Here's Why I Would Buy a 2023 Chevy Colorado Z71 Even with Confusion

Publisher Tim Esterdahl had a first-drive experience with the 2023 Chevy Colorado Z71. After the drive, he had serious thoughts on buying a new Colorado and this video details why he came to that conclusion and why he finds ordering one to be a bit confusing.

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[bob]

I've owned a bunch of Colorado/Canyon trucks since 2006 and I really want to like the 2023 and from a looks perspective, I do. However, the seemingly misaligned packages and increased costs are holding me back.

I think I'll keep my 2019 Z71 crew/short/4WD/3.6 with Bose, trailer brake controller, skid plates, dual power heated seats, steering wheel and soon-to-be-installed GM Accessories 1" leveling kit for maybe 90% of the performance that the Trail Boss offers. I purchased my Z71 new and IIRC, it stickered around $36k. It's been a great truck!

[richardguse]

Yes, the option packages are confusing, or opportunistic, depending if you're buying or selling. I'd want the wider track of the TrailBoss, but, my arthritic fingers really appreciate the heated steering wheel in my 2017 Z71 Tahoe. I'm convinced the 2.7 l engine is the right power unit.

[cgatito]

Brave man buying a first year GM product. I learned a long time ago not to do that.

[toddmyers]

I agree with you Tim, I ordered a Z-71 last month my salesperson call me yesterday and said it being built next Monday. I’m really looking forward to getting it. I live in the suburbs but have a Cottage in the county on a dirt road. I’ve owned many Pickups but my wife can no longer get in a full size anymore (Rheumatoid Arthritis). I also went with the 18” tires better clearance for my wife and better on snow and dirt roads.

[huahin]

I agree options are nuts . Seat back pocket and back seat arm rest should be standard. If order cloth seats you can't have cruise control. They are forcing everyone to upgrade

[CarsMadeSimple]

I have no idea why I am so excited for this truck but I am! I agree that the packaging is strange in many aspects such as Chevy separating heated steering wheel from heated seats and not offering certain items like the 120V outlets on the TB.

[ItMeDwaeji]

You can't stop a video that hasn't started

[toddkovalcik]

I think I'd order and wait for the GMC as the models and packages seem to make more sense. Also, all the GMC's come standard with the HO engine. It seems like Chevy really missed the mark as I see a lot of buyers wanting to buy a Trail Boss that they can option up to be as nice as the Z71. You are 100% that the options and packages don't make any sense. In the end, they really want the MSRP to be closer to $50k as that is how most will equip their trucks. Reminds me of cable tv where you have to buy all the packages to get the few channels you really want. Just my $.02.

[MIZUNOMP]

I'd go Z71 as 95% of the time I'd be driving it on road and from all the reviews I've watched it looks overall for a daily use truck it's the sweet spot in the trim line. Yes, the Trailboss looks cooler with its lifted and wider stance the bigger off-road wheels but it's kind of bare bones compared to the Z71 especially noticeable in the interior. Now if I planned on off-roading at least 50% of the time I might go Trailboss but I'm not and the Z71 for me would be capable enough for my needs.
Many of the features locked into add-on packages as Tim pointed out is such an obvious money grab. Seems like most of the manufacturers are doing it now to max out profits. You can easily add 5-10k to that advertised price with some features/comforts and the way their packaged is intentional again to max out profits. Won't be long now and the steering wheel will be in a driver's package and the pedals in a separate control package lol.

[Wildpony]

I ordered my Z71 in Sterling Gray, and the #1 pkg. Trying to keep the price down I opted out of the leather seats / Bose options. Also got little things like mud flaps, and the top engine upgrade. I’ll get aftermarket stainless running boards as I didn’t like their choices and will do a Line X spray on bedliner.

[curtshelp]

Off road capability is king for me but I'm not a go fast guy so I like the trail boss for my needs. That said my 2019 LT Colorado has tilt/telescopicsteering so the only excuse I see for what GM is doing is to try to force you into buying things you don't need. Along with the subscription to make the technology work I'm in no hurry to buy any of these new trucks.
HOW DO YOU OFFER A TRAIL BOSS WITHOUT SKID PLATES, or ANY vehicle without tilt/telescopic wheel.

