We Render A Hypothetical 2023 Chevy Colorado SUV

Prospective buyers looking at a full-size, body-on-frame vehicle from Chevy have the choice of two two distinct body styles – pickup truck and SUV. But for those interested in a mid-sizer, the only body-on-frame option is the Chevy Colorado. Well, just for fun, GM Authority has remedied this issue and has rendered a Chevy Colorado SUV.

Basing this rendering on the Trail Boss trim level of the 2023 Chevy Colorado, from which a hypothetical Colorado SUV would logically be derived, we enclosed the Colorado’s box/bed. Doing so would likely result in a third-row seat configuration, as well as a decent amount of cargo space with all three rows upright. That larger cargo area would certainly grow even further when the third row is folded.

It’s worth noting that GM currently manufactures an SUV based on the same general architecture as the Chevy Colorado, known as the S10 in international markets. Sold primarily in South America, this mid-size, body-on-frame SUV is marketed as the Chevy TrailBlazer. Not to be confused with the body-on-frame TrailBlazer sold in the U.S. in the early to mid 2000s, this TrailBlazer SUV model was based on the first-generation Colorado.

Following this train of thought, what about a body-on-frame Trailblazer model derived from the 2023 Colorado? Well, we covered a third party rendering of that hypothetical vehicle last year. Drawing up a TrailBlazer, as opposed to a Colorado SUV seen here, results in the Trailblazer rendering getting smaller rear-doors and associated windows, along with a shorter rear overhang. This would likely result in less interior room, sacrificing a third row, cargo space, or both.

As for motivation, our Colorado SUV would likely feature the same powertrain as the upcoming 2023 Colorado. This includes a single engine option offered in three states of tuning, with power ranging from 237 horsepower up to 310 horsepower. As for transmission choice, our renderings would utilize the updated GM eight-speed automatic transmission.

Alas, we know of no plans for GM to bring a Colorado SUV to market. The closest thing would have been a midsize off-road SUV from GMC that GM was planning on bringing to market based on the same GMT 31XX-2 architecture as the 2023 GMC Canyon. Alas, GM Authority sources tell us that the automaker scrapped plans for such a vehicle, instead electing to focus on electric and autonomous vehicles and technologies.

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2023 Chevy Colorado Pickup Photos
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As a typical Florida Man, Trey is a certified GM nutjob who's obsessed with anything and everything Corvette-related.

Trey Hawkins

As a typical Florida Man, Trey is a certified GM nutjob who's obsessed with anything and everything Corvette-related.

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  • I have said they should have done this since the return of the 2nd gen. But nothing.

    At this point I just don’t see this coming unless they do it on the coming EV platform.

    I am tired of nothing but smaller FWD based CUV stuff.

    • They should make a Colorado SUV and call it maybe K5 Blazer or maybe Blazer Offroad to distinguuah it from the CUV Blazer. What is preventing them from doing this? It might stop the constant criticism of the CUV Blazer!

      • The only people complaining about the CUV Blazer are people here or those in so called truck magazines...where was the complaint of the Blazer when it was just a S10 with the added SUV look. Its was nothing like the original Blazer. Most people buying the current blazer knows nothing about the original. Just like the charger, most don't realize it use to be a 2 door. The current blazer is sharp and a nice vehicle.

        • The current is another meh who really cares about it. It's not good looking, it has average performance and is overpriced with a cheap interior. I don't care about it not being off-road because I see it as more of an ugly successor to the s-10 blazer.

        • Many at GM want a real off road vehicle not a pretend vehicle.

          Wranglers are a big market and there is still money there to be made.

        • Whether you are talking about the S-10 Blazer or the current Blazer. Neither were or are anything like the original in capability. I myself have never really cared for CUV’s, because they are more sedan, with a tall swoopy cabin , without much capability. The smallest ones being the worst , because of poor ride and only slightly more cargo room than the platforms there built from.

      • I would just call it K5 as Blazer is on too many things today.

        What is stopping them is we are in the last gen of this platform and most investment on new product is going to EV that is going to be required by law.

        Hard to approve Billions for a vehicle that may not be used more tha 5-6 years.

        Also it will hurt the companies CAFE average.

        You just can’t say this is a good idea. It has to make money and make more return on investment than other projects. It is a business case.

      • According to Brazilians, GM is developing a new generation for the Trailblazer SUV, which is currently only sold in Latin America, since the model was discontinued in Asia and Oceania with the departure of Chevrolet and Holden. Chevrolet doesn't want to lose market share to the Toyota SW4 and possibly the Ford Everest, which is being quoted to be produced in Argentina.

  • My S-10 Blaser was a 2 door with a second row bench seat.

    Rear hatchback window opened and tailgate opened with a spare tire rack attached.

    4x4 on the fly and 2 tone black and white exterior with 32" all terrain tires.

    It did the job in all seasons.

    I think a 4 door option would be nice.

    • Mine is a 1998 ZR2 Blazer with a 5 speed manual........I bought it new and had it Ziebart protected before I ever drove it........125,000 miles and many Minnesota winters and it still looks and runs great. It is now relegated to more of a collector status.....however it's been out playing in the snow a couple times this winter.

      I hear that VW is bringing back a retro Scout as they own the name under Navistar......had a number of them in the day.....would be hard to buy VW..........would probably be pretty competitive.......

  • I remember thinking the same thing when the brought back to Colorado/Canyon. I believe it was the Trailblazer built under the Holden brand (Australia) that gave some hope to the thought but, unfortunately it looks like that avenue is gone now too.

  • I think the Canyon and Colorado brand have lost their catchy name popularity. I know it's difficult to rename a brand but just like the blazer has brought new meaning to the Blazer name they can do the same with the midsize trucks. K5 would make a great addition with extra seats for the dogs and available in two or four wheel drive. It would also make the small bed look less silly. There really would be no competitor at the moment. Take that back just saw an Toyota sr5 go by. Well that idea is dead.

  • In Brazil, they say that Chevrolet is developing a new generation for the Trailblazer, an SUV derived from the S10/Colorado. According to the media, the sum of US$1 billion will be used for the production of the new generation of pickup and SUV.

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