The 2023 Chevy Colorado got its big debut last July, with GM unveiling a brand-new third-generation for the pickup. Among the updates and changes was brand-new exterior styling that differs significantly from the Chevy Silverado 1500 and Chevy Silverado HD. Now, according to 2023 Chevy Colorado designer Sam Zhao, this stylistic differentiation was very much a conscious decision on the part of GM.
In a recent interview with GM Authority Executive Editor Alex Luft, Zhao said that the design distinction between the 2023 Chevy Colorado and the rest of Chevy’s pickup lineup was intentional.
“We didn’t want to do a Russian nesting doll truck [of the Silverado],” Zhao told GM Authority. “We wanted [the 2023 Colorado] to have a unique design that stands out within the lineup.”
2023 Chevy Colorado
Chevy Silverado 1500
Looking at the 2023 Chevy Colorado side-by-side with the Chevy Silverado 1500, there are indeed very clear styling differences to point out. For example, the front fascia on the new Colorado incorporates larger, wider headlamps, as compared to the slightly stubbier headlamps on the Silverado. The Silverado’s fascia also incorporates C-shaped lighting signatures higher in the trim level range, a design elements that’s simply nowhere to be seen on the 2023 Chevy Colorado.
The grille treatment also stands out as a major point of departure, with the 2023 Colorado incorporating a narrower, smaller grille, and the Chevy Silverado incorporating a wider, larger grille. Moving over to the profile, we also see boxier fenders on the Colorado, versus more-rounded fenders on the Silverado.
2023 Chevy Colorado
Chevy Silverado 1500
Interestingly, there are a few similarities to be drawn between the two Check pickups with regard to the taillight treatment, with both models running vertically oriented units with a pinched, hourglass design.
Beyond the styling, the 2023 Chevy Colorado features the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine for motivation, available in three states of tune depending on the trim level selected. Under the body panels, the new Colorado rides on the updated 31XX-2 platform, while 2023 Chevy Colorado production got underway at the GM Wentzville plant in Missouri late last month.
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Comments
Nice looking trucks. Hope GM has the 8 speed transmission fixed.
Now only if the factory would start picking up orders, it has been six weeks since I placed and no response yet from GM.
Last I heard they are waiting for some kind of chip before they can even be shipped but they are building them
It’s a big mistake to discontinue the V6 engine….. GM should rethink this.
Why? This 2.7 has more HP and tons more torque and will easily out perform it while getting mpg. They did their homework and by far went with the best choice. It would have been a mistake to keep that NA 3.6 V6 going in these trucks.
I will bet you money the 2.7 will not get better real world fuel economy than the 3.6. The MPG ratings for the Silverado with the 2.7 are middling at best.
Had 3 23 Silverados during a 14 week wait for parts. 2 2.7’s 1 5.3. 2.7 driving 60% 65, 30% 45/55 and 10% 25/35. Freezing to 50* 24 mpg , single digits to freezing 22 mpg’s. 5.3 20’s rarely touching 21mpg.
Same drive with 16 Z71 Duramax 4×4 real cold 28/29, cold 30/31, cool 32/34.
GM definitely should’ve kept V6 & extended cab with long bed. Some people don’t want a crew cab.
As far as the powertrain choices go, why are they offering a 2.7 as the base with the SAME specs as the existing 2.0 liter used throughout GM? Also, why aren’t they offering the 10 speed transmission, at least with the more powerful engines? The 2.0 is offered with the 8-speed in the Cadillac CT4, and the 10-speed in the CT5 with the 2.0, as well as the CT4 and the CT4-V with the 2.7. The 10-speed is widely acknowledged as a much better transmission overall. There are probably reasons we are not privy to, but on the surface seems like some poor choices. If one gets a Denali with the most powerful engine, one would expect better overall performance and refinement for the extra cash compared to a work truck!
Hope Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon did something with the seats. I have a 2020 Colorado seat are very bad. I order a 2023 Canyon. When it come in if seats don’t sit good will not take it.
I would really like to see a Colorado on SUV
To compete with Jeep and Land Rover! I know I would get one I really like my 2006 Trailblazer
I was considering one of these for a daily driver, but after reading the reviews of the 8 speed trans I will pass. Nice looking truck, GM just hates its truck buyer’s. I swear they have an agreement with ford not to outsell them. They have all the hardware, 10 spd,axle ratios, cab and bed configurations, and colors but they won’t let us build the truck we want!
The new Colorado’s look like the newer Toyota 4-runners with all the boxy straight line fenders and styling, Toyota mad face (on ZR2), etc. I guess if you can’t beat them, GM decided to join them. I’m not a fan of the new boxy Toyota design.
GM obviously realized how ugly the Silverado was becoming, and chose not to duplicate it in a slightly smaller version.
Great looking trucks!
Really hope they use the Colorado design for the Silverado. The Silverado is so ugly.