Production of the 2023 Chevy Colorado and 2023 GMC Canyon pickup trucks began on January 24th, 2023 at the GM Wentzville plant in Missouri, marking the start of regular production (SORP) for the third generation of the mid-size pickup trucks.
GM held a ceremony at the plant that was attented by a small crowd of factory workers. A 2023 Chevy Colorado in range-topping Z71 trim, wearing Glacier Blue Metallic paint, was the first unit to roll off the line. It was followed by a GMC Canyon Denali in Summit White, with the third vehicle off the line being another Colorado Z71 in Sterling Gray Metallic.
GM Authority provided exclusive intelligence in mid-July 2022 that production of the 2023 GMC Canyon would begin on January 25th, 2023. We also predicted a January 25th date for start of 2023 Chevy Colorado production, with the exception of the ZR2 trim. In both cases, GM Authority‘s intel was within one day of the actual SORP despite being made six months before the first truck was produced.
Four trims of the 2023 Chevy Colorado are available at launch, including the base level Work Truck (WT), LT, Trail Boss, and Z71. GM Authority previously reported on the breakdown of the initial sales mix at launch as follows:
- 20 percent will consist of the Work Truck (WT)
- 32 percent will consist of the LT
- 25 percent will consist of the Trail Boss
- 23 percent will consist of the Z71
The 2023 Chevy Colorado ZR2 starts production in April of this year, several months after the start of regular production for the other trims. As a reminder, the ZR2 is the Chevy Colorado’s extreme off-road variant, first launched for the second generation of the nameplate in the 2017 model year. The 2023 Chevy Colorado ZR2 is completely redesigned and re-engineered for the third generation.
A fanfare of horns and statements by several leading personnel from the Wentzville assembly plant accompanied the rollout of the first trio of third-generation Colorado and Canyon trucks on January 24th. The plant’s executive director, Lamar Rucker, noted production started on schedule despite the pandemic, the microchip shortage, and ongoing supply chain issues.
As a refresher, the third-generation overhaul of 2023 Chevy Colorado leaves the truck with the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine as the only powertrain offered. The boosted four, which replaces three different engines offered for the 2022 model year, is offered in three distinct levels of tune. The base-level tune is the 2.7L Turbo, which gets its own unique RPO code (L2R). Output is rated at 237 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 1,200 rpm. Then there’s the mid-range 2.7L Turbo Plus, which is tagged with RPO code L3B and is rated at 310 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 391 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm. Finally, the range-topping tune is the 2.7L Turbo High-Output, which is also tagged with RPO code L3B and produces 310 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 430 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm.
The same is true for the GMC Canyon, but its L3B tune is rated exclusively at the higher-output level of 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. For both models, a second-gen GM 8-speed automatic transmission is the only transmission offered. The new Colorado and Canyon both ride on the 31XX-2 platform, an upgraded version of the GM 31XX platform used by the second generation of the trucks.
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Comments
On the model breakdown, I wonder how many Colorados they will make versus the Canyon.
I wonder as well, the Canyon’s price is a bit higher than the Colorado and it is geared more towards that “luxury” rather than affordability. Hopefully production moves quickly and we can start to see them on the road.
Still no 2023’s colorados on dealer lots what a joke being played by GM. Maybe in 2024 the 2023’s colorado will show up. Thank you Government motors.
You are mistaken Rick, They have been coming in, I have seen them…all of them seem to come in sold when they hit the ground, so not spending time on dealer lots. You can notice if you track one in transit on Chevrolet web site…as soon as “in transit” is no longer by truck, one day later the truck is no longer on site. Mine is not here yet, however I have even seen some driving around. And the dealer I bought mine from has delivered some.
In the past GMC normally runs about 1/3 of the Colorado but they are much more profitable.
The GMC models often are the first to get many features or are the only ones to get some features.
The Colorado that is the highest volume is the LT by a wide margin then the Z71.
Crew cabs were about 85% plus of those sold most years if I read it correctly.
GM is tight on the saturation numbers so it is hard to get break downs on all details.
The Build it Configurator finally went live in Canada for Chevrolet and GMC. Anyone got any ideas why the ZR2(Non Desert Boss) loaded is $5000 Can cheaper than an AT4X(No Edition 1 or Sports Bar Package)?
