2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 vs 2024 Chevrolet Colorado

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 presented a bold and aggressive design that was in line with Chevrolet's current vehicle portfolio. Its small headlights and body panel design were somewhat controversial, with some finding the look overly aggressive. However, the Silverado offered a variety of appearance packages like the Rally Edition, Midnight Edition, and Redline Edition to enhance its visual appeal. Inside, the cabin was functional and well-organized, with different interior layouts depending on the trim. The WT and Custom trims featured a more traditional setup with a smaller screen, while other trims boasted a modern, high-tech dash with a large touchscreen. The Silverado's interior was designed to be practical, with features varying from vinyl upholstery in the WT to luxury-level amenities in the High Country trim.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado took a different approach with its bold, Camaro-inspired design. The exterior featured rakish headlights and a sharply angled grille, giving it a futuristic look. Inside, the Colorado followed the design trends of other new Chevy vehicles, with a clean, horizontal dashboard layout and Camaro-inspired circular climate control vents. The Colorado was available in several trims, each offering a range of features. The base WT model came with a fully digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like the LT and ZR2 offered additional conveniences such as wireless device charging and off-road enhancements. The Colorado's interior was designed for comfort, with a car-like seating position and user-friendly controls, although rear legroom was somewhat limited.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 offered a range of engine options, starting with a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine producing 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, the Silverado had two V8 options: a 5.3-liter engine with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.2-liter engine delivering 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. Additionally, a six-cylinder Duramax turbodiesel engine was available, offering 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque. The Silverado's towing capacity reached up to 13,300 pounds with the 6.2-liter V8 and Max Towing package, while the base four-cylinder engine could tow up to 11,000 pounds. The Silverado's handling was impressive for its size, with a smooth ride on highways and capable off-road performance, especially in the Trail Boss and ZR2 trims.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado came exclusively with turbocharged four-cylinder engines, both displacing 2.4 liters. The base engine produced 237 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the Turbo Max version offered 310 hp and 430 lb-ft. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth power delivery. The Colorado's maximum towing capacity was 7,700 pounds, with a payload capacity of 1,710 pounds. The ZR2 Bison trim was particularly focused on off-road capability, featuring Multimatic DSSV dampers for exceptional shock absorption. On paved roads, the Colorado offered a comfortable ride, although its off-road suspension resulted in a firmer feel compared to typical SUVs. The Colorado handled corners with stability, despite some body roll, and its suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was available in various body styles, including regular, double, and crew cabs, with different bed lengths. The regular cab was tied to work-based trims like the WT and Custom, offering a front bench seat for up to three passengers. The double cab provided easy access to the rear seats with conventional car doors, although rear legroom was limited. The crew cab was the most spacious option, with ample headroom and legroom in both rows. The rear bench could be folded upward for additional in-cabin cargo space, making it a practical choice for those needing secure storage.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado was offered in a single body style: a four-door quad cab with a 5-foot, 2-inch bed. While the bed provided decent space for gear, it was not as spacious as a full-size pickup. The Colorado's car-like seating position offered comfort for long trips, with plenty of front-row legroom, headroom, and shoulder room. However, the second-row legroom was tight, especially for taller passengers. The Colorado's high bed wall and floor made loading items more challenging, but the larger bed steps in the rear bumper were designed to accommodate work boots. The ZR2 Bison's spare tire mounted in the bed reduced usable space, which could be a consideration for those frequently using the bed.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 featured a base infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The WT and Custom trims retained a straightforward layout, while other trims offered a modern dash with a 13.4-inch touchscreen and wireless connectivity. The LTZ trim added wireless device charging and additional USB ports. The Silverado's infotainment system was designed to be user-friendly, with options for both simplicity and modern tech features.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado came standard with an 11.3-inch touchscreen, offering an intuitive layout with hard-button controls. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a digital dock for easy navigation between menus. The Colorado also featured an 11-inch fully digital instrument panel, Bluetooth connectivity, and satellite radio. Higher trims added wireless device charging and additional USB ports, catering to those needing extra connectivity options.

The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 was equipped with advanced driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, and lane-departure warning. The LTZ trim added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system. The Silverado received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and high scores from the IIHS.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado also came with a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, such as automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and lane-keeping assist. The LT Convenience Package III added reverse automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. The Colorado earned four out of five stars for frontal crash testing and five stars for side crash testing from the NHTSA, although it received three stars for the rollover test.