The third-generation Chevy Colorado – which launched for the 2023 model year – graced the Bow Tie’s midsize truck with a long list of improvements over the last-gen model. The new Colorado is – in two words – very good, having become substantially more modern, quite comfy on the road, and more capable off the beaten path… but there’s still room for improvement. Here’s GM Authority’s wish list of things we’d like to see changed and improved on the midsize pickup truck.
1. Power Sliding Rear Window
Regardless of trim level, the Colorado does not offer a power-sliding rear window. This would be just fine on a base model like a WT/Work Truck, Trail Boss, or a base LT, but higher-end LTs, along with the Z71 and ZR2 ought to equip a power sliding window in the name of convenience.
In fact, I was driving a Colorado Trail Boss with the rear window open when, all of a sudden, it started to rain. I needed to pull over and exit the truck to close it. A power slider is necessary and, based on what I’ve observed in the wild, the most requested convenience feature among existing owners.
2. Quality Updates
This one almost needs no explanation. After all, going through a car wash should result in a dented roof (for models without a sunroof), and the dealer-installed reinforcement plates haven’t eliminated this issue for everyone. Similarly, opening the truck’s hood shouldn’t annihilate the cowl trim, though GM appears to have resolved this with a new set of cowl ends. I’ve also heard of cases when moisture and/or water have entered the StowFlex tailgate – which is supposed to be water proof. All of these issues need to be addressed at the design and engineering levels, prior to assembly.
3. New Interior Colors
With the exception of the ZR2, all Colorado trims are only available with Jet Black as the primary interior color, along with either Adrenaline Red accents on the Z71 or Artemis accents on ZR2 (see the 2024 Colorado interior colors). I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve heard from folks – most of whom ended up NOT buying the Colorado for this reason – that they wished a different primary interior color that’s not black was on offer. A gray would be a welcome addition to LT, while a red colorway would do well on Z71 and ZR2. At least the range-topping Colorado ZR2 will finally ditch the Cloth/Evotex (leatherette) combination and get leather exclusively for the 2025 model year. That’s a step in the right direction, but there’s more work to be done.
With the exception of the ZR2, you can have any color interior on the Colorado, just as long as it’s black
4. Up-Level Trail Boss Trim Level
As it stands currently, the Colorado Trail Boss is a Work Truck with a lift, a wider stance, and the G80 automatic rear locker. As we showed you last year, the Work Truck roots give the TB a plastic-fantastic interior (particularly felt on the hard “knee pads” and other interior bits) and low-end features such as halogen headlights (as opposed to LEDs). Truth be told, this is all fine, but we think Chevy is missing an opportunity that involves offering a more premium version of the Trail Boss trim with better interior materials, vented front seats, and LED headlights, to name a few. In fact, we’d love to see a second Trail Boss trim join the lineup, and replace the Z71 trim level outright.
5. RST And High Country Trims
GM ought to offer the Chevy Colorado RST (Rally Sport Truck), either as a trim or a package. Heck, every other (non-HD) body-on-frame Chevy product – from the Silverado 1500 to the Tahoe and Suburban – offers an RST, and even the last-gen Colorado was offered with an RST pack. We’d love to see it based on the LT but positioned as an on-road /street appearance pack with large black wheels, body-color fenders, and a monochromatic look. An optional cat-back exhaust from Chevy Performance would really seal the deal. We rendered how we imagine it could look last year.
GM Authority’s rendering of a Colorado RST
On other other end of the spectrum, we’d also love to see a more luxurious Colorado trim. Call it Premier or High Country, give it a healthy dose of brightwork on the exterior (along with some large, shiny wheels), along with brown leather on the inside with some authentic wood or aluminum trimmings. A silky smooth Adaptive Ride Control suspension and some nice tech options like Super Cruise and the Rear Camera Mirror would round out the package nicely. As you may have already seen, we also rendered a Colorado High Country.
GM Authority’s rendering of a Colorado High Country
What Didn’t Make The List
- Long bed: though the current Colorado is offered exclusively in the Crew Cab, Short Box configuration, it’s undeniable that there is demand for a Colorado with a longer bed. But apparently, GM doesn’t see enough demand in such a model, or not enough demand to make a business case for it. “Over the last five years, both for fleets and retail buyers, we’ve been seeing a shift towards more crew cabs and more short boxes,” Chevrolet Truck marketing director, Mike MacPhee, told me in an interview last year.
