2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Road Test and Review

2018 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 front quarter drifting dirt ・ Photo by General Motors

It only takes a few feet of rugged trail to realize the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 lives up to the hype. Chevy calls the new ZR2 the ultimate off-road Colorado, a truck built ready for adventures right from the start. And it ain’t lyin’.

Assembled exclusively in Wentzville, Missouri, about 40 miles west of St. Louis, the Colorado ZR2 is the latest in a recent swarm of extremely capable high-performance off-road four-wheel drive pickups and SUVs. It’s a growing segment that includes the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and the larger Ram Power Wagon and Ford Raptor.

Two Body Styles

Chevy has used the ZR2 name a couple of times before in its history — first on a big-block race-ready Corvette in the early 1970s, and again on an off-road package available on the S-10 pickup and Blazer SUV in the 1990s. This time ZR2 slots above the Z71 trim level on the mid-size Colorado pickup.

Chevy offers the ZR2 in two body styles: an extended cab with a 6-foot bed, and a crew cab with four full-size forward-opening doors and 5-foot beds. Every Colorado ZR2 gets four-wheel drive. Prices start at $40,995, including $995 for destination and shipping, for the extended cab and jump to $42,620 for the crew cab. That’s about $5,000 more than Colorado Z71. If you plan to take the truck off road, it’s worth it.

Photo by General Motors

Special Off-Road Suspension

Chevy’s engineers spent a lot of time creating the axle and suspension package for the Colorado ZR2, and the results are class-leading in the mid-size pickup truck category. The front suspension is almost entirely new. The track is 3.5 inches wider thanks to new upper and lower control arms, and the ZR2 sits on coil springs 2 inches taller than the normal Colorado. A new sway bar was also fitted. There’s now 8.6 inches of suspension travel up front and the ZR2 is the only mid-size truck available with an electronic locking front differential. In the rear, the ZR2 team developed a new, locking rear axle, also 3.5 inches wider, and new leaf springs that are 2 inches taller for 10 inches of wheel travel.

For the shocks, Chevrolet turned to Multimatic, which had successfully developed the track-tuned shocks for the Camaro Z/28 performance coupe. The ZR2’s Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve system is unique to this truck and does an incredible job soaking up the terrain both on and off road. Every ZR2 rides on 31-inch Goodyear DuraTrac tires.

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V6 Power or Diesel Fuel Economy

The ZR2’s standard powertrain is GM’s smooth and powerful 308-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s the same combination Chevy uses into the Camaro, and it gives the Colorado more than respectable acceleration. Under the hood of our extended cab test truck, however, was the optional 2.8-liter Duramax diesel four-cylinder, which is a $3,500 option over the V6. It develops a light 181 hp but its heady 369 lb-ft of torque comes in at only 2,000 rpm, so there’s plenty of grunt right off the line. The Duramax is mated to a six-speed automatic, and the ZR2 is the only way you can get it in an extended-cab long bed Colorado.

With the gas engine, the ZR2 is rated 16 mpg city and 18 mpg highway. Not bad. But the diesel’s numbers blow it away. It’s rated 19 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. We averaged 22 mpg in mixed driving that included our off-road testing. For comparison, the V6-powered Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is rated 18 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.

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Comfortable On Road

In the city, the ZR2’s ride is firmer than a typical Colorado. It’s not rough by any means, but it’s not as cushy as the larger and heavier Ford Raptor either. This truck also handles better than a standard Colorado thanks to its wider tracks, larger tires and special shocks, which do an incredible job controlling body motions.

With its torquey diesel, the ZR2 is never short on thrust. At 70 mph, it rarely needs to downshift no matter how big the hill or steep the grade. And engine braking combines with the Tow/Haul driving mode to provide expert downshifts and slowing without ever touching the brakes. The engine is a bit noisy, however, and you will feel slight vibrations in the steering wheel that remind you you’re driving a diesel. On the highway, that diesel clatter combines with some hum from the ZR2’s aggressive tires and some wind noise from around the extended cab's suicide-style rear doors.

