2017 Chevy Colorado ZR2 is a Desert Runner and a Rock Crawler (Video Review)

2017 chevy colorado zr2 off-road review
2017 Chevy Colorado ZR2 off-road review

The world of off-road pickup trucks has now been put on notice. The Chevy Colorado ZR2 is here to fly through the desert or slowly bash over some rocks. The truck has the suspension, four-wheel-drive system, and the looks to go up and down any trail with the best of them.

The Colorado ZR2 is about two inches higher and three and a half inches wider than a Z71 model. The ZR2 suspension has been completely reworked.

Multimatic spool-valve shocks for Colorado ZR2

ZR2 features a first for factory pickup trucks: spool valve shock absorbers by Multimatic. What is a spool valve damper? It’s a spring-loaded valve that allows engineers to precisely tune the shock’s compression and rebound fluid flow and motion (according to Multimatic and Chevrolet). These shocks do not use the washers or disks to control the fluid flow. The result is a suspension that can cushion a four-wheels-in-the-air jump, allow for slow articulation, and handle running over rough pavement with ease.

The trick off-road suspension is not without compromise. Something had to give, and that is a lower towing rating of 5,000 lbs.

The ZR2 is available with the same drive-train options as a regular Colorado. The choices are: 3.6L gasoline V6 with an 8-speed automatic transmission or a 2.8L turbo-diesel I4 with a 6-speed automatic.

ZR2 is now the second factory pickup truck in the United States with locking front and rear differentials (the other is the Ram Power Wagon). If maximum off-road traction is required, push the two buttons on the center console, and lock the differential so that all four wheels are clawing at the earth.

The Chevy Colorado ZR2 is now available on the online build & price configurator. There are not a lot of options for the ZR2, but it’s still helpful to configure the truck, check out the prices, customization options, and available colors.

The 2017 Chevy Colorado ZR2 starts at around $41,000 and can be configured to over $46,000. While this is a hefty price to pay for a midsize off-road truck, it’s not that much above the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. The Tacoma Pro starts at around $41,000 and can be configured to about $43,000.

Andre Smirnov
Andre Smirnov is an Automotive Enthusiast, Producer, Reviewer, Videographer, Writer, Software Engineer, Husband, Father, and Friend.