The 2023 Chevy Colorado has made its official debut, ushering in a long list of changes and updates over the preceding 2022 model year. Topping the new trim level lineup is the 2023 Chevy Colorado ZR2 off-roader, and now, GM Authority is taking a closer look at the new Colorado ZR2 with the following trim level spotlight.
The third-generation 2023 Chevy Colorado trim level lineup includes five trims total, listed from bottom to top as WT (Work Truck), Trail Boss, LT, Z71, and finally, ZR2. The range-topping ZR2 is offered as the most off-road-capable of the bunch, and is now available with the new ZR2 Desert Boss package, as we will detail later in this post.
Outside, the 2023 Chevy Colorado features new exterior styling with a more technical, premium look. The new Colorado ZR2 adds to this with 17-inch Aluminum wheels wrapped in 33-inch OD MT tires, as well as a unique MIC Black grille, a Flowtie badge, and Black coloring for the sideview mirrors, hood applique, window surrounds, rear bumper, and grille bar. The new Colorado ZR2 also features a new tailgate storage system.
Inside, we find a standard 11.3-inch diagonal infotainment screen. The upholstery is done in a Black/Artemis color scheme, while the front seats feature 8-way adjustability and a heating function.
Making the go is the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine, which is offered in several states of tune, depending on the trim level. The new Colorado ZR2 runs the top 2.7L Turbo High-Output tune, included as standard and only available and for the ZR2 trim level, rated at 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Max trailering is set at 6,000 pounds, and four-wheel drive is standard. The updated GM 8-speed automatic transmission is on hand for cog swaps.
Naturally, the Colorado ZR2 is ready for off-roading thanks to goodies like Multimatic DSSV dampers, ZR2-specific chassis upgrades, and aluminum skid plates. The pickup boasts an approach angle of 38.3 degrees, a departure angle of 25.1 degrees, a break-over angle of 24.6 degrees, and 10.7 inches of ground clearance, the most ground clearance of the lineup.
Further off-roading prowess can be had with the available special-edition ZR2 Desert Boss package, which swaps in 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, a new off-road bumper and front fascia, a sports bar and sail panel, a roof-mounted light bar, and an underbody camera system with up to 10 camera views, including a segment-first underbody camera, plus unique decals and emblems.
The all-new 2023 Chevy Colorado will be available in the first half of the 2023 calendar year. Production is scheduled to start on January 25th, 2023 at the GM Wentzville plant in Missouri.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Colorado news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
The HP engine should be available on the LT version as well. Base engine is not acceptable.
Some sites have stated you will be able to upgrade the WT and LT to the more powerful engine.
The base engine is acceptable for those that just need a truck. It’s 15% more hp then the 2.5 and a whole lot more torque. Not everyone is towing a 18 ft. bass boat or carrying 20 bags of concrete.
If you pay more you should get more.
Won’t this be a real truck that would last forever with a 5.3 power plant?
The 5.3 in my 2017 Silverado was already having problems at 30k miles.
Huh, I guess the downvoters wanted me to keep driving it.
I would also have loved to see a 5.3 Liter option for this Colorado as well, my suspicion is that despite the Class Action Lawsuits that came to surface on this engine, I didn’t hear of any type of improvements being made to it either, I suppose we’ll have to wait to see if an all new or refined 5.3 Liter will come forth for the 2024/2025 Model Year when the 1500’s get overhauled.
In all honesty and despite people saying the 2.7t isn’t a truck engine. It’s probably had less problems than the 5.3. The only complaint I’ve heard about the 2.7t is that it gets horrible fuel economy in the full-size truck segment. It has the AFM but even then, I’ve heard minimal complaints in terms of reliability especially against the 5.3’s DFM. Plus it has more tq available lower in the rev range. Which in a truck, you want low end tq.
Disappointed in the city-folk only configurations, no extended cab, no long bed cuts the customer base.
>> “cuts the customer base”
I think you mean directs the customers into the full size truck.
Upgrade?
Well the body looks great but that dash is damn UGLY
THE DASH IS A SERIOUS DOWN GRADE.
Those round air vents kill the look of the dash. Real cheap looking interior…..
Your comment made me pay attention to the interior photo. Yes, wth. And why are there no vents in the center stack? Driver and passenger just supposed to get air flow from the vent at each door?
Well… closer look, center stack vents between the screen and the button bar, but still not a fan of the circular vents.
I think it looks good and it’s more akin to the Tacoma. These are the people they want to get. They know they already have Chevy customers.
Let’s see what Toyota brings with the new 2024 Tacoma. I don’t think they’ll come with something this powerful like the ZR2
What colors will be available on the ZR2?