Critics Refuse to Agree on the 2023 Chevy Colorado
Not every truck is judged by critics in the same manner and the Chevy Colorado is stuck in the middle. While some journalists rank the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado as the best truck of the year, others feel like it’s nothing special.
Is the 2023 Chevy Colorado a good truck?
That depends on who you ask. Some outlets, like MotorTrend, feel like the 2023 Chevy Colorado is the best truck available while others like Pickup Truck Talk question its ranking. Kelley Blue Book tied the 2023 Colorado with the aging 2023 Tacoma.
U.S.News placed the Colorado down in fifth place, so the rankings are all over the place. But each outlet puts trucks to the test with an algorithm to give it a final score.
To me, the Colorado made the most noticeable improvements in its class. It has a smooth ride, tight turning radius, an athletic nature, and the Z71 model was very impressive while off-roading. It had more comfort and convenience than the 2023 Ranger, Tacoma, Gladiator, and Frontier.
While judging trucks is pretty subjective, the Colorado holds its own with stout standard power, a competitive 7,700 lbs towing capacity, and advanced tech.
The standard turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine generates 237 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque. The Turbo Plus version provides 310 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque and the Turbo High Output variant cranks out 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque.
Aside from the smooth ride and true off-roading chops, the Colorado receives praise for its intuitive tech, spacious cab, peppy acceleration, and solid build quality.
What are potential Colorado drawbacks?
A few things that may lower the 2023 Chevy Colorado’s rankings is its limited availability. It’s only available with a five-foot bed and a four-door crew cab. The 2024 Toyota Tacoma has a two-door cab but also has a higher starting price.
Also, on the Z71 trim, there’s no door handle on the driver’s side. That can make things challenging for shorter folks.
Some critics call the interior lackluster but silver-painted trim pieces, metal accents, and red accent stitching make it pop. The design is simple and elegant with physical controls to take advantage of.
Some people wish the Colorado had more interior storage. The center console is deep, but the glove box is tight. Space under the rear seat is a bit limited, but the built-in storage compartment in the tailgate is pretty neat.
At the end of the day, the Colorado is more refined, capable, and smarter than before. It provided the segment with incredible upgrades to consider.
