2023 Chevrolet Colorado | Talking Cars with Consumer Reports #443

The redesigned 2023 Chevrolet Colorado offers noticeable improvements throughout the truck. We share our first impressions of this midsized pickup truck, exploring its modern convenience features, off-road prowess, improved ride quality, and evaluating if the redesign truly paid off. Additionally, we debate regarding the impact of Toyota's renowned reliability on its overall greatness, and provide insights on combating excessive tire wear in EVs.

SHOW NOTES
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00:00 - Introduction
00:15 - First Impressions: 2023 Chevrolet Colorado
02:01 - How it Drives
03:25 - The Size
07:17 - Safety Features
09:01 - Controls
10:24 - Small Trucks Demand
12:58 - Question #1:Do rear-wheel drive EVs require snow tires for winter driving, and are there EV models with reduced tire wear impact?
18:28 - Question #2: Would Toyotas still be as great without their stellar reliability?

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First Drive: Redesigned 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Is Improved Throughout

2023 Chevrolet Colorado

Face-Off: Chevrolet Colorado vs. Ford Ranger

SUV or Pickup: Which to Choose?

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[KJSvitko]

Full size trucks have gotten too big. Unless you are a contractor or rancher that hauls regularly or tows a trailer they are way too big for daily driving.
The mid size trucks are the size of full size trucks from the 1990's and 2000's

[lonecrusaider]

I bought my wife a 2019 ZR2 baby max. Love it! Had the shudder in the trans but we finally swapped to Mobil 1 fluid and now the trans works better than it ever has. Great truck. Hauled hay, another full size pickup, tractor.

[Commentleaver-cx]

Unless you don’t have room to park a full size truck in your driveway, there is no upside to buying a midsize. They don’t get any better fuel mileage, aren’t much less expensive if at all, and are nowhere near as comfortable as a full size.

[jacobyo]

The mid-level tune on the 2.7 that you have 310/390 is for 2023 only. 2024+ have either the base tune or the top level one with 310/430.

[chili-rye]

CR needs to start testing good height, visibility, and dangers if you’re hit by one of these heavy trucks. They’re all for safety and this is a safety issue

[Tokamak.]

6:00 "Most practical vehicle in the fleet sometimes". This is why minivans are pretty much dead. 5 years ago Jen commented that SUVs were more practical than minivans. Not knocking trucks but good luck putting in carseats without difficulty if you have a bad back. Very few people are willing to buy the practical vehicle because it makes them uncool at the expense of their wallet.

[jacobyo]

The “gap adjustment” on a lot of GM cars just changes the forward collision warning distance. It’s very misleading and it’s hard to look for used cars that have it because when you’re looking at photos of the steering wheel, all of the cars have that symbol

[hereigoagain]

The Honda Ridgeline is a good choice for residential customers who don't need huge towing or extreme off-roading. How does it compare to the Colorado or Ranger?

[IamGroot]

Not "Almost", they are as big as full size used to be.
All unintended consequences of CAFE standards.

[sigor]

Model 3 in chill mode or even Y eith just RWD does not eat tires... we go though 50k on a set, just don't use gas pedal as an on/off switch.

[atmartens]

Small trucks do have a place in the US market but thanks to loop holes in the gas mileage standards, chicken tax and Americans thinking that luxury = big is why they went away. I really hope that GM, Honda, Nissan, Ram, and even Subaru look at bringing smaller life style trucks.

Secondly, Toyota is 100% depended on its reliability. Besides their Supra and GR86, which aren’t even fully made by them, Toyota is boring. Truthfully that’s why Honda has always been such a good companion. Honda has the reliability but doesn’t feel dull to drive. Same could be said for Mazda. Nissan went cheap so they are not as reliable and Subaru is 50/50, but theyre going for a different market. I agree though that I’d never want to own a Dodge, Chrysler or Jeep due to reliability, they do know how to bring a lot of excitement to their brands with colors, special trim names and other fun gimmicks.

[jrkat]

Quite a love fest, I liked Chevy pick-ups that is until my transmission died @ 30k on my Silverado now I know they are crap expensive crap😝

[mattsanchez]

Not sure what the point of a short-bed truck is?

[chili-rye]

It’s a sad state of affairs in the US when those tiny kei-trucks in Japan have the same size bed as mid/full-sized trucks in the US.

[GPG]

Not enough rear leg room even for kids.

[TheoPhilpot]

Toyota has been playing the conservative approach to building cars for awhile. The incremental improvements really do build up. Can't wait to see y'alls comparison of the new tacoma, new colorado, new ranger, and oldish frontier.

[ironwill]

Hi, question what do you do with your vehicles after testing, 1st year ?

[sergiomar]

What if killing flies at 100m and 120m?

[TealSide]

Hi I'm Mike Crossen, I'm Mike Monticello and I'm the third Mike - Mike Quincy. Welcome to the show.

[Buc_Stops_Here]

If you want a car that is fun to drive and reliable, get a Mazda. It is still very reliable (almost as good as Toyota) and they last a long time. They are cheaper as well because Toyota in general is very expensive now with no discounting at all.