All I can see that is different is a powered passenger seat on the AT4X.
Now it looks like the four-wheel-drive restraint is in effect, so it looks like that won’t be lifted until the beginning of March. Yikes. One thing I’m truly sad about is the rear slider window is not even power I mean how the heck do you open the damn thing you have to open up the back door my goodness that kind of money seems crazy. I’ve got an allocation. I’m just waiting for GM to accept it. I’ll keep you posted. I currently on a 2010 GMC canyon extended cab I sure hope it is reliable. I’ve had it from day one and it’s got 150,000 miles never had an issue it’s been a great vehicle it’s been a great vehicle.
Awesome! Love the new refreshed design! I just ordered a new Colorado Trail Boss in Glacier Blue Metallic. Hoping to receive it in about 2 months.
Great seeing the new models being rolled out from the factory!
I just ordered the Canyon Denali a week ago. It took me 8 months to get a 2023 Camaro due to constraints and limited allocations. I would think that the new trucks would be a bit higher on GM’s priority list since they should be a money maker compared to the Camaro, and the 6th gen reaching it’s end-of-life.
Bill
I ordered a 2wd Elevation with the convenience pkg, preferred pkg, trailering pkg, assist step. sprayed bed liner at an out the door price of 39.4K, that’s with GMS pricing. It was ordered on 3/18/2023. I hope it gets to Texas in under 2 months because I already sold my 2019 GMC, Sierra Elevation to Car Max for 35k and after paying off GMAC loan I have 13k to put down on the new truck.
I have a Z71 Colorado on order with at TPW (Target production week) of 03/06/23. I expect to get it 2-3 weeks after that.
Congratulations! That is awesome, when did you order it? I just ordered mine yesterday, how did you find out your TPW?
I had already secured my spot with my dealership via deposit. I have a decent working relationship with them. So my order went in the day the configurator went live on December 15th I believe. My sales guy updates me every friday on the status number. So that’s how to figure it out! It’s moving much faster than my 22′ Camaro 2SS 1LE did….
Similar taste in cars – My 2023 Camaro 2SS 1LE was delivered 12/05 and order 4/29
Bill
My camaro was ordered like Jan. 5th, 2022. Received it like May 20th.
Really nice trucks GM. Hopefully the 8-speed automatic transmission is not troublesome.
I got an allocation a couple of months back. A Canyon Denali. I hope its making is in the mix here. I wonder how long it takes to produce one start to finish and how many they have ordered vs how many they can make in a month.
Haven.t recieved my 22 colorado yet.
Wow. Is it in production? Are they still manufacturing those?
Shipping delays. We just received our last 2022 just today. It has been stuck at the factory for months waiting for room on a train.
I’m going to pass on having to carry an extra set of useless doors, leather interior and sunroof to option a ZR2 package. It’s a shame all modem pick ups are being turned into 4 door barges that are damn near useless to take off roading. Such a joke! I’m happy with my $38K 2020 ZR2 and looks like it’s the last new Chevy for me when talking trucks.
Dude just go with the trail boss then. That thing is bare bones. Even comes with a crappy urethane steering wheel for crying out loud! You won’t get heated seats or a Bose stereo either. You get your bare bones work truck/base model interior with your off road exterior.
Sounds like you’re not the target market. As a GMC dealer I can tell you that anything other than crew cab is HARD to sell. If you feel your only option is to be mad then be mad at consumer demand, not GM’s good sense to respond to it by providing what the vast majority of customers demand.
When will the 2023 Colorado’s be on dealer lots in Michigan? A lady ran a light and totaled my car. I would like to lease or purchase a 2023 Colorado but have 1week to find a vehicle. 😕
I expect most or all dealers will be like us, with waiting custom orders consuming all allocation for a while. I’ll be surprised if you see any inventory orders within a month or three. As of this moment I can’t do a search on these yet as it hasn’t been added to the list of vehicles in GM’s inventory search tool yet. Otherwise I would be able to actually see if there are any TRE (inventory orders) among the many SRE (sold custom orders) on the list, at least in my intermountain west area to have a better idea if my assumption is correct.
I believe they killed off the site to able to track orders. If you find it let me know.
