Cory Fourniquet

Jun 5, 20235 min read

2023 Chevrolet Colorado Week: From the Entry Work Truck to the Z71

This week we have 3 fun videos for you focusing on Chevy’s latest entry into the pickup truck segment: their compact Colorado.

Work Truck (WT)

Starting with the Work Truck, this entry-level pickup may be light on the feature set of its more expensive upper trims, but that does not mean it’s a stripped-down environment. With a digital gauge cluster, large infotainment screen, and room for up to 5 people, the Work Truck would make a great fleet vehicle or inexpensive family rig capable of putting in the work.

Our particular model was loaned to us for the afternoon by our local Chevrolet dealership, Peltier Chevrolet. While not the least expensive build available, this is perhaps the lowest we would spec one if we were to build an affordable Colorado for ourselves. With the upgraded Turbo Plus engine, safety tech like backup sensors, and four-wheel-drive, this Colorado has an as-tested MSRP of just over $37,000.

Driving it through town proves just how capable and powerful the turbocharged engine is, and how well-matched it is to the revised 8-speed automatic. Power was plentiful and available when called upon. While we did not get to try out the single-speed transfer case, we know that this truck won’t be tackling the trails in Moab, but should be completely capable of work duty.

Stepping up to this from my 2013 Chevy Cruze Eco trim would be a massive upgrade, but the model I would really want will be revealed later this week. Stay tuned.

2023 Chevrolet Colorado WT Specs:

2.7-liter 4-cylinder Turbo Plus Engine
310 Horsepower
390 lb.-ft. of Torque
8-speed Automatic Transmission
Electronic Single-Speed Transfer Case with Push Button Controls
17-inch Ultra Silver Metallic Steel Wheels
255/65R17 Goodyear Wrangler Tires
Tow Hooks
Adjustable Driver's Seat
Cloth Seating Surfaces
Single-zone Climate Control
8-inch Driver Information Digital Cluster Display
11.3-inch Touchscreen Infotainment
Proximity Key with Push Button Start
EPA Fuel Economy 17/21/19 (city/hwy/cmb)
Starting Price: $32,500
Price as tested: $37,430

Huge thanks to Peltier Chevrolet for the loan of this vehicle. You can make it yours, ask for Franklin and tell him Cory sent you.

https://www.peltierchevrolettyler.com

Trail Boss

Getting behind the wheel of the Trail Boss version of Colorado felt very similar to the experience inside the Work Truck, showing that Chevrolet chose the base model to build upon for the off-road version. Materials and features all felt familiar, though the Trail Boss featured off-road cameras for better visibility around my pickup when exploring the trails set up for the event.

What really sets the Trail Boss model apart from the Work Truck we tested was the standard Turbo Plus engine (which was an additional charge on our Work Truck) and increased ride height and a wider track. Lifted 2 inches from the factory, the Trail Boss has increased approach and departure angles, as well as increased ground clearance that is only bested by the ZR2 in the lineup. The wider stance is accentuated by the wider plastic over fenders that give the Trail Boss better stability while adding a rugged flair.

Maneuverability is the name of the game when it comes to midsize pickup trucks. I was behind a Silverado ZR2 Bison that had to do multi-point turns through the particular trail we were driving down, and Colorado made easy work of it with its smaller proportions.

This was a very short “speed date” of the Colorado Trail Boss and I hope to get to experience more time in one soon on our home proving grounds to see just how Boss it really is.

2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss Specs:

2.7-liter 4-cylinder Turbo Plus Engine
310 Horsepower
390 lb.-ft. of Torque
8-speed Automatic Transmission
Autotrac® 2-speed Transfer Case with Push Button Controls
Hill Descent Control
Automatic Locking Rear Differential
Drive Mode Selector
18-inch High Gloss Black Aluminum Wheels
18-inch 275/65R18C Goodyear® Wrangler Territory® 32" OD MT Tires
Red Tow Hooks
Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Lumbar
Cloth Seating Surfaces
Single-zone Climate Control
8-inch Driver Information Digital Cluster Display
11.3-inch Touchscreen Infotainment
Proximity Key with Push Button Start
EPA Fuel Economy 17/21/19 (city/hwy/cmb)
Starting Price: $37,000(Trail Boss)
Price as tested: $42,115

Z71

As stated many times before, I feel the Z71 trim is the choice for me in my current life stage. I have a house in the suburbs with a small garage and a family of three. I do not need a big truck, though I would love to have one, and would only use the off-road capability when we vacation to cabins in a state park near our home, as evidenced by the off-road use of our 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trail Hawk.

I would want a vehicle that has the luxuries I would expect in a vehicle with an MSRP nearing $50,000 while also giving me the look and usability of a pickup truck. I feel there are more buyers in a similar mindset across the nation as well. Most 1500 buyers don’t really need the pickups they are buying, but it is more a question of what they want: the feeling of off-road capability with some nice touches inside to help justify the price.

Not to discredit Colorado, but it fits the bill for my use case. It is reasonably luxurious inside thanks to its memory driver seat, heat and ventilation on the front seats, and decently sized rear seat for our five-year-old son. Sadly, I was not able to take this Z71 on either course we had available to us the day before filming this review, but I do hope to get one on loan from Chevrolet in order to test it on our off-road proving grounds here in East Texas.

The off-road chops are there: strong engine, capable transmission, 2-speed transfer case, locking rear differential, and drive modes for almost any terrain. The Trail Boss was able to handle everything we threw at it yesterday without breaking a sweat, as evidenced by the fact we followed a crossover through the course, and that is what “MOST” buyers would actually throw at a vehicle like this as well. We joked that this was the “Suburbanite truck with an off-road flair” which I still maintain holds true after driving it. It does or can do all the necessary off-road things, while still being comfortable enough for daily driving duties around town.

Who could ask for anything more?