2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 review: A rough-and-tumble midsize truck

The Chevrolet Colorado is an oldie but a goodie. Yeah, this midsize truck feels outdated, but even with a number of deficits here and there it remains a stable option in a segment rife with much less-than-stellar opponents. If you require enhanced off-street functionality or the open up-mattress hauling usefulness only a pickup truck can give, but really don’t want or require a comprehensive-dimension rig, this Chevy is a first rate option.

To keep points new, the Colorado acquired a number of enhancements for 2021. Mainline styles gain a reworked — and arguably much more handsome — front close, an eight-inch infotainment display screen is typical on the LT trim and increased and 17-inch wheels are now bundled at no further demand. The off-street-all set ZR2 product options related enhancements, even though its face is noticeably much more intense, wanting considerably like the boxy Silverado 1500’s prow, for much better or even worse. At last, three new exterior colors are available throughout the vary including Cherry Red Tintcoat, which is what you see here.

What sets the ZR2 apart from lesser Colorados is its off-street components. The suspension gains from a two-inch raise and the monitor, both equally front and rear, is 3.5 inches wider. Holding points under management even though bombing by way of the desert, clambering around boulders or just cruising your nearby Household Depot parking ton is a established of Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve dampers. These shocks assist take care of the Colorado ZR2’s starchy springs, which supply a business on-street ride. Even though the truck laughs at pothole impacts and big bumps, you truly feel virtually each enlargement joint on the freeway. Its Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires are mounted on stylish, multicolor 17-inch wheels and need to provide sufficient grip even though path-bashing, even if they broadcast lots of sound on pavement.

The Colorado is offered with three various engines, two of which are available in the ZR2. This example options the 3.six-liter gasoline V6, which cranks out 308 horsepower and 275 pound-toes of torque. For all you compression-ignition aficionados out there, a two.eight-liter Duramax diesel is offered. Lessen-trim Colorados can be experienced with a 4-cylinder gasoline engine, even though it truly is in all probability best to stay clear of this malnourished option. Matched to a brief-witted and polished 8-pace computerized transmission, the V6 has no problems transferring this midsize truck with reasonable authority. The turbocharged Ford Ranger might have much more minimal-close grunt and a Honda Ridgeline’s V6 may possibly be smoother, but this Chevy’s engine will get the occupation carried out with minor fanfare.

The Colorado might be much more maneuverable than a comprehensive-dimension truck, but it truly is no much more effective. As it sits, this example is rated at sixteen miles for each gallon in the town and 18 mpg freeway. Mixed, it need to return 17 mpg, a determine I topped by about .four mpg in serious-environment driving. It is always excellent when you can exceed a vehicle’s put together gas-economic system score with no even attempting, even though this Chevy need to in all probability be much more effective than it is. I suggest, a Silverado 1500 TrailBoss with the top-puppy six.two-liter V8 has the similar put together gas economic system rating and it even beats the Colorado on the freeway, returning an advertised 19 mpg. What is the stage of having a midsize truck if a regular 50 {36a394957233d72e39ae9c6059652940c987f134ee85c6741bc5f1e7246491e6}-ton is much more economical?

If you tow or haul significant hundreds on the reg, you can expect to in all probability also want a burlier truck than this Chevy. The Colorado ZR2’s optimum payload score is just one,350 lbs . and it can only drag up to 5,000 lbs .. The Ranger and Jeep Gladiator’s peak figures quickly eclipse the Chevy’s — hell, the vehicle-based mostly Ridgeline can haul 233 lbs . much more, even if its towing potential is the similar. It is truly worth noting, however, that non-ZR2 Colorados are much more able. Their optimum payload score is a much more-competitive one,550 lbs . and they can tow up to 7,seven-hundred lbs . when fitted with the diesel engine.

When it truly is time to go path-bashing, the ZR2 has a leg up around all of its midsize rivals other than, probably, the Gladiator. Locking differentials front and rear assist it get out of tough situations. It is also graced with lots of underbody shielding and other options like hill-descent management. Rock rails along every sill are excellent for shielding the physique from jagged terrain, even though coupled with that elevated ride top they make having into and out of this truck tough if you really don’t want to soil your pant legs with grime or mud. A pair of vivid red restoration hooks punctuates the ZR2’s front close and is at the all set need to you get in much too deep even though off-roading.

The ZR2 is available with a assortment of visual appearance-improving solutions groups, but if additional functionality is what you crave, consider the $5,750 Bison package. This upgrade turns an currently able truck into a serious mountain goat. It will get you a bunch of kit from American Expedition Cars including a exclusive front bumper with provisions to mount a winch, boron-steel skid plates for extra underbody protection, distinctive fender flares, exclusive 17-inch wheels and much more.

The Chevy Colorado’s fundamentals are mostly spectacular, but its inside and tech are what bely its state-of-the-art age. For much better or even worse, this truck’s inside is in essence the similar as it was five or 6 a long time ago, which means you get lots of so-so challenging plastics and leather-based that feels much more like vinyl than something shucked off a living creature. The dashboard’s total structure is also as conservative as a Southern Baptist, with no frills or intriguing structure prospers to be experienced. The advantage of this straightforward, genuine structure, however, is that all the secondary buttons and knobs are effortless to arrive at and see, with the climate controls becoming mounted up higher and the seat-heater switches in an evident spot.

The Colorado is comfortable, with the front chairs modifying properly to accommodate taller people, even if the cushions are very flat. The crew-cab body’s rear bench seat is a little bit on the upright facet, par for the midsize-truck system, but it can in good shape a couple of six-foot-tall adults with no considerably problems. The lessen cushions also flip up, revealing a storage cubby for stashing points away from prying eyes.

Like its total inside structure, this truck’s tech is driving the instances. Certain, my tester’s eight-inch dashboard display screen is pleasant adequate, house to a fast and clean infotainment system that is a satisfaction to use, but integrated navigation charges an additional $995, even on the higher-close ZR2 product. Luckily, if you really don’t truly feel like shelling out an further grand of challenging-gained scratch, Apple CarPlay and Android Automobile are all set, keen and typical throughout the board.

But no subject how considerably you expend, you are unable to get drive-button commence in this truck. Rather, each Colorado will come with an outdated-fashioned adhere-and-twist essential. For you young children that usually are not familiar, you choose a thin piece of steel, jab it into a receptacle on the steering column and flip it to fire the engine up. Similarly, blind-spot checking, rear cross-targeted visitors warn and lane centering are not offered, but at the very least keyless entry is available on even the most-fundamental Do the job Truck product, and you can get the Colorado with distant commence.

Talking of funds, a foundation, rear-wheel-push model of this truck with the 4-cylinder engine starts at 26 grand and adjust. With numerous much more options and a crew-cab physique, the Colorado ZR2 tested here checks out for a considerably-steeper $44,890, including $one,195 in destination service fees. The sole option padding that determine is the paint occupation, which charges $495.

The Chevy Colorado’s grey hairs are undoubtedly demonstrating, but even with its age, this truck remains a very good option — just one I prefer in some techniques to the Ranger and Gladiator. For standard-reason use, the Honda Ridgeline is nonetheless the best all-around midsize pickup in my humble opinion, but if you want one thing with much more rugged seems and a ton much more off-street functionality, the ZR2 could in good shape the bill.