Still no 2023’s colorados on dealer lots what a joke being played by GM. Maybe in 2024 the 2023’s colorado will show up. Thank you Government motors.
if they were not all 4 door models, I would consider this. Not everyone needs 4 big doors. Trucks have become the new age minivan.
I agree, should offer both 4 door crew cab short cab and standard cab long bed. Extended cabs are useless.
I have a 2018 Colorado LT Diesel. It has been extremely impressive vehicle.
But I sure would love to have a new 2023
They did such a great job with the sheet metal design. Bold and Beautiful.
I believe it’s going to be hard to keep these on the lots.
Great looking truck GM.
I used to drive by this plant on my way to work. Worked just around the corner. That is a big plant
When I ordered my 2023 Colorado Z71 I added the Turbo High Output Calibration package that increases the torque from 391 to 430 lb ft. What do they do to the engine to gain the extra 39 lb ft of torque?
Its just a tune. So they let the turbo push more boost. You could easily do it aftermarket if the tuning was unlocked. Not sure if they’ve unlocked the L3B yet.
I ordered a 2023 Colorado Trailboss early January 2023 in Sterling Gray Metallic. I hope I can get it in about a month from now….
When will orders open for the ZR2?
My dealer is saying the ZR2 may end being a 2024 model. They said ZR2s may be open for orders in the next couple months.
I ordered a new Colorado and received it in June of 2022 . The truck was delivered to me and when l looked it over I saw that the grill was damaged . The dealership ordered replacement parts and the truck was repaired a month later . Then sometime in September and we had a time change in Ohio l noticed that when you put the truck in reverse in a dark area like the end of my driveway and took my foot off the brake the camera went off and you could not see to back up . During the day and night in lighted area the camera works fine . I took the truck to the dealership on October tenth for repairs and now in February going on a fifth month the dealership with the help of GM technicians can not find out what the problem is . I have requested a new truck if they can not fix the problem . I don’t think I should be paying for a truck that has a potentially dangerous problem when trying to back up in a dark area . Hopefully someone at GM will read this email and try and get my problem solved . As of now only the dealership has tried to help . Nobody at GM Motors seems to care about the issue .
I bought brand new 2016 colorado, really liked it, traded it for brand new 2018 SLT Canyon…also love this truck and now have a 2023 Z71 colorado coming……I am hugely disappointed In one fact..
I just found out that the rear seat does not fold down in the new Canyon’s or Colorado’s …I’m a home builder and that where I keep my plans and files on the nice flat surface you have when back seat is folded flat……why in the world would they take away that feature? That was one of the reasons I picked Canyon over the Ranger…Rangers seat did fold down just not flat to use for any type of cargo. I am actually debating canceling order over losing this feature.
For me all of the positives out weigh the few negatives. Can you put the plans in the tailgate compartment?
Bill
Unfortunately 12 or so home plans won’t fit in tailgate also my file box. My back seat in both my Canyon and Colorado have never been not folded down…also one of my colleagues has a dog and his seat is also always folded (he is the one whom first told me he heard that no more fold down seat. I do understand if that didn’t make it standard however I would of been willing to pay a lot as an added option.
Paul,
My guess is that the aftermarket will be able to solve this problem. If the aftermarket doesn’t solve it, there are a ton of rear-seat delete solutions for vehicles, and I believe you could even do this yourself if you don’t need the rears. Obviously, this isn’t as good as a factory option, but just a thought.
I want it too!
I’m going to proceed and get the truck regardless ….it’s built Hendrick Chevrolet said they expect delivered in less then three weeks. I also went and looked at the new Toyota today and it doesn’t fold flat either.
The Ford Ranger is so far behind that my first 2016 Colorado I feel was more updated then the 2023 Ranger, Jeep version is just plain ugly to so me so I didn’t even go look at the Jeep. Never even
considered Nissan’s version.
So after all the Z71 Colorado wins out.
If the GMC or Toyota back seat folded flat I would of switch to either one of them.
I guess GM has also been looking at the competition.
My Colorado Z71 is built. I ordered it Jan.25 its sitting waiting for transport to dealer. Was held up due to EPA gas mileage rating. Hopefully it finds a truck soon. Hope it’s as good looking on the ground! as it looked in videos.
I hope they have a EV coming. That is what I will buy. That compliment my bolt electric. No gas that is what I want! Jim C.