Eight years after serving to kickstart the revival of the midsize pickup market, Chevrolet is again with an all-new model of the Colorado.
It’s an almost top-to-bottom makeover that features loads of new know-how, vital updates to each inside and exterior styling. However, what could matter most to truck patrons is an all-new powertrain that delivers extra pony energy than the outgoing Colorado’s fuel engine, and extra torque than the previous diesel.
During the preview of the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado final summer season, Scott Bell, the bowtie model’s international vice chairman, declared the truck “enhanced in every way.” TheDetroitBureau.com got down to affirm that declare, heading to San Diego for some intensive time behind the wheel, each on and off-road.
Overview
With the launch of the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado, the bowtie model has an bold purpose in thoughts: successful over house owners of the midsize truck section’s 800-pound gorilla, the Toyota Tacoma. Chevy has a slender window to construct the mandatory second, the Japanese truck due for a serious makeover in 2024.
The Detroit truck has crushed Toyota to the punch, the Colorado getting its personal ground-up replace for 2023. And a primary drive in 4 of the 5 trim packages Chevy is providing reveals loads of enhancements, with only some flubs.
From a design perspective, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado is extra engaging than the outgoing truck, with a extra rugged exterior and a extra useful inside that now contains an 11.3-inch infotainment display screen that’s normal on all trim ranges.
Then there’s the brand new powertrain, a 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder out there in three configurations, together with a high-output model that delivers extra torque than the previous Colorado diesel.
Buyers can discover a model of the brand new Colorado for nearly each want, from the bottom Work Truck as much as the rugged, off-road-oriented ZR2.
Exterior design
On the entire, the design of the 2023 Chevy Colorado is beefier and extra muscular than the outgoing pickup. It helps that the entrance axle as been moved ahead by greater than 3 inches. And, with the Trail Boss and ZR2 packages, the truck’s observe has been widened by roughly the identical quantity, with requisite widened fender flares.
Colorado adopts a extra upright grille and up to date fascia and lamps, with every of the 5 trim packages getting distinctive design particulars. That’s most evident on the off-road-oriented Z71 and ZR2 packages. Those two fashions additionally get extra carry and suspension journey. And, whereas will probably be a late arrival, the ZR2 will add Multimatic spool-valve dampers and lockable entrance and rear differentials.
Chevy’s design crew barely lowered the edges of the mattress to make it simpler to succeed in cargo. They additionally optimized the usual tailgate, making a small, enclosed storage comparting. There are two non-compulsory tailgates, as nicely. And, persevering with the give attention to performance, there are 9 separate tiedowns within the mattress.
Interior design
That touchscreen dominates the look of the brand new inside, however the general really feel is wider and extra spacious. While quite a few particular person automobile features at the moment are dealt with by means of the infotainment system, there are nonetheless a variety of buttons and knobs, a lot of which have been repositioned to make them simpler for the motive force to succeed in. Some now reside to the left of the steering wheel.
I’d have preferred slightly extra vary of movement within the tilt/telescope steering wheel. And the bottom Work Truck’s wheel solely tilts.
The determination to maneuver the entrance axle ahead appeared, at the least initially on paper, to ship a extra roomy cabin on the second-generation Colorado. There is loads of area for entrance seat occupants. But the again seat stays primarily the identical. Translation: cramped in relation to legroom.
Chevy claims to have upgraded the seats and that turned obvious driving the Z71 mannequin on-road, and the Trail Boss off-road.
Overall, the brand new truck has a extra refined look and supplies have been upgraded on a lot of the trim packages. The exceptions: the Work Truck and Trail Boss. It’s straightforward to simply accept that the bottom mannequin retains loads of exhausting plastic, however the determination to make use of the identical, low-cost finishes for the Trail Boss cabin proved disappointing.
Powertrain
With the 2023 makeover, Chevrolet determined to remove the torquey diesel provided on the first-generation Colorado. But few patrons are more likely to thoughts the choice to go together with a single gas-powered drivetrain. That’s as a result of the two.7-liter turbo-4 is accessible in three completely different configurations that, on the higher finish ship extra horsepower and torque than both of the previous drivetrains.
In the bottom-end Colorado Work Truck, the bottom package deal makes a comparatively modest 237 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It’s sufficient to get you transferring — or towing as much as 3,500 kilos — nevertheless it’s not precisely designed to ship thrills. And to chop prices, Chevy pulled a few of the sound deadening materials from this package deal.
The first improve provides again these noise-reducing options whereas boosting the horse rely to 310, and torque to 391 lb-ft. It ties the drivetrain within the Nissan Frontier for best-in-class horsepower.
At the higher finish, the high-output model of the turbo-4 will get actual grunt, at 430 lb-ft second-only to the Jeep Gladiator for torque. That helps enhance towing capability to 7,700 kilos. The HO engine retains the 310 hp score.
For those that aren’t certain they want most muscle, Chevrolet is taking an intriguing method, permitting Colorado patrons to go to their supplier after buy to have the mid-level engine’s pc management system flashed to improve the torque score to the utmost 430 lb-ft.
All variations of the two.7-liter engine are paired with an 8-speed computerized transmission. Base trims get a single-speed switch case and rear-wheel drive. Mid and higher packages, together with the Trail Boss and ZR2, get two-speed switch instances and all-wheel drive.
Fuel financial system numbers are usually not but out there, however the base package deal is predicted to high the previous 2.5-liter fuel engine.
