What Is The Towing Difference Between the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado and the 2022 Chevrolet Colorado?

The Chevrolet Colorado is an impressive pickup truck. It’s smaller than the Silverado, offering rugged capabilities without the bulk of a full-size or heavy-duty truck. For the 2023 model year, the Colorado arrived with some significant improvements, including more power and new performance features. With this extra horsepower comes some extra towing power, but is it more than what the 2022 model can do? Let’s take a look at the difference in towing capabilities between the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado and the 2022 Colorado. View our inventory of New Chevrolets, or If you have any questions, give us a call at 931-548-1370 today!

The 2022 Colorado Engine Choices

We’ll start with the 2022 Colorado’s engines. It has three separate engine options, as follows:

• 2.5L four-cylinder with 200 horsepower and 191 lb-ft of torque.
• 3.6L V-6 with 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque.
• 2.8L turbo-diesel with 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.

The 2022 Colorado Towing Capacity

The towing capacity varies depending on the 2022 Colorado’s engine and configuration. It maxes out at 7,700 pounds with the turbo-diesel engine, but there are several other maximum amounts with the other engines. Take a look at what you can tow with the 2022 Colorado, depending on the engine and configuration.

The 2.5L Four-Cylinder

• Two-wheel drive with extended cab or crew cab: 3,500-pound max towing capacity.
• Four-wheel drive with extended cab or crew cab: 3,500-pound max towing capacity.

The 3.6L V-6

• Two-wheel drive with extended cab or crew cab: 3,500-pound max towing capacity.
• Four-wheel drive with extended cab or crew cab: 3,500-pound max towing capacity.
• Two-wheel drive with extended cab or crew cab and the Trailering Package: 7,000-pound max towing capacity.
• Four-wheel drive with extended cab or crew cab and the Trailering Package: 7,000-pound max towing capacity.

The Duramax 2.8L Turbo-Diesel

• Four-wheel drive with the crew cab and long bed: 7,550-pound max towing capacity.
• Four-wheel drive with the crew cab and short bed: 7,600-pound max towing capacity.
• Two-wheel drive with the crew cab and short bed: 7,700-pound max towing capacity
• Four-wheel drive with the extended cab and long bed: 7,700-pound max towing capacity.

If you have the Colorado ZR2 model, the towing capacity maxes out at 5,000 pounds, regardless of the engine under the hood.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Engine Options

The redesigned 2023 Colorado has new powertrain options. Instead of offering three completely different engines, Chevy made one engine standard in all Colorado trims but tuned it differently depending on the needed performance.

The standard 2.7L turbo engine comes with the Work Truck and the LT trims. This base engine generates 237 horsepower and gets 259 lb-ft of torque. It works with rear-wheel drive.

The mid-level version of the 2.7L is the Turbo Plus. It comes with the Zl1 and Trail Boss trims. Chevy tuned it to deliver 310 horsepower and get 390 lb-ft of torque.

The last option is the 2.7L Turbo High-Output engine. It churns out 310 horsepower and gets 430 lb-ft of torque. If you have the Colorado ZR2, you’ll get this engine under the hood, with performance designed for off-roading rather than towing.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Towing Capacities

The 2.7L turbo engine can tow different amounts depending on how it’s tuned. The numbers look like this:

• 2.7L Turbo: 3,500-pound max towing capacity and 1,588-pound hauling power.
• 2.7L Turbo Plus: 7,700-pound max towing capacity and 3,493-pound hauling power.
• 2.7L Turbo High Output: 7,700-pound max towing capacity and 3,493-pound hauling power

It’s worth noting that even though the max towing capacity for the 2023 Colorado is 7,700, which is the same for the 2022 model, this amount is achieved with a four-cylinder gas engine rather than a diesel powertrain.

2023 Colorado Towing Packages and Extra Features

The trailering package is necessary when you need your Colorado to do any towing. It comes with the following:

• A heavy-duty 2-inch receiver hitch with four-pin and seven-pin connectors.
• Integrated trailer brake controller.
• Seven-wire electrical harness and seven-pin sealed connector to allow you to connect the trailer’s lights and brakes to your Colorado.
• Four-way sealed connector for trailers that don’t have brakes. This allows you to hook up parking lights, brake lights, and turn signals.
• Automatic locking rear differential.

If you want to maximize the towing power of your 2023 Chevrolet Colorado, you can get the Z82 Trailering Package. This package includes the following:

• The trailering package with a trailer hitch.
• 7-pin connector.
• Integrated trailer brake controller.
• Automatic locking rear differential for the WT and LT trims.
• In-Vehicle Trailering App

The In-Vehicle Trailering App makes driving and maintaining a trailer safer and easier. This app includes:

• Checklist.
• Trailer light sequencing.
• Trailer security alerts.
• Tow/haul reminder.
• Trailer maintenance reminders.
•  Trailer electrical diagnostics.
• Trailer mileage.

The Chevrolet Colorado Trim Levels

The engine and towing power you can get with the Colorado depends on the trim level. The entry-level model is the WT. It comes with 17-inch steel wheels, a corner step rear bumper, and power-adjustable side exterior mirrors. It also has a hitch rearview camera to give a close-up view of the trailer hitch when you’re in reverse.

The LT is up next with 17-inch alloy wheels, a remote-locking tailgate, and the option for the StowFlex/EZ-life and Lower tailgate. It also comes with LED fog lights and the option for a tow/haul driving mode. Step up to the Trail Boss for hill-descent control, automatic locking rear differential, and black recovery hooks or to the Z71 for off-road suspension, heated side exterior mirrors, and LED headlights.

The ZR2 is the ultimate off-road Colorado. It has a spray-in bedliner, 33-inch tires, and a heavy-duty battery, and Chevy’s In-Vehicle Trailering App comes standard. Additional options include a lighting wiring kit and 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels.

The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Is Ready To Tow

When you’re ready to hit the road with your camper, boat, or utility trailer, the Colorado has the power and capability to make it look easy. If you have questions about the engine or what you can pull with this truck, give us a call or stop by Stan McNabb Chevrolet of Columbia. Our staff can answer your questions and get you out on the road for a test drive.