The 2008 Chevy Colorado is available in Regular Cab, Extended Cab, and Crew Cab configurations. Regular and Extended Cabs come with a six-foot bed. Crew Cabs come with a five-foot bed.
A 2.9-liter four-cylinder engine, rated 185 horsepower, comes standard Regular and Extended Cabs, and on rear-wheel-drive (2WD) Crew Cabs. A 3.7-liter, 242-horsepower five-cylinder engine is optional ($1,000) on those models and standard on Crew Cabs with four-wheel drive (4WD). It is also included with some up-level combinations of body and trim.
In Regular and Extended Cabs, a five-speed manual transmission is standard with either engine, and a four-speed automatic ($1,095) optional. The automatic is standard in all Crew Cabs and, again, with some up-level trim-and-body combinations.
Two suspension packages are offered: The rugged Z85 is the standard setup; the Z71 is beefed up further for off-roading. Either is available with 2WD or 4WD. The low-riding ZQ8 sport suspension has been discontinued for 2008, but is expected to return for 2009.
The WT work truck is offered as a Regular Cab 2WD ($14,885), Extended Cab 2WD ($16,995), Regular Cab 4WD ($18,340) and Extended Cab 4WD ($20,245). Only the standard suspension is available. All come with vinyl floor mats and vinyl bench seating (split 60/40). Air conditioning is standard along with tilt steering, a tachometer, driver information center, two-speaker AM/FM stereo, cruise control and two 12-volt power outlets. For 2008, OnStar is standard as well, in all Colorados. Options are limited.
The LS trim level upgrades to cloth upholstery and carpeting, and features fog lights and body-color bumpers. Tires are upgraded to 225/75R15 rather than the standard 205/75R15s.
LT trim adds reclining split bench seats with upgraded upholstery, bright interior trim, four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 stereo with RDS, leather-wrapped steering, chrome bumpers, and aluminum wheels.
The Z71 off-road suspension requires LT trim, and adds an automatic-locking rear differential, P265/75R15 on/off-road tires and body-color wheel flares. Minimum ground clearance increases from 7.3 to 7.9 inches for Z85 models to 8.7 to 9.0 inches (depending, in both cases, on cab style and whether the truck has 2WD or 4WD). Order 4WD and you get skid plates, too.
Options include a Convenience Package ($500) that adds power windows, mirrors, and locks with reomote keyless entry; bucket seats with cloth upholstery ($340) or leather ($1,295); 6CD changer ($395); XM Satellite Radio ($200); sunroof for Crew Cabs ($695); auto-dimming rearview mirror ($175); bedliner ($200), sliding rear window ($175); automatic locking differential ($295); traction control for 2WD models ($395); and chromed wheels ($495). A Sun & Sound package ($795) combines the sunroof with XM Satellite Radio. A trailer package ($270) includes a hitch, a weight-distributing platform, and wiring harness.
Safety features include dual-stage front airbags and front seatbelt pre-tensioners. Curtain-style side-impact airbags designed for head protection are optional ($395) on all models. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) come standard on all models. So does a tire pressure monitor.