The Chevrolet Colorado was first introduced in 2004 as the replacement for the S10, and it represents Chevy's entrance into the mid-size pickup truck segment. The Colorado was co-developed with Isuzu, and it underwent some important changes in the 2007 model year. During the 2007 re-fresher, Chevrolet updated the Colorado's engine offerings, both of which have since carried over.

The vehicle is based on a welded ladder-frame that is torsionally 250-percent stiffer than the S-10, which improves the ride and handling. The base comes with a 2.9-liter Vortec four cylinder, featuring Variable Valve Timing. The output is rated at 185 horsepower, which makes this vehicle more than capable of light towing. There is an option for a more powerful 3.7-liter five cylinder with VVT that produces 242 horsepower. The body styles range from regular to crew cab, with five trim levels available in two or four-wheel drive.