#Dointruckstuff. That’s the hashtag that fits the Chevy Colorado best. There aren’t a lot of frills or weird quirks with this pickup. It just gets the job done and doesn’t look too bad while doing so.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado is for sure a good truck. It shops well against most of its competition in terms of value and capability. Nothing about its look will alarm any onlookers or make anyone feel it’s the odd pickup out and the Colorado’s interior is basic, but nicely trimmed and designed.

There are those who will find the Colorado to be a bit large for “mid-sized” and we wouldn’t argue with them. Most “mid-sized” trucks are not that much smaller than the average full-sized pickup of a decade ago. Those under six feet in height will have to tippy-toe to reach into the cargo bed from the side, for example, and for parking, the Colorado’s dimensions are similar to most bigger sport utilities.

For everyday use and for doing truck things, the 2023 Chevy Colorado fits the bill nicely. It’s well-priced, nicely outfitted, and doesn’t require acquiescence to odd quirks.

The Colorado is the mainstream option against its near-twin at GMC, the Canyon. The price difference between the two is their greatest separation and for the content included, the Colorado usually wins out when measuring value.

Where the Colorado is a good, everyday truck for most people, the Nissan Frontier is more of a truck than is this Chevrolet. Nissan’s Frontier has been a mainstay on the market for a long time, long after other makes left the mid-size pickup segment. Its current iteration is cheaper and feels more like a rough-and-tumble truck than the other options. Fewer creature comforts and niceties, but a more “this is a truck for doing truck stuff” feel.

The Tacoma is a best-seller in the segment, but the Colorado gives it a lot to worry about. The Tacoma’s seating and looks are polarizing for truck buyers. The overhanging grille and slim dimensions of the Tacoma are a “love or hate” design. The Colorado, by contrast, is more conventional in its design and its seating is more comfortable. Especially for the big and tall.

The “base model” price for the Colorado looks really good compared to others, but that base-level truck is not really consumer grade. Most buyers looking for a comfortable, daily use truck will be about $5,000 or so above that base price.

The table below shows the most common trim levels and how much they will run you.

The Chevrolet Colorado was completely redesigned for the 2023 model year. Highlights of that rethink for the truck include a turbocharged four-cylinder engine (with three choices) and no six-cylinder option, a more aggressive exterior look, and many comfort and convenience changes to the interior.

A new to the Colorado 2.7-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine replaces all of the previous options for the truck. The base version produces 237 horsepower for the Work Truck and LT trims. A slightly up-tuned version for the Trail Boss and Z71 trims produces 310 hp and 391 pound-feet of torque. And the top ZR2 trim gets the same horsepower, but more torque at 430 lb-ft.

Trim levels are similar to the previous-generation, but the Trail Boss model is added as a mid-grade off-road option. It features a two-inch lift and aggressive tires along with a few other off-road upgrades. That’s compared to the ZR2 model, which has a three-inch lift and more gear to go with that more powerful engine.

Inside, the new Colorado has better infotainment with a Google base for its operations, a nicer layout for phone and plugs to charge, larger drink holders in the door pockets, and better comfort for seating. Especially in the back.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado has one engine with three separate output levels. The 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine outputs 237 and 310 horsepower in each of those three. Torque is measured at 259, 391, and 430 pound-feet in the engine’s three configurations. In all three instances, our complaints about the Colorado’s loud ticking and puttering sounds remain.

Knowing that, however, we found no reason to knock on the engine’s performance overall. It’s nicely matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission that shifts smoothly and quickly. At no point did the Colorado feel underpowered or incapable. And unlike other turbocharged engines we’ve experienced in pickup trucks, there’s no jerkiness to the drivetrain while towing or hauling. All good points in the Chevrolet’s favor.

On the road, the Chevrolet Colorado is a smooth performer with a nice feel and good road manners. Its maneuverability is predictable and easy to grasp when parking or getting around tight spaces. The Colorado isn’t as nimble as is the Tacoma, but it’s not a tank either.

Off the road, the Trail Boss model we experienced was a solid all around dirt digger. That package is a good setup for general off-road in light and medium no pavement conditions. For those needing even more, there is the top-tier ZR2 package that outperforms even the Jeep Gladiator in our testing.

The Chevrolet Colorado has done fairly well in crash testing compared to many other pickup trucks on the market. It’s one of the few to receive a full 5-Star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and one of the few to have received a top “Good” score from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

As with most pickups and body-on-frame designs, crumple zones and rollover risk are higher and that’s reflected in the not-quite-perfect scoring the Colorado has received.

Most reliability expectations from various sources for the 2023 Colorado rate it as being slightly below average. Compared to other mid-sized trucks, that puts it right at the average. We’re inclined to agree with that assessment.

The weak point for the Colorado is likely its engine. Turbocharged engines can be finicky or very reliable and it’s often a toss of the coin as to which any particular one will be. RepairPal gives the Colorado the highest rating of those we looked at, rating it 4 out of 5. Repair costs are relatively average for the truck, but aren’t for major items. Consumer Reports has a lower assessment of the 2023 Colorado, citing the engine as a concern.

The base, or Work Truck, model of the Colorado is extremely basic. It includes an 11.3-inch infotainment display and a short list of advanced safety items, but is otherwise not very well equipped. Adding the Convenience Package options for cruise control, a center console (not included in the base), a dampened tailgate, and an adjustable driver’s seat will put the price of the Colorado near to the price of the next-level LT package. Which includes all of those additions plus better interior amenities and access to the more powerful 310-hp engine if you would like better driveability and capability.

The warranty for the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado is about average for the segment. It does not include roadside assistance or maintenance.

• Basic: 3 years / 36k miles
• PowerTrain: 5 years / 60k miles
• If buying used look at our best extended warranties

Because the Colorado is all-new for 2023, used options for this new-generation truck are not available. The previous generation was a good one as well, however, and had similar capabilities in terms of towing, hauling, and passenger carrying. Used models are plentiful for that generation.

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