Starting at
Starting at
237 | Horsepower (hp) | 285 |
259 | Torque (lb-ft) | 260 |
7,700 | Max Towing (lbs) | 7,700 |
Jeep and Chevrolet have found themselves crossing paths in the competitive midsize pickup space now that the Jeep Gladiator has found itself picking up a sizable audience on the market. It directly rivals other midsize trucks like the Chevy Colorado. With both trucks receiving some interesting new updates for the latest model year, it's wise for midsize truck shoppers to look over the details of both trucks to figure out which one is better suited for purchase between the 2023 Chevy Colorado vs 2023 Jeep Gladiator.
For 2023, the Jeep Gladiator will receive various new features, starting with the Freedom Special Edition. This new iteration of the Gladiator features an Oscar Mike badge on the rear tailgate, LED headlamps and fog lamps, special decals of the American flag, and interior leather trimming. The Capability Package is also now available for the High Altitude trim, featuring a reinforced winch-capable steel front bumper, while the High Velocity color has been added to the exterior color selection, replacing the Snazzberry option. The 2023 Jeep Gladiator is available across ten trims, which include notable options like the Sport, Overland, Mojave, Rubicon, and Mojave.
For 2023, the Chevy Colorado has exciting new changes themed around off-road performance. All new exterior stylings, proportions, and design cues give the Colorado a much bolder look for the model year. Additionally, new turbocharged engines are available for different performance levels, scaled for those who need a specific kind of off-road truck. An all-new redesigned tailgate with additional utility and functionality has been made available for the 2023 model, along with improved infotainment features. The 2023 Chevy Colorado is available in five different trim variations, which includes the brand-new Trailboss trim for the 2023 model year. The other four trims include the WT, the LT, the Z71, and the improved and upgraded ZR2 off-road performance trim.
The engine showdown between the 2023 Chevy Colorado and the 2023 Jeep Gladiator is a fascinating one for those concerned with performance. The Gladiator has two engines of the V6 variety, while the Colorado has three turbocharged 4-cylinder engine options. One might think that this makes the Gladiator the more powerful of the two, but it takes more than a quick glance to get an idea about how both engines put their power down to the wheels, and you might be pleasantly surprised to know that the numbers favor the Colorado more than you might think.
The Gladiator's standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 outputs 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, with two different transmission configurations, a 6-speed manual and an 8-speed automatic. It is only available as a four-wheel drive option. The 3.0-liter EcoDiesel is a turbocharged V6 that manages 260 hp at 442 lb-ft of torque. The EcoDiesel engine is available only in an 8-speed automatic transmission, and like the V6, it is only available in four-wheel drive.
The 2023 Chevy Colorado, alternatively, is available both as a rear-wheel and four-wheel drive midsize pickup. The three different iterations of the 2.7-liter 4-cylinder are all turbocharged and designed for different express purposes while on or off the road. The base 2.7-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder manages 237 hp and 259 lb-ft of torque and is excellent as an entry-level engine for basic truck needs. The 2.7-liter Turbo Plus 4-cylinder pumps out 310 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, and finally, the 2.7-liter Turbo High-Output 4-cylinder produces 310 hp and 430 lb-ft of torque. All of the Colorado's engines are paired up with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
While the Gladiator may have a slight peak in torque over the Colorado, when it comes to horsepower, you simply have far more leeway and volume with the Colorado. In fact, you're looking at a nearly 8% difference in peak horsepower between the Colorado and Gladiator. Also, having three different powertrains designed for different purposes gives you more latitude if you plan on buying a truck for work, off-road, or any combination of various driving needs. With the Colorado, you get those options, whereas with the Gladiator, it's either the Pentastar or EcoDiesel with no in-betweens. So if you want more power than the Pentastar but don't want the extra weight of the EcoDiesel, you're fresh out of luck.
Pickup trucks are more than just the engines that power them; they're also about how much you can get done with them, whether that be cargo hauling, towing, or bed capacity. Both the 2023 Jeep Gladiator and 2023 Chevy Colorado attempt to push the limits on what a midsize truck should be capable of and they make it a goal to give truck shoppers a lot of great features from a functionality standpoint. However, the Chevy Colorado still manages to stand out in a few key areas.
When it comes to towing, the Chevy Colorado has always been a reliable choice for those who want a quality midsize pickup truck, and the same applies here in the comparison between the 2023 Chevy Colorado and the 2023 Jeep Gladiator. While the Gladiator offers up to 7,700 lbs worth of towing, the Colorado also manages to offer 7,700 lbs worth of towing. For this important capability, the two models both feature the same amount of towing power, which is great; however, the Colorado still excels in a few notable categories.
Both the Gladiator and Colorado only have one bed size for the 2023 model year; however, the Colorado affords you more bed space than its Jeep rival. The Gladiator's bed tops at 35.5 cu.ft. of cargo volume, whereas you get more space out of the Colorado with 41.3 cu.ft. of cargo volume. The additional 5.8 cu.ft. of space can definitely make a difference when it comes to storage capacity. Additionally, the Colorado has a few features the Gladiator doesn't, like the available tri-level bed storage compartments featuring a built-in tailgate storage unit with a watertight seal.
The Colorado also has a few more utilitarian features missing from the Gladiator. Additional features like remote tailgate access, two motorcycle grooves at the front of the bed wall, and a dampened tailgate with mid-level positioning give you ample reason to see why the Colorado is a segment leader in various areas. So while both vehicles offer similar capabilities in off-roading, ground clearance, and crawling, the Colorado is a bit more grounded and reliable with its useful work-functionality when compared to the Gladiator.
There are a number of avenues popular automakers have found to elevate the cabin experience inside their vehicles, and it usually comes back to improved technology. This runs the gamut from seating and comfort amenities to infotainment and safety. When it comes to the 2023 Chevy Colorado and the 2023 Jeep Gladiator, there are some nifty tech features provided in both midsize pickup trucks that make them stand out on the market within their segment.
For the Gladiator, the drive modes and off-road profiles are popular features of the Jeep brand. The 2023 Gladiator is paired up with the Uconnect 4 system, featuring an 7-inch HD touchscreen and the typical trappings of modern-day infotainment suites, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, as well as Bluetooth connectivity and HD radio features. However, the 2023 Colorado one-ups the Gladiator with its all-new 11.3-inch HD Chevrolet infotainment system, featuring touchscreen support, Bluetooth connectivity, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. You get everything the Gladiator has to offer and more.
While the Gladiator has the SiriusXM Guardian services for navigation, vehicle health reports, and the mobile app for the vehicle finder, the Colorado has OnStar and Connected Services with navigation, on-the-go assistance, and easy access to emergency services. Parking assistance, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control are standard features for both vehicles.
Beyond the lane-keeping assistance and tire pressure monitoring, the Chevy Colorado manages to secure a major advantage over the Gladiator with the Teen Driver mode, making it a great pick for those who have teens ready to hit the road. Teen Driver offers report cards, pre-check safety features, and more, making the Colorado a very safe option for parents looking for a safe and tech-rich vehicle that their teens can drive, too.
In the 2023 Chevy Colorado versus the 2023 Jeep Gladiator showdown, the Colorado just has a few more features you don't get with the Gladiator. If you want something rich with innovative tech and safety features, the Chevy Colorado simply offers more bang for your buck. Even if the differences aren't as obvious, when you look at the details, you can see the advantages of the Colorado over the Gladiator and how it can benefit those looking to buy a high-quality 2023 midsize pickup.