2009 Chevrolet Colorado V8 - Short Take Road Test

Compact truck, big power.

Ever since the S-10 was introduced in 1981, Chevrolet enthusiasts have been forced to drop their own V-8s into Chevy’s compact pickups—the bow-tie didn’t see fit to offer eight-pot power in its pint-size trucks. Those folks were usually looking to go fast: big power in a light truck can make for some startling acceleration times. That sort of combination finally can be had from the factory: the Chevrolet Colorado is available for 2009 with an optional 5.3-liter V-8. The question is whether a small-block V-8 can spice up what is, frankly, a pretty lackluster vehicle.

Much-Needed Power, Same Low-Rent Interior

In its latest comparison test appearance, the Colorado finished last out of five trucks and was flayed for its rental-car interior, unrefined engine, and upright rear backrest. At minimum, the new V-8 is a good remedy for the thrashy, 242-horse, 3.7-liter inline five-cylinder engine currently found in lesser Colorados (and GMC Canyons, which also receive the V-8 option for ’09). The throaty 5.3-liter (only available on extended cab and crew cab models, 1LT trim and above) produces 300 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, and we saw 0-to-60-mph times fall to 6.7 seconds, a substantial decrease from the 8.7 seconds turned in by the 220-hp five-cylinder truck in the comparo. (The five was upgraded in 2007 with more power, so the difference in times would be less today.)