Used 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab

Weekday work truck, weekend off-road warrior, or even a bit of both, the 2023 Colorado pickup range has the variants, engines, abilities, and equipment to please most buyers looking around this sector for their next new-vehicle acquisition.

This year represents the start of a new generation, with improvements made in virtually every area — even though the outgoing model was far from being a dud. The 2023 Colorado sits at the top of its class for engine output and towing talents.

We noticed right away how the chassis doesn’t need a load on board to feel smooth and settled. The ride quality is both comfortable and controlled. The steering also departs from the old-time-truck script. This system has a pleasant weight to it while avoiding that vagueness when the front wheels are pointed straight ahead.

Depending on the model, the new Canyon offers up to five selectable drive modes: Normal, Tow/Haul, Off-Road (more for gravel and dirt roads), Terrain (for more serious rock crawling), and Baja — a dedicated desert mode.

There are different chassis setups as well. The base WT and LT trucks all get 7.9 inches of ground clearance (less than a Subaru Outback). The off-road-equipped Z71 increases that to 8.9 inches. The new Trail Boss trim has 9.5 inches, and the ZR2 off-road specialist lifts it to 10.7 inches.

Our only real complaint is that the base engine sometimes needs to be worked hard, and it sounds coarse when that happens.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of midsize pickup trucks, including this new Chevy Colorado.

As a general observation, the all-new interior of the 2023 Colorado midsize truck is a marked improvement over its predecessor. The Work Truck and Trail Boss still have lots of plastic, but that’s not a bad thing for the kind of rugged lives they’ll probably be leading.

The LT is a bit fancier, with silver accents and soft-touch aspects like the steering wheel. The Z71 has black and red accents on the seating surfaces of cloth and simulated leather.

Although this generation of Colorado (the third) has a longer wheelbase than the previous model, that hasn’t translated into any significant extra space for rear passengers. Legroom in the second row measures 34.7 inches, which can be a bit challenging when there’s someone tall sitting right in front. While we’re griping, we’d also prefer more sound insulation for the cabin.

Buyers of full-size pickups are familiar with the multi-faceted array of permutations regarding cab sizes and bed lengths. That doesn’t happen so much in the midsize truck arena. The new 2023 Colorado comes just with a 4-door crew cab and short bed (61.70 inches). Look at it as one decision already made.

Compared with the outgoing model, the longer wheelbase is achieved by moving the front axle forward. The result is a shorter front overhang and, therefore, a more advantageous approach angle. Not as good as the Jeep Gladiator, but definitely an improvement.

Despite being a short bed, there’s a lot of detail in there. Such as eight fixed tie-down cleats, with up to nine more moveable points available. The tailgate has an adjustable mid-position for carrying longer items, and the front of the bed wall has a couple of grooves for cycle wheels. There are bed pockets, plus an optional storage area in the actual tailgate. A 120-volt outlet is also available. The standard Corner Step rear bumper is a handy inclusion.

Digital instrument cluster
This configurable 8-inch display is standard in the 2023 Colorado and adds to the tech-richness of the cabin. Higher trims offer an 11-inch version.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Phone integration without the cable. Nicely convenient and standard in every new Colorado. Wireless charging with an extra-large pad is available as well.

Infotainment touchscreen
A generously-sized 11.3-inch touchscreen is another standard feature in the new Colorado pickup. It’s also an easy system to work, and Google built-in is offered with connectivity to a driver’s Google account.

Sunroof
No previous Colorado has ever offered this option, so some prospective buyers might be intrigued.

Turbo Plus engine
The 310-horsepower 2.7L Turbo Plus unit is optional in the two lowest trims of the 2023 Colorado range, but it’s noticeably livelier and only about $1,200 more. If finances allow, go for it.

HD Surround Vision
Part of the optional Technology package, this feature provides drivers with a view all around the truck, which is a boon when maneuvering.

Every new Colorado pickup has a turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine. Both the base Work Truck and next-up LT trim make do with 237 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque.

These two variants also offer the option of the 2.7L Turbo Plus unit, developing 310 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. This horsepower figure puts the Colorado in the same class-leading bracket as the Nissan Frontier while out-torquing the Nissan. The 2.7L Turbo Plus is standard in the Trail Boss and Z71 versions.

The ZR2 packs the 2.7L Turbo High-Output engine, also producing 310 horsepower but boosting torque to a considerable 430 lb-ft. So the lack of a diesel option (diesel engines are typically renowned for their torque) may not be such an issue after all.

An 8-speed automatic transmission shifts the gears and sends drive to either the rear wheels or a 4-wheel-drive system. The Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 all have 4-wheel drive as standard.

2.7-liter Turbo
237 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
259 lb-ft of torque @ 5,600 rpm
Max towing: 3,500 pounds

2.7-liter Turbo Plus
310 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
390 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
Max towing: 7,700 pounds

2.7-liter Turbo High-Output
310 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
430 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
Max towing: 6,000 pounds

Towing and Payload Capacities

The best 2023 Colorado performers in the towing stakes are those with a 310-horsepower engine, able to pull a class-leading 7,700 pounds. The one exception being the top ZR2 version, which is rated at a still-respectable 6,000 pounds. The humblest engine manages 3,500 pounds.

The appropriately named Work Truck shoulders the greatest payload figure of 1,684 pounds, which is also achieved by the LT trim. The Trail Boss and Z71 models can take 1,587 pounds, while the ZR2 handles just 1,151 pounds.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Chevrolet’s factory warranty lasts for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains are covered for five years or 60,000 miles. This is all usual for the class. Chevy also lays on the first scheduled service for free.