- Engine: the turbo 2.7L L3B inline four is no atmospheric 3.6L V6 and it’s also no 2.8L LWN turbodiesel Duramax, both of which were offered on the last-gen Colorado. However, the L3B – in its most powerful high output TurboMax guise – is the best of both worlds, offering power on par with the former (310 horses) and more torque (430 pound-feet) than the latter. Indeed, the L3B is like the LWN diesel, only with more power and a bit more refinement. The fact that the less powerful iterations of this engine are gone for the 2025 Colorado is even better, since that leaves the most potent TurboMax version as the only engine.
- Transmission: though the new 8-speed auto does feel better than the first-gens used in the last Colorados, I have seen some complaints from owners, meaning that the jury is still out on the second-gen eight-speed automatic transmission.
- Design: from a design standpoint, the 2023 and newer Colorados look awesome, particularly in the tall and wide configurations (like Trail Boss and ZR2).
- Ride and handling: this is another area that the new Colorado takes the crown, delivering very capable and comfortable ride and handling qualities.
- NVH: noise, vibration, and harshness is another area where the 2023 and newer Colorados excel. Wind and road noises are kept to a minimum, as are any vibrations. The truck simply feels solid, something that can be equally appreciated on road, as well as off.
- Tech: the tech in the 2023 and newer Colorado is very good, offering a nice 11.3-inch diagonal LCD display with modern software to drive the infotainment system. The screens have been pretty reliable, but some have reported them going blank now and then.
Making these changes and updates would make the Chevy Colorado a substantially more competitive product that would enable it to further chip away at the sales dominance of the Toyota Tacoma, something it’s already doing. Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments below.
Comments
I would love to see a flat floor when you fold up the rear seat.
Agreed, I’d love to be able to fold down the seat back as well as lift up the seat cushion.
I have a Canyon AT4X, but I can agree with the need for a power slide rear window. For quality I have dirt in the paint on most all of the body panels. My biggest request for improvement though would be a bed that is able to fit standard construction materials of 48″ x 96″. Bed is only 45″ wide between wheelwells. Didn’t know this until I was standing at Home Depot with a cart full of drywall that didn’t fit.
That’s where the middle position for the tailgate comes in- plywood can be hauled with it resting on the partially lifted tailgate. Not ideal, but 4×8 sheets can at least be hauled with these smaller trucks.
Adaptive cruise is as intelligent as fuel save shutoff. All saftey features need to be able to turn off. I dont care to cruise Adaptively behind folks. My driving is not a team sportits and individual responsibility.
Adaptive cruise can be turned off. With cruise control on, hold the cancel button for about 5 seconds and it’ll revert to regular cruise.
Wholeheartedly agree with the need for more interior color options! My second gripe(or should I say, first also) is the lack of paddle shifters! Third, DEFINITELY add a digital rear view mirror. Can’t see enough past bed mounted tire in the Bison…
I came very close to going for a Tacoma because of the black interior-only choice. Only the 10% discount at the very end of 23’ put me in my Colorado. I don’t regret my choice, but that black interior in the South in the summertime is unbearable!
Why can’t they build an extended cab long bed, to me it makes no sense at all that it was discontinued. Folks that want an extended flock to Tacoma. I have a 2019 ZR2 extended cab long bed that I will probably never part with…..
The Tacoma is overpriced and has quite severe issues at the moment…true loyalists can go to a 2nd gen with the 1GR-FE…again which also has its problems.
I totally agree with the power rear window A manual window is useless. I have a 2023 GMC Denali and there’s nowhere to put anything. The storage in the cabin is at a minimum. The phone charger takes up all the storage area and it doesn’t even work I’m really not sure when you have a Denali it does not come with a Homelink option and you have to hang your garage door opener off your visor, is pretty tacky.
I own a 2024 Colorado ZR2. Power rear slider would be nice, a color choice for the interior for the ZR2. Let’s say black leather with red stitching . If you want to make the midsize truck truck market take notice drop the 5.3 V8 in the ZR2 and get rid of the 2.7 4 banger then you will even get better gas mileage and have the only midsize with a V8 option.
For sure, even the V6 turbo from the AT4-V Blackwing would be nice. I don’t get the ZR2 having the same engine as the rest of the Colorado lineup. Doesn’t make the trim level special enough to warrant paying $54k or more on a ZR2.
