The 2023 Chevy Montana Is a Small Truck You Can’t Buy
In the United States, small trucks are experiencing a bit of a renaissance. We’ve got compact pickups like the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz. And these vehicles are proving that Americans are willing to put cash down on a pickup truck that doesn’t feel like a behemoth. There is one model that we would love to see in the States, though, and that is the Chevy Montana.
What is the Chevy Montana?
The Chevrolet Montana is a small truck that we don’t get here in the States. For 2023, it is actually all-new. It is also limited to the South American market. Because of that, it does not look like General Motors has plans to bring the Montana up north.
This compact pickup is actually the first unibody truck in Chevy’s history. And although Ford and Hyundai both have unibody trucks available, don’t expect to see a 2023 Montana at a dealership near you any time soon.
The 2023 Montana is like an SUV with a truck bed
The goal of the new Chevy Montana is to offer practicality and ruggedness. It is based on a variant of the GEM platform, and from the looks of it, the Montana is reminiscent of the Chevy Blazer.
One of the coolest things about this vehicle might be its bed. Chevy calls it the Multi-Flex cargo bed, and it has quite a few tricks up its sleeve. For instance, the tonneau cover ensures that drivers can keep their cargo dry. Plus, it’s highly configurable. On paper, it reminds me of what Hyundai has done with the Santa Cruz.
This small truck is not powerful
Looking at the power outputs of this pickup, I think it is safe to say that it looks underpowered. Each model comes with a 1.2-liter turbocharged engine. And that powerplant produces 133 horsepower and 155 pound-foot of torque. If you need a sign to show you this truck isn’t meant for North America, those numbers might be it.
As an enthusiast, it is exciting to see that the 2023 Chevy Montana is offered with a six-speed manual transmission. Here in the States, hand-made shifts are becoming a bit of a rarity. Especially if you are not looking to drive a sports car. Of course, buyers can also get this Chevy pickup with an automatic.
According to GM Authority, the Montana is only available with front-wheel drive. And that is an interesting choice for a vehicle that is supposed to be adventurous.
Will GM make a small truck for North America?
With the success of the Ford Maverick, it is hard not to see GM eyeing the small truck segment. Currently, the smallest pickups offered here are the GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado. And to be frank, those trucks are not all that small.
One would hope that more small trucks would enter the market. And it is possible that GM has plans for some kind of compact EV pickup. But nothing has been confirmed at this point.
