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Your rig: · this is your owner hub.
The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon are GM's midsize pickup twins. Two generations are on the road: the 2015–2022 trucks and the current trucks, redesigned for 2023 and sold only as a crew cab with a short bed on a 131.4-inch wheelbase. Front and rear electronic lockers are not new: Chevrolet's ZR2 has had them since the 2017 model year, along with Multimatic DSSV dampers, and GMC added the equivalent Canyon AT4X for 2023. Every 2026 Colorado uses the 2.7L TurboMax four-cylinder (310 hp, 430 lb-ft), and maximum towing is 7,700 lb.
At a Glance
| If your 2023-or-later truck is a… | What it adds for off-road use | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado WT, Custom or LT | Standard ride height (7.9 in of clearance in 2023) | Work, commuting, snow |
| Colorado Z71 or Trail Boss; Canyon Elevation, AT4 or Denali | 32-inch all-terrain tires on Z71 and Trail Boss; 2-inch factory lift on Trail Boss and on every Canyon | Dirt roads and moderate trails |
| Colorado ZR2 or Canyon AT4X | 3-inch lift, DSSV dampers, front and rear lockers, 33-inch mud-terrain tires | Rocky trails and fast desert roads |
| Colorado ZR2 Bison | AEV package with 35-inch mud-terrain tires and jounce-control dampers | Hardest trails from the factory |
Generations and Model Years
IIHS records that the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon crew cabs were redesigned for the 2015 model year after two years off the US market, and redesigned again for 2023. The 2015–2022 trucks were offered with three engines, including a 3.6L V6 and a 2.8L turbo-diesel, and in more than one cab and bed configuration. Chevrolet says the 2023 truck moved to a single crew cab, short-box body on a new chassis with a wheelbase 3.1 inches longer than the old crew cab short box, built at GM's Wentzville, Missouri, plant.
The ZR2 goes back to the earlier generation. Chevrolet announced the 2017 Colorado ZR2 on November 16, 2016, with class-exclusive front and rear electronic locking differentials, a wider track, a lifted suspension and the first off-road use of Multimatic's DSSV spool-valve dampers. The 2023 ZR2 kept that formula with a 3-inch lift and revised DSSV dampers. GMC's first Canyon AT4X arrived for 2023; the AT4X name first appeared on the 2022 Sierra.
Engines by Year
The current trucks use a single 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder with an eight-speed automatic. For 2023 Chevrolet sold it in three outputs:
| 2023 output | Power / torque | Max trailer | Standard on |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L Turbo | 237 hp / 259 lb-ft | 3,500 lb | WT, LT |
| 2.7L Turbo Plus | 310 hp / 390 lb-ft | 7,700 lb | Z71, Trail Boss (optional on WT, LT) |
| 2.7L Turbo High-Output | 310 hp / 430 lb-ft | 6,000 lb on ZR2 | ZR2 |
For 2026, Chevrolet lists the 2.7L TurboMax at 310 hp and 430 lb-ft on every Colorado trim (WT, Custom, LT, Trail Boss, Z71 and ZR2), and GMC lists the same 310-hp TurboMax across the Canyon line. Both brands quote 7,700 lb of maximum towing.
Ride Height, Lockers and 4WD by Trim
Chevrolet built the 2023 Colorado on three chassis setups: standard (WT, LT, Z71), a 2-inch lift with an ultra-wide stance (Trail Boss), and a 3-inch lift with a wide stance and DSSV dampers (ZR2). GMC gives every Canyon the 2-inch lift and wide track, with 9.6 inches of ground clearance, and the AT4X a 3-inch lift.
| 2023 Colorado | Ground clearance | Approach | Breakover | Departure | Front track |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WT, LT | 7.9 in | n/a | n/a | n/a | 62.8 in |
| Z71 | 8.9 in | 29.1° | 19.5° | 22.3° | 62.6 in |
| Trail Boss | 9.5 in | 30.5° | 21.0° | 22.4° | 66.2 in |
| ZR2 | 10.7 in | 38.3° | 24.6° | 25.1° | 66.3 in |
The ZR2 and the Canyon AT4X both have selectable front and rear electronic lockers, 33-inch mud-terrain tires, skid plates and a Baja drive mode for high-speed desert running; the AT4X is rated at 10.7 inches of clearance and a 36.9° approach angle. Chevrolet lists a two-speed automatic transfer case with a transfer-case shield on the Trail Boss. The ZR2 Bison, built with American Expedition Vehicles, adds 35-inch mud-terrain tires and front and rear jounce-control dampers.
On GM trucks with lockers, the rear locker alone can be used up to about 50 mph in Terrain or Off-Road mode, while locking both axles requires Terrain mode or 4 Lo; the front locker releases automatically above about 15 mph. The drive-mode knob offers up to five modes: Normal, Tow/Haul, Off-Road, Terrain (low-speed crawling) and Baja.
