2023 Chevrolet Colorado vs 2023 Nissan Frontier

The 2023 Nissan Frontier continued its appeal with four trim levels—S, SV, Pro-X, and Pro-4X. Nissan proudly carried forward the exterior redesign inspired by the 1986 Nissan Hardbody that debuted in 2022, along with an overall new-for-2022 interior that had been well-received. In 2023, they introduced the Midnight Edition for the SV trim, blacking out the grille, wheels, mirrors, badging, interior accents, and headliner for a striking look. Additionally, the Pro-X and Pro-4X trims got Lava Red interior accents on the stitching, steering-wheel badge, grab handles, and door-mounted speakers, adding a splash of bold color to differentiate these off-road-focused models.

Moreover, the heated front seats and steering wheel available on both Pro grades added a touch of luxury, with a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, a four-way manually adjustable passenger seat, and a 60/40-split flip-up rear bench seat providing versatile comfort. The nine exterior color options, including “Baja Storm” tan, Tactical Green, Blue Pearl, and two shades of red in addition to the obligatory grayscale offerings, ensured that buyers had plenty of stylish choices.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss radiated rugged charm with its factory suspension lift, box-flared fenders with charcoal gray trim, and deeply sculpted hood. The Radiant Red Trail Boss presented a popular blacked-out look that endeared itself to off-road enthusiasts. The expertly penned styling exhibited visual balance and detailed expression without going overboard. Even the interior reflected a hint of Camaro with dashboard toggle switches and round outboard air vents, lending it a sporty character.

However, the relentlessly gray front fascia and cheap interior in the Work Truck (WT) and Trail Boss trims did dampen enthusiasm. The Trail Boss had a purposeful front skid plate, unlike the WT, but the interior remained largely plastic and uninspiring. Other trims like the LT, Z71, and ZR2 offered more premium touches, including body color paint and upgraded cabin materials.

The 2023 Nissan Frontier retained its robust 3.8-liter V6 engine, a powertrain introduced in 2020, producing a robust 310 hp and 281 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, also found in the full-size Nissan Titan and the Nissan Z. It provided appropriate gearing for city driving, though it required several downshifts for highway acceleration.

Rear-wheel drive (RWD) was standard, with an available shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive (4WD) system that could switch to 4HI at speeds under 70 mph. Hill-start assist and hill-descent control were standard, with the latter maintaining a steady speed on steep descents. The Pro-4X model showcased balanced off-road capability with enhanced on-road comfort, thanks to a more progressive suspension setup and refinements to reduce engine, road, and wind noise.

With a towing capacity of up to 6,720 pounds and a maximum payload of 1,610 pounds, the Frontier offered solid utility. Its fuel economy was rated up to 20 mpg combined (18 city, 24 highway), with 4WD models seeing slightly reduced ratings.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado featured a turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine across all trims, with varied outputs depending on the trim. The WT and LT trims delivered 237 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, while the Trail Boss and Z71 offered 310 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The ZR2 matched the 310 hp but offered a higher torque of 430 lb-ft. An eight-speed automatic transmission was standard.

The Trail Boss and Z71 boasted suspension lifts and wider front tracks, allowing them to tackle tough terrains effectively. Four-wheel drive was available across various trims, with the Trail Boss and ZR2 featuring a two-speed transfer case for enhanced off-road performance. The Colorado offered up to five driving modes, including a Baja mode exclusive to the ZR2.

In off-road tests, the Trail Boss proved capable, although stiff, with commendable ground clearance and skid plates for protection. On pavement, the Colorado exhibited impressive quietness and structural rigidity, with comfortable steering and responsive brakes. Fuel economy for the Trail Boss was disappointing, officially rated at 19 mpg but averaging 17 mpg during testing.

The Nissan Frontier offered two cab configurations: the larger Crew Cab, standard on Pro-X and Pro-4X trims, with four full-sized doors and a more spacious interior, and the King Cab with its two full-sized doors and two rear access doors, standard on S and SV trims. The Crew Cab came with a 5-foot bed by default, or an optional 6-foot bed if opted from SV trim. The King Cab featured a 6-foot bed as standard.

The Pro-X and Pro-4X trims benefited from LED under-rail bed lighting, and Nissan increased cargo bed volume by raising the wall heights. The 5-foot bed offered 40.1 cubic feet of space, while the 6-foot bed provided 46.4 cubic feet. The hydraulically assisted tailgate added convenience with a slow, controlled opening and single-hand closing capability. Inside, the Zero Gravity seats were designed for comfort, particularly appreciated during off-road and spirited driving.

In contrast, the Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss required a climb for short-statured passengers but offered comfortable seating for four, or a squeeze for five. The cloth upholstery magnetized pet hair while the Convenience Package II added features like an eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support. However, the lack of height adjustment for the front passenger seat wasn’t a significant drawback. Wider individuals might find the seats snug, potentially causing fatigue on long drives. The back seat provided snug legroom but sufficient overall comfort.

The Colorado’s cargo bed measured 5 feet in length (61.7 inches) with 41.9 cubic feet of capacity. The EZ-Lift and Lower tailgate was a part of the Convenience Package II, featuring a new StowFlex storage panel with a useful 45-inch wide and 4-inch deep compartment. The Mid-Position tailgate feature allowed carrying long items partially raised, supporting up to 500 pounds in this position.

For 2023, the Nissan Frontier’s Pro-X and Pro-4X trims came with wireless Apple CarPlay as standard, though a wired connection remained necessary for Android Auto users and lower trims. Every trim had USB-A and USB-C ports, with a wireless charging pad available on Pro trims. Additionally, two 120-volt power outlets in the rear center console and bed offered up to 400 watts when parked and 50 watts in motion. Infotainment included an 8-inch touchscreen for S and SV trims while the Pro-X and Pro-4X boasted a 9-inch touchscreen. A four-speaker audio system was standard on lower trims, with a six-speaker system for higher variants, and an available 10-speaker Fender premium sound system on Pro trims offered superior audio quality.

Chevrolet equipped the 2023 Colorado with a sophisticated digital setup, including an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google Built-in technology across all trims. Digital instrumentation was shown on an 8-inch screen, with a larger 11-inch screen exclusive to the ZR2. The Google-based system provided natural voice recognition, updated navigation, access to a variety of apps, and supported Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Additionally, SiriusXM satellite radio, OnStar, Chevrolet connected services, and access to a Wi-Fi hotspot were available. The Trail Boss came with a functional but basic interior, where the digital screens brought a refined touch.

Safety-wise, the Nissan Frontier provided several features as standard, including forward-collision warning, trailer sway control, driver-attention monitor, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and rear-door alert. Optional features included lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Traffic-sign recognition and intelligent cruise control were standard on the Pro-4X trim. The NHTSA rated the Frontier a four-star overall, with high marks on side crash tests but less impressive scores in frontal crash and rollover tests.

The Chevrolet Colorado offered an equally robust safety suite. Standard features included forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Advanced options like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with active steering assist, and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking were available. However, the forward-collision warning system in our test truck was overly sensitive, issuing numerous false alerts requiring adjustment of the gap settings to minimize the annoyance.