General Motors has a slew of off-road model variants for its various pickup trucks, including midsizers like the 2021 Chevy Colorado and 2021 GMC Canyon. Now, we’re taking a closer look at what these two models have to offer enthusiasts ready to hit the trail in the following GM Authority comparison.
In this comparison, we’re taking a look at five individual off-roader models, including the Chevy Colorado Z71 4WD, the Chevy Colorado ZR2, the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison, the GMC Canyon AT4, and the GMC Canyon AT4 with the Off-Road Performance Edition package. Each model offers its own array of equipment and upgrades, as well as its own level of off-road-worthiness.
While each vehicle offers its own unique equipment specifications, there’s a good deal of overlap with regard to specific features, as well. For example, front red recovery hooks can be found across the lineup in this comparison, offered as standard on all models with the exception of the Colorado Z71 4WD, which offers red recovery hooks as an available option. Hill Descent Control is also standard across the line, while All-Terrain Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires are standard on all models with the exception of the Colorado Z71 4WD, which offers Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires as an available option with the Z71 Midnight Edition package.
The naturally aspirated 3.6L V6 LGZ gasoline engine is also standard across the lineup in this comparison, rated at 308 horsepower at 6,800 rpm, and 275 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Alternatively, customers looking to outfit their off-roader with oil-burner power can opt into the 2.8L I4 LWN turbodiesel Duramax as an available option on all models, with the exception of the GMC Canyon AT4 Off-Road Performance Edition.
There are plenty more details to analyze when comparing these five off-road pickup variants, so check out the complete table below:
| Colorado Z71 4WD | Colorado ZR2 | Colorado ZR2 Bison | Canyon AT4 | Canyon AT4 ORPEP | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ULV | AEV Embroidered Seat Headrests | - | - | S | - | - |
| T3U | Fog Lamps | S | - | S | S | S |
| VJQ | Front Recovery Hooks | S | - | - | - | - |
| UGA | Front Red Recovery Hooks | A | S | S | S | S |
| S3X | Off-Road Lights | - | A8,9 | - | - | - |
| SCU | Off-Road Sport Bar | - | A8,9 | - | - | - |
| NY7 | Transfer Case Shield | S | S | S | S | S |
| PCV | Performance Skid Plate Package | A1 | - | - | A1 | S |
| PZ9 | Fuel Tank Skid Plate | - | - | S | - | - |
| PZG | Front Skid Plate | - | - | S | - | - |
| PZL | Rear Differential Skid Plate | - | - | S | - | - |
| PZN | Transfer Case Skid Plate | - | - | S | - | - |
| S6L | Off-Road Rocker Protection | - | S | S | - | S |
| Removed Front Air Dam | -2 | S | S | -2 | S | |
| BPH | Fender Flares | - | S | S | - | - |
| B7O | Wheel Moldings | - | - | S | - | - |
| BPH | 2-Inch Taller And 3.5-Inch Wider Stance | - | S | S | - | - |
| BPH | Off-Road Front Fascia and Black Rear Bumper | - | S | S | - | - |
| ULV | AEV Front And Rear Bumpers | - | - | S | - | - |
| BPH | "CHEVROLET" Lettered Grille With Flowtie | - | S | S | - | - |
| SB9 | Black "CHEVROLET" Tailgate Decal Lettering | A1 | A1 | A1 | - | - |
| SMG | Black Colorado Emblems | A1 | - | - | - | - |
| RIK | Black AT4 Badges | - | - | - | - | S |
| VTA | Black GMC Chrome Exhaust Tip | - | - | - | - | S |
| JHD | Hill Descent Control | S | S | S | S | S |
| R1U | 17-Inch Dark Argent Metallic Cast Aluminum Wheels | - | - | - | S | - |
| RIM | 17-Inch Bright Machined Aluminum Wheels | S | - | - | - | - |
| RIF | 17-Inch Gloss-Black Aluminum Wheels | A3 | A8,9 | - | - | S |
| R34 | 17-Inch Graphite And Oxide Gold Aluminum Wheels | - | S | - | - | - |
| RIG | 17-Inch AEV Dark Graphite Aluminum Wheels | - | - | S | - | - |
| RM7 | 17-Inch Steel Spare Wheel | S | - | - | S | S |
| S4P | 17-Inch Aluminum Spare Wheel | - | S | S | - | - |
| S4M | 17-Inch AEV Spare Wheel | - | - | S | - | - |
| S4S | 17-Inch Gloss-Black Aluminum Spare Wheel | - | A8,9 | - | - | - |
| QHE | 255/65R17 All-Terrain Tires | S | - | - | A | A |
| QJ2 | 265/65R17 All-Terrain Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac Tires | A3 | S | S | S | S |
| ZAO | 255/65R17 All-Season Spare Tire | S | - | - | S | S |
| ZJP | 265/65R17 All-Season Spare Tire | - | S | S | - | - |
| LGZ | 3.6L V6 LGZ Engine / Eight-Speed Automatic | S | S | S | S | S |
| LWN | 2.8L I4 LWN Turbo-Diesel Engine / Six-Speed Automatic | A4,5 | A | A | A | - |
| G80 | Automatic Locking Rear Differential | S | - | - | S | S |
| G93 | Driver-Selectable Full-Locking Front Differential | - | S | S | - | - |
| G94 | Driver-Selectable Full-Locking Rear Differential | - | S | S | - | - |
| NQ6 | Electric Two-Speed AutoTrac Transfer Case | S | - | - | S | S |
| Z82 | Trailering Package | A6 | S | S | A6 | A6 |
| JL1 | Integrated Trailer Brake Controller | A7 | S | S | A7 | A7 |
| Z71 | Off-Road Suspension Package | S | - | - | S | S |
| SQS | Front 1-Inch Leveling Kit (LPO) | A | - | - | - | S |
| BPH | DSSV Multimatic Suspension Dampers | - | S | S | - | - |
- Dealer installed.