Safety and Technology
That 11.3-inch touchscreen is the brand new tech characteristic that 2023 Colorado patrons could recognize most — although there are some peculiarities to Chevy’s method to the system. As is turning into more and more widespread today, the automaker is counting on the display screen to deal with a variety of auto features. That, as one would possibly anticipate, contains navigation on autos so outfitted, in addition to features reminiscent of Hill Descent Control. But you additionally should faucet the touchscreen for features like headlights and foglights, even to zero out the truck’s journey odometer.
There are standard buttons and controls for quantity, local weather management and the motive force mannequin management, however a few of the selections Chevy has moved to the infotainment system appear questionable.
As beforehand famous, the mid-level engine on the 2023 Colorado will be upgraded just by flashing its management software program. That needs to be carried out on the dealership. But the truck now will get smartphone-style over-the-air replace capabilities that may remotely revise loads of different onboard software program, even permitting for the addition of latest options at a later date.
There’s the now-requisite assortment of superior driver help techniques, together with ahead collision warning with computerized emergency braking, and a lot of the trims include lively cruise management. The new Colorado additionally encompasses a alternative of driver modes which, amongst different issues, will be set to optimize features like shift mapping and throttle response to greatest deal with completely different terrains and climate situations.
Driving Impressions
Chevy trimmed the variety of packages to only 5 choices in comparison with greater than three dozen trims for the segment-leading Toyota Tacoma. Over the course of two days I took the prospect to drive 4 of the 5 trim packages that can attain market with the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado. The fifth, the top-line ZR2, gained’t arrive till later this 12 months.
The Work Truck is, as you’d anticipate, a reasonably primary machine. There’s loads of exhausting plastic and the bottom model of the brand new 2.7-liter turbo-4 engine struggles a bit if you nail your foot to the ground. But for these desirous to get right into a midsize truck for an affordable value and minimal frills, it appears a superb possibility.
The LT package deal takes issues up a notch. But you just about load up the brand new Colorado if you improve to the Z71. It options a way more well-appointed inside and an affordable stage of tech goodies, as nicely. It’s notably extra snug whereas cruising round city than the previous pickup, and simply dealt with the sharp corners on the best way as much as Julian, the previous mining city that served as my vacation spot on the second day.
The mid-level engine, in the meantime, was greater than as much as the duty. It’s usually quieter than the previous 2.5-liter package deal, however for a little bit of a whine at low rpms. Chevy subtly modifies the sound of the powertrain throughout exhausting acceleration utilizing an lively noise enhancement system.
Where the outgoing Z71 was off-road-focused, Chevy repositioned it this time round, nevertheless. If you’re trying to get a while out on the path, you’re extra probably now to go together with the Trail Boss package deal and its lifted suspension and wider observe.
That paid off as I headed off pavement, spending the following couple hours on a deeply rutted mud and gravel path. The truck’s terrain administration system simply tailored to various street situations as I shifted between Normal, Off-Road and Terrain settings.
One of the nicer options on the Trail Boss is the brand new electrical brake booster. In the Terrain setting, the truck permits a driver to enter 1-Pedal mode. Creeping alongside a path you not must flip back-and-forth between throttle and brake. You merely modulate the accelerator, a lot as one automobile do on the newest battery-electric autos.
On the entire, when you decide the suitable trim package deal, the brand new Colorado actually ought to stay as much as your expectations.
Wrap Up
When Chevy introduced the Colorado again eight years in the past it was broadly appreciated, serving to breathe life again into the almost comatose midsize pickup section. At that time, solely two fashions remained: the dominant Toyota Tacoma and the section’s low-cost various, the Nissan Frontier.
With the launch of the 2023 mannequin, Chevy clearly presents the best choice for many patrons. It’s a way more engaging and well-equipped alternative for the gen-1 truck. And, as soon as the ZR2 package deal reaches market later this 12 months, Colorado will cowl all of the bases, from primary Work Truck to critical off-roader.
That stated, don’t anticipate to see the competitors willingly slip into the background. Toyota is readying a whole makeover of the section’s best-seller, the Tacoma. And Ford is predicted to offer a considerable improve to the Ranger, as nicely.
Still, Chevy has confirmed it’s a critical participant within the midsize pickup section and will do nicely with the Colorado’s makeover.
Prices begins at $29,200 for the Work Truck, the LT coming in at $31,600. The rear-drive Trail Boss begins at $37,000, with all-wheel-drive. The Z71 jumps to $39,900, and the ZR2 will set you again $46,800 when it arrives later this 12 months.
2023 Chevrolet Colorado — Frequently Asked Questions
What can I anticipate from a 2023 Chevrolet Colorado?
The second-generation Colorado is a way more refined truck than the unique mannequin, even because it simplifies its trim line-up. It encompasses a new powertrain, with a single 4-cylinder engine provided in three variations, as much as a high-output package deal making 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. It additionally provides extra know-how, reminiscent of 10 particular person digicam views, one thing significantly helpful whereas off-road or towing.
Which is best: the Chevrolet Colorado or Ford Ranger?
Based on our preliminary drive expertise, the Chevy Colorado is the strong winner. For 2023, it goes by means of a whole makeover, together with the shift to a brand new turbo-4 engine. By comparability, the Ford Ranger is a dated product that’s scheduled to bear its personal full makeover for the approaching mannequin 12 months.
What does the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado price?
The second-generation Chevy Colorado is obtainable in 5 completely different trim packages. The base Work Truck begins at simply $29,200. At the higher finish, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 begins at $46,800 — each numbers excluding $1,495 in supply charges.
Source: www.thedetroitbureau.com