The upcoming 2023 Chevy Colorado promises to be an exciting addition to the truck market with its new redesign. It’s getting an exterior makeover, updated engine options, and bigger dimensions, marking the first year of the truck’s third generation. The addition of a Trail Boss trim makes off-road capability more affordable, and an exciting new 2.7L turbo engine, brought over from the Silverado, provides extra power across the lineup.
But perhaps the most welcome change for drivers will be its new-and-improved interior, which has received upgrades ranging from comfort to storage to infotainment. While it’s still built to be tough and durable, Chevy has thrown in some extra refinement and cutting-edge tech to increase its allure. Let’s step inside and take a look around as we delve into all of the changes you can expect to find on the latest version of the 2023 Chevy Colorado.
Crew Cab or Bust
The 2022 Colorado has a two-door extended cab option, but the 2023 model will be exclusively available with a four-door crew cab configuration. While the extended cab gave shoppers a way to shave a few bucks off the price, it was definitely the lesser of the two options, with its cramped back seat that required passengers to squeeze past the first row in order to sit down. And since Chevy is producing all Colorados with the roomier crew cab, buyers won’t have to settle for cramped quarters due to shortages. It’s leg room in the back seat or bust.
A Redesigned Center Console
The center console has been rearranged to accommodate a drive mode selection knob that allows drivers to switch between up to five different drive modes, depending on the truck’s trim level:
- Normal mode is the default for everyday driving on paved roads.
- Off-road mode provides better traction on loose surfaces like gravel, mud, or snow.
- Terrain mode is designed for rock crawling or driving up steep hills.
- Tow/haul mode optimizes performance while the truck is carrying a heavy payload or towing.
- Baja mode, which is exclusive to the ZR2 trim, provides optimal stability, power, and control when driving on sand.
Where the old interior put the shifter right next to the driver, the new setup has the shifter to the right of the knob, giving you convenient access to these available modes. A new electronic parking brake is placed just below the knob, making it highly visible and within easy reach of the driver. This reconfiguration pushes the cupholders to a spot in front of the center console, instead of their old place next to the shifter. This makes it easier for the driver and front seat passenger to access their drinks without reaching over the shifter or getting confused over whose cup is whose. It’s the little details that sometimes mean the most, and with the new Colorado, Chevy has meticulously designed a perfect center console.
The storage cubby between the front seats provides a convenient place to store anything you want easy access to on the road, and on some trims, the lid is soft padded for extra comfort. It’s also available with a new friction hinge that allows it to stay open at any angle for added convenience.
Maximum Connectivity
Every Chevy Colorado now comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you don’t have to get tangled up in a mess of cables to connect your smartphone to the truck’s interface. A wireless charging pad is available, so you can also power up your devices without any cords, though USB ports will still be there to accommodate older phones.
Impressive Infotainment Upgrades
Step inside the cab, and one of the first things you’ll notice is the upgraded infotainment setup. Where the 2022 Colorado came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, the screen on the 2023 model is a class-leading 11.3 inches, which is huge for any vehicle but downright massive for the segment. The bigger size makes it easier for drivers to read any warnings, navigation directions, or other information at a glance, so they don’t have to take their eyes off the road longer than necessary.
In addition to being bigger, the screen has a higher resolution than previous models and can come in handy when using the screen to check the various camera views available on the 2023 model. Going beyond the industry-standard rear-vision camera, the Colorado offers ten available camera views that let you monitor various angles in real-time, including a surround-view parking camera and a new underbody camera designed to help drivers protect the truck’s undercarriage while navigating especially difficult off-road terrain. That’s more available camera views than any truck in its class.
The Driver Information Center Goes Digital
Instead of analog dials that measure mileage, speed, and fuel, the Colorado is equipped with a fully-digital Driver Information Center. Placed just behind the wheel, the cluster is available in either eight or eleven inches depending on trim. Either way, it’s large enough to show you vital information at a glance, and because it’s all digital, its layout is customizable, so you can change it according to your driving priorities.
Keeping Both Your Hands on the Wheel
Technology can help keep drivers both informed and entertained, but without proper design, it can also be a distraction. It’s important for drivers to be able to control everything while keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Even though the touchscreen has expanded, Chevy has retained the Colorado’s physical volume knob and temperature controls. Some controls are built directly into the steering wheel and have been rearranged into a more intuitive layout. This allows drivers to confidently control the vehicle’s tech without getting distracted, whether cruising down the freeway or crawling over boulders.
It’s Time to Feel the Sunshine
For the first time, Chevrolet offers a sunroof as an available feature for the Colorado. Since the truck has several off-road trims that allow you to enjoy the great outdoors, this move makes a lot of sense. It brings in natural light during the day, allowing drivers to let a breeze in as they drive down exhilarating trails, and it gives campers the option to lean back in their seats and stargaze at night. It’s perfect for whatever outdoor adventure you’re going on.
A Bold New Aesthetic
Many of the Colorado’s changes serve a practical function, but a few just serve up fresh new looks. On some trim levels, you can get a jet-black interior with bright red stitching and accents that give the cabin a bold yet classy colorway. Exclusive red or yellow seat belts are available for the Z71 and ZR2 trims, adding an extra splash of color, and sporty round air vents are also available as a replacement for the standard rectangular ones. Reminiscent of those found in the Camaro, they give the cabin an extra cool factor while still serving a necessary function.
The Off-Road Performance Display
For off-road-capable trims, adventurous drivers can use the new off-road performance display. This feature gives drivers extra real-time information that can help them stay in control of difficult terrain. There are different readouts for different types of driving so that you can get the most relevant stats for your situation. For example, the Overlanding setting shows your altitude and provides GPS guidance. The Terrain setting displays your pitch, roll, and tire pressure, while the Baja setting gives you a readout of your g-force, transfer case status, and wheel slip indicator.
A Newly Designed Interior With So Much More to Offer
While the Colorado’s new exterior is about projecting toughness and rugged capability, the interior’s upgrades are about comfort, refinement, and taking advantage of the latest technology. Some of the new features offer practical advantages, while others have aesthetic benefits. Together, the changes create a cab that is a vast improvement over what came before it, with a modern sensibility and an intuitive layout that should appeal to drivers of all stripes.
