Donkey Strong: 2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Tested

From the December 2023 issue of Car and Driver.

In 1902, a miner named William “Burro” Schmidt began digging a tunnel through a mountain in California’s Mojave Desert. He continued, by hand, for three decades, despite that a road was built during that time, and his tunnel came out on a ledge above the valley. You can visit Schmidt’s work down a silty dirt road. It’s a slidey, sandy journey, but it’s so easy in the Chevy Colorado ZR2 that if Schmidt had had one, he wouldn’t have bothered trying to make a shortcut.

Much like the burros that gave Schmidt his nickname, the Colorado is stubborn and sure-footed. It’s easier to house than a draft horse, although for 2023, the mid-size Colorado grows in width, wheelbase, and ground clearance. A simplified powertrain lineup means all versions come with a turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine comes in three strengths, and the ZR2 gets max burro power: the high-output 310-hp version that makes 430 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to tow 6000 pounds (1000 more than the previous generation), but unladen acceleration is no quicker, with a trot to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. On the road, the ZR2 brays loudly when spurred, but off-road, it scampers up hills and over loose surfaces. All that pulling and climbing makes it hungry—its fuel economy is slightly worse than the previous V-6, with an EPA combined rating of 16 mpg.

The ZR2’s off-road prowess comes by means of a 3.0-inch lift and more suspension travel, as well as Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers. Larger 33-inch tires on 17-inch wheels also help soak up the rough stuff, and a redesigned front fascia and a better-packaged spare tire enable steeper ups and downs. An exclusive Baja drive mode holds gears longer and encourages slides in either two- or four-wheel drive. All of these goodies raise the price, of course—the ZR2 is now a $48,295 proposition.

Inside, the ZR2 is dark and rubbery. Off-road features like the drive modes and locking front and rear diffs are easy to find and use—not so the headlights (those controls are tucked into the 11.3-inch touchscreen). The front seats are heated and optionally ventilated, but the rears may have your riders wishing for a full-size workhorse. For most loads and trails, though, the Colorado ZR2 is all the truck you need.

Source: Reviews - aranddriver.com