2023 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab

　　

2023 Chevrolet Colorado Review

byMichael CantuCorrespondent

　　Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at zzdcar and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.

　　The Colorado is Chevrolet's midsize truck designed for those who want a smaller and more affordable pickup than the full-size Silverado. Its 2023 redesign brought several upgrades but also simplified the truck. It's now only available as a four-door crew cab with a short 5-foot bed and only offers one engine: a turbocharged four-cylinder available in three power levels, depending on which trim you chose. Three of the five available trim levels are off-road focused: Trail Boss, Z71 and ZR2. There's also a more capable ZR2 Desert Boss model.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Work Truck 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$172/mo  for Colorado Work Truck

　　Colorado Work Truck

　　Work Truck 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $29,200 MSRPWork Truck 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $32,500 MSRPLT 4dr Crew Cab SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $31,600 MSRPLT 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $34,900 MSRPTrail Boss 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $37,000 MSRPZ71 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $39,900 MSRPZR2 4dr Crew Cab 4WD SB (2.7L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $46,800 MSRP

　　vs

　　$219/mo

　　Avg. Compact Truck

　　

zzdcar spotlight: All the changes for 2023

Chevrolet beefed up the new Colorado's exterior design and modernized its interior with a digital instrument cluster and a large 11.3-inch center touchscreen. The former engines have been replaced by a turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four that produces 237 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque in the WT (Work Truck) and LT trims, 310 hp and 391 lb-ft in the Trail Boss and Z71 trims, and 310 hp and 430 lb-ft in the top ZR2 trim. Its max towing capacity of 7,700 pounds is unchanged. The new Trail Boss trim sports a 2-inch lift and the top-spec ZR2 touts a 3-inch lift with upgraded suspension components and available underbody cameras, plus a roof light bar with the Desert Boss package.

　　

Competitors to consider

The once small midsize truck segment has grown larger and is now very competitive. The Colorado had its fun in the sun as the newest model, but that's about to change later this year when the redesigned 2024 Toyota Tacoma and Ford Ranger roll into dealerships. Both trucks are compelling alternatives and come with new off-road-specced models: the Tacoma Trailhunter and Ranger Raptor. The highly rated and practical Honda Ridgeline and recently redesigned Nissan Frontier are additional rivals to consider. 

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Colorado drive? Traditional body-on-frame trucks like the Colorado have come a long way in terms of driving and handling. The 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is responsive when you press on the gas and makes plenty of low-end torque, which is helpful for city driving and towing alike. The transmission shifts smoothly and quickly, and the brakes provide sufficient stopping power for emergency braking and are easy to modulate for smooth stops.

　　Our test truck was a mild-mannered Z71 trim. Even so, it was sure-footed and fun to drive in the dirt. Buyers willing to give up a bit of on-road comfort for a lot more capability off the beaten path will definitely enjoy the Trail Boss and ZR2 versions.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Colorado? The Colorado is a surprisingly comfortable pickup. It doesn't feel too stiff when it's unladen and manages to smooth out bumps in the road well. It's also relatively quiet inside. Trucks with chunky off-road tires tend to transmit a lot of road noise into the cabin, but our Colorado Z71 truck was pretty quiet compared to other midsize trucks. At highway speeds, however, wind noise coming off the front pillar and windscreen is very noticeable.

　　We would have liked more comfortable seats too. The cushions are flat and too firm for long-distance drives and lack sufficient lateral support and lumbar adjustment. As for the climate system, the fans are strong and the controls are a cinch to understand and operate, even with gloves on.

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