You’re going to want to join us on this off-road adventure from Vegas to Reno testing the 2023 Chevy Colorado ZR2. We put the new midsize Chevrolet pickup through the paces over 700 miles across Nevada, with over 300 of those miles on some rugged off-road desert terrain.
We retraced most of the Best in the Desert Vegas to Reno race course, with Chad Hall in his new Colorado ZR2 race truck on 35s leading the way.
Watch the action here:
2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Impressions
For around $50,000 the 2023 Colorado ZR2 isn’t inexpensive, but it’s loaded with creature comforts and capability upgrades. You get things like a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled seats, a good sound system, Wi-Fi, USB plugs, and a ton of drive tech, like fun and useful driving modes.
You also get magic shocks, skid plates, rock sliders, 33-inch tires, selectable lockers, and more off-road content that makes it truly capable. We used all the comfort and capability features of this truck on our adventure — and came away impressed.
The trucks on this adventure were brand new, low mileage (ours had about 300 miles on it when we started this adventure), and pre-production. We weren’t exactly kind to them, and pretty much the only issues we had were some blown tires as well as lightbar mount bolts that could have used some Loctite. The trail was rough and the rocks were sharp!
- Engine: 2.7L 4-cylinder turbo HO
- Power: 310 horsepower; 430 lb.-ft. of torque
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Wheelbase: 131.4"
- Approach/Break-Over/Departure Angles: 38.3, 24.6, and 25.1 degrees
- Ground clearance: 10.7"
- Max trailering: 6,000 lbs.
- Curb weight: 4,940 lbs.
- Payload: 1,310 lbs.
- MPG: 17 City / 21 Highway / 19 Combined
Pros
- Multimatic DSSV dampers
- 3" lift
- 33" tires
- Baja Mode w/Performance Shift
- Loads of torque
- Hugely upgraded interior
Cons
- Fuel economy
- Power delivery lag
- Center console accent stitching rubs elbows raw
- Weak sidewall tires
- Not enough hard buttons for important functions
You can read my full in-depth review on the 2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2. And, if you don’t need the off-road chops of the ZR2, consider one of the other models of third-gen Colorado, all of which I also reviewed.
P.S.: Be sure to watch the end of the video to get a little taste of the surprise Chevy shared with us, which you can also read about on GearJunkie.
