The 2023 Colorado has improved engines and plenty of off-road capability, but it’s not fun to drive. We rate it a 6 here.
Is the Chevrolet Colorado 4WD?
The Colorado comes standard with rear-wheel drive in most models. Four-wheel drive is optional. It gets a 2-speed transfer case in all but the base and LT models for better low-speed rock crawling.
It starts out with decent power and progresses to fairly quick. The base version of the 2.7-liter turbo-4 makes 237 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, which is much better than last year’s 200-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. Chevy isn’t providing a 0-60 mph figure, but we’d estimate it’s somewhere in the 8.0-8.5-second range.How fast is the Chevy Colorado?
The two step-up versions make 310 hp and either 391 or 430 lb-ft. They’re both good for a 6.8-second 0-60 mph time, but the High Output version is a little better for towing and highway merging.
All versions send their power to an 8-speed automatic transmission that offers smooth shifts but can sometimes dawdle to deliver power on downshifts. All also emit a coarse drone, especially in the WT and Trail Boss, which have a lower level of sound deadener.
With the base engine, the Colorado can tow a modest 3,500 pounds, but the two other engine choices increase that to a class-leading 7,700 pounds. Payload capacity maxes out at 1,684 pounds, which is about 150 pounds more than last year.
Smaller than the Silverado, the Colorado is easier to maneuver, but it’s no more fun to drive with its front coil-over shocks and solid rear axle on leaf springs. The Colorado sits high, bounces over bumps without punishing occupants, and leans a lot in turns, especially the Trail Boss, which increases the ground clearance from 7.9 to 9.5 inches. However, the Colorado is well controlled though light, direct steering and strong brakes with a high pedal.
Chevy offers three models with off-road capability that ramps up from good to great. They start with the Z71, which has all-terrain tires, an 8.9-inch ground clearance, an electronic locking rear differential, and four-wheel drive with a 2-speed transfer case. Then there’s the taller Trail Boss, and the ZR2 that sits 10.7 inches off the ground, and adds Multimatic spool-valve shocks and a locking front differential.
Moving the front axle almost three inches forward improves the approach angle, which now tops out at an impressive 38.3 degrees for the ZR2. Off-roading can be made easier with 10 available camera views, including industry-first underbody views that point forward and backward. Other choices include a top view, a view of each tire, and forward and rearward views.
A Terrain mode works best for crawling, Off-Road is meant for less challenging off-road surfaces, and the ZR2’s Baja mode tunes it to zip through off-road courses without obstacles.
Chevrolet provides two types of hill descent control. One version is activated on the center screen and will adjust the speed and hold the speed based on throttle and brake inputs. The other version can only be activated in Terrain mode. It allows for one-foot driving and has eight settings (L1-L8) chosen via a plus/minus toggle on the gearshift. In L1, for example, the driver can crest a rock, let off the throttle, and the vehicle will stop. L8 will allow the vehicle to go up to 5 mph.
The instrument cluster and center screens also have pages to show off-road information, such as altitude, pitch and roll, g-forces, and transfer case status.
Colorado ZR2 impressions
The off-road ZR2 model cranks up the off-road prowess. Its spool-valve dampers do a great job of soaking up impacts, be they from bumps or jumps. They also provide good control on-road and team with the 33-inch tires to create a smoother ride. The knobby mud-terrain tires, soon to be available with 35s in ZR2 Bison form, provide good traction in wet, dry, and snowy conditions, as well as in mud and dirt.
The ZR2 model adds a Baja drive mode and Chevy’s Performance Shift Algorithm (PSA). Baja mode sharpens throttle response, holds gears longer, and ratchets back stability control. PSA does even more to keep the powertrain on boil, maintaining boost pressure and never letting the engine go below 2,500 rpm as long as the driver’s foot is on the accelerator.
The available surround-view camera system features an underbody camera that can show what’s under the truck to help avoid obstacles. A washer rinses dirt and mud off the camera, but it can’t always keep up. With 10.7 inches of ground clearance and a 24.6-degree breakover angle, the ZR2 can crawl over most obstacles, but the 38.3-degree approach angle is particularly impressive and bests the forthcoming Ford Ranger Raptor.
Between the hardware and software, the Colorado ZR2 is one of the most capable off-road pickups money can buy.
