The base-level four-cylinder engine has been bored out from 2.8 to 2.9 liters, and the 2007 model produces 185 horsepower and 190 pound-feet of torque. That's 10 horsepower and 5 more pound-feet than 2006. The optional five-cylinder engine has been enlarged from 3.5 to 3.7 liters for 2007, for 242 horsepower and 242 pound-feet, up about 20 over the 2006 figures.

Other improvements for 2007 include a smoother-shifting automatic transmission, a more powerful 125-amp alternator, a standard tire-pressure monitor, and brighter interior trim.

Chevy Colorado was designed for comfort and favors roominess, ride comfort and fuel efficiency over traditional truck virtues such as payload and towing capacity. That's a strong selling point because mid-size trucks are often bought as alternatives to cars, and their owners want more hip room, leg room and head room. Most are willing to sacrifice bed length for cab room.

We think the trade-offs have paid off. The Chevrolet Colorado rides smoothly and feels refined. Order the five-cylinder engine and it accelerates smartly. The Crew Cab features a roomy back seat that's surprisingly comfortable and not bolt-upright. Yet the Colorado fits into tight parking spaces, something that can't be said of full-size pickups. Like all the trucks in this category, the Colorado is substantially smaller and more maneuverable than full-size pickups such as the Dodge Ram or Chevy Silverado. These are important benefits because even those who frequently use pickups to perform genuine truck duties spend most of their time driving with an empty bed.

But don't get us wrong: The Colorado isn't a car with a bed. In fact, the Colorado provides all the trucking capacity most owners will ever use. It has a six-foot bed with Regular and Extended Cabs, and a five-foot bed on Crew Cabs. A properly equipped Colorado is rated to tow 4,000 pounds, enough for transporting ATVs, dirt bikes, personal watercraft, bass boats, and small camping trailers. For most consumer needs, Colorado is more than enough truck to get the job done.

Colorado also offers a utilitarian Regular Cab work truck, a relatively inexpensive vehicle for buyers who want a tool for their work. All told, about a hundred permutations of the Colorado are available, giving buyers lots of choices to fit their needs.