How about a SWB Reg cab? In the highest trim levels? Know,Iknow, I’ll get all kinds of krap for asking for it. Also how about small V8? At least give buyers the ability to order what they want, NOT what GM says we want. I want a SWB, Reg Cab 4×4 w/a V8!!!!
Longer bed option would be first on my list. Followed by an actual headlight switch. Third would be better tuned transmission. I’ve seen a lot of complaints about that. Not least that it is slower shifting and just slower in general then a lot of the competition even though it has more power.
I think they should figure out a more powerful engine to compete with the Ranger 3.0v6
The Colorado needs a box at least 72”or what’s the use of having a truck at all . A truck is meant to haul things in so give it some room to do the job.
1) Find a way to put the 3.0 Duramax diesel in the Colorado. Anyway it can be done, do it.
This would make this truck kill the competition.
2) 10 speed trans.
3) Long bed extended cab. It’s truck! It needs to be a full function truck. I have a 20`18 ZR2 Diesel extra cab long bed. I was ready to by the new gen when it was announced but haven’t because the LB EC was discontinued.
4) Full rear cab window controlled roll down. That little slider is a joke.
I agree with Harlee. Why not the L84 V/8? Since GM won’t engineer my request in the 2025 Colorado. It would be nice to have the regular cab standard box 1500 with the V/8. Why do I need to buy a Ford in order to build the truck I want? Oh, that’s why, Mary is going all electric.
If you want Ford’s QC issues…be my guest. They are NOT any better.
Offer the 5.3L on the zr2 with E85 capabilty pushing HP close to 400, and offer a new RST model with same 5.3L engine, that truly looks like a sports truck (hence old Silverado SS trucks from 03 to 06)
And get rid of the 8 speed and offer the 10 speed.
Needs a regular and extended cab with at minimum a 6′ bed. Needs a lower riding, 2WD sport truck package. Needs a shark fin antenna instead of that cumbersome aft-leaning whip that catches on the garage when backing out.
I love your rendering…..I would buy that trim if it look that for sure!
I totally agree with fold flat rear seat (ilike my prior Colorado and Canyon had)
Also power sliding rear window is a must! I also would like to see built in home link to open my garage door. I ordered and bought a loaded up 2024 Z71 with every option possible on the Z71 trim. I absolutely love the truck I would of easily paid another $3000 the options I mentioned.
Do you have any advance information if the 2025 Colorado will have a power rear slider as well as Homelink? As of 11-9-24 the online configurator is not up and running?
The Fleet Order Guide has no mention of a power rear slider or homelink. The 2025 has some changes, but mostly minor and trim adjustments. Nothing major to note.
I would like to see a wider front seat. For some reason the seat really bites into my left hip.
For the love of God, put the 10 speed transmission in it and the Silverado.
Better gas mileage ! why isn’t there a hybrid option ?
Love my2023 Colorado but was hoping they would extend the cab to make the backseat leg room just a bit more. Still love it but that is what I’m looking for in an upcoming model
I have a 2023 ZR2, love it. Lots of glitches until I got the mutli-module update a few weeks, It is night and day. Engine runs smoother, Display works faster and better, etc; etc. I agree on the automatic sliding rear window, and there should be at least three to four leather interior color choices to match exterior colors, tan, black, gray (only choice) and a brown. My StowFlex tailgate – which is supposed to be water proof leaks also and condensation is present. Can’t use it for storage. Dealer said they would report it. That was 8 months ago. Not happy I cannot get the Front Fascia pkg. with the Bar that some sites show. Called GM who stated it was not available. Dealer cannot order it either.
1) Quality has to be MUCH better. Especially around the electronics and infotainment. OTA updates still killing batteries.
2) A V-6 should still be offered. Sure the turbo 4 might have more power, but some people like the smooth and quiet of a 6 cylinder.
3) There really should have been other cab/bed configurations and suspension offerings.
Regulations will NOT allow the V6s…
As for the software bugs, it does happen but NOT to the extent in MY23s…by the end of the generation…
Ramaswamy,
That’s nonsense.
Stellantis is rolling out their Hurricane inline 6 in multiple models. And Mazda is doing the same. Ford has their Ecoboost V-6s.
GM could have EASILY engineered a new I-6 or V-6.
As a matter of fact, they actually WERE developing an I-6 before pulling the plug in 2023.
That was a colossal mistake on their part.
