Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 2022 Colorado ZR2 Is Chevy’s Most Capable Off-Road Pickup Ever

There was a time when trucks were trucks. For decades, pickups in particular, were designed to be used, even happily abused. They were workhorses, plain and simple: Pared-down, rugged, and utilitarian. (Cue the Clydesdales, flags, and Rocky Mountain high.) Then, sometime around the turn of the century, we all went tech-crazy. In Brooks Hatlen’s prescient words from The Shawshank Redemption, “The world went and got itself in a big damn hurry.” Automakers took up arms to battle over who could offer the biggest touchscreens, the sleekest navigation systems, and the fewest cabin knobs and switches.

2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
Mike Richards/The Manual

There’s no denying that high-tech conveniences have seriously elevated the modern driving experience. You haven’t lived until you’ve cruised the Atlantic Coast in a Lincoln Navigator Black Label, cradled by a 30-way adjustable power driver seat with heated butt-massage capabilities. Still, there’s something to be said about the purity of a Jeep Gladiator or a Toyota 4Runner. As the world marches steadfastly toward modernity, these trucks and SUVs proudly maintain their roots. There’s beauty in their raw simplicity. This is the space in which the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 lives.

Recommended Videos

The base model 2020 Chevy Colorado is a mid-sized workhouse designed for mostly on-road and occasional off-road use. In ZR2 trim, however, the Colorado is an entirely different beast. At first glance, it’s obvious the 2020 Colorado ZR2 is no run-of-the-mill grocery-getter. With an aggressively shaved front bumper, an imposing 3.5-inch wider track stance, and rugged all-terrain tires, this is a pickup that means business. Indeed, it was designed from the ground up for off-road enthusiasts. Under the hood, the standard 3.6L V6 delivers a best-in-class 308 horsepower and 275 lb-feet of torque. Ticking the optional engine box will let you upgrade to a Duramax 2.8L turbo-diesel with 186 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of stump-pulling torque. The flagship version boasts 48mm more factory-installed lift, while rock sliders and skid plates provide extra protection for, in Chevy’s words, “when the action gets serious.”

2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2
Mike Richards/The Manual

To find “serious action” near my home in Tulsa requires equally serious Google skills. While we’re proud to say that “we’re not as flat as Kansas,” Oklahoma is not known for its world-class rock-crawling and off-road parks. What we do boast, however, is one of the longest stretches of the Transamerica Trail (TAT) of any state in the country. This unofficial 5,000-mile route follows mostly unpaved, traffic-free roads across the entire United States. It’s an off-road explorer’s dream.

The day after taking delivery of my 2020 Colorado ZR2 tester, I picked up the TAT at the Oklahoma-Arkansas border and drove west toward Tulsa. For the better part of 150 miles, this section of the trail winds through and around Oklahoma backcountry. It’s a rural route with a mix of hard-pack, loose gravel, muddy access roads, and light water crossings dotted with sprawling farms and ranches. It’s not technical by any standard, but it proved a great test track for putting our Colorado ZR2 V6 through its paces.

In a word, the ZR2 is confident off-pavement. In two words, it’s confident and fun. It’s surefooted crawling through fresh mud, over downed branches, and across bridges drowning in rainwater run-off. Through several rally-worthy turns along the TAT, I was able to slip the back end slightly, though predictably, while powering through corners peppered with loose gravel and golf-ball-sized pebbles. But, the Colorado never came close to losing control. This confidence makes it easy to push the ZR2 to what might feel like its limit, even when you know that it’s not.

When the going gets really rough, however, the Colorado ZR2 tackles the terrain with equal aplomb. I took my tester for a separate spin — er, crawl — around Camp Gruber ORV Park. It’s a 455-acre off-road technical park that loops through tightly wooded trails, muddy washouts, rocky hills, and skid-plate-crunching uphill climbs along the Arkansas River. It’s best suited for small, hardcore ATVs, but this environment is where the ZR2 shines. In most off-road situations, the truck’s four-wheel-drive setup is more than capable. The ZR’s ace in the hole, however, is its driver-selectable locking differentials front and rear. It’s the only pickup in its class with both. The lack of electronically-controlled drive modes feels decidedly old-school and welcome. The driver gets no help from any automated nanny technology here. Instead, it’s entirely up to them what combination of power and differentials to use and when. Regardless, in 4LO mode with both differentials locked, there’s very little the ZR2 can’t get through or over.

What’s more, Chevy borrowed the same shocks from the latest Camaro. The Colorado ZR2 is the only pickup truck on the market with these advanced, Multimatic’s F1-inspired DSSV (Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve dampers) shocks. The high-tech gadgetry behind this exclusive setup translates to a much smoother overall ride. Off-road, it’s a thing of beauty. From inside the cabin, the ZR2 eats massive potholes, softball-sized rocks, and oversized branches with ease. It doesn’t quite deaden the feel of the terrain from the driver’s perspective, but rather makes it a lot more liveable.

Back on the road, I found the ride firm, but not punishing. By pickup truck standards, it’s downright cushy. It’s especially surprising given the Colorado’s Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac off-road-centric tires. Credit that to the magic of the Multimatic shock setup. The 300-plus horsepower of my tester truck offered more than enough oomph to get the ZR2 up to freeway speeds with ease. Chevy touts a 0-60 time of just 7.1 seconds and that feels accurate. That’s respectable given the pickup’s nearly 5,000-pound curb weight. Sure, it all translates to an abysmal 16 miles-per-gallon fuel efficiency (my average in mixed driving over one week). But, who buys a hardcore, off-road-ready pickup expecting great gas mileage?

