinged doors. These models come only with a 4.3-liter V-6 engine, a four-speed-automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. A ZR5 Appearance Package is available.
Exterior
Previously offered in a variety of cab configurations, Chevrolet’s compact pickup comes only in Crew Cab form for 2004. Equipped with a 4.5-foot cargo bed, these 4×4 Crew Cab pickups are 205.3 inches long overall with a 122.9-inch wheelbase. They have a payload rating of 1,111 pounds and can haul a trailer that weighs as much as 5,200 pounds. An increased-capacity suspension is available.
A ZR5 option for Crew Cab trucks includes black aluminum bed rails, side steps, a roof rack, and Spectra Gray wheel flares and bumpers. Cast-aluminum five-spoke wheels on the ZR5 edition hold 15-inch tires. Options include a bed extender, a hard or soft tonneau cover and a power sliding rear window.
Interior
Crew Cab models are built for five passengers and come equipped with two front buckets and a three-place rear bench seat. Air conditioning, a PassLock theft-deterrent system, CD changer and tachometer are standard. Leather seat trim is optional. Delayed interior lighting keeps the dome lamp on for 15 seconds or until the ignition is switched on after closing the front doors.
Under the Hood
Only one powertrain is offered for 2004. GM’s 4.3-liter Vortec V-6 engine develops 190 horsepower and 250 pounds-feet of torque; it works with a four-speed-automatic transmission. Crew Cab models come only with the Insta-Trac four-wheel-drive system, which allows push-button shifting between 2WD and 4WD-High on the move. A 4WD-Low mode, which is intended for use on steep grades and in deep snow or mud, is included.
Safety
Dual front airbags, all-disc antilock brakes and daytime running lights are standard. Side-impact airbags are not available.
