The 2023 Chevy Colorado midsize truck enters a brand-new generation, and it brings along a larger build and one engine in every model.
GM picked 2023 as the year to make changes to their midsize trucks. Taking a page from the Ford book, the Colorado and Canyon both enter this new generation with only one powertrain, one body, and one bed. These changes allow the new trucks to bring you the desired equipment for the experience you want when taking one of these pickups on the road or trails.
What’s the New Powertrain?
The previous version of the Colorado had three powertrains to choose from. For 2023, this truck will do something different. We receive only one powertrain but three different power levels. Every Colorado uses a 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Different trims bring you various power levels.
How Much Power do the WT and LT trims offer?
At the lowest two trims of this Chevy truck, you’ll find 237 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. The max tow rating for the WT and LT trims is 3,500 pounds.
Move Up to the Middle Trims for Power
If you want the Z71 or Trail Boss versions of the new Colorado, you’ll find 310 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. At this level, this truck can tow up to 7,700 pounds. This is the highest towing level for this truck.
How Much Power Does the ZR2 Model Offer?
When you reach the ZR2 trim of the 2023 Chevy Colorado, you’ll find 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. Towing for the top trim of this midsize truck drops to 6,000 pounds, but that’s pretty normal for an off-road-focused truck, which is exactly what the ZR2 trim is.
What Build Do You Find for the New Colorado?
No matter which trim you select for the new Chevy midsize truck, you’ll find a crew cab and short-bed layout. This means you’ve got a truck that’s built to handle some of the off-road fun you’re looking for. The new version of this truck is 2.3-inches wider than the outgoing model. The wheelbase is 3.1-inches longer, and the track is nearly 10 inches wider than before. This gives you a wider and longer truck to give you the size you want when you head out for a ride.
This Chevy Truck is Bolder than Before
If you head up to the new ZR2 trim of the 2023 Chevy Colorado, you’ll find a better approach angle than the outgoing model. For 2023, this angle is 38.3 degrees compared to the 31.3 degrees of the previous ZR2 model. The new Colorado uses larger brakes with four-wheel discs and a pair of bigger sold axles under the truck. These upgrades, along with the bigger engine, translate to a truck that’s 200 to 300 pounds heavier than before. This means you’ve got a truck that has more of what you want, but it’s heavier than before.
The Trail Boss Gives You So Much More
The Trail Boss name was previously used as a package for the LT and Z71 models. Starting with the 2023 version, it’s a special Trim Level that can give you the equipment you’ll want during your time on the road. This truck uses the same wide front as the ZR2 model with a lower factory lift that reaches 9.4 inches of ground clearance. You’ll have a set of 32-inch Goodyear Territory AT tires and 18-inch wheels. This package gives you a good truck for off-roading and plenty of power to tow a heavy load.
What Happens When You Get to the ZR2 Trim?
The hardcore off-road version of the 2023 Chevy Colorado comes fully loaded with everything you want for your time on the trails. This truck sits 10.7 inches above the ground and has the biggest tires at 33-inches wrapped around 17-inch wheels. This version of the truck also has the most LED lighting, a spray-on bedliner, the Chevy Flow Tie front emblem, along with front and rear electronic locking differentials. The ZR2 trim also adds extra body armor underneath to keep obstacles from damaging the working parts of your truck during your drive.
The ZR2 model also has an impressive set of gold and blue Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve dampers. These dampers have moved to the outside of the frame rather than inside, which is what we saw on the previous truck.
Could You Go to the Desert Boss Level?
The Desert Boss model is a version of the Colorado ZR2 that takes things to a much higher level. This model brings you the benefits of 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, a special bash-bar front bumper, a roof-mounted light bar, an underbody camera, and specialized decals. This could be the off-road version of the Chevy midsize truck that you want to drive.
Does the Colorado Come With a Special Tailgate?
Every model of the 2023 Chevy Colorado can be had with a specialized tailgate. This item is standard on the ZR2 models and optional for the others. This tailgate has a storage compartment which is lockable. The space is 45 inches wide and 4.0 inches deep. This could be the ideal place to store tools or drinks that you either want to keep dry or wet and cold. The tailgate also offers a halfway-up locking position that can hold up to 500 pounds and help you have the flat load you need when carrying longer cargo in the bed.
When Will the New Colorado Arrive?
The next generation of the Chevy Colorado midsize truck arrives in the early part of next year. As we come closer to the release date, we’ll learn more about the pricing and the various colors offered in this truck. We know most of what this Chevy pickup brings to the market. Using this new engine offers several great ways to have the midsize truck that will take you where you want to go.
Is the 2023 Chevy Colorado the right truck for you to drive? It could be. You can expect more information and updates between now and when this new truck hits the market.
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