2023 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 had a design that seemed to polarize opinions. While some older designs of Chevy trucks were considered timeless, like the split-bar grille from the 1990s and the 2015 redesign, others didn’t fare as well. The then-current generation of the Silverado 1500 came with a unique styling element: small headlights with a body panel piece jutting into the grille area below it. This aggressive look might have been perceived as overcompensation by some, but it fell in line with Chevy's latest design theme. The Silverado 1500 offered various appearance packages, such as the Rally Edition, Midnight Edition, and Redline Edition, adding visual flair to the truck.

Inside, the cabin was much more agreeable than the exterior. The controls were situated where drivers would expect them to be, making it more functional. Depending on the trim selected—WT, Custom, Custom Trail Boss, LT, RST, LT Trail Boss, LTZ, High Country, and ZR2 (with the new-for-2023 Bison package)—drivers could experience different interior layouts. The WT and Custom trims featured interiors from before the 2022 facelift, offering a smaller screen and emphasizing hard controls and dials. Vinyl upholstery, bench front seating, black bumpers, rubberized flooring, a basic analog instrument panel with a 3.5-inch screen, USB ports, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on the WT model. The Custom trim upgraded to cloth upholstery, wireless connectivity options, alloy wheels, remote start, and additional USB ports.

Higher trims like the LT introduced a modern dash layout with a fully digital instrument panel, dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable seats, chrome bumpers, and LED in-bed lighting. The Trail Boss added off-road capabilities, including 4WD, skid plates, and upgraded shock absorbers. The luxury-level High Country trim included features like a power-sliding rear window and heated and ventilated front seats, making it the epitome of comfort and style.

In contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado featured a new, robust design that spoke to its off-roading capabilities, especially in the Trail Boss trim. The vehicle exhibited a factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders with charcoal gray trim, and a deeply sculpted hood, all within a blacked-out aesthetic. The interior and exterior balanced visual gall and functionality without being excessive. The presence of dashboard toggle switches and round outboard air vents paid homage to the Camaro, contributing to an attractive interior layout.

However, the base WT and Trail Boss trims were hampered by their drab interiors, with gray front facias and materials that felt cheap. While the Trail Boss did include a purposeful front skid plate, the plastic-heavy interior lacked color contrast. Higher trims like the LT, Z71, and ZR2 enhanced the cabin quality and aesthetics, offering better material choices and paint finishes.

The Colorado lineup offered different drivetrain setups, with the WT and LT available in 2WD and 4WD, and the Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 featuring more advanced 4WD systems and powerful engine options. The range-topping trims also included more visually appealing and robust exterior elements, further distinguishing them from the basic trims.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in 2023 provided multiple engine options catering to various needs. The base model was equipped with a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, there were two V8 options: a 5.3-liter engine delivering 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.2-liter engine generating 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. Additionally, a six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel offered 305 hp and an impressive 495 lb-ft of torque.

RWD was standard across the models, with an optional 4WD setup. The base four-cylinder engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while all other engines had a 10-speed automatic gearbox. The Silverado 1500, when properly equipped, had a towing capacity of up to 13,300 pounds with the 6.2-liter V8 and Max Towing package, while the smaller V8 could tow up to 11,000 pounds. The maximum payload capacity for the base engine was 2,260 pounds with RWD.

Our Trail Boss tester, featuring the turbo-four engine, offered satisfactory power delivery. Although it sounded somewhat noisy, reminiscent of a diesel engine, it provided good acceleration. The eight-speed automatic transmission paired well with this engine, though some curiosity remained about how the 10-speed would perform with it. The V8 engines delivered the expected energy and enthusiasm, though the 5.3-liter engine felt somewhat underwhelming to some drivers. In contrast, the 6.2-liter V8 showed no such shortcomings. The 10-speed automatic transmission was refined, effectively determining appropriate gears.

In terms of handling, the Silverado 1500 performed admirably for its size and weight. Although it didn't match the smooth ride quality of competitors like the Ram 1500, it handled well on various terrains, from city streets to off-road trails. The steering, though not highly communicative, performed adequately, especially on rugged paths, making it a capable farm or utility vehicle.

