2023 GMC Sierra 1500 vs 2024 Chevrolet Colorado

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 had undergone a styling update in 2022, which maintained its status as a visually appealing full-size truck. The changes included a wider grille and updated headlights, which, while enhancing its sharp look, were more of a lateral move in terms of design evolution. The interior, however, marked a significant departure from its predecessor, aligning more with the trend of making truck cabins resemble those of daily driver cars and SUVs. This shift included a large screen that replaced the simpler layout of the previous model, potentially complicating the experience for those seeking straightforward functionality. The new infotainment system, while modern, moved controls lower on the dash but retained traditional climate controls and a conventional volume dial.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado embraced a bold redesign, adopting a "Camaro-ify Everything" approach that gave it an aggressive, futuristic look reminiscent of the Camaro muscle car. The rakish headlights and sharply angled grille contributed to its striking appearance. Inside, the Colorado followed the design trends of other new Chevy vehicles, featuring circular climate control vents inspired by the Camaro and a clean, horizontal dashboard layout. This design was both visually appealing and ergonomic, enhancing the overall driving experience. The Colorado's interior was designed to be user-friendly, with a car-like seating position that provided comfort during long trips, although the second-row legroom was somewhat limited for taller passengers.

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 offered a range of powertrain options, including a standard 2.7-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. The optional 3.0-litre Duramax turbocharged inline-six diesel engine delivered 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, providing a lively driving experience. Additionally, two gas V8 engines were available: a 5.3-litre V8 with 355 hp and 383 lb-ft, and a 6.2-litre V8 generating 420 hp and 460 lb-ft. The gas four-cylinder engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the other engines came with a 10-speed automatic. The Sierra's towing capacity reached up to 5,987 kilograms (13,200 pounds) with the diesel engine and RWD, and it had a maximum payload capacity of 1,093 kilograms (2,410 pounds) with the turbo-four and 5.3-litre V8 engines.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado, on the other hand, was equipped exclusively with turbocharged four-cylinder engines, both displacing 2.4 litres. The base version produced 237 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, while the Turbo Max version delivered 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing solid low-end power for city driving and off-road adventures. The Colorado's maximum towing capacity was 3,492 kilograms (7,700 pounds), with a payload capacity of 775 kilograms (1,710 pounds). The ZR2 Bison trim, designed for off-road capability, featured Multimatic DSSV dampers for exceptional shock absorption, offering a well-rounded driving experience on both rough terrain and paved roads.

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 offered various cab and bed configurations, including a regular cab with a standard-size bed, a single cab with a long bed, a double cab with a standard bed, and a full four-door crew cab with either a short or standard bed. Our test model featured the crew cab/short-bed setup, providing ample cabin space with generous head and legroom for both rows. The interior boasted large storage trays in the doors and multiple spots for large water bottles. The centre console included two large cup holders, a tray ahead of the shifter, and a deep centre storage compartment with an organizer. The rear bench folded up, offering secure storage space. The GMC MultiPro tailgate, available on the Denali Ultimate trim, provided multiple configurations, including a bed step-up and a fold-out workstation.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Colorado was available in a single body style: a four-door quad cab with a 1,567-millimetre (5-foot, 2-inch) bed. While the bed offered decent space for gear, it was not as spacious as a full-size pickup. The Colorado's car-like seating position provided comfort during long trips, with ample front-row legroom, headroom, and shoulder room. However, the second-row legroom was limited, especially for taller passengers. The interior layout was user-friendly, with a car-like arrangement for the shifter and controls. The cup holders were positioned low in front of the centre console, which could be inconvenient for accessing larger drinks while driving. The Colorado's high bed wall and floor made loading items more challenging, but the larger bed steps in the rear bumper accommodated large work boots. The ZR2 Bison's spare tire, mounted in the bed, reduced usable space.

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 featured a 7-inch touchscreen with a carryover infotainment system on the base Pro trim, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Other trims received an updated infotainment system with a 13.4-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The new system had a logical layout with large icons and a home button, although it lacked a tuning knob. It included Google-connected apps, trailering status apps, and average fuel economy displays when connected to a trailer. The Sierra Denali Ultimate featured a wireless charging pad, USB-A and USB-C ports, and a wall-style power outlet, although the outlet's placement in the centre console was less convenient. All trims except the base Pro had a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel, complemented by a massive head-up display.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado came standard with an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring a logical layout and a digital dock of buttons for easy access to radio, navigation, and vehicle settings. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a digital home button and a volume dial for user-friendly operation. The Colorado also included an 11-inch fully digital instrument panel, two front USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and satellite radio. The LT trim added wireless device charging and a rear USB port, while the LT Convenience Package offered additional USB ports and wall-style power outlets, enhancing connectivity for camping and commuting.

The 2023 GMC Sierra 1500 came equipped with standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, and GM’s Teen Driver system. Higher trims, such as the Denali Ultimate, included additional features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, a surround-view camera system, and GM’s Super Cruise driver assist system. The Sierra's rear headrests could be flipped down for improved rearward visibility, and the rearview camera mirror provided a vivid display for enhanced visibility.

The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The LT Convenience Package III added reverse automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The ZR2 trim featured an underbody camera for off-road navigation. The Colorado received four out of five stars for frontal crash testing and five out of five stars for side crash testing from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), although it earned three out of five stars for the rollover test.