- Front air dam can be removed by owner.
- Included and only available with Z71 Midnight Edition.
- Requires Crew Cab configuration.
- Requires Safety Package and Trailering Package.
- Included with Crew Cab Long Box.
- Requires Trailering Package. Included with 2.8L I4 LWN diesel engine.
- Included and only available with ZR2 Dusk Special Edition.
- Included and only available with ZR2 Midnight Special Edition.
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Comments
Still don’t understand why GM hasn’t made the ZR2 equivalent for GMC
For the same reason Buick is not offering a Corvette.
For years people complain that there should be no GMC because it was identical to Chevy. Now we get people complaining they are not the same?..
GMC has the Denali line Chevy lacks so they have their reason to be. They also make a ton of money on the Denali line.
That’s not really true, Chevy has High Country Premier which is basically a Denali level Chevy. Most would agree that the Canyon is the better looking of the 2 trucks and seeing it decked in ZR2 level equipment would likely help it sell well. If GM is truly looking to maintain GMC as the “professional grade” truck the Bison level of equipment should be Canyon exclusive. The AT4 is a nice looking truck but it is far too tame for most. There are tons of people who want an American truck, who like GM but just don’t want to say “I drive a Chevy” and the Sierra gives them a great option, especially with this generation of Sierra. Give us Canyon AT4 Extreme!
That is true here since the topic is a Canyon not a Full Size truck.
Then add into the factor the Denali is a line of vehicles where a High Country is a single model.
As for professional grade… just what does that mean? Does that mean work truck.
, off road truck or a truck that is upscale. In this case it is marketing for upscale trucks. It is just a bunch of marketing.
The AT4 or All Terrain were mostly Z71 variants in the Canyon line. It was more to cater to those who wanted this body style with less chrome.
What few sales they would pick up with a ZR1. Variant would hardly off set the cost. Add to that the fact Chevy did all the work and really does not want to share their top model.
Look I may own a Canyon now and I am a long time GMC owner but I came close to buying the ZR. What stopped me. I really don’t off road and chose the truck that better suited my needs. A better interior and more on road suspension Note it fits my profession much better than an off road vehicle. It can tow a race car vs the ZR not.
Don’t get hoodwinked on sales slogans.
As of right now Denali is not a line of vehicles, it is a trim level. Just like High Country is for 1500, 2500, 3500 and Tahoe/Suburban. Premier is available as a trim level on most other models for Chevy but it puts the level of equipment on the same plane as Denali.
When I think Professional Grade GMC I think GMC should be where you go to get the best from GM in whatever type of vehicle you are purchasing (SUV, 1/2 ton, crossover) and that means whatever game GMC is in it should be the best offer from GM. To me it means play to win, but that’s a subjective interpretation.
They may not sell a ton of Canyon AT4 “Extreme” or whatever they would call it if they built such an off road capable truck, but it would not cost much to build either. Anything that works on the Colorado should work on the Canyon, it’s an easy move and likely a low cost. The argument is the Canyon could look better doing it with the new refresh in 2021. People are already willing to pay a little more to get a top tier GMC Denali, it is the perfect place for GM to play and capitalize on in my mind.
In the end, I don’t think GM is in the midsize truck segment to win 1st place anyway. They are doing well with the Colorado and Canyon combo but stealing tons of Tacoma market share they are not.
