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As we grow up, chanting, ‘Chug, chug, chug’ can be fun or dangerous, and the amount of gas that trucks like the Chevrolet Colorado guzzle matters based on budgets. Drinking isn’t too much of a problem in college, but then people get too old to handle hangovers. Sometimes people mature and switch to water, but the 2023 Chevy Colorado actually managed to get worse. 

What is the 2023 Chevy Colorado MPG? 

The 2023 Chevy Colorado parked near a home
2023 Chevy Colorado | Chevrolet

The 2023 Chevy Colorado gets an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city and up to 25 mpg on the highway with the standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and two-wheel drive. Adding four-wheel drive reduces these figures to 19 mpg in the city and up to 23 mpg on the highway. 

Upgrading to the Turbo Plus variant for more power provides about 17 mpg in the city and up to 21 mpg on the highway. But the figures for this engine with 4WD haven’t been released. But heavier off-roading equipment takes a toll.

The 2022 Chevy Colorado gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city and up to 25 mpg on the highway with the outgoing 2.5-liter inline-four engine. Adding 4WD reduces the figures to 19 and 24 mpg. 

With the older 3.6-liter V6 engine, the Colorado gets 18 mpg in the city and up to 25 mpg on the highway. It gets 17 and 24 mpg with 4WD. Also, the outgoing Duramax 2.8-liter diesel gets up to 20 mpg in the city and up to 30 mpg on the highway. With 4WD, it gets 19 and 28 mpg. 

So, the Colorado is less fuel efficient than before, which is disappointing for fleets and daily commuters. The fuel economy is identical for the Trail Boss and Z71 models despite having a lift and a wider track. The Colorado Z72 could do a little worse with beefier upgrades. 

Does the 2023 Colorado have more power? 

Yes, the 2023 Chevy Colorado does have more power at the expense of its fuel economy. The 2022 Colorado has a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 200 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. 

You can upgrade to the 3.6-liter V6 engine for 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

The 2023 Colorado has a standard turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 237 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. That’s 37 extra ponies and 70 more torque. 

This engine has three output levels, and the Turbo Plus cranks things up to 310 and 391 lb-ft of torque. This is an increase of two horses and 116 torque over the outgoing V6 engine. With the Turbo Hihg-Output, you get 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. 

Even though the Colorado has more power, it didn’t get a larger towing capacity. It can tow up to 7,700 lbs and carry a payload of up to 1,610 lbs. 

Does the 2023 Colorado have a better performance? 

2023 Chevy Colorado interior
2023 Chevy Colorado interior | Chevrolet

Yes, the 2023 Chevy Colorado offers an enhanced performance. The new standard engine doesn’t feel underpowered like the outgoing model. But the throttle can be slow to respond while merging. 

The wider track and suspension upgrades give the Coloraod a smoother ride over the pavement and while off-roading. Plus, more noise insulation materials reduce road and wind noise for a quieter ride.

The Turbo Plus can climb over rocks and obstacles with ease. It also has faster response times to make passing others easier. It provides smooth transmission shifts for a relaxing ride, but the engine can be noisy. 

As gas prices rise, it’s easy to expect new trucks and SUVs to get better fuel economies, but that’s not always the case. The Colorado decided to provide a sportier experience with more off-roading upgrades instead.