Next Level Performance
July 5, 2026 • 9 min read
The best bolt-on upgrades for the 2023-2025 Chevy Colorado build power, sound, stance, and lighting on the third-generation 2.7L Turbo platform without a tune or engine surgery. GM's newest mid-size truck runs a single 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder in three flavors — 237 hp / 260 lb-ft base, and the 310 hp / 430 lb-ft TurboMax that tows up to 7,700 lbs — and it responds well to breathing, exhaust, and suspension mods. In our Tampa, FL shop we get asked the same question every week: which parts actually fit the 2023+ Colorado and Canyon, and which are worth the money? Below are the five bolt-ons we install and ship most, each verified to fit the 2.7L Turbo, with real specs and current pricing.
Our Verdict
Start with the K&N 63-3122 AirCharger intake — it is the biggest measured gain per dollar on the 2.7L Turbo Colorado.
At $334, the K&N cold air intake claims an estimated +31 hp with a washable lifetime filter, making it the smartest first mod. Pair it with the MBRP cat-back for sound and the ANZO Full LED tail lights for a modern look, then add an Eibach lift when you are ready for bigger tires.
Shop Our Top Pick →What Bolt-On Upgrades Work Best on the 2023-2025 Chevy Colorado?
The best bolt-on upgrades for the 2023-2025 Chevy Colorado are a cold air intake, a cat-back exhaust, a leveling or lift kit, and LED lighting — all of which install with hand tools and no ECU tune. The third-generation Colorado (and its GMC Canyon twin) launched for 2023 with GM's 2.7L Turbo L2R and L3B four-cylinders. The base 2.7L Turbo makes 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft; the high-output engine, rebranded TurboMax for 2024, makes 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque — more twist than the old 3.6L V6 it replaced.
Because it is turbocharged, this engine rewards airflow. A freer-flowing intake and a 3-inch cat-back reduce restriction on both the intake and exhaust side, while a lift kit clears the 32-33 inch tires most owners want. The four upgrades below are the ones we sell most for the 2.7L Turbo, plus an auxiliary LED light bar for off-road and overland builds. Every part is confirmed-fit for the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Colorado in our catalog. Prefer to browse first? See our full truck exhaust collection and suspension collection.
Our recommended install order is simple: intake first for the quickest wake-up, exhaust second for sound and flow, lighting third for the biggest visual change, and suspension last once you commit to a tire size. A bed cover like the TruXedo Pro X15 tonneau is worth adding early too — it protects gear and improves highway aero on a truck you will be driving a lot.
How We Chose These Colorado Bolt-Ons
We selected these five upgrades from the parts we actually stock, sell, and install for the third-generation Colorado at our Tampa, FL shop — not from a generic list. Three filters drove the picks. First, verified fitment: every product here is cataloged specifically for the 2023-2025 Colorado 2.7L Turbo (or, in the light bar's case, 2015-present bracketry that carries over to the new body). Second, real, published specs: we prioritized parts with manufacturer-stated flow, power, lift, or lumen figures over vague "adds power" marketing. Third, install difficulty: four of the five bolt on in under an hour with common hand tools and require no ECU tune, so a first-time modder can do them in a driveway. The Eibach lift is the one job we recommend a shop or spring compressor for. Prices shown were current at publication and reflect our NLP Performance pricing, several of which are discounted below MSRP.
Best Cold Air Intake: K&N 63-3122 AirCharger
The K&N 63-3122 AirCharger is the best cold air intake for the 2023-2025 Chevy Colorado 2.7L Turbo, with an estimated gain of 31.49 horsepower at 4,504 rpm and 31.33 lb-ft of torque over the restrictive factory box. It uses a high-density polyethylene roto-molded tube and a washable, reusable High-Flow oiled-cotton filter that services roughly every 100,000 miles — so you never buy another air filter. It is the single highest bang-for-buck bolt-on on this list.
