Not everybody loves the Colorado ZR2’s up to date grille, however it’s actually extra aggressive than earlier than.
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The Chevrolet Colorado is an oldie however a goodie. Yeah, this midsize truck feels outdated, however regardless of just a few deficits right here and there it stays a strong choice in a phase rife with less-than-stellar opponents. If you want enhanced off-road functionality or the open-bed hauling comfort solely a pickup truck can provide, however don’t need or want a full-size rig, this Chevy is an honest selection.

LikeManageable dimensionsDecent performanceOff-road {hardware}

Don’t LikeFull-size pickup gas economyV6 may very well be smootherAnnoying rock rails

To maintain issues contemporary, the Colorado obtained just a few enhancements for 2021. Mainline fashions achieve a reworked — and arguably extra good-looking — entrance finish, an 8-inch infotainment display screen is commonplace on the LT trim and better and 17-inch wheels at the moment are included at no further cost. The off-road-ready ZR2 mannequin options comparable enhancements, although its face is noticeably extra aggressive, trying considerably just like the boxy Silverado 1500’s prow, for higher or worse. Finally, three new exterior colours can be found throughout the vary together with Cherry Red Tintcoat, which is what you see right here.What units the ZR2 aside from lesser Colorados is its off-road {hardware}. The suspension advantages from a 2-inch raise and the observe, each entrance and rear, is 3.5 inches wider. Keeping issues underneath management whereas bombing via the desert, clambering over boulders or simply cruising your native Home Depot parking zone is a set of Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve dampers. These shocks assist handle the Colorado ZR2’s starchy springs, which ship a agency on-road experience. While the truck laughs at pothole impacts and huge bumps, you’re feeling virtually each growth joint on the freeway. Its Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires are mounted on trendy, multicolor 17-inch wheels and will present ample grip whereas trail-bashing, even when they broadcast loads of noise on pavement.

The Colorado is obtainable with three completely different engines, two of which can be found within the ZR2. This instance options the 3.6-liter gasoline V6, which cranks out 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. For all you compression-ignition aficionados on the market, a 2.8-liter Duramax diesel is obtainable. Lower-trim Colorados might be had with a four-cylinder gasoline engine, although it is in all probability greatest to keep away from this malnourished choice. Matched to a quick-witted and polished eight-speed automated transmission, the V6 has no hassle transferring this midsize truck with affordable authority. The turbocharged Ford Ranger could have extra low-end grunt and a Honda Ridgeline’s V6 may be smoother, however this Chevy’s engine will get the job accomplished with little fanfare.The Colorado could also be extra maneuverable than a full-size truck, however it’s no extra environment friendly. As it sits, this instance is rated at 16 miles per gallon within the metropolis and 18 mpg freeway. Combined, it ought to return 17 mpg, a determine I topped by about 0.4 mpg in real-world driving. It’s at all times nice when you’ll be able to exceed a automobile’s mixed fuel-economy score with out even making an attempt, although this Chevy ought to in all probability be extra environment friendly than it’s. I imply, a Silverado 1500 TrailBoss with the top-dog 6.2-liter V8 has the identical mixed gas financial system rating and it even beats the Colorado on the freeway, returning an marketed 19 mpg. What’s the purpose of getting a midsize truck if a conventional half-ton is extra economical?

It can really feel a bit buzzy at instances, however this 3.6-liter V6 engine will get the job accomplished.
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If you tow or haul vital masses on the reg, you will in all probability additionally need a burlier truck than this Chevy. The Colorado ZR2’s most payload score is simply 1,350 kilos and it could possibly solely drag as much as 5,000 kilos. The Ranger and Jeep Gladiator’s peak figures simply eclipse the Chevy’s — hell, the car-based Ridgeline can haul 233 kilos extra, even when its towing capability is identical. It is value noting, nevertheless, that non-ZR2 Colorados are extra succesful. Their most payload score is a more-competitive 1,550 kilos they usually can tow as much as 7,700 kilos when fitted with the diesel engine.

When it is time to go trail-bashing, the ZR2 has a leg up over all of its midsize rivals besides, maybe, the Gladiator. Locking differentials entrance and rear assist it get out of robust conditions. It’s additionally graced with loads of underbody shielding and different options like hill-descent management. Rock rails alongside every sill are nice for shielding the physique from jagged terrain, although coupled with that elevated experience top they make entering into and out of this truck difficult when you do not wish to soil your pant legs with dust or mud. A pair of shiny crimson restoration hooks punctuates the ZR2’s entrance finish and is on the prepared do you have to get in too deep whereas off-roading.The ZR2 is accessible with a wide range of appearance-enhancing choices teams, but when extra functionality is what you crave, think about the $5,750 Bison package deal. This improve turns an already succesful truck into an actual mountain goat. It will get you a bunch of equipment from American Expedition Vehicles together with a particular entrance bumper with provisions to mount a winch, boron-steel skid plates for added underbody safety, distinctive fender flares, particular 17-inch wheels and extra.The Colorado’s inside is a no-frills zone.
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The Chevy Colorado’s fundamentals are principally spectacular, however its inside and tech are what bely its superior age. For higher or worse, this truck’s inside is mainly the identical because it was 5 or 6 years in the past, which suggests you get loads of so-so exhausting plastics and leather-based that feels extra like vinyl than something shucked off a dwelling creature. The dashboard’s total format can be as conservative as a Southern Baptist, with no frills or fascinating design prospers available. The benefit of this easy, trustworthy format, nevertheless, is that each one the secondary buttons and knobs are simple to achieve and see, with the local weather controls being mounted up excessive and the seat-heater switches in an apparent place.The Colorado is snug, with the entrance chairs adjusting properly to accommodate taller of us, even when the cushions are fairly flat. The crew-cab physique’s rear bench seat is a bit on the upright aspect, par for the midsize-truck course, however it could possibly match a few 6-foot-tall adults with out a lot hassle. The decrease cushions additionally flip up, revealing a storage cubby for stashing issues away from prying eyes.These Multimatic dampers assist make the ZR2 mannequin an completed off-roader.
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Like its total inside design, this truck’s tech is behind the instances. Sure, my tester’s 8-inch dashboard display screen is good sufficient, residence to a speedy and clear infotainment system that is a pleasure to make use of, however built-in navigation prices an extra $995, even on the high-end ZR2 mannequin. Fortunately, when you do not feel like shelling out an additional grand of hard-earned scratch, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are prepared, keen and commonplace throughout the board.But regardless of how a lot you spend, you can’t get push-button begin on this truck. Instead, each Colorado comes with an old style stick-and-twist key. For you youngsters that are not acquainted, you’re taking a skinny piece of steel, jab it right into a receptacle on the steering column and switch it to fireplace the engine up. Similarly, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane centering aren’t supplied, however not less than keyless entry is accessible on even the most-basic Work Truck mannequin, and you may get the Colorado with distant begin.Despite its years, the Colorado remains to be an excellent midsize truck.
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Speaking of cash, a base, rear-wheel-drive model of this truck with the four-cylinder engine begins at 26 grand and alter. With many extra options and a crew-cab physique, the Colorado ZR2 examined right here checks out for a much-steeper $44,890, together with $1,195 in vacation spot charges. The sole choice padding that determine is the paint job, which prices $495.The Chevy Colorado’s grey hairs are actually displaying, however regardless of its age, this truck stays an excellent choice — one I desire in some methods to the Ranger and Gladiator. For general-purpose use, the Honda Ridgeline remains to be the perfect all-around midsize pickup in my humble opinion, however if you need one thing with extra rugged appears and much more off-road functionality, the ZR2 might match the invoice.