Midsize + Marvelous: 5 Things to Love About the 2023 Chevy Colorado

 

When any type of vehicle has remained the absolute same for quite some time, even diehard classics may need to take the course of a “slight refresher”. Here at the Mid-Missouri powerhouse the Chevy Colorado is one of our top favorites, as it proves consistently that you don't have to be the largest of the group to exude greatness at every mile. The 2023 Chevy Colorado is now officially hitting the scene with improved technology, more power, and better handling along with new features.

The expert rig reviewers at Cars.com posted a blog last week about 5 of their favorite qualities the Colorado boasts, and reasons why it’s time to pack up the outdoor gear and celebrate its top-notch skills!

Hefty yet Agile Handling for the Win: The lead auto editor for the team spent time in four of the five new Colorado trims on a trip out to San Diego, and it was impressed with the handling right away. Standing incredibly firm and upright when it comes to competition such as the Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma, the Colorado offers up a very firm pedal and precise handling, which are excellent traits to have once you hop off-road.

Thoroughly Equipped to the Nines: Even the base models of this year’s Colorado come with very impressive and simple-to-use technology, including a bright and simple-to-use tech interface. There’s an 11.3-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Google directly built in, and a very useful assortment of safety warning and control systems. Cold mornings made easier with remote start, a rearview camera with trailer hitch guidance, adaptive cruise control, and power seats are other features that anyone who loves extras will be thrilled with.

Decked Out + Innovative Interior: The base-level WT trim is very sturdy and reliable and is an excellent entry point for the discovery of a world-class truck! Here the interior is a bit basic, but as you move up the trim line to the LT and beyond, there are nicer materials and more exclusive color schemes. No matter which trims you ultimately settle on, you’ll find plenty of room to spread out. One modern luxury touch that every vehicle owner loves is an abundance of seat adjustments, providing a means for any sized passenger to achieve segment-leading comfort.

Powertrains for Premium Performance:

The Colorado’s base engine is now a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder that is good for 259 lb.-ft of torque, which is a 37-horsepower rise from the old Colorado’s standard engine. Available as an option on lower trims and coming standard with upper variants is another awesome creation from the 4-cylinder camp: the 310-horsepower, turbo 2.7-liter 4-cylinder with 390 lb.-ft of torque. These are both mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, and your choice of rear or 4-wheel drive. The short sprint up to 60 mph is just seven seconds even with the more powerful engine option.

NOT Pint-Sized: Primo Off-road Potential:

This year’s model offers the first-ever Trail Boss trim, which is based on the WT and then beefs things up heartily with the addition of standard 4WD, a 2-inch lift kit, the 310-horsepower engine, and either standard 18-inch or available 20-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. There are multiple drive modes to conquer any type of demanding terrain, hill descent control, and a surround-view option that allows you to enjoy your best version of a bird’s (or layman’s!) eye with up to ten different views. The popularity of escaping urban confines and asphalt has risen drastically in the past few years, and the Colorado is just the ticket to navigating the adventure-rich trails, streams, and boulders in the wild.

Msn.com Autos 2020 Deems Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison Great for “Rock Crawling, Desert Running, and Everyday use”

Known as the key player in the midsize pickup truck segment, the Chevy Colorado consistently conquers new ground and commands its stance with the off-road-ready and rugged ZR2 Bison. The array of added equipment allows the ZR2 Bison to come straight off the assembly line with the looks and ability to handle just about any type of tough terrain, and the staff of MSN Autos chose to highlight all of the great things about the truck this week on their blog. Their test vehicle was the 2020 Chevy Colorado 4WD ZR2 Crew Cab Short Box – featuring the ZRT Bison package together with Chevy's top-of-the-line Duramax diesel engine.

This is the robust and desert sand-prone rig that sees direct competition in the forms of the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, Ford Ranger FX4, Jeep Gladiator, and Nissan Frontier PRO-4X. This beautiful and boulder-climb ready machine is the result of Chevy's first official collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles, a formerly Montana-based outfit that has transformed many of the world's most respected models into army-grade, fully wilderness-equipped works of art.