Denali is a line that encompasses every model of GMC.
High country is just a trim on a pick up truck or large SUV and you forgot there Traverse. It is not on the Blazer it is not on the Equinox. nor any other Chevy model.
Just because you get sucked in on a marketing catch phrase should not command who sells what. Real life marketing is a little more complex than simple thinking like that. The key is that the phrase is ambiguous and lets people interpret what they want.
GMC’s missing is to sell to more upscale people in higher numbers and generate more money. Chevy is the base volume division and performance division. It is the value leader.
Chevy is the foundation and the GMC is just the add on income.
Again you must understand even if GMC wanted the ZR that does not mean they will get it. It is a Chevy model they did from the start and as John Schinella once told me Chevy sells more cars so Chevy gets more say.
People underestimate the power of Chevy in the past and even present. GM is based on Chevy and so they are well protected over the other brands. They even dictated different stying and models other brands could use.
Even in the case of the Fiero Chevy had the car killed even when Pontiac had the 2nd gen done and ready for production. even selling 30K cars a year.
The cold harsh reality is GM is not playing nor have they played the number one game. If it happens fine if not no big deal. Volume is not as important as profitability. The key here GM is out to make more money on their trucks per unit sold and in the end that is what wins.
People complain if GMC is like Chevy and then they are like you complaining they are not like Chevy. At the end of the day what they are doing is working well as both line compliment each other and the GMC line has a average transaction price higher than even Cadillac.
The mid size truck market is not like the full size. There are limits to what people will pay and what you can offer at that price. Toyota has a loyal following that even if they are not the best truck they still have a truck they like and they are not just going to walk away. We see this with Ford and Chevy in the full size as the customer base is loyal.
So again GM is in it to make money and the volume will settle itself.
Thanks for the history lesson. I’ll go ahead and order my Savana Denali Van now.
Speaking as someone who sells Buick GMC and Cadillac, I don’t consider myself sucked into their marketing but if GMC wants to poise itself as the premium truck and SUV brand they aim for it would make sense to have a more off road worthy Canyon variant. I get they still offer the Denali Canyon but the AT4 trim has become wildly popular on the Sierras and they are incorporating it into all the other GMC models, except Savana of course, so why make it watered down is my question. The Denali and AT4 trim GMC’s sell more than all of Cadillac, they could actually stand as their own sub-brand. With recognition like that it would be wise to feed it and ride the momentum.
I also know that the inner workings of GM are far more complex than people like you and I fully understand, but in the eyes of the consumer a more aggressive AT4 Canyon would be well received and wouldn’t likely cost the company much more money. They are built in the same facility on the same line. The resources are there, provided Chevy is willing to share the spotlight I suppose.
My ZR2 is one of the best trucks I have purchased. I got them down to 37k from 43k. I would highly recommend for people looking for a truck.
They are really a good buy. While not a Raptor it is a truck more can afford to own and GM makes good money on all they sell.
I love my Denali but I envy the the ZR2.
Unless you plan on any towing, hauling or overlanding as the 1100lb payload and 5k towing just come up short with not enough wiggle room for many. I couldn’t tow the boat with it, and even though I off road more than most who own this truck around here and could benefit from the added features a regular AT4 or Z71 is more in line with my uses both on and off road. Something like a Tremor without the funny color scheme would be nice since it keeps the towing and hauling yet adds some more off road content and capability.
Back in 94, I bought a GMC Sonoma Highrider straight cab (ZR2 cousin) with the exact same options and features. The only difference, the front grille. One had red GMC and the other a gold bowtie. Each priced the same. To everyone’s point, not sure why GMC isn’t given the same opportunity today.
In 96, Chevy was the only one that produced the ZR2 2 door 4×4 SUV on the ZR2 frame with the same options. BFG ATs, wide stance, large fender flares, off-road suspension with Billstein’s, skid plates, all the goodies… It was the ZR2 except it was a 2 door SUV with the spare tire and rack on the rear door. Fold down second row seat…etc…
Not only are they missing additional sales, they are missing the market sales for the same off-road 4×4 SUV. I would buy a Bison 2 door SUV as it seems to be more functional and better weight distribution for inclement weather conditions.
I had 1986 2 tone, white on top and black under the doors S-10 2 door 4×4 Blazer with the 4.3 v6. Loved that SUV. I would have bought the 96 4×4 ZR2 Blazer if they had produced it before I bought my 94 Sonoma Highrider. By the time 96 came around, I couldn’t let the truck go…
At the time, I never understood why they stopped producing it, model change…IDK… Today, it’s all about SUVs and the option to go off road…