The Chevrolet Colorado is a well-known nameplate among truck buyers; it was the only domestic midsize truck for a couple of years when Dodge and Ford left the segment in 2011 (Ford returned in 2018). With the price and size of half-ton trucks skyrocketing in the last few years, buyers have been looking for cheaper options, and the previous generation, which debuted in 2014, looked uninspired and outdated. Chevy finally redesigned the Colorado, including the ZR2 off-road version. Our test version, the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Desert Boss Crew Cab AWD, had an MSRP of $76,648 and was manufactured at the Wentzville, MO, plant.
Chevrolet completely overhauled the 2023 Colorado model. For the ZR2 trim, they added LED lighting, a black and red emblem, a revised front bumper, red tow hooks, and a safari bar in the Desert Boss package. The whole front end looks tough and mean. Along the side of the truck, you will find 17-inch wheels with 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler mud/terrain tires that look good. You can also find rocker panel protection, preventing as much damage as possible. You can take it further down the beaten path and drive worry-free. This midsize pickup is quite tall; you may need to stretch your legs or jump in because there's no running board. Other aesthetic elements of the Desert Boss package are the off-road sports bar with the ZR2 inscription and the roof light bar, which can light up an entire neighbourhood! The spray-on bedliner is a nice touch in the back, keeping the truck's bed in its best shape longer. The redesigned tailgate and rear bumper contribute to the overall look of the Chevy Colorado ZR2, giving it a meaner and tougher appearance. The Glacier Blue colour makes it stand out even more!
The Chevrolet Colorado's interior is functional and modern. The driver has a customizable 11-inch digital gauge cluster with different configurations, such as an off-road focused one, a full-screen map, your typical speedometer, and the typical dual gauges. The windshield wiper controls are on the turn signal stock; if you're looking for the lighting controls, Chevrolet integrated them into the infotainment screen and the window locking feature (we would prefer something else)! The 11.3-inch touchscreen is large enough and quite responsive and features wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Fortunately, Chevy kept the physical buttons for the climate controls, which are easy to use daily. The Bose sound system is also a nice touch and only costs $685. Under the climate vents, you can find the locking differential switches and an AUX switch, which, in this case, controls the roof-mounted light bar. You will also find USB and USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad and the drive mode selector alongside the gear lever. The manufacturer made sure to please its hardcore fans with the buttons and switches while modernizing the interior.
About the Colorado's interior, regardless of trim, you will get a crew cab with five seats (no bench seat available) and a 5 ft 2 bed (1,567mm): if you want a shorter cab and/or a longer bed, you have to step up to the Chevy Silverado. Stepping inside the ZR1 can be challenging because you have to jump slightly to get inside due to the higher ground clearance than the base version (273mm vs 201mm). Also, Chevrolet added rocker panel protection, meaning there are no running boards to help you get inside. That said, the ZR1 exclusive Jet Black / Artemis (light grey) interior is clean and does break away from the dullness often found in all-black interiors. The yellow stitchings on the seats are a nice touch. Speaking of the seats, they are comfortable, and so is the interior space, as four adults can easily sit inside. As is often the case, the middle seat is better suited for children. The rear seats feature ISOFIX ports, and like many pickup trucks, the rear anchor is positioned inconveniently. However, you can remove the headrest to access it. You can also lift the seat cushions to put items you don't want rolling around the cabin, a feature always appreciated. The Chevrolet Colorado is an excellent choice for those who don't require a full-size truck, and it offers comfortable passenger seating.
Under the hood, the Colorado only offers one powertrain; a 2.7L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission is present in all trims. Its power figures start at 237 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque in the base version. Our test model produced higher output, achieving 310 hp and an impressive 430 lb-ft of torque. This option is available in both the WT and LT trims. The ZR1 reaches the 100 kph mark in about 7.3 seconds, a respectable number in the segment. The turbo lag is prominent, reminiscent of the early 90's sports car. As the numbers show above, it gets going quickly once you've managed the throttle. The transmission shifts swiftly; plenty of power is available if you don't stomp the gas. The brakes don't feel as confident as expected, and the pedal is longer than expected. You can feel the weight transfer shift from the back to the front, putting more pressure on the front brakes. On the other hand, the reinforced Multimatic DSSV dampers make for a confident ride on a typical highway drive. However, off the pavement, there is some extra movement you would expect the vehicle to manage better. Of course, the off-road 33-inch mud/terrain tires make the cabin noisier, but it is still quite nicely isolated. We had so much fun in the sand with this midsize pickup truck; it felt pretty lively, and the vehicle felt solid, even when driving spiritedly. That is what matters most, and the Colorado ZR2 delivers big.
The Chevy Colorado ZR2 Desert Boss is a great, midsize, off-road-focused truck. There are some compromises, but it is an easy truck to live with, except for its disappointing fuel economy (we finished the week with an average of about 16L/100km (14.7mpg)). Good-looking, rugged and practical are adjectives that come to mind when you refer to this particular truck. If you're looking for the Desert Boss trim, it's gone now and has been replaced with the Bison trims, which add elements such as a Bed-Mounted Vertical Spare Tire Carrier and 17" Beadlock capable wheels with laser etching and AEV centre cap. The new Colorado ZR2 shows significant improvement over its predecessor, but there is still potential for improvement.
Chevrolet has lent us this vehicle for two weeks as a press vehicle. We have no affiliation with Chevrolet Canada. The above reflects our personal opinion of the cars referred to above.
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