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2023 Chevy Colorado Z71: The Multipurpose Variant

Chevrolet unveiled the all-new third-generation 2023 Chevy Colorado late last month, debuting a long list of changes and updates for the midsize pickup nameplate. Now, we’re taking a closer look at the off-road oriented 2023 Chevy Colorado Z71 with the following GM Authority trim level spotlight.

The Chevy Colorado Z71 is the penultimate trim level in the 2023 model-year lineup, slotting in below the range-topping ZR2 and above the mid-range LT. Although not as off-road capable as the ZR2, the Chevy Colorado Z71 still has some impressive off-roading gear on offer.

Outside, the 2023 Chevy Colorado Z71 shows off the same third-gen styling update as the rest of the lineup, with a more technical, premium appearance than the preceding second generation. To this, the Z71 adds a few unique bits and pieces, including 18-inch Aluminum wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires, a painted black finish for the grille bar, sideview mirror caps, and rear bumper, as well as red tow hooks. Twenty-inch wheels are optional. Approach angle is set at 29.1 degrees, departure angle is 22.3 degrees, and break-over angle is 19.5 degrees, while ground clearance is 8.9 inches.

The Z71 is also equipped with LED lighting elements for the headlights, daytime running lights, fog lights, and taillights, while the sideview mirrors include a heating feature and power adjustability. Equipped packages include the Safety package, Technology Package, Convenience Package (II and III), and Advanced Trailering Package.

Inside the cabin, the 2023 Chevy Colorado Z71 features Z71 Black / Adrenaline Red coloring and cloth / leatherette seating, as well as a manual sliding rear window and rear defrogger. To note, the 2023 Chevy Colorado cabin design was completely overhauled for the latest third-generation.

On the mechanical side, the 2023 Chevy Colorado Z71 runs the 2.7 Turbo Plus tune for the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine. Output is rated at 310 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, with a max trailering rating of 7,700 pounds. The muscle is routed through the updated GM 8-speed automatic transmission, a two-speed auto transfer case, limited slip differential, and four-wheel drive system.

Production of the 2023 Chevy Colorado is set to begin January 25th, 2023 at the GM Wentzville plant in Missouri.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. I think it looks very sharp like the way it sits up high

    Reply
    1. The truck itself looks sharp, but the Z71 trim should have 17″ rims like trail boss, not 18″ rims with optional 20″. 18″, with optional 20″ should be associated with LT/RST, not Z71. Off-road oriented trims need sidewall on their tires.

      Reply
      1. Trailboss has 18″ too, only the ZR2 has 17’s. Personally I think 18’s are perfect for this and there is a wide variety of tire sizes. I read stock is 265/65/r18 (stock on Silverado too, but a tad small on that), you can do 275/65r18 which would be perfect and is 32.1″. Or 265/70r18 which is 32.6″. There are a lot of options in these sizes and both LT and P metric.

        The 20’s on in the pictures above however are not for me, not on this truck.

        Reply
    2. Replacing my 16 z71 as well with this . I am happy to see GM is finally catching up with Toyota and installing safety features without having to buy a package upgrade . I had zero issues with my Z71 it has been an awesome truck and still is with 74000 mile on it . I hope the 2023 can live up to it . It looks great and has great features but like a women it’s whats inside what counts .

      Reply
    3. I read in the description that the Z71 has a Manual Sliding window. Is a power slider available??

      Reply
      1. I hope it doesn’t have the electrical problems that we have had with the 08 and 15. Starting at about 75,000 miles

        Reply
  2. IMO, these are better lookin trucks than any other brands out there…. IMO, best 4 banger turbo in the market as well. What was slated for the big trucks is now in the smaller trucks w/o any detuning makes the package hard to beat. The interior is far more suited for off or on road driving, really like the interior layout.

    It’s the exterior that draws me to it….

    Reply
    1. It looks like these weigh about 100lbs less than the Silverado.

      Everyone hates on the 2.7 in the rado though.

      Reply
      1. Isn’t it the loaded Baja Package on the ZR2 that is getting close in weight to the base level Silverado’s weight? Disappointing for sure but when you add all that off-road stuff, it’s guaranteed to get heavy.

        Reply
      2. “Everyone hates on the 2.7 in the rado though”

        That is just false, it has been well reviewed in most cases. Owners are very happy, reviewers gush about the torque and power is plentiful in a full size. The only knock is it doesn’t get better mpg than expected, though it does better than the 5.3 and certainly the 6.2 (it does average around 3mpg better than the 5.3 and 4+ compared to the 6.2 on fuelly, though people were expecting 20+ for a four cylinder).

        Reply
        1. This is completely false. Resale is terrible, it’s the only model with a discount typically and reviews are 50/50 between it’s not bad and actually decent and why bother.

          It’s underappreciated sure. But loved by all? Absolutely not.

          Reply
          1. The new dash is UGLY and very cheap looking.
            Round air vents must have been on sale.
            Very disappointing

            Reply
            1. i like round vents, reminds me of my 66 Chevelle

              Reply
  3. Nice truck. Wish it came with the 10 speed auto.

    Reply
  4. Part 2… it would suck if gm allows the lack of production to effect the dealer lots like the other models …non existent.

    Reply
    1. Which is a very high possibility. The chip shortage and supply issues may cause availability constraints, and you will have to be on a waiting list if you ordered one. The only ‘good’ thing if you want to call it that, is the looming recession may dampen demand…

      Reply
  5. I plan to replace my 2016 Z71 Crew cab V6 with one of these , likely will get the Z71 and some of the interior options , technology and Convenience
    It looks great and the overall size is similar to current except it will be wider .
    The WB is longer , but that just means the wheels are pushed more to the end of the body on the front end
    I think the Turbo plus with 390 lbs of torque will have loads of power
    looking forward to placing my order in the spring for a dark red Z71, i just hope the chip issue has improved , however i did wait 5 months for my 2016, ordered in June and it arrived in early Nov 2015, so likley will be the same this time.

    Reply
  6. Would be nice to know what the details for the various packages will be (Safety package, Technology Package, Convenience Package (II and III), and Advanced Trailering Package). Would also be nice to get the 2 inch lift from the Trail Boss as an option.

    Reply
  7. will Chevy force OnStar on customers in 23 like Buick and GMC? And if forcing OnStar on customers is such a great benefit
    as GM is touting, why not?

    Reply
    1. Buick and GMC also charge for colors Chevy doesn’t.

      Reply
  8. Full time 4 wheel drive? No decoupling. That’s not going to be good for mpg.don’t think I would buy this model if this is the case

    Reply
    1. I would assume full time 4 wheel drive means 4 wheel auto: rear wheel drive unless the system detects wheel slippage and sends power to the front wheels.

      Reply
  9. My equinox is push button 4 wheel. U select this option so it’s not spinning another drive axle and it doesn’t effect my gas mileage. 31 mpg in summer with the 2.0L. I hope this is the same thing.

    Reply
  10. Just watched the YouTube video that Chevy has and it shows a closeup of the 4X4 selector. It will be available with 2 High, 4 High, 4 Low and Auto.

    Reply
  11. I hope it doesn’t have the electrical problems that we have had with the 08 and 15. Starting at about 75,000 miles

    Reply
  12. Does any Colorado get a HUD?

    Reply

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