Chevy ushers in a new generation of Colorado with Silverado power.
- The Chevrolet Colorado enters a new generation with the 2023 model year.
- The Colorado streamlines its powertrain options to one 2.7-liter turbocharged I4.
- The Colorado also introduces a standard 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
The midsize Chevrolet Colorado pickup enters its third generation in 2023, replacing a truck that made its first appearance in the US market nearly a decade ago. The next-gen Colorado features a new, turbocharged powertrain but ditches the naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 and the 2.8-liter Duramax diesel. The new Colorado also sports a revised interior and new exterior styling but sticks with the popular off-road models.
While the 3.6-liter V6 and 2.8-liter Duramax powertrains are out, so is the entry-level 2.5-liter I4 base powertrain. Powering every 2023 Chevrolet Colorado is a 2.7-liter turbocharged I4 that previously saw a home in the larger Silverado. The 2.7-liter I4 is available in three different states of tune, to give prospective Colorado buyers more power if they need it.
The base 2.7-liter makes 237 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque. Under the 2.7-liter Turbo Plus banner, the four-cylinder makes 310 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The top rung 2.7-liter Turbo High-Output also delivers 310 hp but cranks up available torque to 430 lb-ft. These powertrains make better numbers across the board compared to the outgoing engines. The only transmission offered is an eight-speed automatic that feeds the rear wheels or all four wheels depending on the truck.
Cradling that engine is a revised chassis that sports different configurations based on the truck’s trim. Base WT, LT, and Z71 trucks see just a revised chassis, but Trail Boss-badged Colorados get a 2-inch lift from the factory. The Colorado ZR2 adds another inch to that lift, from the factory. Hanging off that frame is essentially the same independent front and a leaf-sprung live axle at the rear as the previous Colorado. The ZR2 variant carries this suspension design but still features the Multimatic DSSV dampers front and rear.
These trim distinctions also make for a different experience on the inside. Chevrolet says the WT and Trail Boss trims will be focused more on rugged aesthetics, with LT trucks offering a more comfortable cabin. The ZL1 will focus more on a sportier feel inside. Regardless of trim, your new Colorado will feature an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Overall, the cabin appears to be more modern than the outgoing Colorado and should make the truck more competitive in a hotly contested midsize segment.
These upgrades will surely affect pricing, which will be announced closer to the launch. Production is slated for the first half of 2023. Despite no official figures, the upcoming 2023 Colorado cresting a $30,000 base price wouldn’t be out of the question.
Through the first half of this year, the current-generation Colorado is No.2 in the segment with 44,190 deliveries, behind the Toyota Tacoma, with nearly 109,000 sales, according to Wards Intelligence data. The new Nissan Frontier and Ford Maverick have sold well in the same period, with 43,166 and 38,753 deliveries, respectively.
Keyword: 2023 Chevy Colorado Ditches the Diesel and V6