The Bison edition proudly flaunts the AEV front bumper, fog lights, AEV rear bumper, wheel moldings, skidplates and 17-inch AEV wheels. A lift kit provides a two-inch lift for the truck, and the front and rear tracks are 3.5-inches wider than a standard Colorado. It's a heavy-hitting model that can tackle rock crawling and desert running with ease, thanks to help from state-of-the-art front and rear electronic locking differentials, a professionally modified rear axle ratio, and the pristinely-engineered Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve technology on board. This test vehicle was equipped with Chevy's 2.8-liter Duramax turbodiesel, which eagerly cranks out 186 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.

Once inside there are two USB ports near the gearshift, and a good amount of storage in the cabin thanks to an extra-sized covered center console. The shortcuts you'll find on the 8-inch display screen have been billed by many reviewers in the industry to be easy to read, and have very clear controls for the climate system. Seats are trimmed with leather, and sport the AEV logo on the head restraints. One of the most important and true tests of a vehicle is how it does on the road in regards to mileage, and with a mix of city and highway driving, The Car Connection crew saw around 23 mpg on the trip computer, a notch higher than official EPA estimates.

The most extreme of off-roading scenarios is where the Bison thrives: all of the protection underneath and the locking differentials are the main ingredients that will have you conquering an off-road situation. Many of us right here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse have taken our rigs to locations such as the Vandyz Offroad Park in Steedman and realized just how much ground clearance and additional protection was needed to assure a smooth passage. Even if the designated terrain is a paved road, the ZR2 drives comfortable and easy, and the arsenal of additives on board to assure prime-level passage through boulder-strewn areas runs aggressively way above par!

Sneak Peek at Army-Grade Colorado ZR2 Midsize Military Supply Contender

The landscape near and dear to us right here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse can bring us to think of the duties a truck would have when faced with tasks such as Frank Castle From the Marvel Series “The Punisher” encounters daily. When it comes to the troops we firmly support, a truck needs to boast features that aid in the task of moving troops around on the ground safely, with a successful mission in mind. Chevy has now landed a $1 million contract to build two very cool midsize trucks for the U.S. Army, and you can see photos here that depict the ZR2-based Infantry Squad Vehicle that is being considered.

The trucks scrap the traditional pickup profile for an open-top nine-passenger troop-toting configuration, with three rows of seating in addition to two side-facing seats in the rear. Four-point harnesses are also added along to the military-grade mix, and there are no doors at all, just a roll cage with attachments for various gear. The truck will also strap itself usefully right under a UH-60 helicopter for a quick lift, which is commonly needed in areas that see frequent combat.

The vehicle shares 70 percent of its parts with the 4x4 Colorado ZR2, including the suspension that features track-grade Multimatic DSSV shocks. Special attention during the design phase allows for very high-speed running and jumping, both of which could mean the difference between life and death during combat. The customer-grade ZR2 is available with a gasoline V6, but these test trucks are putting to use the optional 2.8-liter 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine, rated at 186 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. GM Defense President Davit Albritton said over the past week that “this particular ISV entry is a fully-integrated platform that leverages decades of engineering, manufacturing, and quality expertise at scale to provide the most cost-efficient, reliable and effective answer possible to meet and exceed the Army's demanding requirements”.

Testing of the trucks will begin during November at the Army's Aberdeen Center in Maryland, where they will be competing against various submissions for a contract to be awarded during spring. The winner of this contract will be slated to build 651 vehicles through 2024, providing ample supply in high numbers for the men and women out there on the front lines making sacrifices for our nation. The off-road stance is absolutely what is needed to provide the best in-vehicle assistance for those who best know that freedom doesn't come without a price, and are out there offering up their talents every day to keep our country safe. We'll keep you posted right here on the blog as news develops, and keep our fingers crossed regarding this chance to supply our best and brightest during the call of duty.