The Right Spec: 2023 Chevrolet Colorado

It’s been more than a minute since we have delved into the world’s build & price configurators, an activity which surely litters the search history of every gearhead reading this site. Since our last installment, there has been no shortage of new vehicle introductions, including a few trucks which predictably tweak your author’s interest

Midsize pickup trucks were arguably on the verge of extinction – or at least on the engendered species list. Even just a decade ago, we witnessed Ford take the Ranger out behind the bar, while GM was content to let its Colorado/Canyon twins wither on the vine. No longer. After a comprehensive overhaul in the middle of the last decade, GM is recommitting to the segment with a comprehensive revamp both inside and out.

Chevy plucked the 2.7L Turbo engine from their Silverado full-sizer for duty in the Colorado, a move which rips a page from the book of Old Detroit in which automakers would routinely stuff big engines into small(er) vehicles. That mill is available in three states of tune, all the way up to 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. We don’t need to tell you which one we fancy. For ’23, all Colorado pickups are built with a crew cab and short box, making that decision easy.

And you’re damn right I’ve chosen what looks like the spiritual successor to Marty McFly’s truck as my preferred trim of the ’23 Colorado – price notwithstanding. Festooned with addenda such as what we old guys call nerf bars plus a jacked-up ride height and knobby tires, Chevy seems intent on putting a knee in the groin of aftermarket suppliers across the nation. And, gadgetphile that I am, the concept of a protected underbody camera to scan the earth for off-road obstacles and errant loose change is too good to pass up.

Of course, alert readers will note that while the Colorado makes do with a trio of engine outputs, GMC chose to endow every single Canyon pickup with the highest horsepower tune. In that light, those who simply seek a sensibly sized truck with ample grunt should check out a GMC showroom. The rest of us – McFly fans and all – are more likely to head for the bowtie store.

[Images: Chevrolet]

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