The Chevy Colorado is a vehicle that needs no introduction for truck enthusiasts. It is an iconic pickup produced by a reliable brand and sold at an affordable price. The Colorado is also the pinnacle of midsize off-road pickups due to its special specs and unique properties. The fully-redesigned 2023 Chevy Colorado marks the start of a new generation of this classic pickup truck. The familiar vehicle that everyone knows and loves is getting a bit of an overhaul. With the unveiling of the 2023 Chevy Colorado comes a whole new level of quality, capability, and performance.
Affordable Pricing
While it seems like prices are going up everywhere, Chevrolet managed to do its customers a solid by undercutting the competition. The 2023 Chevy Colorado comes at a base MSRP of $29,200. This is an incredibly generous offer, especially considering all the standard features that come with the Colorado. A truck with so much capability that is priced at under $30k is quite an outstanding feat.
The not-so-bare-bones base trim is the WT, which comes standard with Chevy Safety Assist, a large 11.3-inch infotainment display, and an eight-inch driver information center. A personal favorite is the addition of the CornerStep rear bumper, making access to the truck bed as simple as a step. Can you believe a simple solid step is not a standard feature with other brands? Chevy is kind enough to bundle that helpful design element in for free.
With its generous base MSRP, the 2023 Chevy Colorado leaves room for extra additions for those who are looking to get more bang for their buck. From more power to features for trailering and off-roading, this midsize truck offers any upgrade you could desire. The Colorado also has plenty of interior creature comforts. Available eight-way power driver seats, heated driver and front passenger seats, and adaptive cruise control are just some of the many additions you can load up your Chevy Colorado with.
Turbocharged Performance
This is one area where drivers can feel a significant improvement from the last generation. The engines have gotten a major performance boost for the 2023 model year. Gone are the former three engines, and in their places are amped-up new options. Coming standard with the base WT trim is the 2.7L Turbo I-4 engine. With 237 hp, 259 lb-ft of torque, and 3,500 lbs of towing capability, this makes for a perfect starter engine. It’s got enough power to be fun behind the wheel and is capable of hauling heavy loads. Most tasks that a working man will need to handle can be accomplished with this engine. Overall, not a bad engine to come as standard equipment.
The other two engines are the 2.7L Turbo Plus and the 2.7L Turbo High-Output. Both engines produce a monstrous 310 hp with 7,700 lbs of towing power. The difference is that the 2.7L Turbo Plus produces 390 lb-ft of torque while the 2.7L Turbo High-Output can generate an incredible 430 lb-ft of torque. That’s full-size truck power in a midsize pickup! The really cool part is that Chevy offers a dealer-installed upgrade that turns the 2.7L Turbo Plus engine into the 2.7L Turbo High-Output engine for just $395.
With the immense power of these engines, the 2023 Chevy Colorado is able to hitch a trailer, haul heavy loads, and head off-road with ease. The 2.7L Turbo Plus and 2.7L High-Output are a huge improvement in performance from the base 2.7L Turbo I-4 engine. However, all three engines are substantial upgrades over the options available in the previous generation of the Chevy Colorado, which came standard with a mere 200 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque.
Drive Mode Selector
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the 2023 Chevy Colorado’s Drive Mode Selector. This highly anticipated feature is found on the Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 trims and adds a boatload of versatility to the vehicle. It alters the drivetrain and performance of the truck at the press of a button! With up to five different modes to cycle between, you will never be caught off guard, regardless of the condition of the road. Normal mode is the default, which is an overall effective standard mode. The Colorado is already good at maneuvering in subpar conditions thanks to its capable engines and sturdy suspension. Normal mode strikes a perfect balance for the typical day.
Tow/Haul mode gives the Colorado an additional boost to its towing capability. The transmission shift points are altered to ensure an easier time hauling a huge payload. Off-Road mode is as the name implies. It helps maintain traction on loose or slippery surfaces, such as when performing light off-roading. Terrain mode is meant for more extreme off-roading. Whether you are going rock crawling or descending a steep slope, this mode is going to ensure the Colorado can get out of any situation it gets into. Finally, Baja mode is exclusive to the ZR2 trim and perfectly complements its Desert Boss Special Edition. This mode helps to maintain traction in desert environments. Few other trucks can speed through the dunes effortlessly, so this is a highly regarded feature.
Standard Chevy Safety Assist
As part of its efforts to improve safety across its lineup, Chevy decided to outfit the 2023 Colorado with the full Chevy Safety Assist suite of driver-assist technology. This means every trim now comes with Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, a Following Distance Indicator, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and Intellibeam auto high beams. These are welcome additions, as being on the road means that anything could happen at any moment. When something happens, a driver-assist feature can be all the difference. Chevy even promotes the Colorado for drivers of any age by including standard Teen Driver Mode. When the kids aren’t kids anymore, they can practice driving using your Colorado. Teaching the young how to drive a truck is going to pay off big time in the future when they become your personal chauffeurs!
The Best Midsize Truck of 2023?
The 2023 Chevy Colorado marks the start of a new generation, filled with exciting updates to bring it into the modern era. Aside from some exterior cosmetic elements, the most notable difference can be found under the hood. The three new engines provide a big boost in performance and power. That makes the Colorado even more effective as a work truck or off-road machine. Additionally, the Drive Mode Selector adds endless possibilities for adventure with your Colorado. A regular road trip, a muddy nature trail, sand dunes…the 2023 Chevy Colorado can handle it all.
The most important aspect, however, is the price. An entry-level truck for just under $30k? Who knew that would be a possibility in 2023? Especially one with so many features bundled in, free of charge! Chevy particularly outdid itself with the sheer amount of standard driver-assist features. Teen Driver Mode, Forward Collision Alert, and Automatic Emergency Braking are things some manufacturers charge an arm and a leg to add. If you are looking for a great do-it-all midsize truck for the year, a pickup that can be used for commuting, DIY projects, and off-road adventures with equal ease, it is hard to ignore the 2023 Chevy Colorado.