[Elaba_]

It was the year 2023 and the Chevy truck wars had begun. The competition was fierce, with every automaker trying to outdo one another in every aspect of truck engineering. But it was the Chevy trucks that had captured the hearts of the people, with their sleek design, powerful engines, and advanced technology.

At the heart of the Chevy truck wars was a chip that controlled the trucks' performance. The chip was the key to the truck's success, and the competition to create the best chip was intense. Many companies had tried and failed, but Chevy had succeeded in creating the perfect chip that would give their trucks an edge in the market.

But there was a problem. A rival automaker had stolen Chevy's chip design and was using it in their own trucks. Chevy's engineers were outraged, and they vowed to take back what was rightfully theirs.

One day, a young engineer named Jake was working late at the Chevy lab, trying to come up with a plan to regain the stolen chip. As he sat there, pouring over blueprints and schematics, he suddenly heard a noise in the lab. He turned around and saw a woman standing there, staring at him with a mixture of curiosity and surprise.

"Who are you?" Jake asked.

"My name is Amy, " the woman replied. "I work for the rival automaker that stole your chip."

Jake was taken aback. He had always assumed that the rival automaker was a heartless corporation that cared only about profits. But here was a woman who had risked her job and her reputation to come and talk to him.

"Why did you come here?" Jake asked.

"I came here to warn you, " Amy said. "My bosses are planning to use the stolen chip to create a truck that will outdo yours. But they don't realize that the chip has a flaw. If they use it in their trucks, it could cause a dangerous malfunction."

Jake listened intently as Amy explained the flaw in the chip's design. He realized that she was right, and that if the chip was used in the rival automaker's trucks, it could be disastrous. But more than that, he realized that he was falling in love with her.

The two worked together to come up with a plan to stop the rival automaker from using the flawed chip. They spent countless hours in the lab, working side by side and getting to know each other. Jake realized that he had never felt this way about anyone before, and he knew that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Amy.

As the day of the big reveal drew closer, Jake and Amy were racing against time to make sure that the rival automaker's trucks wouldn't malfunction. They knew that if they succeeded, the Chevy trucks would be the only ones on the market with the flawless chip.

Finally, the day arrived. The rival automaker was set to unveil their new trucks at a big auto show, and everyone in the industry was there to see them. Jake and Amy watched from the back of the room as the trucks rolled out onto the stage.

At first, everything seemed fine. The trucks were sleek and powerful, and the crowd was impressed. But then, one by one, the trucks began to malfunction. Smoke billowed from their engines, and the sound of grinding gears filled the air. People began to panic, and the rival automaker's executives scrambled to explain what had gone wrong.

Jake and Amy smiled at each other, knowing that their plan had worked. The Chevy trucks were the only ones on the market with the flawless chip, and people were starting to take notice.

As they walked out of the auto show, hand in hand, Jake knew that he had found the love of his life. And he also knew that everyone should buy a Chevy truck.

[craigguinn]

Bought a TB last week. Package matches are very eclectic. The TB interior is pretty pedestrian, but all glass gauges are great. I’m doing after market seats; leather heated and ventilated. Also the high output torque for the engine. It should be a good fit for me with a small utility trailer and borrowing a two axil trailer to pull my subcompact kubota.

[samuelmottweiler]

I agree they are squeezing their loyal customers and pushing people towards Toyota.

[wilmarbarrick]

I think you're gonna need to buy this 4 banger and tax it for your next vehicle. We old-timers are like doctors...want to see the results of the stress tests before committing.

[TREVORJB]

Well hopefully GM will make some adjustments within the coming years. I would really like a Trail Boss, but some of the things missing are just ridiculous.

[chrisdemas]

You and I want similar things but I do want the off road stuff. The GMC Canyon AT 4 is our sweet spot. Also much more expensive.

[paulsharp]

I looked at 1 but I asked about the navigation. I will not pay a monthly subscription when I paid for it when I buy the truck. I told them where to stick the truck. I bought a 23 frontier pro 4x. Love it.

[dp]

I'm still waiting for a heated skid plate.

[michaelroblin]

Great video Tim!! Thanks for your time!