About a year ago we were introduced to the all-new 2023 Chevrolet Colorado. Whiles the previous generation was a
great vehicle, the
Colorado had been on sale for more than a decade, and it was time for a change. Wow, this was a big change for
everyone. When the truck debuted, some people were hesitant due to the single-engine and cab configuration. Now,
in July of 2023, I have spent quite a lot of time with the new Colorado, and I can say that there is no doubt
that this new Colorado is awesome. Today I will explain why I am a believer.
I didn’t get to see the new Colorado in person until February of this year. My first look came at the 2023 Cleveland International Auto Show. Right away I could tell this truck was something special because of how many people surrounded it. The truck was definitely the star of the Chevrolet booth along with the 2024 Chevy Trax. I waited patiently to get my turn to gaze at the Z71 trim in Sterling Gray Metallic. It was stunning to say the least. I really liked the interior and found the storage compartment in the tailgate amusing. Sadly, I was not able to drive the new model at this event because production was just getting ready to start. This was a pre-production model used for display only.
A few weeks later I had yet another opportunity to sample the new Colorado while attending the 2023 Columbus Auto Show. This time the model I got to meet was a Trail Boss finished in my 2nd favorite color, Harvest Bronze Metallic. This take on “green” is epic. It also looks good on the Silverado, Equinox, and Trax. I especially liked the packaging on the Trail Boss trim. For me, it was the right amount of aggressive off-road accouterment with a more mature-looking design. To me, it looked more capable than showy. Alas, I once again didn’t get to drive the new Colorado.
A
few months later we received our first shipment of new Colorado trucks at the dealership. I was anticipating the
drive mostly because I had seen and read many online reviewers praising the use of the 2.7 Liter 4 Cylinder
Engine. I was already a fan of this engine in the new Silverado. In that Full-Size truck, the 2.7 held it’s own.
So, in a smaller, lighter, mid-size truck, I could only imagine that it would be even better. Well, I didn’t
have to wait much longer. The first version of the Colorado I was able to drive was a two-wheel drive Work Truck
trim. While I would have loved to try out the ZR2, the Work Truck was a welcome sight because I knew if the
entry-level model was good, the rest would be done correctly too.
I quickly noticed the engine’s power. While this was the least powerful version of the 2.7 Turbo, I still found that the truck had plenty of power.
This Work Truck pulled about 237 HP total, and it was more than enough to drive around town. It didn’t hesitate
on steep inclines either.
Comfort was the next thing that stood out to me about the Colorado. Yes, even in the WT trim, this truck was noticeably more comfortable than the previous version. The truck rides smoothly over all of the glorious potholes here in the Mid-Ohio Valley. On the highway, the truck felt planted and stable.
Though I was in the WT trim, the Colorado was still well-equipped. Push Button start is standard on all trims.
Plus, I had an excellent
11.3″
diagonal advanced color LCD display with Google built-In. This was a surprise because the ZR2 has the same
infotainment center. In other words, you’re not suffering some of the important amenities just because you
purchased a work truck.
My only complaint with this truck was the location of the headlight controls. If you’re not aware, the new Colorado places these control in the infotainment screen. So, there is no more traditional headlight switch or dial. This took me a while to find. Granted, even the WT comes with Automatic Lights, but it took some time for me to get comfortable with this.
Due to logistics issues, we’ve only received a handful of new 2023 Colorado Trucks from the factory in Missouri. Recently I was able to sample the LT trim we received on a recent dealer trade. It was a great ride for my lunch trip that day. I have yet to see a ZR2 in person, nor have I had a chance to check out my favorite color, Nitro Yellow Metallic. Those will be here soon though.
If you are in the market for a mid-size truck, check out the new Colorado. It was surprising to me in so many ways, and it’s more than capable for what you’re looking for. If you’re curious about our current inventory, be sure to click here. You can also give us a call at 304-422-6501.