Vans are as American as apple pie, however a lot of the consideration has been centered on the full-size section. It’s been that approach for many years, however smaller vans have lastly stepped into the highlight.
The Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz revived the lengthy dormant compact section, whereas 2023 is shaping as much as be the 12 months of the mid-size truck due to new entries from Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, and Toyota. That’s a ton of recent blood and we haven’t even talked about the Jeep Gladiator and Nissan Frontier, that are nonetheless comparatively recent.
We’re kicking the 12 months off with the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado, which incorporates a unbelievable new design, an upgraded inside, and an all-new turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. Nevertheless, the most important information is likely to be worth because the truck begins at $29,200 and you may get one with four-wheel drive, adaptive cruise management, a mattress liner, and a ton of security options for beneath $37,000.
A Sporty And Trendy Design
Whereas there’s rather a lot occurring, there’s no higher place to begin than styling as a result of designers knocked it out of the park. The mannequin has “massive truck power” and sports activities an all-new design that echoes the Silverado. Nevertheless, that is no scaled down copy because the Colorado has a younger and athletic look, which mixes sharp strains with refined curves.
The ensuing design is nice and the Colorado is arguably higher wanting than its bigger counterpart. That’s excessive reward and every trim has a barely totally different aesthetic. The entry-level WT is essentially the most fundamental of the bunch because it sports activities black elements and 17-inch metal wheels. This look is shared with the all-new Colorado Path Boss, which builds on the WT however adopts a 2-inch (51 mm) elevate, a wider entrance observe, and 18-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in 32-inch all-terrain tires.
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The Colorado LT is extra conventional because it wears body-color elements and 17-inch aluminum wheels, whereas the Z71 combines creature comforts with reasonable quantities of off-road functionality.
The information isn’t all good because the Colorado is obtainable completely in a crew cab configuration with a 5’ 2” mattress. This can be a little bit of a disappointment because the outgoing mannequin supplied prolonged and crew cab configurations in addition to a bigger 6’2” mattress.
That being stated, the redesigned Colorado has a couple of methods up its sleeve and probably the most attention-grabbing concepts is a lockable, watertight compartment that’s built-in into the tailgate. With the tailgate down, you push two levers apart to realize entry to a compartment that measures 45 inches (1,143 mm) huge and 4 inches (102 mm) deep. It may be a bit difficult to open, however there’s a good quantity of area and house owners might simply stash tow straps and different off-road tools there.
Whereas the compartment is just a little gimmicky, it’s arduous to argue with eight normal tie-downs, built-in motorbike tire grooves, and an accessible 110-volt energy outlet within the mattress. The tailgate can be positioned halfway down to assist in transporting longer objects, whereas a dampened EZ-lift and decrease tailgate can be accessible.
An Inside That Doesn’t Scream Low cost
Mid-size vans are way more reasonably priced than their bigger counterparts and this cut-rate pricing is usually mirrored within the inside. Nevertheless, the Colorado bucks this development as drivers will discover a considerably improved cabin with higher tools.
The adjustments are instantly obvious as driver sit behind a chunky steering wheel and discover themselves taking a look at an all-new 8-inch digital instrument cluster. It comes normal and options an assortment of informative shows together with an off-road centered setup, which reveals pitch and roll in addition to the steering angle and present switch case setting.
Talking of screens, there’s an 11.3-inch infotainment system with Google integration in addition to wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It’s a large enchancment over the previous 7- and 8-inch shows, and the system is quick, responsive, and largely intuitive. That being stated, we did expertise a couple of hiccups together with an occasion the place music was blasting at startup and the system initially refused to answer makes an attempt to decrease the amount or mute.
Placing the screens apart, the cabin sports activities a contemporary design with elegant switchgear, gloss black trim, and metallic accents. The facilities differ by trim and issues are fairly fundamental within the WT and Path Boss. It’s not dangerous by any stretch of the creativeness, however the fashions eschew plenty of the intense work, padding, and particulars that make higher-end variants feel and look particular. It’s additionally price mentioning that, no matter which trim you get, black plastic is abound and it’s of the arduous selection.
Regardless of being a tough and tumble pickup, the Colorado can mud off its cowboy boots for an evening in town. Particularly, the mannequin will be geared up with two-tone heated and ventilated leather-based entrance seats in addition to a heated steering wheel. Whereas it’s not as fancy because the upcoming GMC Canyon Denali, it’s fairly darn good for a mid-size truck.
Talking of the seats, the entrance chairs are completely snug and spacious whereas additionally providing an excellent quantity of assist. Moreover, the entry-level WT doesn’t cheapen out an excessive amount of, though a entrance middle console is an optionally available further.
The rear seats are much less spectacular as they’re not terribly spacious. Whereas there’s an excellent quantity of headroom, legroom is restricted as occupants will discover a mere 34.7 inches (881 mm) of area and that’s 1.1 inches (28 mm) lower than final 12 months’s crew cab pickup. The expertise jogged my memory of the compact Maverick and Santa Cruz, which even have extra rear seat legroom on paper. That being stated, the seats appear to be aggressive for the section, though not as beneficiant as these discovered within the Gladiator.
A Turbo 4 With V8 Ranges Of Torque
The streamlining continues beneath the hood because the Colorado’s engine lineup shrinks from three to at least one. Consequently, each single mannequin is provided with a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder.
The engine has been powering the Silverado for years and it’s accessible in three totally different outputs. The entry-level variant produces 237 hp (177 kW / 240 PS) and 259 lb-ft (351 Nm) of torque, which is a large enchancment over the previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder that developed 200 hp (149 kW / 203 PS) and 191 lb-ft (258 Nm).
