General Motors debuted the 2023 Chevy Colorado last year, unveiling the pickup’s latest third generation, complete with new styling, an overhauled interior, and a new powertrain as well. While the third-gen Colorado isn’t exactly the first choice among performance enthusiasts, some owners will undoubtedly be curious about the pickup’s top speed. Well, as it turns out, the 2023 Chevy Colorado is limited to less than 100 mph.
Interestingly, anyone bold enough to attempt to max out the 2023 Chevy Colorado will encounter a notification on the infotainment system that says “Speed Limited to 98 MPH”. That’s certainly not slow, but regardless, it makes one wonder what the top speed is without the limiter.
The reason behind this relatively low speed limiter is unclear, but it likely has to do with the vehicle’s vehicle’s handling capabilities. Throw in a set of all-terrain tires and a tall stance, and keeping the Colorado’s top speed below 100 mph is a wise decision from a safety standpoint. The same could arguably be said of most high-riding utility vehicles and pickup trucks.
For reference, all 2023 Chevy Colorado pickups are equipped as standard with the Hydra-Matic 8L80 Gen II eight-speed automatic transmission with a 3.42 final drive ratio.
Further specs include a trio of engine options, starting with the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L2R gasoline engine, rated at 237 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, followed by the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B Turbo Plus gasoline engine, rated at 310 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. The top-rated engine is the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B Turbo High-Output engine, rated at 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. As a reminder, the 2024 Chevy Colorado drops the mid-range Turbo Plus 2.7L I4 L3B engine configuration.
The question, then becomes this – does it even matter that the 2023 Chevy Colorado is limited to less than 100 mph? Let us know by voting in the poll below, and remember to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Colorado news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Realistically, why is any consumer people mover not limited to say 90 or 95. Texas has what, 85mph on very specific stretches of highway. Other wise there is no need other than to intentionally drive well above legal posted limits. Aka dickbag.
Own a sports car or similar, Track mode should unlock the speed limiter and disclaimer for the driver to know full well it is for track use.
If anyone can reply with a logical reason to say otherwise I’m curious. Every down vote should come with a reply or it means nothing
Seems like the nations highway system is just one giant race track ! Im a sensible driver and i obey all the rules of the road ! To me 60 mph or a mile a minute suits me just fine ! i pay lower insurance rates for being safe and save 100’s $ on fuel ! but thats just me !
I’ll answer. There are highways out west where the speed limit is “reasonable and prudent, trucks 90, all cars at night 90” so there are highways where 100mph is needed, and frankly safer as theybare on long stretches where your biggest danger is driving fatigue and falling asleep in the vast nothingness of the great american west.
Lifted and off road tires to me isn’t an excuse. Today’s cars have vastly superior driving dynamics and handle 100mph better than a nova II did 55mph.
If you drive “out west “ you must be aware of what’s called open range for ALL animals. I’d like to see anyone avoid an elk while driving their lifted truck at 100mph. Not to worry the Sheriff will call your wife.
With GPS being so accurate today..GPS could automatically disable speeding above 20mph
Only idiots would drive 100 mph on public roads where others are driving.
I own some hi performance cars, I wouldn’t dare put others at risk on public roads. There are tracks that people could take there cars to and enjoy the speed and endurance with out putting other families at risk.
Anybody out there driving there truck 99 mph is a fool and should not have a driver license.
Indeed
As you requested, here’s one reason I “down voted” your post: “I paid for the whole speedometer, so I’m using all of it”.
Obviously it is to keep buffeting wind at high speeds from denting the roof. 😉
Speed limiter? Ultimate nanny state. So am i now a company driver for gm and how much do they pay per mile?
“Automotive journalist” doesn’t know that the tires are the reason for the 98-mph speed limit
Driveshafts often go before tires do in trucks. The longer the shaft, the lower the critical speed. Plenty of dyno tuning videos with failed driveshafts to demonstrate that.
The actual physical speed capabilities vary by vehicle spec, but 98 is a conservative number to keep that from happening across all models. The primary reason is likely more for liability of the mfg. The US is an overly litigous place to do business.
The Silverado is also limited to a top speed of 98 mph with High Output Turbo 4 banger.
Depends on the wheel/tire package installed. My 2022 2.7 HO has the 265/65R18 T speed rated AT tires on it and it stops at 106mph factory cut.
I just bought a brand new 2025 GMC Canyon AT4 with “T” rated tires from the factory. The truck limits out at 98 mph. The info about the tires is often listed and parroted on the internet, but it is plain wrong. GMC may have other reasons, but it is not because of the stock tires.
I know GM vehicles have been governed at 98 or 99 MPH since before I bought my 2000 S10 and even our used 2006 Pontiac G6. But I live in Canada, so limiting them to 99MPH, or about 160KPH puts us at about 50KPH over our highest speed limit, which you get charged for street racing and/or stunt driving.
That’s why Canada sucks.
Alberta and Saskatchewan are invited to apply for statehood
My 2008 Silverado is also limited to 98MPH, but that limit is removed if the hazard lights are turned on. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the case here as well.
I’m going to try that now!
My 2000 Silverado is speed limited to 98, because of the speed rating of the tires that were stock on the truck. That’s the reason for then and now.
There is a easy (but expensive) way around this, buy a two wheel drive Colorado drop it to a proper ride hight for handling with the appropriate tires, drop an LS (from a Camaro or Corvette) with the right drivetrain an you are good to go. No speed limiter and a top speed faster than 100 mph.
Now would I do this? No, I am not that insane.
So buy a $50k truck and have $50k upgrades done to it- gotcha!( just a LS drop in motor-$19k)
Any vehicle produced in this country should have suspension and safety features in line with it’s respective power output. I do not want a muzzle on any truck I pay $50,000 for.
