Chevrolet has unveiled the all-new 2023 Colorado, which boasts a myriad of changes for Chevy's third-generation midsize pickup. The previous Colorado enjoyed a glorious run since its return in 2014 and Chevy has kept the lineup refreshed with updated models such as the ZR2 Bison. However, the 2023 Chevy Colorado will have to compete with industry titans such as the Toyota Tacoma and the Ford Ranger.
The all-new Colorado is improved in every way," said Scott Bell, Global Vice President of Chevrolet. "Designed with robust and sporty aesthetics, enhanced capabilities, new technology, and customization options, it is engineered to deliver more to discerning customers while still offering high value.
Table of Contents
- 2023 Chevy Colorado: What's New?
- Equipment options and powertrains
- Different suspension settings
- Interior upgrades
- 2023 Chevy Colorado: Pricing & Availability
2023 Chevy Colorado: What's New?
The 2023 Colorado is only available as a four-door crew cab with a 5.2-foot bed. Chevy has discontinued the single cab long-bed variant for 2023, but the new Colorado has grown slightly and now offers more space and better off-road capabilities.
The new Colorado has a 3.1-inch longer wheelbase and is 2.3
inches wider than before. However, it also has a shorter front overhang and a
repositioned front axle to improve the front approach angle for serious
off-roading. As a result of these changes, Chevy claims that the Colorado
offers a approach angle of 38.3 degrees, a departure angle of 25.1 degrees, and
a breakover angle of 24.6 degrees. Additionally, the ground clearance on the
Colorado ZR2 has increased to 10.7 inches.
The 2023 Chevy Colorado is exclusively available with a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine from the Silverado half-ton. What's exciting about it is that the 2.7-liter powertrain is available in three different levels, depending on the equipment variant. The base Work Truck (WT) and LT can send 237 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque to the rear or all four wheels, through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Both the Colorado WT and LT have a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs. with appropriate equipment.
In the Colorado Z71 and Trail Boss, the 2.7 Turbo Plus engine comes standard, offering 310 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque with an eight-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive. The Turbo Plus engine is also available as an option in the WT and LT trims, increasing the maximum towing capacity to 7,700 lbs.
The Colorado ZR2 features the Turbo High-Output version with the same 310 horsepower, but a higher torque of 430 lb-ft. Chevy claims that the base 2.7-liter turbo engine has 18% more horsepower and 36% more lb-ft of torque than the outgoing base engine.
At the same time, both the Turbo Plus and Turbo High-Output offer more power than the no longer produced 3.6-liter V6 and the 2.8-liter turbo diesel of the previous Colorado.
Depending on the equipment variant, the 2023 Chevy Colorado
will have three different suspension settings. The WT, LT, and Z71 will receive
the standard suspension, but the latter offers up to 9.5 inches of ground
clearance compared to the 7.9 inches (WT) and 8.9 inches (LT) of the two
previous models. The WT and LT have 17-inch wheels, while the Z71 and Trail
Boss have 18-inch wheels. The new wheels have a similar bolt pattern to the
full-size Silverado.
The Colorado Trail Boss, on the other hand, boasts a wider
track, a 2-inch lift kit, passive Multimatic DSSV dampers, 18-inch wheels with
32-inch Goodyear Territory A/T tires, and electronically lockable front and
rear differentials with a 3.42 rear axle ratio. Additionally, it receives cast
iron control arms and underbody shields to protect the engine, transfer case,
and rocker panels when the going gets tough.
The top-of-the-line ZR2 model, meanwhile, comes standard with a powerful three-inch lift kit. The ZR2 Desert Boss package includes 17-inch wheels, 33-inch mud tires, a custom front bumper, roof-mounted light bar, unique Desert Boss decals, and a sport bar with a sail to round out the package.
Interior upgrades
Chevy enthusiasts will appreciate the 2023 updated cabin design and imaginative technology of the Colorado. A standard 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with Android OS, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, Google Maps, and access to Google Play is located front and center. The display features an Off-Road Performance Mode that displays vehicle pitch, roll, tire pressure, altitude, G-forces, and wheel slip, among other things.
Other technical features include wireless charging, a standard trailer hitch (with an available Hitch View camera), an underbody camera (standard on the Z71 and ZR2), and the Chevrolet Trailering App, which offers up to 10 camera views around the vehicle. In addition, the WT and Trail Boss feature more rugged interior materials suitable for work, while the LT boasts silver accents and a leather-wrapped dashboard. The Z71 has a sportier cabin with cloth and leatherette upholstery and black/red accents.
Chevrolet's sophisticated tailgate storage system is
standard on the ZR2 and available across the model range. It features a 45-inch
x 4.0-inch lockable storage compartment in the tailgate where you can store
tools or your favorite ice-cold beverage. In addition, the tailgate can be
locked in the midway position, as is the case with the Ford Maverick.
Price
The 2023 Chevy Colorado is anticipated to reach US retailers
by mid-2023, with production commencing at the GM plant located in Wentzville,
Missouri in the following year. Though the precise pricing details remain
undisclosed, we anticipate that the manufacturer's suggested retail price
(MSRP) for the fundamental Colorado WT model will commence at 26,000 euros,
while the ZR2 model will commence at 48,000 euros.