Stock Colorado ZR2 Keeps Up with Modified Jeeps on Their Turf

Countless World War II movies and Jeep’s steadfast determination not to change the basic design traits of the model it now calls the Wrangler have given it the reputation of being the ultimate off-road vehicle. While open to all, off-road playgrounds like the Rubicon Trail or Moab feel like Jeep territory; outsiders are viewed with suspicion. But it is worth asking if this vehicle, hastily designed for the war and still retaining design features for war-specific needs like uncomplicated mass production (flat body panels) and efficient mass storage on transport ships (the sole reason for the folding windshield), is still the best choice for off-roading?  

Motor Trend decided to challenge this notion by driving its long-term Colorado ZR2 in Moab, Utah—the unofficial Jeep playground—to test the capabilities of this very capable bone-stock midsize off-road-focused pickup. The article is worth reading for the specifics, but Twin Falls Chevrolet gives you the highlights. 

Motor Trend’s vehicle is a 2024 Colorado ZR2. The editors have had it for the better part of a year to experience what this off-road-focused Radiant Red mid-size pickup is like to live with on a daily basis. It has done the daily commute, moving duty, pulled other vehicles out of ditches, traversed Ohio swamp land, and journeyed from Michigan to California and back multiple times with plenty of diversions along the way, accounting for about 30,000 miles.  

With its 10.3 inches of wheel travel up front and 11.7 inches in the rear, the ZR2 is just short of the most off-road-capable trim. That would be the ZR2 Bison Edition with its more robust skid plates, beadlock-capable wheels, 35-inch tires, and modified front and rear steel bumpers designed for increased approach and departure angles, among other enhancements. Those items would have been welcomed and were even missed at times, but the ZR2 made its way without them. This is particularly notable since many Jeeps flock to Moab with aftermarket lifts and 40-inch tires—and are likely trailered for cross-country trips.  

The ZR2’s biggest design handicap is that it has a five-foot cargo bed out back, about half of which extends aft of the rear wheels. This bed (which WWII soldiers would have undoubtedly made great use of) made the towing hitch receiver a regular but fortunately robust skid plate of its own.  

The Motor Trend editors made great use of the ZR2’s built-in technology to help them conquer Moab’s terrain. In addition to the low range of the transfer case, Terrain Mode greatly stretches throttle response so minor adjustments can be made while throttle lift automatically engages brake modulation, enabling one-pedal driving such as you find in EVs. Both front and rear differentials can be locked independently, which was useful when one or more tires were over a foot in the air. The forward-facing camera helped show what was approaching after the terrain disappeared under the hood. 

The biggest challenge was Hell’s Gate, which Motor Trend describes. “This 30-degree uphill V-notch, simply put, is a balancing act. Don’t go too far to the left, or to the right, because doing so means exchanging some paint with the sandstone.” It is also a spectator spot where crowds at the top of the climb gather to see who can (and cannot) make it. Most figured the stock Colorado for the latter, but with all the tools at its disposal, the ZR2 was successful.  

Moab isn’t all crawling. The Baja driver’s mode lets the truck fly over rough but less technically challenging terrain for plenty of visceral fun. After that, there was the trip back to Michigan, where the same Multimatic dampers that took in Moab’s abuse provided a nice highway ride.  

With its mid-size dimensions and hardcore off-road hardware, the Colorado ZR2 and its Bison variant are arguably the best off-road tools in Chevrolet’s portfolio—yet they also serve as pleasant daily drivers with plenty of pickup truck utility. Most of Twin Falls Chevrolet’s Colorado inventory consists of mainstream big sellers like the Z71, Trail Boss, and LT. But if this Swiss Army knife of pickups appeals to you, contact one of our sales professionals about locating one for a test drive.