My 2020 Trail Boss is limited to 98 MPH, and per Goodyear the Duramax tires have a speed rating of <=99 MPH.
So when will we see the 24 Colorados??
When will we see the 2023 model?!! I ordered one in March 2023 with all the options I wanted – and it was NEVER DELIVERED!!! Had to find a a basic, stripped-down model at a dealership 150 mi away!!😡
I had a customer once, he was furious because his cargo van was limited to 100 mph. (I think, it’s been a while) I said really, what’s the problem. He said, I do a lot of jobs out of town and I’m paying people by the hour. I want to get there as fast as I can. Totally nuts!
What is the speed rating of the tires? Cars and trucks are not allowed to go faster than the tire rating.
I say keep it ! I don’t want this truck which isn’t capable to go over 100 , I’m my opinion I want a v8 in one
It is ARTIFICIALLY LIMITED to 98 mph, just like most other trucks these days, and for many years now.
Just another way the government uses to control us. I am sick of being told what’s good for me and what isn’t. If I can’t make my own good decisions maybe I should have a talk with my parents and see if they raised me to be independent or to be a sheep. I know it’s probably dangerous to drive a Canyon in excess of 100 mph but if I’m nuts enough to drive that fast, who has the right to tell me it’s wrong? I don’t want the government telling me what my limit is. That’s like telling me that the COVID shots work.
So if the tires fail is your family going to sue GM for building it that way(probably) or if you take out 2 family of 4 when the tires fail at 110 are they coming after you or GM? BTW Ford Dodge,Toyota, Nissan all also limit speeds
My company car is a Ford Fusion all wheel drive turbo (2016) that is not limited. Frankly, I don’t know how fast it will go.
It is not a truck
You are correct sir. Critical driveshaft speed is one factor.
My guess is 140 MPH top speed with the L3B with no limitation.
could it be because of the speed rating of the tires . i have been told when buying new tires they will not sell me ones with lower speed rating than OEM tires ??
My 2022 LTZ 6.2 will go 112 My 2018 was 98
My ’19 Sierra with the 5.3L (L84) and 20-inch wheels is also limited somewhere above 100. Have no idea what the actual limit is, as I’ve never hit it. Got it to 106 on a desolate patch of road one time before I had to slow for approaching traffic.
My 21 2500hd Duramax also quit accelerating at 98. Not good when trying to pass on two lane road.
Every Colorado I’ve owned is limited to 98 mph.
Good this way! It’s a truck and you have to drive slowly because there are no active or passive safety systems on the vehicle. The huge tires are so soft that the SUV drives unstable. Some people think the trucks are cars, but they are heavy trucks, often weighing over 6,000 pounds, that kill cars and especially people and animals.
WE think 50 mile top speed for all vehicles over 5500 pounds should become a federal law!!!
In Europe, all vehicles over 5,500 pounds are legally only allowed to drive 50 miles. Anyone who drives faster will have their driving license taken away!
So why do 80,000 pound trucks in the US race up to 90 miles in some states?
This is life-threatening for EVERYONE!
I won’t ever need to drive 100 mph, but I did notice the governor… All I wanted was the Colorado I ordered in March 2023 – but it was never delivered. I had to go all over NW Texas to find even ONE! Wasn’t the color I ordered, and didn’t have HALF the options I ordered! Very disappointed, as I have bought Chevrolets for 57 years. And now with the current strike, I don’t suppose it will EVER come. You would do well to hold off marketing your product until you can deliver it! ðŸ˜
This is not a new feature, GM has been doing this for at least 25 years.
This is a non story since this has been the throttle limit since 2015 model year. If the writer knew anything about the Colorado/Canyon truck lines he would know that this is exactly what all the 2nd Gen truck are limited to as well. Only difference is now there is big announcement on the display when you try and exceed the limit on Gen 3 models where with gen 2 models you were just limited with no indicator to tell you you were being limited. The off road versions of these trucks (AT4X/ZR2) come equipped with M/T tires that are speed rated up to only100mph in most cases. GM’s legal dept will never allow the limiter to be higher than the potential lowest speed rating of any tire likely to be factory equipped.
My 2011 6.2 Silverado with a tune and z-rated tires runs way above 100 mph. I’ve only tried it a few times but it’s there if I want it. 80-85 mph on open road is a comfortable speed for me. A little common sense will dictate when and where to use the extra speed
Tires are a factor for sure. My 2022 2.7 HO will do 106mph. Has 265/65R18 114T so T speed rating = 118mph. My 2018 5.3 that came with Duratracs from the factory stopped at 112mph. 265/65R18 and had a speed rating of T as well.
19′ Silverado 2500HD w/DMAX, limited to 100MPH, which is a result of the size of the vehicle and limitation of the tires.
My 2019 Silverado tops out at 112 mph. Personally I would prefer no governors on any vehicle. Some people are wired for speed, just like others are wired to drive slooooowwww.
My 2020 Colorado is limited to 93MPH it has the 2.5I 4 with 6 speed transmission and 4:10 final gears
My 2021 5.3 trailboss is limited to 98 mph, shame !
Just get a tune if you want to turn off thr limiter.
Not only is the 100 mph limited is unsatisfactory when you purchase a new truck it is insulting. Also advertised that the rear seated fold completely not true I purchased the new Colorado thinking t hi e Visio was correct pp design I would sell back to dealership knowing the seats only flowed ha I’llf way
I don’t mind being governed to 100 mph but it seems like it should be recognized by the insurance industry as a huge discount on my premiums. The premiums on my 2023 Canyon are through the roof and I haven’t had a ticket or claim in over 15 years and I am 65 years young.
Agreed on the lowering of insurance rates… They;re a bit crazy on these pickups.