If there’s one place the ZR2 falls short, it’s the cabin. On paper, it has all the requisite techno-comforts of a 2020 model year vehicle: Remote start, a satellite radio with Bluetooth, a heated steering wheel, 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s crisp and responsive. But, the overall design feels like an afterthought. It’s an ultra-streamlined sea of plastic that’s merely functional. It all works, but it’s hard not to expect more in a vehicle that’s billed as “premium.” For the more adventurous off-road-hungry audience the ZR2 is targeting, that may be just fine. Still, it’s impossible to ignore the ho-hum aesthetic, particularly when compared to the rugged, military-cool chic of the latest Jeep Wrangler cabin.

In my week-long test of the 2020 Colorado ZR2, however, I forgot about what was happening inside the cabin. More specifically, I didn’t care. On day one, I dialed in a few satellite radio presets, rolled the windows down, and kept my eyes on the pavement-free road ahead. I suspect most adventurous types in the market for a premium, off-road-centric, mid-sized pickup will do the same. Chevy’s marketed the Colorado as being in a “segment of one.” They’re mostly right. For those who can’t afford a $55,000-ish Ford F-150 Raptor, the Colorado ZR2 and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro are the next best — and, more importantly, affordable — things.

In ZR2 trim, the 2020 Chevy Colorado bases at $44,095, including the destination charge. Adding a dealer-installed Power Package ($1,850) and Kinetic Blue Metallic paint scheme ($395) pushed the bottom line for our 2020 Colorado 4WD ZR2 Crew Short Box to $46,340.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Jeep unveils the all-new Cherokee to debut late 2025
New Jeep Cherokee coming late 2025
Jeep Cherokee

When the Cherokee left Jeep's lineup at the end of 2023, it created a noticeable gap between the smaller Compass and the midsize Grand Cherokee, leaving a lot of potential buyers wondering what happened. The Cherokee has always been a strong player in a super competitive field, going head-to-head with big names like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Equinox, and Hyundai Tucson. So, it was a bit confusing when Jeep pulled the plug on the last generation without having a replacement lined up. After two years of sitting on the sidelines, Jeep is finally bringing the Cherokee back.

Recently, Jeep shared the first teasers of the new SUV ahead of its big reveal and expected launch later this year. Fans of classic Cherokees might be excited about the new model’s design, which goes back to a boxier, more rugged look that feels true to Jeep's roots. To highlight this, Jeep put out a cool image showing the new model alongside the older XJ-series Cherokees from the '80s and early 2000s. The 2026 version sports a flatter front end and squared-off headlights that remind many of the classic models, and the roofline is more upright, giving it a tougher vibe.
“The all-new Jeep Cherokee headlines our efforts to deliver more product, innovation, choice and standard content to customers than ever before,” said Bob Broderdorf, Jeep CEO. “Jeep Cherokee will boast competitive pricing that strikes at the core of the largest vehicle segment and sits perfectly between Jeep Compass and Jeep Grand Cherokee to bolster our winning mainstream lineup.”
Right now, Jeep offers a mix of vehicles, including gas engines and plug-in hybrids with their clever 4xe technology available in models like the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler. There’s a chance the new Cherokee could include a basic gas engine—maybe the same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder found in the Compass—alongside a 4xe hybrid model or even an all-electric version. For now, more details are still under wraps, but fans are eager to find out what Jeep has in store as the launch date gets closer.

Read more
The 2025 BMW X7 M60i may be the sportiest full-sized SUV on the market
Driving this, you forget you're in a full-sized SUV
Front 3/4 view of a a blue BMW X7 M60i

The luxury SUV market is a little crowded these days, so sometimes it’s difficult to stand out. There’s an argument that you should play to your historic strengths if you want to succeed, and that’s likely what BMW has done with the X7 M60i SUV. The vehicle is much larger than your average Blimmer, but at its core, it has all of the qualities that BMW customers tend to appreciate.

I recently spent some time looking at BMW’s biggest SUV, which has been enhanced with an “M” package. So, before hopping in the driver’s seat, I was already expecting a good amount of comfort paired with exceptional power. This is why the X7 M60i did not disappoint on either front.
It’s very aggressive, like a tiger on a leash

Read more
Bridgestone’s new touring tire comes with an 80,000 mile warranty
Bridgestone Launches All-New Turanza EverDrive Touring Tire
bridgestones new touring tire comes with an 80000 mile warranty bridgestone turanza everdrive  3

Since we started using a set of Firehawk Indy 500 tires a few months ago, Bridgestone has really impressed us with their dedication to quality and innovation in the tire scene. This week, they’ve introduced an exciting new addition—the Turanza EverDrive touring tire, and it's backed by an incredible 80,000-mile warranty, which is their longest yet.

These tires are designed for sedans, CUVs, and minivans, and they come with some really new and useful technology. The next-generation rubber compound helps fight against uneven wear, so you can expect them to last you longer. Plus, they’ll give you a smooth and comfortable ride, perfect for all your daily adventures with or without the family.

Read more