2023 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2023 Jeep Gladiator

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator carried forward much of its previous model's rugged, utilitarian aesthetic. It added a new Gladiator Freedom Edition that paid tribute to American servicemen and servicewomen. This version was based on the Sport S trim and came equipped with gloss black wheels, body-color fender flares, a winch-capable steel front bumper, steel rock rails, LED headlights, cloth seats with leather trim, and special decals. Jeep also committed to donating $250 to military charities for each Freedom Edition sold and offered both active and retired service personnel a $500 discount on the price. Apart from this patriotic new edition, the Gladiator introduced a fresh High Velocity Yellow paint color, more standard equipment for the Willys model, and a new Capability Package for the High Altitude model, which included a winch-capable steel front bumper, steel rock rails, and a front off-road camera system.

Our test truck was the Gladiator Mojave, priced at $62,160. It was outfitted with a Granite Crystal paint job, a black hardtop with a headliner, a spray-in bedliner, a Trailer Tow Package, a Premium LED Lighting Group, an Active Safety Group, an Advanced Safety Group, all-weather floor mats, and a TrailCam front off-road camera. These features demonstrated the Gladiator's appeal to off-road enthusiasts, maintaining Jeep's legendary off-road prowess. The Gladiator's design was based on the Wrangler but had a longer wheelbase and fortified frame, looking somewhat unconventional but functional.

In stark contrast, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss had an expertly penned design that carried an authoritative and balanced stance. With a factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders adorned with charcoal gray trim, a deeply sculpted hood, and a blacked-out look, the Radiant Red Trail Boss model looked both stylish and rugged. The interior reflected some design cues from the Camaro, especially evident in dashboard toggle switches and round outboard air vents, lending it an air of sporty sophistication. However, the base Work Truck (WT) and Trail Boss trim levels suffered from a cheap, gray front fascia and uninspiring interior.

While higher trims like the LT, Z71, and ZR2 came with niceties like body color paint on the front and better interiors, the Trail Boss managed to retain a functional and simplistic design meant for serious off-road and utility tasks. Prices for the Colorado ranged from $30,695 to $48,295. The Trail Boss we tested, equipped with red paint, a spray-on bedliner, Advanced Trailering Package, Skid Plate Package, and Convenience Package II, came with an MSRP of $42,150.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator was offered with two engine choices: a 3.6-liter V6 delivering 285 horsepower paired with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic transmission, and an optional 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 producing 260 horsepower, mated exclusively to an eight-speed automatic transmission with 442 lb-ft of torque. The diesel option was primarily for improved fuel economy rather than towing, as it couldn't tow as much weight as its gas counterpart.

Our Gladiator Mojave test model was fitted with the gas V6 and featured Command-Trac part-time 4WD with a locking rear differential. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 19 mpg, but during our evaluation, we averaged around 17.3 mpg under mixed driving conditions. The Mojave, designed for high-speed desert driving, exhibited superior suspension capabilities thanks to its Fox 2.5-inch internal bypass shocks with external reservoirs, front hydraulic jounce bumpers, a 1-inch front suspension lift, and 33-inch all-terrain tires.

Conversely, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado came uniformly powered by a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. This engine varied in output depending on the trim: it produced 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque in the WT and LT trims, while the Trail Boss and Z71 trims delivered 310 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier ZR2 model matched the 310-hp rating but upped the torque to 430 lb-ft.

An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard across all trims, and the Trail Boss benefited from a 2-inch suspension lift and wider tracks, enhancing off-road performance. The ZR2 version boasted an even higher 3-inch lift and exclusive Multimatic DSSV dampers. The Trail Boss carried out our test drive admirably over rutted and rocky terrains while maintaining excellent forward momentum, thanks to its all-terrain tires and specialized driving modes like Off-Road mode and Autotrac 4WD system.

While both trucks had their merits, the Colorado's smoother on-road performance and quieter cabin stood out against the Gladiator's more traditional, hearty off-road robustness.

Climbing into the 2023 Jeep Gladiator, particularly through the crew cab's narrow rear doors, required some practice. Optional side steps often proved more obstructive than helpful, mounted just below the door openings to preserve off-road integrity. The truck's interior proved practical, if somewhat spartan, with manually adjustable driver’s seat height that required regular re-adjustment due to design quirks. The rear seats provided decent adult space, although taller passengers faced the inconvenience of plastic panels and netting on the seatbacks.

Storage was ample with netting on door panels, four cupholders, a deep yet narrow center console bin, and an under-seat storage compartment. The five-foot-long, 35.5 cubic-foot cargo bed, though somewhat shallow, offered an impressive payload capacity of 1,710 pounds. Available cargo bed enhancements included a spray-in bedliner, tonneau cover, three-position tailgate, adjustable tie-downs, LED lighting, and a 115-volt power outlet.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss accommodated four people comfortably, with the option to squeeze a fifth in the rear seat. The test truck featured standard cloth upholstery, power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support from the Convenience Package II, and effectively cooled the cabin quickly with the manual air conditioning system.

However, wider front seats might have caused discomfort over longer journeys. The rear seat offered modest legroom and retained front seatback padding for added comfort. Cargo-wise, the Colorado offered a 41.9 cubic-foot cargo bed with Chevy’s innovative Mid-Position tailgate supporting up to 500 pounds. The Trail Boss installation included the new EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate with a StowFlex storage compartment, adding unique versatility to the truck's carrying capabilities.

In terms of overall payload and functionality, the Gladiator’s crew cab configuration and practical storage solutions provided additional flexibility, while the Colorado’s emphasis on clever cargo bed utilities and sophisticated interior made it ideal for more varied uses.

Despite its rugged aesthetic, the 2023 Jeep Gladiator wasn’t devoid of technology. The Gladiator featured a modest 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with standard Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a USB port, and an eight-speaker stereo. A larger 8.4-inch touchscreen was available with added features like navigation, Wi-Fi hotspot access, Alexa integration, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a portable Bluetooth speaker.

Our Mojave test truck was equipped with these tech upgrades, but the voice recognition system proved troublesome, struggling to accurately respond to several commands. Additional tech included passive keyless entry and dual-zone automatic climate control with an air filter capable of eliminating 95% of cabin particulates.

Chevrolet gave the 2023 Colorado a more contemporary technology package, standard across trims. The Trail Boss featured an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology, which included Google Assistant, Maps, and Play, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, OnStar services, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Chevy’s infotainment system also supported real-time off-roading data display, wireless charging (available), and came with decent six-speaker stereo quality with a notable seven-speaker Bose system on the ZR2.

Google Assistant’s integration necessitated some adjustment, especially for those accustomed to previous Colorado systems, but added a sophisticated layer of tech capabilities. Additional trailer-towing technology and high-definition cameras offered enhanced utility and safety on challenging terrains.

The 2023 Jeep Gladiator featured a limited range of safety features as standard and offered few additional technologies. The available SiriusXM Guardian Services provided SOS emergency calling and automatic collision notification. A Safety Group added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors, while the Advanced Safety Group offered adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high-beam headlights.

However, lane-departure warning or lane-keeping assistance systems were not available. Crash tests yielded a four-star frontal-impact protection rating from NHTSA, with a three-star rollover resistance rating and Marginal headlight evaluations from IIHS.

In comparison, the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado came with a robust suite of safety features. Every Colorado benefited from standard Chevy Safety Assist, which included forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety tech features included OnStar services, Teen Driver system, and a Buckle to Drive function.

Adaptive cruise control, Blind Zone Steering Assist, and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking were available options. However, the forward-collision warning system required careful adjustment due to frequent false alerts, an issue also noted by other owners.