Making splashdown late in July, the 2023 Chevy Colorado introduces a fresh third generation for the midsize nameplate, with all-new styling, a completely overhauled interior, new tech, and more. Now, we’re taking a closer look at the 2023 Chevy Colorado Z71 trim level out in the real world with the first live photos.
For those who may be unaware, the 2023 Chevy Colorado Z71 is the penultimate trim level in updated 2023 Chevy Colorado trim level cadence, slotting in between the range-topping ZR2 and mid-range LT. As one might expect, the new Z71 is off-road capable, but not quite to the same level as the ZR2.
Like the rest of the 2023 Chevy Colorado lineup, the Z71 gets the full third-generation rework for the exterior styling. The front end is now more aggressive and technical looking, with the Z71 adding in a few bits and pieces to help it stand out, such as a pair of red tow hooks for the lower fascia. The grille bar also includes a black finish that works well with the revised front fascia and complementary black trim bits.
Standard spec for the Z71 includes LED lighting elements for the headlights, daytime running lights, fog lights, and taillights. This particular example is finished in an eye-catching shade dubbed Glacier Blue Metallic.
Moving around to the sides, the 2023 Chevy Colorado Z71 rides on 18-inch Aluminum wheels with all-terrain tires as standard, while 20-inch wheels are available as an optional extra. Also of note are the black fender flares, which are included elsewhere in the lineup and add an extra dash of rough-stuff attitude to the aesthetic. Heated and power-adjustable sideview mirrors are included with the Z71 trim.
Inside the overhauled cabin space, the 2023 Chevy Colorado Z71 features a Black / Adrenaline Red color scheme with cloth and leatherette upholstery. The Safety Package, Technology Package, Convenience Package II and III, and Advanced Trailering Package are all included.
As for the greasy bits under the hood, the 2023 Chevy Colorado Z71 is powered by the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine with the mid-range 2.7 Turbo Plus tune as standard. Output is rated at 310 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The updated GM 8-speed automatic transmission provides the cog swaps, while an updated version of the GM GMT 31XX platform provides the bones.
As GM Authority exclusively covered, the 2023 Chevy Colorado will hit production January 25th, 2023, rolling off the line at the GM Wentzville plant in Missouri.
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Comments
I hope with the upgraded 20″ wheels you don’t have to get them in black and hopefully they offer leather as option for the interior.
Black wheel fan here but options are always nice. It will be disappointing if leather seats with options like cooler seats and technology package aren’t available in the higher level trims. The exterior on this truck looks great.
Black wheels on anything other than a pure race car make the vehicle look like it has two black eyes,….yuck! OK ok, on a blacked out vehicle they also look good. Plus we all know black steel wheels are the cheapest.
I like this truck, but the wider track and flares of the trailboss / zr2 really make it. Appears that the TB/Zr2 have rear shocks mounted on the outside of the frame/leafs and these are on the inside. You could always do a set of quality wheel spacers I suppose, but factory wide track is the way to go.
Trailboss is reall low on the options though. ZR2 is probably always loaded.
It is a very sharp looking truck, but I’m waiting to see wheel options. IMHO, the wheels that are shown here are absolutely hideous.
Reminds me of the old days when there were wheel covers to cover the hideous black steel wheels
Those wheels are atrocious!
They are the same as the Trailboss wheels. I like them.
Everyone has their own vision as to what ” Right” is suppose to look like when it comes to this truck, so it’s good to know that there is a win for somebody when it comes to those wheels.
I also like white letter wheels and think a set of white letter BFG or Goodyears would be needed to really set this look off. It doesn’t look outstanding in these pics but does in the Trail boss. A lot of that is the wider track giving a lower offset wheel look.
Love this truck! Reminds me of the gmt800 in size, and exceeds their capacity in many ways. Good size!
Any idea what payload on a ZR1 2 wheel drive will be? I want to pull a travel trailer. Payload is more important than trailer rate.
1150 on the Zr2. Z71 and trail boss are 1550ish a d the wt and lt are 1660ish
Something about this Z71 looks off. Maybe it’s too much – blue, black grille, grey bottom, red hooks, big black plastic above the fog lights – it looked really good in the silver though. Blue is my favorite color, and I assumed I’d go for a Blue z71 – now I’m not so sure, this doesn’t look great.
Agreed. Most of the great first impressions I got from their intro photos / videos are kind of lost in translation here. It doesn’t strike me in the same manner. I do suspect the long zoom lens used to take this photo is distorting the proportions a bit, and this particular color just doesn’t work for me.
I’d stick to the dark red… if dealers actually sold those. Unless you place a direct order, white, black and gray are the only color they believe in!
That’s so true about the dealerships! GM has had some amazing blues (the Colorado Laser Blue, the blue on the Silverado EV), but this light blue just isn’t it for me either. Good point about the lens as well – I will definitely have to see more!
Those square creases around the round wheel wells look terrible. Front end is way too busy with so many parts coming and going in all directions. I wish these new GM designers wouldn’t try so hard to design these trucks. Overall, I think the profile is good, but wish it were just a more simple design without so much going on with extra creases, extra un-needed parts in the front end, etc.
If you took the Chevy emblem off the front and the name off the rear, you’d probably mistake it for the even uglier Toyota Tacoma. And that’s not good.
what a shame the power plant under the hood does not match the muscular skin of the hood. It’s like a bodybuilder who has so much muscle but they could not catch a 5 year old running because they can’t run fast enough.
c’mon man, it’s 2023 model year, what’s up with the ancient incandescent lights? LED’s are the new standard, sad they cheap out on an item that really can give a signature look, as well as the safety advantage of gaining a fraction of a section in notifying the person behind you that you’re putting on the brakes!
Short box equals not a working truck. I’ll have to pass.