You can read about it here in an article by GM Authority:
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2023/03/gm-turbo-six-cylinder-truck-engine-project-canceled-exclusive/
Maybe you do not understand the case for it well…I am sorry to say.
They were making it, but they likely realized that it costed them TONS of money in development that would have affected next gen V8 development. Remember, RAM is spending money on the I6 which is a V8 replacement….barring the 6.4 Hemi. So the comparison you gave is unfair. Mazda sells more fuel efficient cats and has NO trucks other than the BT50 overseas, so is also another unfair comparison.
If you still cannot understand, suit yourself.
If regulations will not allow V-6s, then please address the following:
Why is Stellantis ramping up production and installation of their Hurricane I-6?
Why did Mazda develop a new I-6 and is installing it into production vehicles?
Why is Ford still utilizing their EcoBoost V-6s?
Did you know GM was developing their own modern I-6?
It was shelved in 2023.
GM Authority wrote an article about it. I’d post a link but they don’t allow comments with a link in it. You’ll have to Google it.
I know of that program. It likely was shelved because it would have interfered with other product sales…or just would not have gave them enough money.
Do not understand this? Suit yourself. I am a child according to you…
Folks – you’re both correct.
Note that Stellantis Hurricane I6 replaces three V8 HEMI engines. The Hurricane I6 will not go into a midsize truck but it will go into full-size trucks and SUVs, and MAYBE (not yet announced or confirmed) the Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L, which are premium mid-size and full-size models.
Mazda has an I6, but it’s not going into anything midsize. It’s currently only in the CX-90, a direct rival to the Jeep Grand Cherokee L.
All these are larger and more profitable than midsize trucks.
Ford is offering the EcoBoost V6 in the Ranger because it has the engine from other vehicle programs. GM has such an engine in the form of the LGW or LGY… so they could use it. Question is, will the additional outlay in integration, testing, validation, emissions/certification, and manufacturing logistics (plus aftersales support) be worthwhile? Will it result in Chevy moving more Colorados, or will they still sell the same amount of Colorados as the current L3B-only lineup, but at a lower profit? That’s the question we to answer.
My 5 necessary Improvments
1) Return the Power Passenger Seat
2) Return the physical controls for the Head and Fog Lights
3) Provide a roof that doesn’t dent when going through a car wash
4) Replace the 8-speed transmission with the 10-speed, and don’t give us the blah, blah, blah of why the 10-speed isn’t paired with the 2.8 L3B… you just did this combo for China
5) Widen the interior dimensions of the bed to accommodate 4′ materials between the wheel wells. It’s ridiculous we even have to ask for this. One, it’s a no-brainer. Two, there is zero reason the fender flaring can not be reduced to accommodate width increase between the wheel wells, especially all the trims with increase track width. For that matter, “winning with simplicity” says all the trims should use same track width.
Add a hybrid engine.
1) 6ft bed, can’t fit a bicycle in the current one.
2) 10 speed transmission, smoother and will provide better fuel economy.
3) physical buttons for the headlights
4) LED lights for all trims. Oh also redesign the freaking fixtures. It’s ridiculous to have to go through the wheel well to change the headlight bulbs.
5) More wheel options
6) Rear camera mirror, just the one in the tailgate is useless when needing to have the tailgate down. Reposition the tailgate one since it gets covered by water when it’s raining where it becomes useless.
7) more exterior paint options.
I have the previous gen Long Bed Diesel Crew Cab. Was interested in moving to the new gen, but the fuel mileage is atrocious with the 2.7 and there wasn’t a long bed. And the seats not folding down/up in the back is ridiculous. All these were features in my previous gen Colorado. Hard to believe GM reduced capabilities with a new truck.
The new truck is indeed improved in many ways but at what costs. The lack of any type of V6 or diesel or hybrid option is unforgivable in 2024. So is the lack of bed sizes and cab configurations which both Toyota and Nissan still offer. The rear seat is also an issue. First it’s actually slightly smaller than before. Second they are fixed not offering the fold up/down feature they previously had. Why should so many things be missing going from an old model to a new model? I get GM is all about cutting costs and their EV at all costs strategy but eliminating so many things is only going to hurt sales in the long run.
Other issues are a noisy engine, mileage that isn’t up to other competitors, the stupid headlights in the touch screen, lack of exterior paint colors in addition to interior choices and better wheel choices. The Silverado has far better looking wheels. The WT should have the choice of alloys, the LT should have a nicer looking std wheel and their needs to be a higher end two tone machine faced rim for the High Country trim!
