[Auto] How We'd Spec It: 2023 Chevrolet Colorado

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We've driven the new-generation Colorado mid-size pickup, but here's how we'd order them using Chevy's online configurator.

 

The Chevy Colorado has been around for 20 years, yet it's only just entered its third generation. It was a much-needed replacement to the S-10 back in 2003. The Colorado continues as the smallest Chevy pickup available, but today it faces some strong competition from mid-size rivals such as the Honda Ridgeline and Jeep Gladiator.

The Colorado is offered as a four-door cab with a five-foot-two-inch box no matter how far over its $30,695 starting price you dare to climb. The new Chevy replaced the outgoing 308-hp V-6 and Duramax Diesel powertrain options with a 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-four bolted to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The five trims offered vary from work truck to rock-crawling plaything. We've driven four of them (in a few months Chevy will give us the keys to the ZR2 released later this year). So naturally, we spent our lunch break poring over the online configurator for the new Colorado, doing a little window shopping before we had to clock back in. Here's how some of our staff would spec the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado.

For my 2023 Colorado, I'm envisioning a basic starting point for a truck that will be built into a monster—namely, a prerunner. With the new Colorado's sharper approach and departure angles and punchy turbo power, it'll make a great candidate for off-roading of the Mint 400 variety, even in two-wheel-drive form. So I'm starting with a two-wheel-drive WT and adding the upgraded engine with 310 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque ($1050). Hell, give me the front center console ($135) so I'll have somewhere to rest my right elbow during blasts across the Warp Zone lake bed. And I'll grab the automatic locking differential ($325)—or, as I call it, "poor man's four-wheel-drive." My only frivolous spend, if you can call it that, is for Glacier Blue Metallic paint ($395), because the other WT colors are boring. That puts me at $32,600 all in, leaving me plenty of imaginary budget for long-travel suspension, fiberglass bodywork, and bed-mounted spares. —Ezra Dyer

Drew Dorian's $33,110 Rear-Wheel-Drive Colorado WT

Ezra's right. There's something charming about the base Work Truck trim. Sure, the Colorado is offered in higher-end trims that are more focused on off-roading too, but the WT has a lovable blue-collar, straight-from-the-fleet appearance. I particularly like it in Sand Dune Metallic which, combined with the 17-inch steel wheels, gives it a handsome look.

I'd stick with rear-wheel drive because, honestly, I'm putting this thing to work, not taking it to the trails, so why bother? The 237-hp version of the turbo four is fine too. Where I would spend some money, though, is on several option packages, because believe it or not Chevy will let you add some very non-WT options to the WT.

First, I'd start with the WT Convenience and WT Convenience II packages ($415 and $545, respectively), the first of which adds a remote locking tailgate, a manual sliding rear window, and a rear window defogger. The second one adds an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar and a tailgate with an integrated storage cubby. I'd then add the Safety package ($505), which includes heated and power-adjustable exterior mirrors with black-painted caps, rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert with automated emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. Finally, the Technology package ($950) adds adaptive cruise control, rear pedestrian alert, and a 360-degree exterior camera system.

Considering the Colorado comes standard with that big 11.3-inch touchscreen and a digital gauge display, you're getting a very not-basic base truck here, and the total is just $33,110. Jumping up to one of the Colorado's more expensive trims puts it in Silverado 1500 price territory, so if you're smart you'll stick with the WT too. —Drew Dorian

link: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a42958778/2023-chevrolet-colorado-build-spec-price/