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Awesome Off Road

Off the paved road, the increased wheel travel is very noticeable, especially up front. The ZR2’s travel and articulation are so impressive it can scramble effortlessly up and over some surprising terrain in two-wheel drive mode, even more with its rear axle locked. In all-wheel drive mode with both differentials open, the ZR2 was climbing obstacles most trucks can’t handle in low range. The ZR2’s 11.5 inches of front ground clearance and 9.25-inch clearance at the rear axle are plenty, but we did scrape the rear shock mounts several times over large rocks. Tubular rock rails that tuck up tightly against the body, as well as the ZR2’s 30 degrees of approach angle, also gave us plenty of confidence to tackle trails we would normally avoid in a factory stock truck. And in low range, with both axles locked, this Colorado climbed like a mountain goat.

The ZR2 also excels on the higher-speed dirt roads, over mild humps and dips. Only the larger Ford Raptor — which has more wheel travel to work with — handles such terrain better than the Colorado.

Photo by General Motors

Cargo and Towing

Due to the ZR2’s lower rear spring rates, the truck’s maximum payload is down slightly from the regular Colorado. The standard model has a maximum payload of 1,267 lbs, but the ZR2 with either engine can only carry 1,100 lbs. This is common in off-road package trucks; a Raptor is only rated to haul 1,200 lbs. Our long-bed test truck was equipped with the optional bed-mounted spare tire carrier for $615. It looked wicked cool, but it took up most of the cargo space. A spay-in bed liner is standard.

The ZR2’s tow rating is lower as well. The standard Colorado can pull a 7,600-pound trailer, while this truck is rated to tow 5,000 pounds. It’s the same story with the standard V6 or the diesel. For comparison, a Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro has a payload rating of 1,155 lbs and tows up to 6,400 pounds. 

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Cool Lookin'

Any Colorado is an attractive truck, but the ZR2 version is flat-out cool. From its reshaped front bumper, which adds clearance, to its bulging hood and flared wheel wells, this is what an off-road-ready pickup is supposed to look like. In the ’70s, we would have called it macho. Still, it’s subtle compared to some of its competition. It doesn’t shout its mission to everyone with loud graphics like the Power Wagon or the Raptor. It’s possible to cruise around in a ZR2 with only hardcore truck dudes recognizing what it’s all about. They know it’s special.

I particularly like the way you can see the ZR2's aluminum front skid plate when you’re standing in front of the truck. And I really like its unique 12-spoke 17-inch wheels, which look like they came from the aftermarket.

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Comfortable Interior

Lay it down for a $40,000 truck and you expect a comfortable interior with loads of features, nice materials, quality fits and finishes, and a design worthy of your hard earned buckaroos. The ZR2’s interior delivers. Unfortunately, it doesn’t feel all that special. Where’s the extra eye candy? Where are the sport seats or the special gauges? Even some ZR2-exclusive trim would be nice. Basically, it’s a standard Colorado interior with an extra bank of switches to control the locking differentials and ZR2 logos embroidered into the seats. There’s nothing wrong with it —it’s just a little boring.

It is well-equipped, however. Standard features include leather seats, wireless phone charging, Bluetooth, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, onboard 4G LTE WiFi, a tilting and telescoping steering column, and remote keyless entry. Our test truck also had the optional seven-speaker premium Bose audio ($500) and 8-inch touchscreen with navigation ($495).

Although there are two jumpseats in the rear of the extended cab, actual humans don’t fit, it’s essentially a two-seater. The crew cab truly seats five.

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Final Thoughts

Chevy’s engineers have done an incredible job with the ZR2. It’s not only exceedingly capable off road, it’s comfortable enough to drive every day. With the diesel engine, its fuel efficiency is class-leading, and it also looks great with just the right amount of attitude.

If you’re shopping for the ultimate off-road rig with the image to match it’s hard to beat the Ford Raptor. It’s still the most capable truck of its kind, and Ford dealers can’t keep them in stock. But if you want something that’s nearly as capable, smaller, easier to drive in the city and significantly less expensive, the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is the truck to get.

Photo by Chevrolet