Improve the TECH. Give me the ability to respond to a text (talk to text, like I had in my 2015 Jeep Cherokee.
I want to order a 2025 Z71, but the new website still isn’t available. What are they waiting for?
Not a word about having worse fuel economy than the last generation.
Fuel economy of CAFE rules are indexed against the width of the vehicle. Since all the GMC versions are wider that allows them to target a slightly worse FE target. Also it’s the avg fuel economy across a model that counts and the avg has gone up when indexed to the new width and CAFE target values.
As a gmc canyon Denali owner and former colorado owner and GM buyer only I have become uncertain about the purchase of any Gm vehicles. The competitive market going forward will continue to have GM losing in the big picture due to the president of the company being so political correct in what she thinks the people want. They certainly don’t want 4cyl engines in most of the trucks they are pushing towards the public. They need to continue the v6 engines . The gas mileage is good and the v6 has been reliable. The other midsized truck competitive market will prevail. Sell the 4cylinder units to the foreign market. They are use to them.
I ‘m a colorado owner who uses his truck as a truck, but it is also my daily driver, here’s my thoughts which also reflect the comments many other’s have made.
1. quality improvements: the roof shouldn’t dent when you take the truck into a car wash, the 8 speed transmission shouldn’t have the issues it does, the info system shouldn’t drain the battery… these items are common sense, but really piss off your loyal truck fans. Andre at TFL ditching his colorado is an shining example of the results from a lack of quality
2. physical controls for headlights and fog lights, this is a safety issue we need to control our headlights and or signal other trucks of hazards, turn off high beams as we enter fog, etc
3. LED headlights on all models, or at least all except the WT. Ensure the fog lights are useful as well, we want to see the deer on the side of the road before they jump out at us.
4. Fix the chaos in the trim selections: The trailboss package and options should be an option on the LT, those same features should be standard on the Z71, the Z71 by the way is supposed to be an off-road package. The WT is supposed to be inexpensive and doesn’t need those options. The Denali package (above the Z71) is the only way to get luxury without the wider and higher offroad stance. If someone wanted both of those features they would purchase either an AT4 or an AT4-X.
5. Bring in the 2.5 turbo with 305HP and 340-350lbs of torque as the base motor, consider adding a plugin mild hybrid w/that combo and offering that 3-4Kw power in the bed. Improve the 2.7 turbo to provide 320-330HP and keep the same 410lbs limit of torque, metric it against the Ford 2.7 liter, the aim should be to be competitive and or comparable.
Bonus ideas:
#6. Change the cab to aluminum and drop 275-350lbs from the truck. This change should improve FE and result in the weight balance shifting ever so slightly closer towards 50-50. This change likely won’t change the tow rating but might allow for a class leading bed payload.
#7 get rid of the terrible rancho shocks and offer eibach as the optional shock. Also offer it on the colorado. Pursue custom valving if you must.
#8 put the rear limited slip differential and or G80 in every truck, you can still offer upgrades, but basic limited slip diff is the minimum metric
# 9 in the bed put detents on top of the wheel wells to fit 4×8 sheets, add built-in notched slots on the sides so we can use 2x4s as cargo dividers, add various similar utility.
#10 The LT package should have some sort of basic in-bed lighting as an option along with 400 watt AC power, higher trims should have these features as default
#11 My StowFlex tailgate should have a drain that works in both up and down configurations that also addreses the condensation issue.
#12 we need the rubber antenna gone, provide a normal sharkfin. The rubber antenna constantly bangs off of low parking garage piping
#12 offer the rear powered window, engineer the manual window to use the same frame and assembly with less internal complexity
#13 keeping the same frame as the quad cad create a standard cab version with a longer bed, make that available on the fleet side
#14 sell a hitch based bike rack in the options catalog and advertise it.
#15 (and this could have been in the top 5) fold flat back seats, or reverse the seat section, to effectively bring the rear part upwards to bring the seating area into a flat surface
#16 if the truck has an airdam ensure it can be removed with hand tools from under the truck without removing the fenderliners
Remove the gloss from the buttons on the dash. Angle them towards the driver. Make the text larger and bolder.
Add more storage in the dash and doors.
Make the side round vents black and not metalized.
Provide a phone charger that is more reliable.
Fix the gas cap door.
Why isn’t there a power outlet in my 24 Colorado? That’s the thing I miss the most.