Engine advice needed

My '94 S-10 took a [series] beating in the [hugh] hail storm we had here about one month ago, and I am looking at a used 2007 Chevrolet Colorado pickup as a replacement.

My S-10 has a 4.3 liter V-6 that gets about 22 MPG in stop & go driving and 25 MPG on the highway without a load.

Now, I am looking for some advice on the 5 cylinder engine Chevrolet uses in their Colorado pickups. I've seen many engines, but never a V-5. Is anyone familiar with this engine and have either good or bad comments about it?

Does anyone have an idea of the fuel mileage it gets / power for passing / driving in hilly areas, etc.?

I am not worried about a lot of power, as the most I will pull is probably a fishing boat and an occasional load of wood.

I trust FReepers for advice much more than I do asking a garage mechanic at some fly-by-night / here today and gone tomorrow shop.

Thanks in advance for any comment either for or against this as an engine choice.

Actually the inline 6 is the most inherently balanced engine configuration available! More so than any V configuration. According to M. J. Nunney (Light and Heavy Vehicle Technology, Fourth Edition), “The straight-6 layout is the simplest engine layout that possesses both primary and secondary mechanical engine balance, resulting in relatively low manufacturing cost combined with much less vibration than engines with fewer cylinders.” The best engines ever made were inline sixes; The AMC 258, the Dodge slant six, the Ford 4.9L 250, the Chevy 4.8L, the Cummins diesels, and BMW’s inline sixes. The 5 that Chevy offers is the same as the inline 6 that comes in the Trailblazer just minus one cylinder. I get about 19 city and 23 highway in my 2006 Colorado 4 door 2WD Z71. It makes way more horsepower than my Z28 did in 1979! I am concerned over the cylinder head issues though, but I haven’t had any problems yet at 38,000 miles. My dream truck though is a Dodge Ram Cummins 2500 Mega Cab... a superb engine wrapped in crap!

I have a four banger in my Colorado. When you hit the gas, it sounds like a racing car but it moves like a sand-dune.
It is a good truck, but you have to plan your moves way in advance.
I love my S10 with that 4.3 in it. It ran like a raped ape.

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