Glad you have decided to look at the positives

 

Curious on the power steering. Is the electric assist what you like or just that its a true rack and pinion?

I typically prefer hydraulic assist as its not as twitchy and more so prefer a manual rack for fun cars. But thats just personal preference.

 

Not sure exactly why I like the Colorado's PS better. The S10's PS is fine once you're moving, but it requires a bit of muscle when you're parking....same with our 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2004 Impala. Never really noticed it UNTIL I started driving this Colorado.

Total Recall Event: I special ordered a new 1986 Dodge D150 p/u WITHOUT power steering...saved me $186. OMG! Worst decision ever! It was like steering a plow....made me really appreciate PS!

 

I jumped from a JK Rubicon 6spd manual to my first '18 ZR2 - that in itself was like stepping into a Corvette . I never felt the 2nd gen LGZ NA lacked power for my needs, but I was thrilled by the L3B's power.

Some other things that come to top of mind (not the canonical list):

• oil filter and drain plug location (ease of change)
• wireless carplay (without the need of a BT dongle contraption)
• big[ger] infotainment screen
• DIC customizations and look/feel
• Advance trailering hitch alignment guide
• keyless start and lock/unlock without manually operating the remote
• Locking tailgate
• Gas mileage (yes) - now with only ~6K on the L3B it is 18-20mpg routinely with some trips over 24, current best is 25.9. LGZ was more 17-19 with an all-time best of ~24.
• Towing - I only tow a utility trailer usually with an ATV aboard- it pulls it like its not there and mpg hit is minimal. LGZ never had an issue but would feel the trailer more, especially on hills.
• Braking - just feels a little bit better to me over 2nd gen
• Rear shock mount location - no more bashing shock mounts on rocks.
• Lighting/Intellibeam - I find the LEDs ~good and Intellibeam convenient - I had to replace the 2nd gen's halogens with LED as mod #1.

 

S10 series was (and is) great, between my wife, son, and me we have owned 8 of them over the last 35 years. The V6 2WD extended cab I owned was definitely quick, and with the right tires and wheels handled amazingly well. Payload and towing not nearly as capable as the current "mid-size" of course.

Funny thing about the older 4.3 V6, I replaced it with a lightly modified 5.3l LS V8 in my ZR2 Blazer, and not only gained about 150 hp but average MPG went from 16 to 20.

 

OMG! I forgot another plus for the Colorado...MPG. I'm getting 23-24mpg in the Colorado. S10 on the same roads gets about 17-18mpg. The comparison is not entirely fair...the S10 is so fun to drive that I'm into the gas on a regular basis. But even if I drive conservatively, the S10 would manage maybe 20-21mpg on these same roads!

 

Every time I see a photo of a red 3rd gen, I am really impressed with how good it looks.

 

I went from a 01' single cab 2wd Sanoma (SLS trim?) to a 21 crew cab 4wd Colorado. I miss the color of the sanoma (it was a dark metallic green) but your pretty spot on for everything else.

 

Just want to say that your 2002 S10 brings back fond memories of my 2000 S10 single cab, also pewter metallic, but with a manual trans. That was my 1st truck, sold it at 120,xxx miles. Loved the simplicity of that truck, never really hauled anything of significance, I used it to commute, over the Tejon Pass in California, through hot and cold weather, never once let me down.

 

I've had only minor issues in the year+ and 14k miles, basically the bricked truck because of the OTA update settings turned on being the only major issue, and now I know the cure. Mechanically it's been awesome: extremely capable, powerful, handles/rides well, is quiet, comfortable, gas mileage is decent. Just minor annoyances like the lack of light switches, the fog light are useless and don't stay on, don't like the low center vents location, NO drivers side grab handle (stupid), not nearly enough power ports (for GoPro's, radars, dashcams, etc.), a few things like that. One weird note that's actually a plus (because of the missing grab handle), is that since the power steering is electric, when you remote start the vehicle, you can grab the wheel as a grab handle to get into the truck because the assist isn't on until you hit the brake and start button, so it doesn't steer the tires like it does when it's actually "running". Makes it easier to get into the truck.

 

Always best to play the cards you are dealt. If you worry too much about what you have no control over you will never be happy.

 

For me, it's kinda of love hate relationship. It's getting better because I am taking care of the factory downfalls that affect what I want to do with the truck to make it work better for us.

ARE cap is still on order, they are going to also install our bedslide at time of cap install. 589 Fab front bed supports are installed, CBI bed stiffeners are installed.

My dealer said I can't hook anything else up to the battery or electrical system. So I have to get more creative. Probably go with a power station and just put solar on the roof, or just use the generator if no power is available.

I just get really discouraged when I crawl around the truck and see how cheap every part is compared to the price. Trust me, the harder you look, the worse it gets. Most people never even notice that the tailgate doesn't open flat to the bed. I found that out with the 2019 ZR2 and this one is the same. So to install the bed slide, you lose about 3" in height and because the tailgate doesn't open flat to the bed, you lose another 2-3". That adds up in the tiny bed. On last truck, a BRUTE 32 gal garbage can would not fit with the top on. It was that close. Gotta wait until installation to see, on this truck.

