2023 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss presented itself as a rugged off-roader with its factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders, and a deeply sculpted hood. Its Radiant Red color and blacked-out look added to its tough appearance. The Colorado's design was well-balanced, with a stance and detailing that were visually appealing without being excessive. Inside, the truck drew inspiration from the Camaro, evident in the dashboard toggle switches and round air vents. However, the base Work Truck (WT) and Trail Boss trims had a gray front fascia and a cheap interior that detracted from the overall design. The Trail Boss did feature a front skid plate, but the interior was dominated by plastic with little color contrast. The Colorado offered both two-wheel and four-wheel drive options, with prices ranging from $30,695 to $48,295. Our Trail Boss test model, equipped with several options, had an MSRP of $42,150.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty underwent a visual evolution rather than a complete redesign. It was available in multiple trims, including XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited. The XL trim, while a work truck, offered some creature comforts like a touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Lariat trim introduced more modern features, such as leather upholstery and a digital instrument panel. Our test model, the King Ranch, was a luxury truck with 20-inch alloy wheels and a two-tone paint job. It had less chrome and more dark tones compared to previous versions. The interior was beautifully styled with two-tone brown leather and featured the King Ranch's signature Flying W logo. The truck was equipped with an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system and Pro Power Onboard, providing a 2-kilowatt power output. The Platinum and Limited trims offered even more luxury and features.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado was powered by a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. In the WT and LT trims, it produced 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The Trail Boss and Z71 trims offered 310 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, while the ZR2 matched the 310-hp rating but boasted 430 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, and the Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 featured a two-speed transfer case for enhanced off-road capability. The Trail Boss had a 2-inch suspension lift and all-terrain tires, making it the second most capable off-road version of the Colorado. It performed well on rough terrain, with minimal rear-wheel slip and impressive ground clearance. On pavement, the Colorado was quiet and handled well, though its fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 17 mpg.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty offered a range of powerful engines. The base engine was a 6.8-liter gas V8 with 400 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. A 7.3-liter V8 was also available, producing 430 horsepower and 485 lb-ft of torque. The diesel option was a 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbodiesel V8, delivering 475 horsepower and 1,050 lb-ft of torque. Our test model featured a high-output version of this engine, with 500 horsepower and 1,200 lb-ft of torque. The 10-speed automatic transmission managed power efficiently, providing lively acceleration. The Super Duty's towing capacity maxed at 22,000 pounds with the right configuration. Despite its size, the truck was manageable in traffic, though its turning radius was large. Ford's Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and onboard scales made towing easier and more efficient.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss offered comfortable seating for four, with the option to squeeze in a fifth passenger. The standard cloth upholstery attracted pet hair, and the eight-way power driver's seat provided a proper driving position. The back seat had enough room for six-footers, though legroom was snug. The air conditioning system cooled the cab quickly, and the interior had limited soft-touch surfaces. Storage space was lacking, with small door trays and a narrow center storage bin. The cargo bed measured 41.9 cubic feet and featured an EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate with a StowFlex storage panel.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty was available in regular cab, SuperCab, and Super Crew configurations, with bed lengths of 6.75 feet or 8 feet. Our test model had a Warn winch and a soft-opening tailgate. The bed steps and grip handles made accessing the bed easier. Inside, the truck offered ample storage, with multiple cupholders, a massive center storage bin, and dual glove boxes. The Super Crew model's rear seats folded up, providing a large cargo area protected from the elements.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado came with digital instrumentation and an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology. The system supported Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and more. The Trail Boss's interior, though basic, featured refined digital screens. The infotainment system offered real-time off-roading data and trailer-towing technology, including high-definition cameras for easier hitching.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty's base infotainment system was an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Our test model had a larger 12-inch screen with wireless connectivity. The system was user-friendly, with logical controls and multiple USB ports. Ford offered Trailer Navigation, which optimized routes based on trailer weight and dimensions.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado featured standard and available safety features, including OnStar, a Teen Driver system, and Chevy Safety Assist. The standard ADAS included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Optional features included adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. However, the forward-collision warning system was prone to false alerts, which could be frustrating for drivers.

The 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty, starting at the XLT trim, came with the Ford CoPilot 360 suite of driver assistance features. Depending on the trim, it included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The parking camera system was essential for a vehicle of this size. Our test model had dual-tier power-adjustable trailer mirrors and a trailer blind-spot monitoring system. The truck also featured a backup camera for when the tailgate was lowered.