2023 Chevrolet Colorado: One Body, One Engine, Many Goals

Midsize pickups are no longer just work trucks. A lot of people shopping for these vehicles nowadays own trailers, boats, snowmobiles or personal watercraft, and they also like to spend time off the road. Manufacturers including General Motors have responded by introducing more versatile and more capable machines.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado is completely redesigned, but the biggest news here is the elimination of the long bed and extended cab. Only the crew cab and 5.5-foot bed remain. Why? The company says it’s because over 80 percent of Colorado customers chose this particular configuration.

A total of five trim levels are offered: WT, LT, Z71, Trail Boss and ZR2. The middle ones are the volume leaders, while the ZR2 (which we’ll put to the test in a few months) is the hardcore alternative.

New Engine

Chevrolet claims the 2023 Colorado rides on a new chassis, but in reality it’s more of a revised and upgraded version of the same chassis that’s been used in previous years. Engineers have worked on the suspension, as well, resulting in 3.1 inches of extra wheelbase.

It makes perfect sense to fit this engine into the Colorado, mind you, both in terms of power and torque. WT and LT models generate 237 horsepower and 259 lb-ft. of torque, with a towing capacity set at 3,500 lbs. A “Turbo Plus” variant is optional (standard on Z71 and Trail Boss), producing 310 horsepower and 390 lb-ft. of torque while bringing the towing capacity to 7,700 lbs. We suspect most customers will choose this one. Finally, the engine in the Colorado ZR2 gets a torque increase at 430 lb-ft. thanks to internal enhancements, but output remains at 310 hp. 

The main attributes of this turbocharged four-cylinder include generous torque, great throttle response and a lighter weight (80 lbs fewer than the old V6). It would be a stretch to say the 310 ponies are impressive, because the difference in acceleration with the base engine variant is not that big. Of course, losing a pair of cylinders also has a negative effect on flexibility and sound. On that note, engineers at the media event said they were thrilled by the captivating sound of the new engine, but don’t believe a single word of that. Other than the distinct turbo whistle, there’s nothing to get excited about.

Fuel consumption ratings have yet to be announced. In the case of the Silverado, the turbo-four is less efficient than Ford’s 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6. On our watch, helped by ideal weather and road conditions, the Colorado Z71 couldn’t do any better than 17.7 mpg, or just over 13 L/100 km. That’s not very good considering the previous-generation, V6-powered Colorado posted a combined rating of 12.1 L/100 km. In fact, at no point during the presentation did the Chevy reps talk about fuel economy or improvements at the pump.

The Most Refined

One thing’s for sure: the company worked hard to make the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado more comfortable, more refined and more driver-friendly. The cabin is quieter, in part thanks to extra noise-cancelling material in the wheel wells, while the ride is smoother and less bouncy. Strong braking and precise steering are other highlights. We must warn you that the Z71 model with available 20-inch wheels is a bit stiffer on the road. It’s best to stick with the standard 18-inch wheels, especially if you happen to spend a lot of time on rough pavement.

When compared with the current-generation Ranger, Gladiator, Frontier and Tacoma, the new Colorado is arguably a more refined driver. The good news is that off-road capability is not compromised. On the contrary, we’d call it exceptional. The suspension boasts impressive travel, and the shortened front overhang increases the approach angle. Naturally, Trail Boss and Z71 models offer a selection of drive modes to tackle various terrains, including a 4WD Auto mode that you’ll also find on the LT. Just so you know, the base WT is the only one that can be specified with 2WD, and the equally new GMC Canyon offers 4WD exclusively.

That Screen…

The technophiles at Chevrolet rave about the new 8-inch digital instrument cluster and 11.3-inch centre touchscreen with Google built-in. It’s a highly attractive and sharp-looking interface, no doubt about it, but one that requires some getting used to. For example, you won’t find physical controls for the headlights anywhere. They’ve been replaced, curiously, by buttons on the screen.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is included along with many configurable functions. Getting familiar with all the different sub-menus will take weeks. In fact, simply resetting the trip meter and fuel consumption indicator took us more than 15 minutes.  

More Muscle

Many people thought the previous Colorado looked too bland. With competitors beefing up their offerings, Chevrolet wisely added muscle to the new generation. This includes a more aggressive front grille and hood, wider fenders and plastic cladding around the wheel arches. Once again, WT and Trail Boss models are more basic than the rest of the lineup.

One last thing: the tailgate can be positioned midway between fully closed and open, enabling storage of longer items and supporting up to 500 lbs. It also has a built-in storage solution in the form of a 45-inch-wide and 4-inch-deep compartment with a drain. Also pretty useful is the available underbody camera.

Assembled at the Wentzville, Missouri plant, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado will retail from $36,498 (freight and PDI included) when it goes on sale in late March. It’s bound to enjoy plenty of success as arguably the smartest pick in the midsize truck segment right now.