For 2023, the Silverado introduced the ZR2 Bison, offering enhancements like heavy-duty skid plates, steel-stamped bumpers, and improved approach and departure angles, pushing the limits of off-road capability even further.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado standardized the turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine across all trims. The WT and LT trims got versions producing 237 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The Trail Boss and Z71 versions increased output to 310 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, while the ZR2 matched the 310 hp but offered higher torque at 430 lb-ft.

An eight-speed automatic transmission came standard for all configurations. The WT and LT offered an optional Autotrac 4WD system featuring a single-speed transfer case. The Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 added a two-speed transfer case enhancing off-road capability. Furthermore, the Trail Boss and ZR2 came with suspension lifts (2-inch and 3-inch, respectively), widened front tracks, and specialized dampers and tires for superior performance on rough terrains.

Our Trail Boss, equipped with the Off-Road mode and 4WD, managed rocky and uneven surfaces exceptionally well. All-terrain tires and the Off-Road driving mode contributed significantly to maintaining traction and forward momentum. Despite the truck’s stiff suspension, the Trail Boss handled these obstacles with minimal effort.

On paved roads, the Colorado Trail Boss maintained quietness and comfort, providing a relaxing drive on highways, despite its rugged setup. The robust suspension handled poor road conditions effectively, making urban driving hassle-free.

The Trail Boss’s engine, though powerful, lacked the zest of competitors like the Ford Ranger’s engine. The fuel economy was also disappointing, rated at 19 mpg but delivering an average of 17 mpg during testing.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a variety of body styles and bed lengths: regular cab with standard or long bed, double cab with standard bed, and crew cab with short or standard bed. The bed lengths included a 5 feet 8 inches short bed, a 6 feet 6 inches standard bed, and an 8 feet long bed.

The regular cab worked well for work-focused trims like WT and Custom, offering a front bench seat for up to three passengers with a fold-down center seat back doubling as a console. The double cab provided conventional rear car doors, simplifying rear seat access, though rear legroom was limited. The spacious crew cab offered generous headroom and legroom for both rows, and the rear bench could be folded up for additional in-cabin cargo space.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss required a significant step up to board, especially for shorter people. Inside, it provided comfortable seating for four, while squeezing a fifth was only manageable for short trips with children. Cloth upholstery came standard, picking up pet hair easily, and the advanced Convenience Package II added an eight-way power driver’s seat, although width might cause discomfort for broader individuals.

Rear seats accommodated six-footers adequately, despite snug legroom, and rear air conditioning vents enhanced comfort. The Colorado’s air conditioning managed high temperatures effectively, offering quick cooling even with manual adjustments.

In terms of cargo space, the Silverado’s beds offered more flexibility and size options compared to the Colorado, which presented a 41.9 cubic-foot bed just over five feet long (61.7 inches) with the Convenience Package II. The Colorado’s unique features included an EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate and a StowFlex storage panel for extra secure storage.

The base infotainment system in the Silverado 1500 was a functional 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, found in the WT and Custom trims. Though it lacked modern graphics, it was straightforward and effective. Higher trims introduced a 13.4-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a fully digital instrument panel. The LTZ trim added wireless device charging and more USB ports, broadening the tech appeal significantly.

The Chevrolet Colorado impressed with its tech offerings, even in the base WT trim. It came with an 11.3-inch touchscreen featuring Google Built-in technology, natural voice recognition, Google Maps, and access to Google Play apps. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, OnStar, and Chevrolet connected services, as well as a Wi-Fi hotspot. The ZR2 trim included an enhanced seven-speaker Bose audio system, and real-time off-roading data could be viewed. The Colorado’s advanced trailer-towing technology also improved usability.

The Silverado 1500 boasted a suite of advanced driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. Higher trims offered additional tech like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, surround-view camera system, rain-sensing wipers, and Super Cruise highway driving system. The Silverado received high safety ratings, including an overall five out of five stars from NHTSA.

The Colorado 2023 also featured comprehensive safety measures. Standard equipment included forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. Optional upgrades added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, and rear parking sensors. Issues with the forward-collision warning system were noted, often producing false alerts despite adjustments.