Recall History (NHTSA)
NHTSA's recall API returns 18 campaigns for 2015–2026 Colorado model years (it returned no results for the 2019 and 2020 model years when queried in September 2026, so check those years by VIN). Most Colorado campaigns also cover the Canyon.
| NHTSA campaign | Filed | Model years | Problem | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21V213 | Mar 2021 | 2015 | Power-steering assist can be lost from a poor connection in the steering gear; torque-sensor cover replaced | 60,681 |
| 24V133 | Feb 2024 | 2023 | Front camera module can falsely detect an obstacle and trigger automatic emergency braking; software update | 55,755 |
| 15V267 | May 2015 | 2015 | Front seat-frame hooks may not be attached to the body | 49,980 |
| 15V278 | May 2015 | 2015 | Front brake calipers can leak fluid through casting porosity | 24,380 |
| 24V491 | Jun 2024 | 2024 | Fuel-pump lock ring may not be fully seated, risking a fuel leak in a crash | 8,622 |
| 22V375 | May 2022 | 2022 | Manual front passenger seat hook may not be welded | 1,631 |
The 2015 model year has the most campaigns, several limited to trucks built in early production windows. Enter a VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether a specific truck has an open campaign; the tool below lists campaigns by year.
Colorado & Canyon Owner Pages
- Problems & Maintenance
- Mod Priorities
- Best Tonneau Covers
- Best Lift Kits
- Best Leveling Kits
- Best Front Bumpers
- How Many Miles Will It Last?
- Chevrolet/GMC accessory fitment hub
Check for Open Recalls
Look up open NHTSA recall campaigns for this model by year. This calls NHTSA's free, public recall API directly from your browser — nothing is sent to us.
Choose a year and select “Check Recalls”.
Data from NHTSA's public recall API — this lookup is not the official record and 4x4 & Overlanding is not affiliated with NHTSA. Always confirm current recall status at nhtsa.gov/recalls using your vehicle's VIN before assuming a vehicle has no open recalls.
Toyota, Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, Jeep and Ram are trademarks of their respective owners. 4x4 & Overlanding is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by any vehicle manufacturer.
Sources
- Chevrolet — The All-New 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Takes Midsize Trucks to the Next Level — 2023 redesign: crew cab short box only, wheelbase 3.1 in longer than the old crew cab short box, three 2.7L outputs with towing and trim availability, previous 3.6L V6 and 2.8L diesel, eight-speed automatic, three chassis setups, dimensions/clearance/angles/track by trim, five drive modes, ZR2 front and rear electronic lockers and 33-inch MT tires, Wentzville production.
- GMC — Introducing the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X — First-ever Canyon AT4X for 2023 (AT4X first on the 2022 Sierra); AT4X 3-inch lift, DSSV dampers, front and rear e-lockers, 33-inch MT tires, Baja mode, 10.7 in clearance, 36.9-degree approach; 2-inch lift and 9.6 in clearance on other Canyon trims; crew cab short bed only.
- Multimatic — Chevrolet Colorado ZR2: First Off-Road Application of Multimatic DSSV Dampers — 2017 Colorado ZR2 announced November 16, 2016, with front and rear electronic locking differentials, wider track, lifted suspension and the first off-road use of DSSV dampers.
- Chevrolet — 2026 Colorado — 2026 trims (WT, Custom, LT, Trail Boss, Z71, ZR2), 2.7L TurboMax 310 hp and 430 lb-ft on every trim, 7,700 lb max towing, Trail Boss 2-inch lift and two-speed auto transfer case, ZR2 3-inch lift, DSSV and 33-inch MT tires, ZR2 Bison with AEV, 35-inch MT tires and jounce-control dampers.
- GMC — 2026 Canyon — 310-hp TurboMax engine, 7,700 lb max towing, 2-inch factory lift and wide track, 3-inch lift and front and rear electronic locking differentials standard on AT4X.
- Chevrolet — How to Use Locking Differentials — What front and rear eLockers do; both axles lock only in Terrain Mode or 4Lo; front locker disengages above about 15 mph; rear locker usable up to 50 mph in Terrain or Off-Road mode.
- IIHS — 2026 Chevrolet Colorado crew cab ratings — Colorado and Canyon redesigned for the 2023 model year.
- IIHS — 2015 Chevrolet Colorado crew cab ratings — Colorado and Canyon crew cab redesigned for the 2015 model year after a two-year absence from the market.
- NHTSA — Recall 21V213 — 2015 Colorado and Canyon loss of power-steering assist from a steering gear connection, 60,681 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 24V133 — 2023 Colorado and Canyon front camera module false obstacle detection triggering automatic emergency braking, 55,755 units; FCM software update.
- NHTSA — Recall 15V267 — 2015 Colorado and Canyon seat-frame hooks not attached, 49,980 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 15V278 — 2015 Colorado and Canyon front brake caliper fluid leaks, 24,380 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 24V491 — 2024 Colorado and Canyon fuel-pump lock ring not fully locked, crash fuel-leak risk, 8,622 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 22V375 — 2022 Colorado and Canyon manual passenger seat hook weld, 1,631 units.
- NHTSA — Datasets and APIs (Recalls API) — Recall campaign counts by model year and each campaign's reported number of potentially affected units, retrieved September 28, 2026.
- NHTSA — Recalls lookup by VIN — VIN lookup for open recall campaigns on a specific vehicle.