Key Specifications
What We Like
- + Largest estimated power gain on this list (+31 hp / +31 lb-ft)
- + Washable filter you clean instead of replace
- + 30-minute install with hand tools, no tune required
Things to Consider
- – No CARB EO number — does not ship to California
- – Oiled cotton filter needs correct re-oiling after cleaning
The reusable High-Flow cotton filter is cleaned, not replaced — roughly every 100,000 miles.
Runner-up intake: If you live in California or want a fully sealed airbox, the aFe Momentum GT (50-70113R) is our second pick at $420. It posts more conservative dyno-proven gains of +10 hp and +13 lb-ft, outflows the factory intake by 10% (270 CFM at 7 in. H2O), and uses a 9-inch Pro 5R five-layer cotton filter inside a sealed housing with an inspection window.
Best Cat-Back Exhaust: MBRP 3in Single Side Exit
The MBRP S5015BLK is the best value cat-back exhaust for the 2023-2025 Chevy Colorado, delivering up to a 69% flow increase over stock through 3-inch mandrel-bent tubing. It is a single side-exit system built from black-coated aluminized steel with a perforated-core muffler tuned to add a fuller tone without the highway drone that plagues cheaper systems. The rolled, angle-cut tip is T304 stainless with a high-heat black powder-coat, so it stays clean and dark behind the rear tire.
What We Like
- + Up to 69% more flow than the restrictive stock system
- + Perforated muffler adds tone without cabin drone
- + Blacked-out T304 stainless tip resists heat discoloration
Things to Consider
- – Aluminized (not full stainless) body to hit the price point
- – Single side exit only — no dual-tip option in this kit
The rolled, angle-cut T304 stainless tip wears a high-heat black powder-coat.
Want it louder and fully stainless? Step up to the Borla S-Type cat-back with turndown tips ($1,279.99). It uses aggressive 304 aircraft-grade stainless with Borla's patented sound technology and is backed by their Million-Mile Warranty — the pick for owners who want maximum note and lifetime durability.
Best LED Tail Lights: ANZO Full LED with Sequential Signal
The ANZO Full LED tail lights (part 311491X) are the best plug-and-play lighting upgrade for the 2023-2025 Chevy Colorado, adding sequential LED turn signals and an ignition-initiation start-up animation the factory halogen lights cannot match. Everything is LED — turn, brake, parking, reverse, and a C-shaped light bar — wrapped in a black housing with a smoke lens. They are brighter and sharper than OEM and install in about 20 minutes with the factory connectors, no wiring splices required. This is the mod that most changes how a 2024 Colorado looks at night.
Key Specifications
What We Like
- + True plug-and-play — reuses factory connectors, no splicing
- + Sequential turn plus ignition start-up animation
- + Fits Colorado Trail Boss and ZR2, not just base trims
Things to Consider
- – Smoke lens is a style choice — slightly darker than OEM red
- – Sold as a pair for a full swap, not a single side
Black housing and smoke lens give the 2023-2025 Colorado a modern, high-end rear signature.
Best Suspension Lift: Eibach Pro-Truck Stage 1
The Eibach Pro-Truck Lift Stage 1 (E80-23-042-01-22) is the best entry lift for the 2023-2025 Chevy Colorado 4WD, adding up to 1.5 inches of adjustable front height to level the truck and clear larger tires. The kit ships as a matched set of four monotube sport shocks plus two front lift springs. Each shock uses a 46mm piston, a nitro-coated rod, and a heavy-duty zinc coating, and every corner is individually tested for consistent damping on and off road. Height-adjustable clips let you dial the exact front rake you want.
