The midsize pickup truck field is getting ever more crowded by the day. New offerings like the Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz have lit a fire under some of the older, more traditional midsize pickup trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and the Ford Ranger. However, the 2023 Chevy Colorado is stepping up to the plate in a big way. It is even rivaling the Toyota Tacoma for the top spot in sales. Is the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado as good a midsize pickup truck as it looks?

Why is the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado so popular?

MotorTrend starts its review by giving the outgoing Chevy Colorado props. It was a good midsize pickup truck. However, the 2023 Colorado is even better, thanks to a complete redesign and update. The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado is already shaping up to be a killer midsize pickup truck.

One of the biggest changes for the new Colorado is a new frame taken from the Chevy Silverado 1500 and adapted for the midsize pickup truck segment. Not only did Chevy stretch the wheelbase by a hair over three inches, but it also gets new six-lug wheels allowing for more off-road wheel options. Since Chevy is clearly going for a more off-road savvy truck, the longer bed options are gone. The new version only comes in a crew-cab, short-bed configuration.

How much can the new Chevy Colorado tow? 

Chevy’s midsize pickup truck is versatile. The Colorado offers various powertrain options, including a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, a 3.6-liter V6 engine, and a 2.8-liter turbo-diesel engine. This allows drivers to choose the option that best suits their needs, whether they prioritize fuel efficiency, power, or towing capacity. The Colorado has either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, making it suitable for various driving conditions.

Thanks to this variety of new engine options, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado can tow its fair share. When properly equipped, the Colorado can tow up to 7,000 pounds, making it suitable for towing boats, trailers, and other large items. The truck also has a payload capacity of up to 1,550 pounds. 

The new Chevy Colorado looks rad

If the new frame and engine options weren’t enough to afford the Colorado some cool points, the new bodywork should do it. MotorTrend sharply calls the outgoing body style “soft and bubbly,” and they aren’t wrong. Chevy addressed the old looks with a new look. The 2023 Chevy Colorado is a hard and angular midsize pickup truck that, with the help of some beefy tires, black wheels, and a brush guard, can easily look more apocalypse-ready than Home Depot-ready. 

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado gets monster improvements over the previous model. Another significant change is the updated interior, which features a refreshed look heavily inspired by Chevy’s muscle cars. It also has improved technology features, such as an 11.3-inch infotainment screen and wireless smartphone integration.

While this updated interior and tech are a massive improvement from the old model, MotorTrend notes that headlights, fog lights, traction control, trip meter, and more are only adjustable through the infotainment screen. This is not only unnecessary, but it’s also potentially dangerous. No one wants to fool with all that when they need their lights on. 

Is the 2023 Chevy Colorado a safe truck? 

The new Colorado got some safety upgrades as well. The 2023 model comes standard with Chevy Safety Assist, the safety suite with forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, automatic front pedestrian braking, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, following distance indicator, and IntelliBeam automatic high-beam assist. All trims levels can also get the optional adaptive cruise control, blind zone steering assist, rear cross-traffic braking, rear pedestrian alert, and HD Surround Vision with up to 10 camera views.

We have high hopes for the little Chevy

The Colorado seems to be a good midsize pickup truck in a sea of likewise great midsize trucks. Its updated interior, improved suspension, and updated technology features make it a more refined and modern vehicle than its predecessor.