Here is our first look at the upcoming next-generation 2023 Chevy Colorado midsize truck. This is a fully-camouflaged crew cab 4×4 prototype that was captured testing in Michigan. The camouflage is hiding what we think is all-new styling all the way around the truck. The front-end appears a little lower than the current Colorado. The prototype headlights are still very basic test units, but the overall shape of the front-end appears to be new.
2023 Chevy Colorado
Chevrolet still has not revealed much about their next-generation trucks, but there are many rumors about what they will use under the hood. Since this prototype has a very visible exhaust system and exhaust pipe in the back – we assume it is not all-electric. The rumor is that GM will discontinue the current 3.6-liter gas V6 and the 2.8-liter turbo-diesel I4 in favor of the latest 2.7-liter turbo-gas I4 engine that is currently on sale in the bigger Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500.
We have tested this 2.7-liter turbo-4 in a variety of conditions. It provides very linear power delivery and lots of low-end torque. In a way, it’s similar to a turbo-diesel engine with a lot of power. In the Chevy Silverado 1500, this engine produces 310 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque. If GM uses this new turbo-gas engine in the next Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks, they could potentially keep the same power output and potentially be leaders in hp and torque ratings.
The new crew cab may be just a little bigger/longer than the current one for extra passenger room. This prototype appears to have a 5-foot bed, but GM may keep a 6-foot bed crew cab option as well.
Here is what else is happening in the midsize truck segment over the next 1-2 years.
- 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro and other models: minor updates.
- 2023 Ford Ranger: all-new or major updates.
- 2022 Nissan Frontier: all-new.
- 2022/23 Jeep Gladiator: possible minor updates.
- 2021 Honda Ridgeline: minor updates
