Car and Driver Finds the Colorado ZR2 to be “Donkey Strong”

Car and Driver published a review of the 2023 Colorado ZR2 last December in which they spent a whole paragraph equating it to a burro. The ZR2 is the most off-road-focused in the Colorado lineup.  Car and Driver spent plenty of time both on and off the pavement with the ZR2 to see how it measures up. McFarland Chevrolet offers this synopsis of what they found. 

Given its purpose, it is no surprise the ZR2 comes standard with 4-wheel drive.  It also comes standard with the most potent version of the 2.7-liter turbocharged engine line that powers all Colorado models. The TurboMax produces 310 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm and a stump-pulling 430 lb-ft of torque, which reaches its peak at a low 2,000 rpm. Most importantly for its mission, the Off-Road Package is standard, which includes:

• Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) Multimatic suspension dampers
• 3-inch factory-installed lift with high-performance suspension
• Off-road front fascia, rear bumper, and fender flares
• Taller/wider stance

The standard 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires are quite visible, which provides plenty of grip and protection for the 17-inch wheels. Added to the Drive Mode selector is a Baja Mode for fast running over unpaved terrain. It holds gears longer and enables sliding in either two- or four-wheel drive. 

The tires, 3-inch lift, and a wider stance certainly make a visual statement of what the  ZR2 is about. Car and Driver confirms it walks the talk:  “…off-road, it scampers up hills and over loose surfaces.” They point out that the big tires and robust engine add to the ZR2’s thirst, with an EPA estimate of 16 mpg in both the city and highway estimates.

Car and Driver has already praised Colorado’s new instrument panel, so in the ZR2 review, they concentrate on the fact that the controls for drive modes and locking the front and rear diffs are easy to find. However, they note that this moved the headlight controls to within the touchscreen interface. To no one’s surprise, they note that the cabin space is tighter than the Silverado but conclude by stating: “For most loads and trails, though, the Colorado ZR2 is all the truck you need.”

If venturing far off the pavement is one of your favorite pastimes or needed in your work, the Colorado ZR2 should be high on your consideration list. Give it your own review at McFarland Chevrolet.