New Life in a Dying Segment.

The final winner of Motor Trend's prestigious Golden Calipers has been named, with the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado taking the title of 2015 Truck of the Year, likely shocking those who thought Ford's all-aluminum, next-generation F-150 would take the crown.

But win the Colorado did, beating not only the new Ford, but two other brutish Blue Ovals in the F-450 and Transit. The midsize pickup also bested its brethren from General Motors, beating the heavy-duty Chevy Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra Denali 2500 and the GMC Canyon, the Colorado's fraternal twin. After an unprecedented two-year stint with the Golden Calipers, Ram sat this year's awards out.

Most impressive about the Colorado's victory isn't that it simply beat the US market's other trucks, it did so with a unanimous vote. Praise from MT's editors focused on the trucklet's price, spacious interior, fit and finish and performance. Former Autoblog staffer Jonny Lieberman called the Colorado's steering the best he'd "ever experienced on any truck, full stop," in MT's awards article.

"After days of testing, hundreds of miles on the road, and our most rigorous truck testing program to date, our editors unanimously selected the Chevy Colorado as our 2015 Truck of the Year," said MT boss Edward Loh. "Colorado is a smart, capable, and refreshingly honest truck that makes a strong value and efficiency statement. It's perfectly sized and suited for the needs of many of today's truck users."

The Colorado joins the 2015 Volkswagen Golf and 2015 Honda CR-V among Motor Trend 2015 award winners. Scroll down for video commentary from General Motors CEO Mary Barra, Loh and a clip of the Golden Calipers being handed over. Also, check out GM's full press release on its big win.

GM is trying to fill a sector of the pickup market that it hadn’t been active in since 2012 with its new 2015 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon models. Basically the same capable, modern and well-rounded vehicle, KBB says you should go for the GMC as it has a higher quality interior and the price difference is negligible.

Even if both look modern and like they’re from 2015, they still rely on a traditional ladder chassis. Engine choices consist of three options, one of which is a diesel that will be added to the range later – they tested both petrol engines offered (a 3.6-liter V6 and a 2.5-liter four-pot) and found that the latter was not the best at towing, so if that’s what you’re buying it for go for the V6.

KBB did note, though, that the V6 is beaten in terms of economy by the bigger and more powerful Ford F150 equipped with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6. The conclusion? They’d better make the announced 2.8-liter diesel really-really good – it promises to deliver around 181 hp.

Check out the full review after the virtual jump!

This is the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado GearOn Special Edition, fitted with the brand's GearOn accessory system.

This special edition will make its public debut Feb. 13-22 at the Chicago Auto Show, after which it will go on sale this spring with a starting price of $31,250 - available in both extended and crew cab configurations on LT models, with long or short cargo bed and all-wheel drive.

Colorado marketing manager Tony Johnson said that the truck "answers the call for customers who have passions of all types and the GearOn accessory system enables them to bring more adventure wherever they go. And with the Colorado offering segment-leading efficiency and capabilities, it's a combination that maximizes adventure without compromise."

What is the GearOn accessory system? Well, it's designed to be easily configured with a multitude of mounting accessories for things like mountain bikes, kayaks, skis, stand-up paddle boats, tents and so on. Some configurations allow room in the bed below for complimentary gear by mounting the bikes/boards or whatever it is your carrying, directly on the upper rails.

The car itself features the GearOn bars package, the divider package and cargo tie-down rings. Additional accessories can be purchased separately and the costs can be included in the monthly payments - which is a very efficient way to go about it.

You also get off-road assist steps, gloss black 18" alloys, a body-color grille, EZ Lift and Lower tailgate system, front and rear black Chevy bowtie emblems, front fog lamps, rear window defogger and remote start system.

From mid-April, the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado will offer a box delete option, which will allow business owners and fleet managers to customize the back end of the truck.

Launched at the National Truck Equipment Association Work Truck Show in Indianapolis, the box delete option is described as by Chevrolet as the only such option offered in the midsize truck segment.

Carrying RPO order code ZW9, the box delete package is available on Colorado Work Truck 2WD extended cab models, exclusively with the 305hp 3.6-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission.

When the option is selected, a $300 credit is applied to the Colorado’s suggested retail price.

Additional vehicle and package highlights include a 2,200-lbs (998-kg) payload rating, 6,001-lbs (2722-kg) gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), temporary taillamps installed on the rear of the frame, rear bumper deleted, full-size spare tire included, eight body mount provisions (four per frame rail), standard fuel filler position, Z82 trailering package and G80 locking differential.

Chevrolet also offers the option to delete the rear seat for greater cargo capacity on the Colorado Work Truck extended cab regardless of whether the box stays or goes.

“With the segment-leading efficiency and maneuverable size, the Colorado makes a great, flexible choice for urban businesses and fleets to make the most of a midsize truck,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, GM Fleet & Commercial. “It’s ideal for utility companies requiring service bodies, as well as landscapers and other businesses needing the utility of a flatbed,” he added.

the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado taking the title of 2015 Truck of the Year, likely shocking those who thought Ford's all-aluminum, next-generation F-150 would take the crown.

Chevrolet's latest major update for the 2017 Colorado is class-exclusive powertrain combination that's meant to "reignite" the midsize truck segment, according to the automaker.

After previously introducing new features such as a diesel engine and advanced technologies like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the Colorado, now comes an all-new V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

"The Colorado is currently the most fuel-efficient pickup in America, with an EPA-estimated 31 mpg highway when equipped with the diesel engine," said chief engineer Stan Ludlow.

"As such, for the new V6 and eight-speed combination we focused on improving everyday driving performance. Drivers will immediately notice that it pulls harder when accelerating from a stop or passing on the highway; it is more confident pulling a trailer up a steep grade and it is more refined cruising at a constant highway speed."

Having reached its second generation, Chevrolet's double-overhead-cam engine architecture retains the same 3.6-liter displacement as before, but adds improved valve timing for intake and exhaust, improved direct injection and for the first time, Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation), disabling two cylinders under light throttle applications. Horsepower and torque have also increased to 308 HP (230 kW) at 6,800 rpm and 275 lb-ft (373 Nm) at 4,000 rpm.

Working together with the engine is a class-exclusive GM-developed Hydra-Matic 8L45 eight-speed automatic, which remains roughly the same size and weight as the 6L80 six-speed automatic it replaces. However, the new gearbox has a wider 7.0 overall gear ratio spread over the out-going's 6.0 ratio, helping drivers move forward more confidently with a heavy load, while the lower rear axle ratios reduce engine rpm on the highway for improved efficiency.

The 2017 Colorado with its new model year upgrades is set to hit dealerships in the fourth quarter of this year.

Having reached its second generation, Chevrolet's double-overhead-cam engine architecture retains the same 3.6-liter displacement as before, but adds improved valve timing for intake and exhaust, improved direct injection and for the first time, Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation), disabling two cylinders under light throttle applications. Horsepower and torque have also increased to 308 HP (230 kW) at 6,800 rpm and 275 lb-ft (373 Nm) at 4,000 rpm.