At Detroit, Chevrolet revealed the all-new 2023 Colorado. This of course is the brand’s entry into the North American midsize pickup truck market, to take on the likes of the Toyota Tacoma.
The all-new 2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
So while a bit larger than local pickup trucks, this then brings us to the idea that in a sense, this new Colorado might be a good choice for picking up where the previous Philippine-spec Colorado left off since its discontinuation some time ago.
Exterior
For starters, this new Chevy is as modern as it gets at least when pickup trucks are concerned. From the front, it features sharp styling cues paired with bi-LED headlamps, as well as a pair of U-shaped daytime running lamps. It also gets a honeycomb grille that’s surrounded by metal housing.
Towards the sides, it gets chunky fender flares, an aggressive amount of character lines, and a beefy step-board. Even its power-folding side mirrors come with angular contours to complete the macho look.
Check out those beefy tires and aggressive character lines
From the rear, the new Chevrolet truck gets a smidge quieter. But still, the large LED taillights are quite imposing, and so is the truck’s thick rear bumper. Of note, the tailgate, depending on the trip, is automatic.
It also gets points for the practical stuff. Case in point is the 226mm of ground clearance (Colorado ZR2), which is plenty enough for the local unpaved roads and the occasional pothole. It also comes with a 3,492 kg towing capacity, and it is also compatible with many Chevrolet accessories to make it more practical or capable of taking on off-road adventures.
Speaking of off-road adventures, it also helps that its front tires are positioned further forward for better approach angles. The ZR2-spec variant also gets aluminum skid plates, as well as protection for its rocker panels.
Adventure ready, but still usable as a utility vehicle
Size-wise, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado’s variants are 5,410mm long, 2,021mm tall, and it has a wheelbase length spanning 3,337mm. It also has a front track width of 1,595mm. This makes it a fair bit larger than the locally available pickup trucks like the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara, Ford Ranger, etc.
Interior
The interior of the all-new Colorado is pretty well-equipped as well. It has plenty of soft-touch surfaces, and it offers all five of its occupants a comfortable ride with its automatic climate control system, a sunroof, among others.
A peek inside the 2023 Colorado's cockpit
Its interior itself is also pretty to look at. It features smooth straight lines all around the interior, circular air vents for the AC unit, contrast stitching, etc.
Tech & Safety
For safety, the all-new 2023 Chevrolet Colorado comes with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features. Namely, it gets automatic emergency braking, blind-spot steering assist, rear-cross traffic braking, pedestrian alert, detection, and braking, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree view monitor, etc.
Many will like its contemporarily designed dashboard
Entertainment is then handled by a sizable 11.3-inch touchscreen head unit that’s capable of connecting via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The driver in turn, is provided with an eight-inch digital gauge cluster.
Engine
Under the muscular hood of the 2023 Colorado is a 2.7-liter inline-4 gasoline engine. For the ZR2 variant, this four-banger can make up to 310 horsepower and 583 Nm of torque. The 2.7-liter Turbo found on the WT and LT trims can then make up to 237 horsepower and 351 Nm of torque.
The mid-range 2.7-liter Turbo Plus mill that’s present on the Z71, Trail Boss, as well as the WT and LT trims can then churn out up to 310 horsepower and 351 Nm of torque. All variants are then paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado's 2.7-liter inline-4 turbo engine has three different tunes
To get the most out of those engines, Chevrolet also gave the all-new Colorado five different drive modes. These include a Terrain mode, a mode for off-roading, one for towing and hauling, a normal mode, as well as the Baja mode. The Baja mode, as per its name, optimizes the truck to travel at rapid speeds on desert or desert-like terrain.
For those who want to get serious off-road performance, the ZR2 gets a three-inch lift, as well as Multimatic DSSV dampers.
Currently, Chevrolet is yet to release the pricing details for the 2023 Colorado. We do know though that the brand will start selling it in the United States in the first half of 2023.
Many of its variants are ready to go off-road even in stock form
So, will Chevrolet Philippines consider bringing it in?
While the answer to that is still up in the air, we do think this new Chevy truck is already on par with the likes of the all-new 2023 Ford Ranger at least when concerning safety equipment. Furthermore, we’re also pretty convinced that its exterior design has just the right aggressiveness that Filipino buyers want in a truck. So Chevy PH, pretty please?
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