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Identifying the First-Gen Ford MustangNew vs Used: Chevrolet Colorado
The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado is all new and comes with a price to match. We compare it to a slightly used 2021 Colorado to see which is the better buy.
Are The New Upgrades worth the New Prices?
Mid-size trucks are growing both in physical dimensions and in popularity. The Chevrolet Colorado is a part of that movement and an all-new generation just debuted for the 2023 model year. Today, we’re going to take a deeper look at it when compared to itself from 2021, the last time that the previous generation had a serious update.
Our goal is to find out which is actually the better deal. Does the new Colorado have enough content and capability to justify its pricing? Or is a slightly used Colorado a better deal today? We’re about to find out.
Specs
The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado features some distinctive styling cues that set it apart from previous model years. It’s bolder with a large Chevrolet wordmark stamped across the tailgate. It’s also simpler in terms of lineup. The 2021 Colorado is available in just four trims.
Across the trim levels, buyers will find either a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 200 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque, a 3.6-liter V6 with 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, or a turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine with 181 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.
Depending on the configuration, buyers can expect to get between 17 and 23 mpg combined with 4WD suffering from lower figures. As of this writing, pricing for a base Colorado with fewer than 45,000 miles starts at around $25,000.
Buyers looking at the other end of the trim spectrum will need to be willing to part ways with, on average, $40,000. That’s quite the price disparity and as is the case in any used-car search, it’s important to consider overall condition and whether or not one is available through a certified pre-owned program.
The all-new 2023 Chevrolet Colorado starts at $33,995 and can cost just north of $50,000 for the ZR2 trim with a couple of optional extras. The entire trim lineup uses the exact same 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine but power output is different. The WT and LT trims get 237 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque while the rest make 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. According to the EPA, the new Colorado gets up to 20 mpg in the city or 25 on the highway or about on par with the outgoing generation. So the new truck is a touch more powerful but lacks a diesel option or better fuel economy.
Driving and Performance
The older 2021 Chevrolet Colorado was one of the best mid-size trucks to drive when it arrived on the scene. Granted, the base engine was a bit underwhelming but the V6 made it a sincerely fun little truck and the diesel allowed it to tow up to 7,700 pounds. We really liked how light and easy to place the Colorado felt. The steering was precise in our testing and the pedal provided solid feedback and easy modulation too. That’s a tough combination to pull off with any vehicle of this size and type which is what made the Colorado stand out back in 2021.
Now, in 2023, it’s still a standout among rivals thanks, in part, to similar qualities. The 2.7-liter turbocharged engine is surprisingly smooth and capable. Mated to an eight-speed transmission, the 2023 Colorado is almost shockingly sedate on everyday roads. It’s quiet, composed, and feels a touch smaller than it actually is.The driving position is a bit higher which we think most drivers will prefer. The available 310 hp version is sincerely powerful and fun since it’s also pumping out 430 lb-ft of torque.
Interestingly, it tows exactly the same amount, 7,700 pounds as the outgoing model. Where the new 2023 Colorado excels is off-road. The old Colorado wasn’t initially designed with serious off-roading in mind. In the years since its initial introduction, that hobby has skyrocketed in popularity. This updated Colorado features trims like the Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 that all provide more capability than ever before. In our brief testing with this truck’s sibling, the GMC Canyon AT4X, we found it to be incredibly capable on tough trails.
Comfort and Interior
The 2021 Colorado has one major flaw and it’s in the cabin. Slip inside any trim level and you’ll be greeted by cheap plastics, parts-bin switchgear, and a design that very clearly dates back many years. The seats are comfortable enough though their styling is clearly function over form which we suppose is fine for a pickup.
The crew cab version is the only one with decent second-row legroom too so keep that in mind if you plan to transport adults in both rows. Despite the general lack of modern touches, the 2021 Colorado still provides a decent enough ride that buyers searching for a deal will likely overlook the drab interior.
The 2023 Colorado makes huge steps forward in just about every facet of its design. The seats, dash, and center console all look far more modern. Chevrolet has also incorporated tiny details that make the truck feel more special like patterning on the dash, contrast stitching on the seats, and a stylized landscape on the tailgate top. A new 11.3-inch infotainment system takes over in every trim from the old standard 7-inch unit. The ride quality is even better than in the old truck though it’s noticeably larger in tight parking lots and in traffic.
Trims and Features
The 2021 Colorado comes in four trim levels kicking off with WT or Work Truck. Buyers in this category can get either the above-mentioned 200 hp four-cylinder or the V6 along with air conditioning, power windows, a 7-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and an available wifi hotspot.
Next is the LT which adds a larger 8-inch infotainment screen, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and two USB power ports.
The Z71 is the first off-road version of the Colorado and comes with an off-road suspension, a locking rear differential, hill-descent control, and all-terrain tires. Buyers also benefit from a wireless device charging pad, and Z71-specific upholstery.
Finally, the ZR2 sits at the top of the pile with the V6 engine as standard equipment along with unique dampers, a factory suspension lift, larger all-terrain tires, an electronically locking rear differential, a spray-in bedliner, and fender flares.
The 2023 Colorado has all the same trims plus an extra. It begins though with the WT again. This time, it features an 11.3-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, six speakers, push-button start, an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, 17-inch wheels, and a rear camera with hitch guidance.
Next is the LT which gets a remote-locking tailgate, an additional USB power port, keyless entry, a front center console, and rear-seat climate vents.
The Trail Boss is the newest trim in the lineup and adds 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, the 310 hp version of the 2.7-liter engine, a 2-inch suspension lift, an automatically locking rear differential, a two-speed transfer case, black exterior trim, and hill descent control.
The Z71 returns for 2023 with LED exterior lighting, red tow hooks, heated power-adjustable mirrors, faux-leather upholstery, keyless entry, a sliding rear window, and two USB power ports in the second row.
Finally, the ZR2 ratchets up the off-road prowess with 17-inch wheels, mud-terrain tires, Multimatic DSSV dampers, a 3-inch suspension lift, locking differentials, rock rails, a spray-in bedliner, an 11-inch digital gauge cluster, a power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, remote start, and an advanced trailering package.
The Verdict
It might sound strange but we think the winner here is the new 2023 Chevrolet Colorado and it doesn’t feel particularly close. Remember that while the vast majority of truck owners never actually use their truck for truck things, some do, and so those examples likely have more wear and tear for a second-hand buyer to contend with.
In addition, the 2023 Colorado isn’t just a facelift with a few new bits of tech. It drives better, has big updates in the tech department, and offers better off-road equipment too. On top of all of that, it comes with a full factory warranty. With that in mind, it makes sense to pay the premium for a new Colorado.
