If you’re looking for a midsize truck with a powerful engine and a reputation for peak performance, then the 2023 Chevy Colorado might be the one for you. Redesigned completely for 2023, the all-new Colorado combines power and technology, all in a compact, affordable truck. People may compare the Colorado to another midsize truck on the market, the Toyota Tacoma, but these two vehicles are different in some significant ways. Keep reading to find out how they differ so you can choose the right truck for your needs.
Power and Performance
The brand-new Chevy Colorado has several engine options for different trims. The baseline trim comes with a standard 2.7-liter Turbo engine, which generates 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, but you can choose a version of this engine that provides 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, depending on the trim level. All trims come with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the transmission on the higher trims includes additional features, like tow/haul mode and cruise grade braking. Automatic locking rear brake differential is available on the lower trims and standard on the higher ones.
Like the Colorado, the 2023 Toyota Tacoma offers drivers several engines to choose from when building a new truck, but the Tacoma’s baseline 2.7-liter engine is less powerful than the Colorado’s, generating only 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. You can pay extra for more robust engines, like a 3.5-liter V-6, which generates slightly more power than the baseline Colorado engine. Unlike the Colorado, the Tacoma offers a six-speed automatic transmission.
Trim Levels
Drivers can choose from five trim levels for the 2023 Chevy Colorado. The first two trims are the baseline WT and the slightly higher LT, both of which are available in either two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive models. The WT comes with basic features, like 17-inch wheels and halogen daytime running lamps. One level up, the LT adds additional technology and luxury features, like a remote locking tailgate and painted mirror caps. The higher trims are only available in four-wheel-drive models. The Trail Boss focuses on off-roading features, while the Z71 and ZR2 add luxuries, like LED fog lamps.
The 2023 Toyota Tacoma offers drivers six trim levels with the ability to customize by adding packages for extra cost. Because of the sheer amount of customization, there’s a lot of variation across these trucks and there’s no clear baseline model. The most basic trim is the SR, which has 16-inch wheels and an option for both a short and long cab. This stripped-down version is the most affordable but lacks the basic technology and safety features you’ll find in the Colorado’s base model.
Technology
The 2023 Chevy Colorado includes a variety of technological features in each of its five trims. At the baseline level, you’ll get an 11.3-inch LED infotainment display with Google built-in, a six-speaker sound system, a 12-volt power outlet, and front-seat USB ports. You’ll also get an 8-inch driver information display and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. Higher trim levels add more advanced technological features, like keyless entry, reading lights, rear USB ports, and a rear window defogger. You can also add packages like the Illumination or Technology packages to any trim to get more tech.
The Toyota Tacoma’s SR trim also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the Tacoma’s touch-screen infotainment display is smaller at 7 inches. At more expensive trim levels, you can upgrade to a larger touch screen with more features at an additional cost, but that option isn’t available for all of the lower trims. The Tacoma SR’s 4.2-inch information display is also much smaller than the Colorado’s. Like the Colorado, the Tacoma allows you to add advanced technology packages, but they’re not available for all trims and cab sizes.
Safety Features
Starting with the WT baseline trim, the 2023 Chevy Colorado has a robust set of safety features to protect drivers and passengers. Drivers get seven air bags, automatic emergency braking, and a forward collision alert for all trim levels. The Colorado also has a hitch camera and rear camera to keep your truck safe while reversing or towing heavy loads. The standard safety features are fairly consistent across all trim levels, but you can add optional features, like underbody cameras, rear parking assist, or rear pedestrian alerts, to keep you even safer on the road.
The 2023 Toyota Tacoma’s safety features depend on the trim and cab size you choose. Basic safety features across all trims include automatic high beams, a hitch camera, and collision alerts. Buying a more expensive trim allows you to purchase more advanced features, like rear sonar and parking assistance systems. For example, blind spot monitoring isn’t available for the SR, but you can add it to some of the higher trim levels for an additional cost, and it comes standard on the most expensive model.
Price
The 2023 Chevy Colorado has a starting MSRP of $29,200, making this midsize truck powerful and affordable. Financing options, like the ones offered by Huffines Chevrolet Lewisville, can get you behind the wheel even faster. While the Toyota Tacoma also has a low starting MSRP of $27,750 for the most stripped-down model, this version doesn’t have many of the features that the Colorado comes with automatically. Adding the packages to the Tacoma to get the features you want means you might end up spending more than you would on the Colorado’s baseline trim.
While the 2023 Chevy Colorado and the 2023 Toyota Tacoma share some similar features, like basic safety systems and multiple engine options, the Colorado’s baseline model has more substantial standard features than the Tacoma, making it a better deal for the money. Of course, nothing drives quite like a Chevy does, so the best way to appreciate the new Chevy Colorado is by taking a test drive in one of our new models. Stop by our lot to talk to an expert and to get behind the wheel of this all-new truck today.