Chevrolet Colorado

Core summary

The third-generation Colorado narrows the pickup formula around a crew cab and turbocharged four-cylinder power. For 2025, TurboMax is the key specification; earlier trucks have different engine calibrations.

The third-generation Colorado is a midsize pickup with a crew cab and an open bed. It offers a different compromise from both a large Silverado and an enclosed SUV. The bed can handle dirty or awkward cargo, while the cab must still be assessed for the people travelling with you.

Cariary would begin with a list of real loads. If those loads fit, a midsize truck may be preferable to buying more vehicle than your parking space or routine requires.

History & generations

The redesigned Colorado arrived for the 2023 model year. Earlier trucks in this generation offered different versions of the turbocharged engine. Chevrolet's 2025 range uses TurboMax across the lineup, so a 2023 WT photograph must not be assigned the later specification automatically.

The gallery deliberately identifies a 2023 ZR2 and a separate 2023 WT. They illustrate the third-generation body and trim differences, not identical powertrain equipment.

Body, platform & design

The upright cab and separate bed provide the basic pickup utility. The ZR2's stance and tyres look different from the work-focused WT in the gallery. That difference should prompt questions about intended use, not simply a preference for the tougher appearance.

Try loading an object over the bed side and through the tailgate. Check whether the bed height works for you and whether secure, weatherproof storage will require additional equipment.

Engine & drivetrain

For US 2025, Chevrolet lists the 2.7-litre TurboMax four-cylinder at 310 hp and 430 lb-ft with an eight-speed automatic. Those figures should not be applied indiscriminately to every 2023 Colorado.

Choose the driven-wheel configuration for the route and work. During an inspection, test ordinary low-speed shifts and, where fitted, demonstrate the four-wheel-drive controls according to the owner's manual. Do not test inappropriate drive modes on unsuitable surfaces.

Trim differences

WT, LT, Trail Boss, Z71 and ZR2 address different priorities. The ZR2 is a specialised off-road choice, not automatically the best towing or everyday-value configuration. Compare the actual suspension, tyres and equipment.

If the truck mostly commutes and carries occasional household loads, a simpler specification may be more appropriate. If trails are a real part of its use, assess clearance and tyre suitability rather than choosing by badge alone.

Interior & seating

Try the rear seat with front occupants in their normal positions. A crew cab gives you four doors, but that does not guarantee full-size-truck rear accommodation. Check child-seat installation if relevant.

Operate the infotainment and vehicle controls while stationary. Think about where muddy clothing, work tools and personal items will go, and whether the available cabin storage keeps them secure without obstructing passengers.

Efficiency & range

Off-road tyres, load, speed and towing all affect fuel use. Compare the exact trim rather than expecting one Colorado figure to cover the entire range. Include any bed cover, rack or accessory weight in your ownership planning.

Check the individual truck's payload label and towing documentation. The advertised maximum towing figure is configuration-dependent, not permission to attach that weight to every example.

Safety & equipment

Confirm the fitted assistance equipment and check campaigns by VIN. For towing, understand the correct hitch, trailer brakes, load distribution and applicable ratings before setting off. A camera view does not replace a physical connection check.

On a used off-road truck, have the underside, suspension and tyres inspected. Evidence of trail use should inform the inspection rather than be hidden by cosmetic detailing.

Strengths

The Colorado's strongest case is open-bed usefulness in a midsize format. It can suit someone who needs a real pickup but does not benefit from the scale of a full-size truck.

The range also offers a meaningful choice between more work-focused and trail-focused versions. That is valuable only when the chosen equipment matches the owner's actual tasks.

Considerations

Rear-seat and bed needs should be tested before purchase. A midsize truck is not simply a Silverado with all its capacities preserved in a smaller body.

Be especially careful with model-year specifications. The 2025 TurboMax description does not establish the tune or equipment of the photographed 2023 WT. Verify by original build information, not an engine-cover impression.

Recommended use

Choose the Colorado for mixed everyday driving and open-bed tasks that fit its ratings. It is less suitable when large rear-seat passengers, bulky bed loads and a heavy trailer must regularly be carried together.

If your cargo must stay enclosed and climate-controlled, compare an SUV before buying a pickup and then spending heavily to compensate for the open bed.

Rivals & related

The Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma are natural midsize-pickup comparisons. The GMC Canyon offers another closely related approach. Compare the exact bed, rear-seat space, payload and off-road equipment rather than only peak torque.

A Silverado comparison is still useful: it establishes whether the larger truck solves a real capacity problem or merely adds size.

FAQ

Does every third-generation Colorado have the 2025 engine rating? No; earlier model-year versions differ. Are the WT and ZR2 photographs the same truck? No.

Can every Colorado tow the advertised maximum? No. Use the exact vehicle's ratings and configuration, accounting for passengers, cargo and accessories.

Sources & updates

Manufacturer references identify the dated specifications used here. Cariary buying assessments are editorial analysis, not a claimed first-hand road test or a diagnosis of an individual vehicle. Photographs carry individual source and licence credits. Confirm the exact build, market and equipment before purchase; photographs of another trim do not establish your car’s specification.

• Chevrolet US 2025 Colorado →
• Chevrolet 2023 Colorado brochure: earlier specifications →
• Photograph — Grey 2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 crew cab →42-BRT; CC BY-SA 4.0

Last editorial review: September 20, 2026. Specifications remain market- and model-year-specific.