 | Positives: Rugged and attractive exterior styling, much-improved cabin, serious off-road capability and on-road fun, easy tech, powerful engine. |
 | Negatives: Single cab and bed choice, no diesel engine anymore. |
 | Bottom Line: The Colorado ZR2 is the best mid-sized pickup truck you can buy right now thanks to great styling, rugged capability, and a great interior. |
Driving Experience
Whereas the previous Colorado was fine on pavement, the new model is quite adept at managing pavement. Needless to say, its off-road chops, especially in ZR2 trim, are enviable. In ZR2 trim, the Colorado comes replete with superb Multimatic DSSV dampers, front and rear electronic locking front differentials, skid plates, steel rock rails, and chunky 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires. It's 10.7-inch ground clearance and aggressive approach angle make it ready for just about anything.
Ride Quality: The Colorado ZR2 strikes a nice balance between firm and cushy. The big all-terrain tires and remarkable suspension work well on undulating surfaces and pavement gaps. Thankfully, it's not overly dampened and isolating. This thing should be able to take on tons of off-road punishment.
Acceleration: The most powerful engine mated to all four wheels makes quick work of things. 0-60 mph comes in 6.9 seconds.
Braking: The brakes are progressive and modulate well. We had no difficulty bringing it to a stop.
Steering: The steering has minor effort to it, and precision is good.
Handling: For a big, tall pickup truck with off-road suspension and big knobby tires, the Colorado ZR2 is remarkably good in the turns because it's pretty predictable.
Technology
GM in-car tech has vastly improved over the past few years, and the Trax ACTIV trim benefits from the easy operating system, an 11.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, and an 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster. The Trax ACTIV also comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. A wireless phone charger is optional.
Infotainment System: Both the gauge cluster and infotainment touchscreen are crisp and have great contrasting graphics that make them highly legible. The icons are large, easy to read, and easy to understand. We think it's an excellent system.
Controls: We love the physical switchgear in the Colorado because the buttons, knobs, and switches avoid the pitfall of putting most controls on the touchscreen. The knurled climate control knobs are great, as are the excellent toggle switches. The traditional shift knob is also excellent and just right for a pickup truck. It may take up more space than a rotary shifter, but it's way better to use.
Styling
The redesigned Colorado transforms the look of the small pickup truck into something truly boss. It removes some of the awkwardness and cheapness of the last-gen Colorado and turns it into a more cohesively designed and authoritative-looking version. Both inside and out, it is a much better-looking pickup. In ZR2 trim, it's even better. It makes the Ford Ranger and even the redesigned Toyota Tacoma look bland by comparison.
Front: Although there are some complex shapes here, it works remarkably well. The black-trimmed grille is simple, flanked by nicely shaped headlights and intakes. The three-bar insert in the lower grille is interesting and adds character. We also love the black hood bulge and red tow hooks just above the front skid plate.
Rear: It's an interesting back end, not exactly our favorite. It looks better from the 3/4ths than it does straight on. The taillight shape would work better if the edges didn't jut out, but it looks right blended with the rear haunches. The debossed Chevrolet lettering looks good on the convex tailgate.
Profile: We love the side view because it's so much better proportioned than the last Colorado. The front overhang is shorter, and the body creases are a great touch. The notched fender trim and the 6-spoke wheels look fantastic.
Cabin: ZR2 trim adds flair to an already attractive and well-executed interior. The big gauges, linear dash, switchgear, and even the door card are brilliantly done We love the handsome steering wheel design, as well as the urban camo trim and orange stitching. It's echelons better than the old truck's cabin.
Comfort
The interior of the Colorado is very good. It shrinks a little bit in the back, but there's still enough room for adults to sit behind adults. Materials are also much-improved over the last generation, and there are more soft-touch surfaces and better plastics.
Front Seats: There's decent cushioning, and the seats are generally comfortable. We would've liked to see more bolstering in the seatbacks.
Rear Seats: With 34.7 inches of rear legroom, the Colorado crew cab (the only configuration available) has class-leading space. The middle position has a slight bulge, but it's not significant enough to compromise comfort.
NVH (noise/vibration/harshness): copy text
Visibility: Overall visibility is very good, aided by a good seating position.
Climate: The climate system in the Colorado works very well. The front vents are small-ish for a pickup truck, but they emit plenty of air. Standard heated front seats and optional ventilated front seats are excellent.
Safety
The new Colorado has yet to be tested by both the IIHS and the NHTSA. It comes with a solid safety package as standard equipment, which is far better and more advanced than the old Colorado.
IIHS Rating: Not tested.
NHTSA Rating: Not tested.
Standard Tech: The Colorado comes with a standard Chevy Safety Assist package that includes Intellibeam Auto High Beam, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist w/ Lane Departure Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Front Pedestrian and Cyclist Braking.
Optional Tech: Our tester came with the $950 Technology Package that includes HD Surround Vision, Rear Pedestrian Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control
Storage/Cargo
The Colorado comes in one bed size only. That's not a bad thing, but if you want more load capacity, it's not an option. The interior has good small item gear storage, including that all-important under-seat compartment in row two.
Storage Space: copy text
Cargo Room: The 2023 Chevy Colorado gets a single 61.7-inch long bed with the following dimensions: 58.2-inch width at floor, 45.5-inch width between wheel housings; total cargo volume is 41.9 cubic feet.
Fuel Economy
The gas mileage is so-so, but that's not especially surprising given its heft and the absence of a diesel option. The turbo four has to move 4,974 pounds.
Observed: 14.8 mpg.
Distance Driven: 214 miles.
Audio
The $500 upcharge for the premium audio system is worth it. While it's not the best system we've heard, it does provide good bass, clarity, and midrange. It's not much to pay for a better-than-stock audio system.
