2023 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2022 GMC Sierra 1500

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced the Denali Ultimate and AT4X variants, enhancing the already premium Denali and AT4 trims. With eight trim levels, the Sierra offered a robust lineup, including Pro, SLE, Elevation, SLT, AT4, Denali, AT4X, and Denali Ultimate. The Sierra's design updates, such as a wider-looking grille and new split-C headlights, gave it a more aggressive appearance compared to the Silverado. The Denali's grille featured a "tri-linear" theme with thick chrome inserts, while the Denali Ultimate had dark-coloured "Vader bars." New 22-inch wheel designs and three premium paint options further enhanced its exterior. Inside, the Sierra's cabin felt more spacious, with a redesigned dash and premium materials in the AT4X and Denali Ultimate trims, offering a luxurious experience.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss, with its factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders, and blacked-out look, was designed for off-road adventures. The Colorado's styling was well-balanced, with hints of Camaro in the interior design. However, the base Work Truck (WT) and Trail Boss trims had a less appealing grey front fascia and interior. The Trail Boss featured a purposeful front skid plate, while the interior lacked colour contrast. The Colorado offered rear-wheel drive in the WT trim, with four-wheel drive available on higher trims. The Trail Boss came with options like a spray-on bedliner and advanced trailering packages, bringing its MSRP to $50,844. Despite its rugged appearance, the Colorado was a good-looking truck inside and out.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 offered four engine options, including a 2.7L turbo four-cylinder and a 3.0-litre Duramax turbo-diesel inline-six, both enhanced for 2022. The turbo-four produced 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, with improved gear ratios for smoother shifts. The diesel engine delivered 277 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, with a towing capacity of up to 5,987 kg for 2WD models. Other engine options included a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 hp and a 6.2L Ecotec3 V8 with 420 hp. The Sierra Denali Ultimate 4WD offered a smooth and comfortable ride, while the AT4X excelled in off-road conditions with Multimatic DSSV dampers and e-locking differentials. The AT4X's off-road capabilities were tested in the Anza-Borrego Desert, showcasing its prowess on challenging terrain.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado featured a turbocharged 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine across all trims. The WT and LT trims produced 237 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the Trail Boss and Z71 offered 310 hp and 391 lb-ft. The ZR2 trim had a high-output version with 310 hp and 430 lb-ft. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with the Trail Boss and Z71 featuring a two-speed transfer case. The Trail Boss had a 5-cm suspension lift, while the ZR2 boasted a 7.6-cm lift and Multimatic DSSV dampers. The Colorado offered five driving modes, including Baja for the ZR2. The Trail Boss performed well off-road, with minimal rear-wheel slip and impressive ground clearance. On pavement, the Colorado was quiet and handled well, though its fuel economy was disappointing at 13.8 L/100 km.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 offered impressive roominess and utility, with best-in-class cargo capacity even in its short bed. Front headroom was 1,093 mm, while rear-seat headroom averaged just over 1 metre. Front legroom was 1,131 mm, with double-cab rear-seat passengers enjoying 894 mm of legroom and crew cab occupants having 1,102 mm. The Sierra's interior featured numerous storage compartments, though the gloveboxes were on the smaller side. The driver-oriented cockpit had a low centreline, with screens and controls positioned low, requiring more time for eye movement. The Sierra's cabin was filled with knobs and buttons, contrasting with the trend of larger screens and digital touchpads. The AT4X had off-road controls in two different locations, adding to the complexity.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss offered comfortable seating for four, with the option to squeeze a fifth passenger in the back. The standard cloth upholstery attracted pet hair, and the eight-way power driver's seat provided a proper driving position. The back seat had adequate headroom and legroom, with softly padded front seatbacks. The Trail Boss had a manually adjustable air conditioning system, which cooled the cabin quickly. Soft-touch surfaces were limited, and storage space was lacking, with small trays and bottle holders in the door panels. The cargo bed measured 1,186 litres, with a length of 1,567 mm. The Convenience Package II included an EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate with a StowFlex storage panel, offering additional storage options.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 featured larger display screens, with a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 13.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system on most grades. The system included Google built-in, Bluetooth, OnStar, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. The Denali models had an interactive start-up screen with topographical maps. The infotainment screen was fast and responsive, though the similarity between in-car navigation and smartphone maps could be confusing. The larger touchscreen allowed for personalization and dual modes, with options for wireless charging, a 15-inch head-up display, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado came equipped with digital instrumentation and an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology. The Trail Boss's interior featured two refined digital screens, with Google Assistant providing natural voice recognition and access to apps through Google Play. The infotainment system supported Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM, OnStar, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Wireless charging was available, and the standard six-speaker stereo was decent. The Colorado ZR2 had a seven-speaker Bose audio system. The infotainment system offered real-time off-roading data and added trailer-towing technology with high-definition cameras for easier hitching.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 1500 introduced GM's Super Cruise, a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system available on the Denali Ultimate. Super Cruise offered hands-free driving with automatic lane changes and trailering capability. The Sierra featured up to 14 camera views, including a bed view camera and Trailer Side Blind Zone Alert. GMC Pro Safety included forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and IntelliBeam headlights. The Sierra received "Good" crash safety ratings from the IIHS but had a "Marginal" grade in the front-passenger small overlap test and a "Poor" grade for headlights. The NHTSA rated Sierra 2WD models four out of five stars for crashworthiness.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado offered a comprehensive list of safety features, including OnStar emergency calling and a Teen Driver system. Chevy Safety Assist included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Optional ADAS included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The forward-collision warning system had issues with false alerts, which could be mitigated by adjusting the gap setting. Despite this, the Colorado's safety features were impressive, though the forward-collision warning problem was a notable drawback.