Motor Trend’s Long-Term Colorado ZR2 Runs with Modified Jeeps for a Day of Off-Road Adventure

Motor Trend’s long-term tests are designed to replicate the activities actual owners will do in a year of ownership, including commuting, weekend tasks, and family trips. The very off-road-focused Colorado ZR2 is a bit of an exception, as anyone buying a ZR2 can be expected to hit the dirt, mud, or sand—in addition to the aforementioned activities. Motor Trend decided it was time to do just that at a venue specifically designed to challenge off-road vehicles. Twin Falls Chevrolet takes you along for the ride.  

Everything that makes the Colorado ZR2 special takes it far from the daily commute. On this day, the office was the Forbidden Zone Campground, just southwest of Wellsville, Ohio, which sits against the banks of the Ohio River that borders its namesake and West Virginia. The location has numerous trails that make it a year-round destination for dirt bike and 4×4 enthusiasts.  

Motor Trend linked up with a group of enthusiasts, almost all arriving in modified Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators (and one lonely 4Runner). The vehicles were all modified for the venue, having been lifted high above the ground and riding on 40-inch tires. The overtly brutish but bone-stock ZR2 managed to look like a mild commuter among this company. Could the stock ZR2 keep up with the modified Jeeps? Or would it find itself on the wrong side of the winch of shame? 

Recent rain made the challenge even more perfect, softening the ground and pooling in depressions. This was also the perfect off-road venue to prove that smaller is better. Fortunately, aside from wearing slightly more sensible shoes, the Colorado’s footprint was close to that of its trail-mates, which was good because several tight trails would have given full-size trucks some paint modification and permanent new character lines along the sides.  

Size may have its drawbacks here, but height does not. The ZR2 comes standard with 33-inch all-terrain tires; however, reducing pressure for obstacle crawling brings their effective diameter down to about 31 inches, which lowers ground clearance accordingly. This is precisely why the others in this group, who frequent this spot regularly, had the large 40-inch tires. Thus, the ZR2 did fall behind the Jeeps when the ruts became deep and occasionally forced the standard skid plates to perform their function. Nevertheless, thanks to the front and rear locking differentials, the extraordinary Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers, and tenacious all-terrain tires, the ZR2 carried on with no need of assistance.  

Motor Trend spent some time describing the trail’s biggest obstacle, known as “The Waterfall.” It is a challenging uphill gully with steeply banked hills on either side, offering no choice of direction except straight ahead. Rather than a falling wall of water like its namesake, there is just enough water trickling down to make all the surfaces slick with mud and algae. Crawling up will not work, as you need momentum to get up the slippery surface.  

With 4WD Low engaged, the forward camera displaying obstacles obscured by the hood, Terrain mode selected, and both front and rear diffs locked, the driver utilized everything the ZR2 had to offer. Near the end of the climb was a sandstone overhang. The vehicle had to essentially bump over this outcropping. After a few unsuccessful attempts of pressing the accelerator at various levels, success was ultimately achieved using a brake-torque launch. 

Accessing the ZR2’s condition after the trails were completed revealed a scratched wheel, marks on the transfer case skid plate and rock rails (essentially badges of honor), along with possibly the dirtiest air filter any of them had ever seen. There were also uneven brake pads, likely from rocks or mud finding their way into the works. After a service visit, which included a tire rotation, replaced filters, and wiper blades, the Colorado headed 2,300 miles back to the publication’s El Segundo, California headquarters. The editor reported that there were “no rattles, squeaks, or even a crooked steering wheel to indicate it had been thrashed in the muddy Ohio backwoods.” Meanwhile, the almost magical Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers kept the highway ride shockingly smooth for a vehicle this capable.  

In short, the ZR2 did exactly what it was designed to do, providing a day of high adventure before becoming a quiet, livable daily driver again. If that is the type of dual-purpose truck you are looking for, check the Twin Falls Chevrolet Inventory to see if they have a Colorado ZR2 in stock, and if not, contact one of our sales professionals to find one for you.