General Motors went back to the drawing board, added a little mad scientist magic, and came away with the new 2023 Chevy Colorado.
This new midsize pickup truck signals the next generation, and there are several changes offered to make this a pickup you’ll want to drive. If you’re a fan of the three different powertrains, they’re gone. If you like the multiple cab and bed configurations, those are gone as well. What remains and has improved is a truck that delivers more power and better off-road prowess than ever before. Let’s see if this could be the right new truck for you to drive.
The Biggest Changes Are Under the Hood
The new Colorado looks a lot like the outgoing model; both are recognizable as the same truck name. What’s different is what you’ll find under the hood of this new pickup. The base engine from the Chevy Silverado 1500 comes down market to be part of this midsize truck. Every version of the new Colorado is powered by this 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, but there’s a bit of a poorly-kept secret going on with this engine.
Shh, It’s Not Really a Secret
The new engine for the 2023 Chevy Colorado offers three levels of tuning to give you the power desired. The WT and LT models give you 237 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. This is plenty of power to give you a strong midsize truck to drive. This base power level offers up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity.
If you want more from your Colorado, the Z71 and Trail Boss trims give you 310 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. This tuning offers the most power for towing with a max tow rating of 7,700 pounds, which is one of the highest numbers in the midsize truck market.
When you’re after the top ZR2 trim, you’ll see the engine tuned up to 430 lb-ft of torque while delivering the same 310 horsepower. This added torque helps during off-road adventures when you’ll need more low-end power to get through some of the toughest mud and muck found in the wilderness.
What Makes the Colorado a Good Choice?
Not only will you find a new, strong turbocharged engine in the 2023 Chevy Colorado, but you’ll enjoy many standard active safety features, a large 11.3-inch touchscreen, impressive towing capability, and added ground clearance to make driving off-road better than ever. The Trail Boss trim is new for this model year, and the ZR2 trim brings more heat with better off-road capability than ever before.
Is the New Colorado Affordable?
This new version is relatively affordable, considering some of the competition. The base model of this midsize pickup truck comes in at around $28,000, which is competitive with the Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger. Moving to the top of the lineup, the ZR2 asks for a starting price of $45,000. This price is only a little more expensive than the base version of the GMC Canyon, which shares a platform and powertrain with the Colorado.
What’s the Sweet Spot for this Midsize Truck?
If you’re searching for the best way to balance value and price in the new 2023 Chevy Colorado, you’ll want to choose the Z71 trim. This model has the benefits of upgraded seating materials, LED lighting, and 18-inch alloy wheels, and it comes with the best tow rating. The Z71 version also brings some impressive off-road features to make it a truck that can be enjoyed on and off the roads, making it great for your wilderness adventures.
What Safety Items Come in the New Colorado?
Many trucks have come a long way in terms of safety. This new Chevy midsize truck brings the benefits of lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. These items are standard on every model of this truck. If you want more, higher trims bring adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring into the mixture. These additional items also come as optional features for some of the lower trims.
Three of Five Trims Are Made for Off-Roading
Many trucks offer one trim that is ready for actual off-roading while allowing you to add 4WD to some of the other trims to add a little trail-riding qualities to the mix. The 2023 Chevy Colorado brings three trims that are specifically made to handle off-road driving for you. Choose the Z71, Trail Boss, or ZR2 models and take this midsize pickup out on the trails. In addition to these three trims, there should be more than 200 accessories offered for the new Colorado when it launches. One of these features is a three-inch factory lift kit, which makes this truck stand up tall and handle more obstacles than ever with ease.
You’ll Find a Functional Bed on the New Colorado
We won’t find the MultiPro tailgate for the new Colorado, but the bed and tailgate are pretty versatile and functional. This tailgate is 45 inches wide and comes with a 4-inch deep storage area that is water-tight and drainable. This means you’ll have a place in the tailgate that acts as a small cooler to keep some drinks inside and cold. There are 17 available tie-downs in this truck bed, making it easy to secure various items, including bicycles, motorcycles, and other gear that you’ll need to take with you during your adventures.
Does the 2023 Chevy Colorado Sound Like the Right Truck for You?
When you’re looking for a midsize truck that delivers an excellent level of power and performance, it’s hard to beat the 2023 Chevy Colorado. This truck brings a new powertrain, tons of upgrades over the previous model, three distinct power levels, three off-road trims, and affordable pricing you’ll be glad to enjoy. This pickup could be exactly what you want to drive. Production begins in the first quarter of 2023, which means there are still some details we don’t have to offer yet.
Could the new 2023 Chevy Colorado be the right truck for you to drive every day? Head to your local Chevrolet dealer and find out today.
This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning a commission is given should you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no cost to you. All products shown are researched and tested to give an accurate review for you.