2023 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2023 GMC Canyon

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss presented a rugged off-road appearance with its factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders, and deeply sculpted hood. Its blacked-out look, especially in Radiant Red, added to its tough persona. The Colorado's design was well-balanced, with a stance and detailing that were neither too subtle nor overly aggressive. 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 grey front fascia and a less appealing interior, with the Trail Boss offering a front skid plate absent in the WT. The interior's plastic materials lacked colour contrast, except for varying grain and gloss levels. The Colorado offered rear-wheel drive only in the WT trim in Canada, with four-wheel drive optional on the WT and standard on higher trims. Prices ranged from $37,229 to $58,929, with the Trail Boss model tested priced at $50,844, including options like a spray-on bedliner and the Advanced Trailering Package.

The 2023 GMC Canyon exuded an aggressive and muscular look, with headlights and daytime running lights positioned alongside a broad grille and a prominent front bumper. The body sides featured bulges and creases reminiscent of tensed muscles. Sharing dimensions with the Chevy Colorado, the Canyon had a longer wheelbase than its 2022 predecessor and a standard factory lift kit. The Elevation, AT4, and Denali models had a 5 cm lift, while the AT4X boasted a 7.6 cm lift. The Canyon Denali stood out with chrome accents and 20-inch wheels, while the Denali's interior featured laser-etched wood trim and leather upholstery. The Canyon's base Elevation trim offered materials superior to some competitors, and the AT4X interior provided a vibrant alternative to monochrome designs.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado was equipped with a turbocharged 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine. The WT and LT trims delivered 237 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque from 1,200 to 4,000 rpm. The Trail Boss and Z71 trims offered 310 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 391 lb-ft at 2,000 rpm, while the ZR2 had a high-output version with 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with the Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 featuring a two-speed transfer case for enhanced off-road capability. The Trail Boss had a 5 cm suspension lift, and the ZR2 had a 7.6 cm lift, with the ZR2 also featuring Multimatic DSSV dampers. The Colorado offered five driving modes, including a Baja mode exclusive to the ZR2. The Trail Boss excelled off-road, with its all-terrain tires and Off-Road mode contributing to its performance. On pavement, the Colorado was quiet and handled well, though its fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 13.8 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 GMC Canyon shared its powertrain with the Colorado, featuring a 2.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. This high-output version was standard across all Canyon models, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. In Canada, the Canyon was available only with four-wheel drive, with a single-speed transfer case on the Elevation and a two-speed transfer case on other models. The AT4X model included features for serious off-roading, such as electronic lockers, skid plates, and 33-inch mud terrain tires. The Canyon balanced on-road comfort with off-road capability, with quiet cabs and solid construction. The AT4X handled various off-road challenges with ease, offering impressive performance in different drive modes.

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 snug legroom, with rear air conditioning vents standard on all trims except the WT. The Trail Boss featured a manually adjustable air conditioning system, and soft-touch surfaces were limited to the seats and armrests. Storage space was minimal, with small door panel trays and a deep but narrow centre armrest compartment. The cargo bed measured 1,186 litres, with an EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate and a StowFlex storage panel.

The 2023 GMC Canyon was available only as a crew cab with a 5.2-foot bed, offering ample interior space for a midsize truck. It had more first-row legroom than most competitors, with second-row legroom surpassed only by the Honda Ridgeline and Jeep Gladiator. The MultiStow tailgate included a waterproof storage compartment, though its utility was limited. The Canyon lacked a standard telescoping steering wheel and power-adjustable front seats, which was surprising for a premium brand. The truck had a maximum towing capacity of 3,492 kilograms for most trims, with the AT4X rated at 2,721 kilograms. The payload capacity was 716 kilograms, lower than some rivals.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado featured digital instrumentation and an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology. Even the base WT trim included these features, with an 8-inch screen for instrumentation, except for the ZR2, which had an 11-inch screen. The infotainment system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a variety of apps through Google Play. Wireless charging was available, and the ZR2 had a seven-speaker Bose audio system. The system included off-roading data and trailer-towing technology, with high-definition cameras for easier hitching and a surround view of the truck.

The 2023 GMC Canyon's infotainment system included an 11.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and Bluetooth streaming audio. All trims had a digital instrument cluster, with an 8-inch screen on Elevation and AT4 models and an 11-inch screen on Denali and AT4X models. A 6.3-inch head-up display was standard on Denali and AT4X, along with wireless phone charging and a Bose premium audio system. The system featured Google Built-In functionality, with Google Maps as the navigation system. The Off-Road Performance Display menu provided readouts for off-road adventures, and the surround-view camera system included an underbody view for off-roading.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado offered a comprehensive list of standard and available safety features. OnStar provided emergency calling and crash notification, while the Teen Driver system and Buckle to Drive function enhanced safety. Chevy Safety Assist included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. However, the forward-collision warning system was prone to false alerts, which could be mitigated by adjusting the gap setting.

The 2023 GMC Canyon's crash-test ratings were unavailable at the time of publication. The standard Canyon Pro Safety Package included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and forward collision warning. The optional Safety Plus Package added rear cross-traffic alert and blind-zone steering assist, while the Technology Package included adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system. These features were standard on the Denali and AT4X trims, along with a Safety Alert Seat.