After seven years of the same old Colorado, Chevy’s mid-size truck enters its third generation in 2023 with an all-new vehicle that has expanded in breadth, wheelbase, and maturity. The Colorado is only powered by a turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Horsepower and torque vary based on trim level, starting with a 237-hp basic engine and progressing to the ZR2’s high-output 310-hp version with a muscular 430 pound-feet of torque. The inside has seen significant improvements, including a massive 11.3-inch infotainment display as standard equipment. Whatever the task, the Colorado now has a power and technology advantage over other senior citizens in the aging mid-size sector, such as the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Honda Ridgeline.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Off-road and on-road riding comfort | The basic engine is quite coarse |
| Basic powertrain provides plenty of scoot | Digital headlights and door lock controls |
| Greatly enhanced |
What’s New For 2023
The Colorado is completely revamped for 2023, with a new exterior, revised powertrain options, and a dramatically enhanced interior. The Colorado is marketed as a crew cab with a 5-foot-2-inch long bed, although it is still available in rear- or four-wheel-drive variants. The V-6 and Duramax diesel powertrains used in the previous generation truck will no longer be available.
Which Trim To Buy
While we have a soft spot for the high-flying ZR2 with its 10.7 inches of ground clearance, 33-inch tires, and enough LED lighting to light up a techno concert, we believe the Trail Boss can provide just as much mud-slinging fun for less money. The Trail Boss has 32-inch all-terrain tires and fender flares that give it a rough look. In fact, it has 1.5 inches more front suspension travel than the WT, LT, and Z71 grades, as well as an inch more rear suspension travel. It lacks the ZR2’s wonderful Multimatic spool valve dampers and locking front and rear diffs, but it shares its rear limited-slip diff with the Z71 and is significantly less expensive.
Engine
Every 2023 Colorado is powered by a turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four engine, with outputs varying depending on trim level. All Colorados have an eight-speed automatic transmission. WT and LT versions have 237 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque as standard. That’s much more than the 159-hp four-cylinder engine found in the standard Toyota Tacoma. The Z71 and Trail Boss versions feature a 310-horsepower version of the same turbocharged 2.7-liter with 390 pound-feet of torque, which provides greater power and torque than the V-6 powertrains available in the Jeep Gladiator, Ridgeline, and Tacoma. It’s also available as an option on the WT and LT trims. The crown jewel ZR2 powerplant produces 310 horsepower while increasing torque to 430 foot-pounds.
If those figures seem familiar, it’s because they’re from Chevy’s full-size Silverado 1500. The former Colorado’s V-6 and Duramax diesel engines are no longer available. The new Colorado retains an independent front suspension as well as a solid rear axle with leaf springs. The ZR2, on the other hand, has large Mutlimatic DSSV dampers up front, with the rear DSSVs now positioned on the outside of the frame. The WT and LT pickups have an open rear differential, while the Trail Boss and Z71 pickups have a limited-slip differential; only the off-road ZR2 has power-locking front and rear diffs.
Handling and Riding
The Chevrolet Colorado handles well for a truck, feeling balanced in corners and without leaning too much. The ride quality is also impressive, and even with an empty bed, the suspension does an excellent job of absorbing road irregularities.
If you want to do a lot of off-roading, the Z71 and ZR2 variants are the ones to consider. These trims are highly capable where the pavement ends, thanks to a variety of specialist features. Locking front and rear differentials, hill descent control, and a heavy-duty suspension system are among the available options.
Towing and Hauling Capability
The towing capability of this Chevrolet varies depending on what’s under the hood. The Colorado’s maximum capacity when fitted with the turbodiesel engine is 7,700 pounds, which is tied for the highest rating in the class. Models powered by V6 engines aren’t far behind, with a maximum towing capacity of 7,000 pounds. Colorados with the basic engine are significantly lower than the other two, allowing for a maximum capacity of 3,500 pounds.
The Colorado can carry up to 1,550 pounds when fully outfitted. That’s below average for the class, but not by much. The particular payload capacity of each model, like towing capability, varies depending on the engine you choose. Payload rating is also affected by cab/bed configuration and drivetrain selection.
Interior
The interior design of the new Colorado is revolutionary. Every Colorado has four doors and a crew cab. Internally, the center console has been redesigned, the shifter has been relocated closer to the passenger side of the cab, and the cupholders have been relocated immediately in front of the center console rather than opposite the gear selector. The redesigned interior is completed with a new instrument cluster, infotainment screen, and steering wheel. Overall, headroom has decreased by an inch compared to the previous pickup, while legroom and shoulder space remain nearly the same. Taking a page from the Honda Ridgeline’s playbook, ZR2 versions include a shallow 45-inch-wide lockable storage box in the tailgate as standard.
Infotainment
The Colorado lacks driving assistance technologies but makes up for it with loads of entertainment technology. The Infotainment 3 system is simple and easy to use. The touch screen and physical buttons are easily accessible from the driver’s seat, and the system responds swiftly to inputs.
Standard infotainment features: a 7-inch touch screen, Bluetooth, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a six-speaker audio system
Available infotainment features: wireless device charging, an 8-inch touch screen, a seven-speaker Bose audio system, HD Radio, a Wi-Fi hot spot, additional USB ports, and navigation
Other available features: automatic climate control and remote start
Fuel Economy
The EPA and Chevrolet have not said how efficient the 2023 Chevy Colorado will be in the city or on the highway. We anticipate that the standard powerplant, without all of the off-road equipment, will achieve around 26 mpg on the highway. We can assess its real-world mpg after the EPA discloses its accurate numbers. Visit the EPA’s website for additional information on the Colorado’s fuel efficiency.
Features for Driver Help and Safety
The Colorado’s standard Chevrolet Safety Assist package delivers a long list of driver-support functions, including fundamentals like frontal collision warning and more sophisticated tech like lane-keeping assist. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites for further information on the Colorado’s crash-test results. The following are likely key safety features:
Standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking.
Lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assistance are standard.
Adaptive cruise control is available.
Warranty and Maintenance Protection
Chevy provides a three-year/36,000-mile standard warranty as well as a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty on the Colorado.
Other Competitive Cars
Chevrolet Colorado vs. Ford Ranger
In our tiny pickup truck rankings, the Ford Ranger comes in slightly ahead of the Colorado. These two vehicles share several characteristics, such as lackluster interior materials and simple entertainment systems. Nonetheless, the Ranger’s Crew Cab body design is more spacious than the Colorado’s.
The Chevy has a slightly greater towing capacity and specific off-road trims, but the Ford has a larger maximum payload and a plethora of extras that transform it into a good off-roader. The Ranger has only one engine choice, a turbo-four that has the same power as the Colorado’s V6 and diesel engine.
Chevrolet Colorado vs. Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevy Silverado 1500 is a full-size pickup truck that may be considered the Colorado’s larger brother. As you might expect, the Silverado is larger than the Colorado. It has a longer bed and can pull and load considerably more. It also has a substantially bigger cabin, and the back seats in the crew cabin can comfortably accommodate adult passengers. These two are very comparable in terms of features, although the Silverado has many more driver assistance features.
All of these benefits, however, come at a cost, since the Silverado’s starting price is several thousand dollars more than the Colorado’s. The disparity is much more pronounced at the top of the trim lineup. While it has more capabilities and internal room, its bigger size makes it more difficult to fit into confined spaces.
