2023 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2024 GMC Sierra 1500

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss presented an aesthetically rugged off-road persona. With a factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders trimmed in charcoal gray, a sculpted hood, and a striking blacked-out look in Radiant Red, it exuded adventurous potential. Its design boasted a stance that balanced visual elements without going overboard, akin to hints of Camaro influence in the cabin through dashboard toggle switches and round air vents. However, in the base Work Truck (WT) and Trail Boss trim, the gray front fascia and inexpensive interior detracted from the overall appeal, though the Trail Boss redeemed itself slightly with a purposeful front skid plate and a few added packages.

On the contrary, the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500, which dated back to its 2019 model year, maintained a contemporary styling consistent with pickup trends. Its bold and imposing front with a tall, flat hood and broad grille, found mostly in upper trims like the Denali Ultimate, created parking challenges relieved by a front-view camera in the test model. Base Pro models featured basic styling, with higher trims such as Denali and Denali Ultimate flaunting large chrome grilles, power running boards, and sleek 22-inch wheels. Despite this, the blocky interior design and unremarkable materials felt somewhat dated, although a plethora of comfort features made up for the aesthetic shortcomings.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado packed a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine under its hood. The WT and LT trims produced 237 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque from 1,200 rpm to 4,000 rpm, while the Trail Boss and Z71 churned out 310 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 rpm. The more robust ZR2 model offered even more with 430 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with Trail Boss and Z71 trims featuring a two-speed transfer case for enhanced off-road performance. The Trail Boss benefitted from a 2-inch suspension lift and all-terrain tires, delivering commendable off-road capability, albeit at the expense of ride stiffness and a disappointing fuel economy averaging 17 mpg.

The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a broader powertrain lineup. The base TurboMax 2.7-liter turbo-four achieved 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. Upgraded V8 options included a 5.3-liter V8 with 355 horsepower and a 6.2-liter V8 generating 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, both featuring Dynamic Fuel Management for better economy. A standout was the Duramax turbodiesel 3.0-liter inline-six, which produced 305 horsepower and a husky 495 lb-ft of torque, making it excellent for towing. This diesel engine stood out in our Denali Ultimate test truck, exhibiting smooth, linear power delivery complemented by a refined 10-speed automatic transmission.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss offered comfortable seating for four, with room for a fifth in a pinch. The cloth upholstery, despite attracting pet hair, was comfortable, and the eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support ensured a proper driving position. The interior, though practical, lacked soft-touch surfaces and had limited storage space. The cargo bed offered 41.9 cubic feet and featured the versatile Mid-Position tailgate and StowFlex storage panel, enhancing cargo management despite potential future durability concerns.

In contrast, the 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 offered multiple cab and bed-length configurations, including a regular cab with a long bed and a crew cab with spacious full-size rear doors. The Sierra’s cab provided ample headroom and legroom, surpassing rivals like the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500. However, rear-seat comfort lagged due to hard cushions and less-than-ideal seating angles. The Multi-Pro tailgate available from the SLE trim added versatility, while payload and towing capacities varied, with 13,200 pounds maximum towing and 2,240 pounds maximum payload tapping into heavy-duty capabilities. The Sierra’s diesel engine shined for towing with no daily drivability penalty.

Chevrolet equipped the 2023 Colorado with digital instrumentation and an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Google Built-in technology, even in the base WT trim. This system included natural voice recognition, Google Maps, and access to apps via Google Play. Although the system was sophisticated, it required some acclimation, especially for users familiar with Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System. Added technological features like trailer-towing technology and high-definition cameras enhanced utility.

The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500’s base models had a simpler 7-inch touchscreen with wired smartphone integration. Higher trims boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.4-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google Built-In. The Google interface facilitated a seamless user experience, and analog controls were retained for vital functions. The larger touchscreen’s layout made it intuitive to use, supporting both digital and physical control preferences.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado came with a robust suite of safety features, including OnStar, a Teen Driver system, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. Despite these comprehensive features, the forward-collision warning system tended to be overly sensitive, causing frustration during testing.

The 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 had mixed safety results. It earned a top “Good” score in several crash tests from IIHS but showed vulnerabilities in passenger-side small overlap and updated side crash tests. It performed better in NHTSA testing, achieving a five-star overall rating. Standard safety tech included emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a rear-seat reminder, with adaptive cruise control and Super Cruise hands-free system available, providing an advanced level of driver assistance.