2023 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD, redesigned for the 2020 model year, showcased a bold exterior with a tall hood, squared-off lines, and a massive grille, giving it a commanding presence. While its exterior design was widely appreciated, the interior had some shortcomings, particularly in material quality, which lagged behind competitors like Ram and Ford. Despite being spacious, the cabin didn't quite match the luxury feel of its rivals.

The Sierra 2500HD was available in five trim levels, each offering a unique look and feel, and came in regular cab, extended cab, and crew cab body styles. The Pro trim was basic, aimed at those needing capability without frills, while the SLE and SLT added more comfort features. The AT4 was designed for off-road enthusiasts, and the Denali catered to those seeking a luxury truck. Our test drive of the AT4 trim revealed a rugged, handsome package with black chrome accents, C-shaped LED lighting, and a premium interior featuring Jet Black with Kalahari upholstery, heated and ventilated leather seats, and a Bose premium audio system.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss featured a factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders with charcoal gray trim, and a deeply sculpted hood, giving it a rugged off-road appearance. The styling was well-balanced, with a proper stance and expressive detailing that didn't go overboard. Inside, the Colorado's design echoed hints of the Camaro, with dashboard toggle switches and round air vents, making it a good-looking truck both inside and out.

However, the base Work Truck (WT) and Trail Boss trims had a gray front fascia and a cheap interior that dampened enthusiasm. The Trail Boss did have a purposeful front skid plate, but the interior lacked color contrast and felt plasticky. Higher trims like the LT, Z71, and ZR2 offered better interiors and more powerful versions of the 2.7-liter turbocharged engine. Our Trail Boss test truck came with several options, including a spray-on bedliner, Advanced Trailering Package, Skid Plate Package, and Trail Boss Convenience Package II, bringing the MSRP to $42,150.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD boasted impressive figures with its 445 horsepower, 910 pound-feet of torque, 3,597 pounds of maximum payload capacity, and 18,500 pounds of maximum trailering weight. Despite these numbers, it was considered underpowered compared to its diesel-powered heavy-duty competitors. The Sierra 2500HD's 6.6-liter V8 engines, both gas and turbodiesel, were strong performers, especially when paired with the excellent Allison 10-speed automatic transmission.

Our test truck featured the optional Duramax diesel/Allison automatic transmission combination, delivering abundant power. The engine's power was so significant that it required a firm brake pedal press when shifting out of Park to prevent unintended movement. The Sierra 2500HD felt quick for a three-ton truck, with smooth shifts from the Allison 10-speed transmission. However, the ride was jittery over uneven pavement, improving with added weight. The AT4 trim's off-road capabilities were impressive, handling hills and rough terrain with ease, though we experienced some steering column vibration on lumpy terrain.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado came with a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. In the WT and LT trims, it produced 237 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The Trail Boss and Z71 trims offered 310 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque, while the ZR2 matched the 310-hp rating but boasted 430 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with the Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2 featuring a two-speed transfer case for enhanced off-road performance.

Our Trail Boss test truck, with its 2-inch suspension lift and all-terrain tires, handled off-road terrain well, maintaining forward momentum with minimal rear-wheel slip. The Colorado Trail Boss was stiff on rough surfaces but performed confidently off-road. On pavement, the truck was quiet and handled broken infrastructure with ease. The powertrain provided swift acceleration, though it didn't feel as zesty as some competitors. The fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 17 mpg compared to the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered three cab configurations, two pickup bed lengths, and available 4WD, making it a highly functional truck. It could seat up to six passengers, with abundant space in both front and rear seats. Getting into the tall truck required some effort, but the side assist step and corner-step rear bumper aided access. Inside, the Sierra 2500HD had a wide and deep center console, dual glove boxes, hidden storage compartments in the rear seats, and a fold-down armrest with cupholders. The optional 120-volt power outlet and USB ports added convenience, while the MultiPro tailgate offered six functions for improved loading and unloading.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss provided comfortable seating for four people, with the option to squeeze a fifth passenger in the back seat. The standard cloth upholstery attracted pet hair, but the eight-way power driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support ensured a proper driving position. The back seat offered enough room for six-footers, with good thigh support and rear air conditioning vents. The air conditioning system cooled the cab quickly, even in hot weather.

Storage space in the Colorado was limited, with small door panel trays, a useful tray ahead of the transmission shifter, and a deep but narrow center armrest bin. The cargo bed measured 41.9 cubic feet and came with an EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate and StowFlex storage panel. The Mid-Position tailgate feature allowed for carrying long items, supporting up to 500 pounds.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD offered a range of infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch color touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on SLT and above, with a navigation system available on SLT and AT4 trims. The Sierra 2500HD came with hitch guidance, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, a WiFi hotspot, and OnStar with connected services. Our test vehicle's Bose premium audio system provided rich sound, though the voice-recognition system had some quirks. The Sierra's 15 available camera views, including the "transparent trailer" view, made towing easier and improved visibility.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado featured digital instrumentation and an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology. The instrumentation displayed on an 8-inch screen, except in the ZR2, which had an 11-inch screen. The infotainment system supported Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, OnStar, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Wireless charging was available, and the standard six-speaker stereo was decent. The Colorado also offered real-time off-roading data and added trailer-towing technology with high-definition cameras.

The 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD came with a range of safety and driver-assistive features, including automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, following distance indicator, hill-descent control, and front and rear park assist. Standard items included HD Surround Vision, a rear-seat reminder system, driver Safety Alert Seat, and a Teen Driver system. Due to its high GVWR, the Sierra 2500HD was not rated by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado offered an impressive list of standard and available safety features. OnStar provided SOS emergency calling and automatic crash notification, while the Teen Driver system and Buckle to Drive function added safety for young drivers. Chevy Safety Assist included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Optional ADAS included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic and pedestrian alert, and rear parking sensors. Our test truck's forward-collision warning system had issues with false alerts, but adjusting the gap setting improved its performance.