What We Like
- + Adjustable up to 1.5 in front lift for tire clearance
- + Complete set of 4 matched monotube shocks plus springs
- + Improves ride quality over stock, not just height
Things to Consider
- – Designed for 4WD 2.7L Trail Boss / AT4 — confirm your trim
- – Front strut work is best done with spring tools or a shop
Best Auxiliary Lighting: Diode Dynamics SS30 Stealth Light Bar
The Diode Dynamics SS30 Stealth Lightbar Kit is the best auxiliary lighting upgrade for the 2023-2025 Chevy Colorado, hiding a 30-inch, 11,400-lumen LED bar behind the lower grille with no cutting or drilling. The kit draws 137.2 watts (9.8 amps at 14V), throws a 6000K crisp-white beam, and includes two application-specific steel brackets plus a plug-and-play wiring harness. Because it uses existing mounting points, it bolts to 2015-present Colorado and Canyon trucks — including the new 2023-2025 body — and disappears until it is lit.
The SS30 hides in the lower grille opening and mounts to factory points — no drilling.
2023-2025 Chevy Colorado Bolt-On Upgrades Compared
Here is how the five best bolt-ons for the 2023-2025 Chevy Colorado stack up on category, standout spec, and price. All fit the 2.7L Turbo and install without an ECU tune.
| Kit | Category | Standout Spec | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| K&N 63-3122 AirChargerTop Pick | Cold Air Intake | Est. +31 hp, washable filter | $334.01 |
| MBRP S5015BLK Cat-Back | Exhaust | 3 in, +69% flow, no drone | $552.49 |
| ANZO Full LED Tail Lights | Lighting | Sequential + start-up animation | $499.00 |
| Eibach Pro-Truck Stage 1 | Suspension Lift | Up to 1.5 in front lift | $773.50 |
| Diode Dynamics SS30 Stealth | Aux Lighting | 11,400 lm, plug-and-play | $477.85 |
On the 2.7L Turbo trucks, we tell customers to do the intake first, then exhaust, then lift. The K&N wakes the turbo up right away, and the ANZO tail lights are the fastest way to make a new Colorado look like a build.
— Next Level Performance Install Team | Tampa, FL
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best first mod for a 2023-2025 Chevy Colorado 2.7L Turbo?
A cold air intake is the best first mod for the 2023-2025 Colorado 2.7L Turbo. The K&N 63-3122 AirCharger claims an estimated +31 hp and +31 lb-ft, installs in about 30 minutes with hand tools, and uses a washable filter you never replace — the highest measured gain per dollar on the truck.
How much horsepower does the 2023 Chevy Colorado make?
The 2023-2025 Chevy Colorado makes 237 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque in base 2.7L Turbo form, and 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft in TurboMax (High-Output) trim. The TurboMax engine tows up to 7,700 pounds, more than double the base engine's 3,500-pound rating.
Do bolt-on upgrades void the Chevy Colorado warranty?
No, bolt-on upgrades do not automatically void your Colorado's factory warranty. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a dealer must prove a specific aftermarket part caused a failure before denying that repair. Keep your factory intake and exhaust, retain receipts, and note that emissions parts without a CARB EO number cannot be sold to California buyers.
Will 2015-2022 Colorado parts fit the 2023-2025 Colorado?
Most 2015-2022 Colorado parts do not fit the 2023-2025 Colorado, because the third-generation truck is an all-new platform with the 2.7L Turbo four-cylinder instead of the previous 2.5L and 3.6L engines. Always buy parts listed specifically for 2023-2025 fitment — every product in this guide is confirmed for the new-generation Colorado.
How much lift does the Colorado need to fit 33-inch tires?
The 2023-2025 Colorado needs roughly 1.5 to 2 inches of front lift to comfortably clear 33-inch tires. The Eibach Pro-Truck Stage 1 kit provides up to 1.5 inches of adjustable front height, which levels the truck and clears most 32-33 inch all-terrains on the factory wheels; taller lifts may require additional trimming or wheel spacing.
Are the ANZO LED tail lights plug-and-play on the 2024 Colorado?
Yes, the ANZO Full LED tail lights are plug-and-play on the 2023-2025 Colorado. They reuse the factory wiring connectors, install in about 20 minutes per side without splicing, and add sequential turn signals plus an ignition start-up animation. They fit base, Trail Boss, and ZR2 trims.
Ready to Build Your 2023-2025 Colorado?
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