GM's small pickups, the Colorado and its GMC Canyon twin, are more maneuverable than full-sized trucks and better equipped than their Nissan and Toyota competitors. We tested the V6, which returned 18 mpg overall, and the four-cylinder diesel, which got 24 mpg overall. The ride is rather choppy, as expected of a pickup, but handling is responsive. Rear- and four-wheel-drive versions are available, as are extended and crew-cab body styles. Inside are the latest electronics, including the MyLink audio system. These are the first small trucks to offer forward-collision and lane-departure warnings. In addition, a backup camera is standard. New for 2017 are an eight-speed automatic transmission and an updated, more responsive V6. Reliability has been below average.

While this version of the Chevrolet Colorado represented the first redesign of the model in 11 years, the fact that it topped the class was due more to the mediocrity of its competitors than to its inherent excellence. While we really want to like this truck, we just can't. The 305 hp V6 is short on low-end torque and the ride quality is rife with choppiness and jostling. Interior quality is low as well. On the positive side, the 3.6-liter V6 has a lot more power than the base four-cylinder engine, yet its EPA numbers show little drop in fuel economy. If you plan to tow a trailer, look for one with the trailering package. However, desirable safety equipment, such as forward-collision warning, is only available with the Luxury package and leather seats. Updates for 2016 include Apple CarPlay and an available 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel engine.

The compact S-10 pickup had inferior brakes and clumsy handling. In 2004 it was sold alongside its replacement, the Colorado. This successor offered only crude and noisy four- and five-cylinder engines at first. It retained a rudimentary part-time optional four-wheel-drive system, the type that can't be used on pavement. The Colorado's handling is sound but unexceptional. The ride is unsettled and the body quivers constantly. The 2007 model year brought a larger 3.7-liter engine. A V8 engine and standard ESC were added to the 2009 models. There was no 2013-2014 Colorado, but an all-new model arrived for 2015.