For the second year in a row, the Chevy Colorado has been named “Motor Trend Truck of the Year”. More than this, the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado was able to take the title despite serious competition from big players in the field such as the Toyota Tacoma, The Silverado 1500, and the Nissan Titan to name but a few. Being the recipient of this coveted award once is hard enough, but two years running surely indicates that the Colorado is a force to be reckoned with.
What Does Motor Trend Look At?
As you may or may not be aware of, it takes more than a pretty face to win this much sought-after award. It takes months of test drives, countless hours of testing, listening to what others have to say, and an incredible amount of comparison. However, in the end, the winners are all judged on six main criteria:
- Excellence in Engineering
- Efficiency
- Advancement in Design
- Overall Value
- Performance of Intended Function
- Safety
The award is given to the vehicle that scores the highest in each of these categories and as such offers the highest overall score.
The Excellence in Engineering Segment
The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado scored exceptionally high in this particular category. Those who designed the Colorado have invested a significant amount of time in engineering this truck in such a way as to allow the driver to feel very well connected with the roads he or she is driving on. In fact, most reviewers state that the Colorado feels more like a crossover than a truck in the way it handles.
The Fuel Efficiency Segment
Thanks to the newly available Chevy Duramax diesel engine, the 2016 Colorado easily made the top spot in this segment. Although the EPA has yet to release their own fuel efficiency numbers, testing completed by Motor Trend found that the Colorado powered by the Duramax diesel attained a combined rating of 26.3 mpg or 23.2 city/31.4 highway. At the same time the 3.5 liter V6 gasoline powered Tacoma only managed 19/24 mpg or 21 mpg combined. Simply no comparison.
The Advancement in Design Segment
In this segment the Colorado won hands down due to its unbelievable overall versatility. In fact, Motor Trend reviewer had a hard time finding anything the 2016 Colorado couldn’t do. They describe it as being the perfect size truck, neither too large or too small. From the available smaller gas engines to the powerhouse diesel, there are plenty of options to choose from. Thanks to the wide range of available trim levels, the Colorado can be an entry level work truck or a top of the line luxury workhorse.
The Performance of Intended Function Segment
In results that shocked many, the 2016 Chevy Colorado came out the clear winner against all challengers, even the Toyota Tacoma, a relative newcomer to the field. According to Motor Trend, the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado has set the new benchmark by which all other trucks in this class will be judged. The new design offers clean bold lines with tight fitting panels and an overall design that seem to more appealing every time you see it.
The Overall Value Segment
This segment is less about actual cost and more about what buyers get for the money they are spending. From the base model all the way up to the top trim level, the 2016 offers exceptional value. When you add in the powerful super-fuel efficient Duramax diesel engine, the Colorado truly becomes something well worth investing in.
The Safety Segment
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has yet to issue their testing results. However, since the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado and the GMC Canyon are counterparts, it is safe to assume they share similar safety features and standards. Bear in mind that during NHTSA testing the Canyon scored its top rating of “Good” in overall testing.
If you want to learn more about the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado, Motor Trend Truck of the Year, come on out to New Smyrna Chevrolet and take one for a test drive, we have plenty in stock. We are conveniently located at 2375 State Road 44 New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168.
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