​​One Year With The Colorado ZR2 Proves It’s The Best​ 

The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is designed not just to go off-road, but to live there. With stiff competition from Toyota, Ford, Nissan, and Jeep, the ZR2 is not alone in its role as a mid-size truck that excels in off-road capabilities. However, in a 50,000-mile torture test by MotorTrend, the purpose-built Colorado proved its toughness and earned the magazine’s praise as the best in the segment.

The Colorado Has the Perfect Engine 

Chevrolet outfitted the Colorado ZR2 with a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, paired with a smart and smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission to help put that power down effectively. Drivers will appreciate the 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, which can display images from various cameras on the vehicle, including available underbody cameras to assist when traversing rough terrain. An 11-inch digital instrument cluster is also standard.  

Chevrolet Gave the ZR2 Excellent Standard Off-Road Features 

The Colorado comes standard with 17-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch mud-terrain tires, a 3-inch factory lift, and Multimatic DSSV dampers that are designed to not only soak up big bumps and uneven terrain but also reduce body roll, take on more G during fast driving, and make seemingly bumpy roads feel smooth as silk. Drivers can still use the truck’s five drive modes to select the type of terrain they’re driving on, helping them dial in their settings more effectively. 

MotorTrend Says the ZR2 Has the Perfect Shocks 

The other trucks in this off-road category utilize different types of shocks to deliver their performance, such as heavy-duty electronic components that can fail. As MotorTrend said, “While the Live Valve shocks are incredibly versatile and do a tremendous job of handling surface irregularities, the Multimatic spool-valve shocks on the Colorado ZR2 accomplish the same task without any electronics and work wonderfully and reliably across the wide variety of terrains we tested in.” 

Plenty of Towing Power 

If you need to tow with your Colorado ZR2, Chevrolet makes that an easy task. With the hitch camera, drivers will have no issues backing up the truck exactly where they need it to be to hitch up the trailer and get going. And with the ability to tow up to 6,000 lbs when properly equipped, you will appreciate that not only can you drive on any type of terrain, but you can also take a camper, a boat, or some jet skis with you.  

MotorTrend’s Final Thoughts 

In their conclusion, the magazine wrapped everything up by saying, “After more than 50,000 miles, I argue that from a dollars-per-unit-of-performance standpoint, the Colorado ZR2 is the best midsize off-road pickup truck you can spend money on. I know it’s where I’d spend mine.”  

Treat Yourself to A New Truck from McFarland Chevrolet 

Buying a new truck from McFarland Chevrolet is a no-brainer. The expert salespeople can help you locate the best truck that fits your needs and then assist you in getting the best price, too.  

Why Choose McFarland Chevrolet 

Start 2026 off right with a visit to McFarland Chevrolet. At McFarland Chevrolet, we offer the best prices on new and used cars and services of any Chevrolet dealer around. We take pride in knowing that our customers are treated exceptionally well by our outstanding sales staff and finance department, from the start of your car-buying process to the end. And once it’s time to come in for service, our second-to-none service department will take care of your vehicle as if it were one of their own.  

Thank you for letting us earn your business.