2023 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2023 Toyota Tundra

The 2023 Toyota Tundra was a behemoth of a truck, with its massive grille and interlocking design elements that gave it a purposeful and solid appearance. The Tundra's design was not just about brute force; it featured slim, high-mounted headlights and a character line that added visual length. The rear showcased a three-dimensional stamped design, adding to its robust look. In Canada, the Tundra was available in ten different trim levels, offering a variety of options for consumers. The interior of the Tundra was spacious and comfortable, with expansive seats and a massive 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. Despite its polarizing exterior, the Tundra's interior provided everything one could want in a truck, including comfort and space.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss, on the other hand, exuded a rugged off-road persona with its factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders, and blacked-out look. The Colorado's styling was well-balanced, with a hint of Camaro influence in the dashboard toggle switches and air vents. However, the base Work Truck and Trail Boss trims had a gray front fascia and a cheap interior that dampened enthusiasm. The Trail Boss featured a purposeful front skid plate, but the interior lacked colour contrast. The Colorado offered a range of trims, with the Trail Boss and ZR2 being the most off-road capable. The Trail Boss came with several options, including a spray-on bedliner and advanced trailering package, bringing its MSRP to $50,844.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra marked a significant shift from its predecessor by offering two six-cylinder engine choices. The standard 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 produced 389 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, while the Tundra Hybrid's i-FORCE MAX engine delivered an impressive 437 hp and 583 lb-ft. The 10-speed automatic transmission managed the power smoothly, and the new multi-link rear suspension improved ride quality over various terrains. The Tundra's maximum towing capacity was 5,045 kilograms, with a payload capacity of 880 kilograms. The TRD Pro trim stood out with its off-road capabilities, including a 28-mm lift, Fox shocks, and a multi-terrain system. However, its large size posed challenges on narrow trails.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado featured a turbocharged 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine across all trims. The WT and LT trims offered 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the Trail Boss and Z71 provided 310 hp and 391 lb-ft. The ZR2 trim matched the 310 hp but boasted 430 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with the Trail Boss and ZR2 featuring a two-speed transfer case for enhanced off-road performance. The Trail Boss had a 5-cm suspension lift and all-terrain tires, while the ZR2 offered a 7.6-cm lift and mud-terrain tires. The Colorado excelled off-road, with its robust suspension and driving modes, but its fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 13.8 L/100 km during testing.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra's interior was designed with practicality in mind, featuring a blend of technology and simple controls. The centre console housed a large bin with a sliding door for easy access, and the wireless charging pad was conveniently angled. Heated seats and a heated steering wheel were available on 4WD models, and the rear seats offered ample space for tall and wide adults. The Tundra came in various configurations, with bed lengths ranging from 1,677 mm to 2,469 mm, catering to different needs.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss offered comfortable seating for four, with the option to squeeze in a fifth passenger. The power driver's seat provided good support, but wider individuals might find the front seats pinching. The back seat had adequate headroom and legroom, with rear air conditioning vents standard on most trims. The Trail Boss's interior lacked soft-touch surfaces, and storage space was limited. The cargo bed measured 1,567 mm in length and featured an EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate with a StowFlex storage panel. The Mid-Position tailgate allowed for carrying long items, supporting up to 225 kilograms.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra featured an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims, with a 14-inch multimedia screen standard on Limited grade and higher. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 12-speaker audio system on higher trims. A 12.3-inch digital instrument panel added to the Tundra's technological appeal, making it a significant upgrade from previous models.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado came equipped with digital instrumentation and an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Trail Boss's interior, though basic, featured sophisticated digital screens and Google-based tech, including voice recognition and navigation. The Colorado also offered trailer-towing technology and a network of camera views for off-roading.

The 2023 Toyota Tundra came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, offering features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available but not standard. The Tundra CrewMax received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado offered standard Chevy Safety Assist, including 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, causing frustration during testing.