The Chevy Colorado has been cleaned up for 2008, with more body-color trim, and less black or charcoal plastic, for more solid, monochromatic look.Aside from that, the Colorado looks much as it did when it was introduced as an all-new model for 2004. Then as now, the Colorado suggests a downsized and oddly Cubist rendition of the full-size Silverado. This impression begins with Colorado's bold chrome horizontal-bar grille and multi-lens headlamps. The lamp assembly has a flying wedge contour, higher at the outside, and houses high and low beams, daytime running lamps and turn signals. On models so equipped, fog lamps are inset into the bumper.
Overall, the Colorado has a clean, modern look. The fender bulges are angular and aggressive, more so than Silverado's. The leading edge of the front fender flares isn't finished elegantly, however. Reach-through door handles allow a full handful of grip for easy opening, even with gloves.
The Crew Cab looks well balanced despite the extra cab length. Cargo boxes are 6-foot, 1-inch on Regular and Extended Cab models and 5-foot, 1-inch on Crew Cabs. A two-position locking tailgate, which opens to 55 degrees or to fully horizontal, provides more cargo utility. When the tailgate is partway down, the Colorado can carry a 4-by-8 foot sheet of plywood flat, supported by the wheel wells and the rear edge of the tailgate.