West Chevrolet’s Wild Summer Truck Report: 2017 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Test Drive

Appropriately named after what is unquestionably one of the most rugged and adventuresome states in the nation, the Colorado is the new king of the action-driver's / off-road niche. This is a vehicle for achieving high speeds in the desert, crawling over looming rocks in the wild, and your routine-seeming daily commute as well. Here in Knoxville, we have the Smokies close by and accessible for multiple off-roading opportunities, and some of the most fun you can have during summer is in the wild with a more-than-able machine.

The well-equipped ZR2 comes standard with front, rear and center differentials, 31-inch tires, a 3.5-inch wider track than the previous Colorado Z71, and a 2.0-inch lift. Just about everyone that has test driven this beast agrees on one very important fact: the shocks in this truck are out-of-this-world superior. They are Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve dampers, and their original development was intended for use in Indy and F1 cars. Inside are spring-activated spool valves, that are used to prevent extreme overheat.

As compression takes place, the shocks gradually become stiffer. If you are in a truly extreme off-roading situation, you will be able to actually catch air with confidence. The landing is nearly always the toughest part of jumping in an actual truck, but the most skilled of ditch and creek desperadoes claim that they really enjoy the stickiness the ZR2 possesses right when it lands. If the feeling of a suave sports car is what you get a hankering for every once in a drive, you can leave the ZR2 in two-wheel drive, switch the stability control to Off-Road Mode, and attain more of a drift as you embark across dirt or other obstacle-ridden terrains.

You can get the ZR2 with the 308-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, or opt for the 4-cylinder turbo diesel for just over $3,000 extra. Either one you choose can be paired with an extended cab or crew cab body, and both are appropriately matched to automatic trannies. The very responsive V6 is great to use when you are in a situation needing very high speeds, but the diesel setup really shows its efficiency level when you embark for a highway cruise. For a diesel-driven option, this is really not that noisy of a ride, and you’ll also enjoy the heated seats, wireless charging pad, and built-in Wi-Fi that comes along for the ride. Every unit has a tow rating of 5,000 pounds, and payload ability of 1,100.

In essence, the Toyota Tacoma is a rival product that is a fairly trusty rock climber, but the real issue at stake is the power, and the ZR2 has much more of it. You’ll notice a better-rounded appeal in the ZR2 than the Ford F-150 Raptor as well, while the sales and service staff here at West Chevrolet will be happy to help you along with a lease or sale of one. Get ready to experience just how thrilling the warm-weather months can be with a truck that has 8.9 inches of ground clearance at the bottom of the rear shocks, and other cool features such as a bed-mounted tire carrier. This is the season to definitely savor what some deem as unexplorable, and the Colorado ZR2 is most definitely the truck to take you.