Another thing my brain can't process is : why would anyone go through all the trouble of an inverter and all the wiring and then only make it 100/400 watts. It's not even worth the effort and time, basically just a phone or laptop. Can't even plug in a battery charger/maintainer or an ARB Fridge.

Maybe I'm just getting old & grumpy but I expect any truck to be able to do basic truck things. And I have to get creative and spend more money. Can't afford a new fullsized truck anymore.

It doesn't matter what brand because they all have issues in 1 way or another.

 

Apparently others, including myself, would also like a V6 or this video would not have generated.

 

That is an AI Click Bait Video

 

Like you the v6 is definitely what I prefer but gm puts that motor it seems in everything but the Colorado/Canyon trucks. I over the years bought new Sierra-1500 or Chevrolet Silverados. I bought a new 2016 Colorado crewcab and grew accustomed to the midsized truck and the v6 but I was so use to the full-size went back to a2018 ltz crewcab Silverado. The midsized bug hit me again so I traded and bought a new 2021 gmc canyon Denali. I absolutely love this truck with all the bells and whistles has never been back to dealer for anything. Currently has 63k miles original tires etc and still gets 25 mpg on interstate driving 75-80 mph. Love the looks of the gen3 but they lost me when they discontinued the v6. May you all enjoy the new ones but if I get the bug again will probably go nissan frontier pro 4x v6.

 

I understand the sentiment. I'd only suggest that you test-drive a gen3 after the nissan, like I did.

 

I don’t get the mantra for a NA V6. Less HP and far less torque. It’s the size of the turbo that matters and not the displacement. Just like in a diesel. But to each his own…

 

Now a twin turbo 3.6L V6 with 400hp and 500tq! NOW WE TALKING!

With eco mode so you can get higher mpg and baja in 4x4 trims and sport in 4x2 trims for full power fun!

GM already has a 3.6L twin-turbo V6 engine (LF3) produces 420 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, requiring premium fuel that they currently use in the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, that they could just drop in

 

I bought new 2025 colorado z71 last month in the Radiant Red Tint coat. I think Radiant Red is the best color available on the colorado and the Harvest Bronze but GM discontinued that color last spring. My 19 colorado served me well for almost 7 years and I'm sure the new owner will still get some good years out of it. I actually like the turbomax, the power seems about the same as the 3.6 v6 but then I look at the speedo and find myself speeding down the road. I guess I like everything about the gen 3 over the gen2 except that garbage Stop/Start feature in the gen3. I wish that stop/start off button would permanently turn stop/start off instead of having to turn it off every time you start the truck, pita!

 

I've owned my 2025 Colorado Trail Boss since April. I don't tow regularly with it, since I have a 2007 2500HD that handles most all of my towing needs. I must say that the turbo 2.7L engine is all I would ever need or want for power in this mid-size truck, and the fuel economy is outstanding. The torque in this engine is incredible! I have only towed one time and that was pulling a full, heavy load of firewood in a 5X8' single axle utility trailer through hilly back roads near where I live. I have trailer brakes on the trailer. It felt as though the trailer wasn't even there. I simply love the power train in this truck.

The OP mentioned the power steering... my truck has the best feeling power steering of any vehicle I have ever driven. I can't say enough good things about the drivability of this truck. So far I am totally pleased with my purchase decision.

I hope I didn't just jinx myself

 

Had my 02 s10 refrigerant added last summer. Still running cold. Maybe because I'm old but I enjoy driving s10 over my 2018 colorado.

 

Ha! Forgot another thing I love about the Colorado....it has a 21-gallon fuel tank! The S10 tank holds about 16 gallons. So the combination of better fuel efficiency plus the larger tank means stopping at the gas station every 2 weeks instead of once a week....

 

Back some years I purchased, new, a 2006 Canyon SLT, in-line 5. I drove that truck for 18yrs, sold it 257k and it was solid still...FL weather helped keep any rust at bay for sure. Like any other high mileage vehicle over the years minor things would pop up, sensors, water pump(pain, have to go through the driver side wheel well), only a couple batteries, a/c never went out(can't explain that one) since it was on all the time. The upholstery held up great, no problems with interior taking into consideration, again, the FL heat.
The only expensive repair done by a shop was the rear-main seal(hated it started leaving oil stain on the driveaway.
I really appreciated being able to do the work myself, though tight, it could be done...with additional tools, which increased the toolbox content for sure! I wanted to keep that suckker, but space just wouldn't allow it. And I always had a nagging feeling that the very next commute would be the last one and I didn't want to have to find a replacement drivetrain.
My commute is mostly urban, so the 5cyl was sufficient, though 15-16mpg city. It would tow utility trailers when needed, but it was a concrete princess for the most part. Many road trips, mileage in flat FL would reach 25mpg, but hilly northern areas, 21-22mpg. The OP mentioned the tank size, yeah 16gals...bogus compared to the +20gals in my '24 Canyon. Someone mentioned not having a driver-side a grab handle, yup, had to get used to that.
I never pushed the '06, it didn't make sense to push a 5. Been in Sierras and that Canyon for 35yrs, I'm new to turbos (reason I hesitated purchasing for some time...that and the strike) but this '24 Canyon is a quick little $hit and I find myself having a bit of fun utilizing that turbo! I'm a pilot and sitting in this truck is like being in a cockpit, home away from home!