The entry-level engine comes normal within the WT and LT, and gives respectable efficiency. There’s loads of energy for cruising round city, though we wished for just a little further oomph when it got here to merging onto the freeway.
The mid-level engine comes normal within the Path Boss and Z71, the place it produces 310 hp (231 kW / 314 PS) and 390 lb-ft (528 Nm) of torque. Clients may also go for a high-output model that develops 310 hp (231 kW / 314 PS) and 430 lb-ft (582 Nm) of torque. The latter determine is insane because the engine has extra torque than the 5.0-liter V8 within the Ford F-150. It additionally bests the Silverado’s 5.3-liter V8 by 47 lb-ft (64 Nm), regardless of having half the variety of cylinders.
For $395 You Can Get
The high-output engine comes normal within the range-topping Colorado ZR2, however Path Boss and Z71 prospects can order a high-output calibration for an extra $395. That appears fairly affordable because it delivers an additional 40 lb-ft (54 Nm) of torque, which can be appreciated for those who tow frequently.
Whereas the bottom engine is okay, the upgraded variations rework the truck from good to nice. As you’d anticipate, responsiveness improves considerably and there’s loads of energy all through the band. Chevrolet hasn’t launched detailed efficiency specs, however officers we spoke to stated all three variations of the engine allow the truck to speed up from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in lower than seven seconds.
Talking of the engine, it appears comparatively refined and engineers instructed us it was “designed like a diesel.” Consequently, it sports activities a inflexible cylinder block casting, a completely cast backside finish, and a stiff crankshaft – amongst different issues. Whereas that’s simply scratching the floor, the engine has been subjected to numerous torture exams and was designed to face up to years of heavy use.
The engine is linked to a succesful eight-speed computerized transmission, which labored properly on- and off-road as shifts have been completely timed and properly executed. Rear-wheel drive comes normal on the WT and LT, however the remainder of the lineup has four-wheel drive.
EPA rankings haven’t been launched, however the Colorado has an engine begin/cease system and lively gasoline administration expertise. Consequently, we will anticipate the truck to surpass the Silverado’s score of 19 mpg metropolis, 22 mpg freeway, and 20 mpg mixed. It’s additionally price mentioning that all the engines run on common gasoline, even the high-output variant.
A Succesful Truck That Doesn’t Trip Tough
One of the stunning issues in regards to the 2023 Colorado is how properly it drives. Physique-on-frame vans aren’t usually recognized for his or her refinement, however Chevy’s entry exceeded our expectations.
Whereas the experience can get just a little bumpy on tough roads, it’s not uncomfortable and might greatest be described as truck-like. Nevertheless, these incidents have been few and much between as issues cool down considerably on clean roads and the Colorado proved to be a cushty freeway cruiser, regardless of having a stable rear axle and leaf springs.
The excellent news doesn’t finish there as dealing with is sweet for a body-on-frame pickup. Cornering was safe and predictable with none hints of drama till the truck was pushed arduous. The expertise can be considerably entertaining on the appropriate highway, though you’ll wish to preserve your expectations in verify.
Given it is a truck, it’s not stunning to study the steering is just a little heavy and gradual. We didn’t have any issues with the heft, however we want the truck supplied a sport mode with a extra direct response as traversing twisty mountain roads required an virtually comical quantity of turning.
Talking of driving modes, the Colorado gives Regular, Tow/Haul, Off-Highway, Terrain, and Baja settings. Terrain mode is likely to be essentially the most notable because it was designed for low-speed rock crawling and it allows you to journey at a leisurely tempo with refined throttle responses.
The truck additionally gives a cool off-road efficiency show in addition to as much as 10 totally different digital camera views together with beneath the truck. Talking of off-road goodies, the Z71 and Path Boss come normal with a limited-slip differential and hill descent management. The Path Boss can be notable for that includes the aforementioned elevate and wider stance.
Again on pavement, wind noise will be pronounced at freeway pace, however in any other case the truck is pretty quiet. The mannequin additionally sports activities a powerful quantity of normal security tools together with Automated Emergency Braking, Ahead Collision Alert, Entrance Pedestrian Braking, Lane Hold Help with Lane Departure Warning, and IntelliBeam computerized high-beams.
Clients on the lookout for extra security tech will discover an assortment of reasonably priced packages that supply Adaptive Cruise Management, Rear Park Help, and Rear-Cross Visitors Braking. They’re joined by Blind Zone Steering Help, Rear Pedestrian Alert, and an HD Encompass Imaginative and prescient system.
Colorado house owners wish to tow and most variations of the truck have a most towing capability of seven,700 lbs (3,493 kg). This bests the Frontier, Ranger, and Tacoma whereas additionally matching the mightiest Gladiator.
Sticking with towing, prospects can get a bundle that provides a receiver in addition to an computerized locking rear differential, an built-in trailer brake controller, and a trailering app on the infotainment system. We’d even be remiss to say the truck has a most payload capability of as much as 1,684 lbs (764 kg).
Mid-Dimension No Longer Means Half As Good
Mid-size vans have usually felt like half-hearted efforts, however that’s clearly not the case with the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado. Designers and engineers poured blood, sweat, and tears into the mannequin and the top result’s actually spectacular because it seems to be nice, drives properly, and options a powerful new engine.
On high of that, the Colorado boasts a considerably improved inside, extra upscale tools, and a brand new Path Boss trim that ought to attraction to off-roaders on a price range. Talking of which, Chevy managed to maintain pricing reasonably priced and this implies you may get a pleasant truck for round $42,000.
Whereas there are a couple of tradeoffs, the Colorado is a stable pickup and the one to beat. After all, there’s no scarcity of challengers on the horizon and we’ll study extra about them within the coming months.