Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is an extreme off-road variant of The Bow Tie brand’s midsize pickup truck designed for superior off-road capability.

We initially believed that Colorado ZR2 would launch for the 2016 model year after the automaker introduced the Colorado ZR2 concept in 2015. However, the capable pickup launched for the 2017 model year after being unveiled at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Colorado ZR2 has remained in production since 2017, and was just recently updated for the 2021 model year.

To help set it apart from non-ZR2 models, the Colorado ZR2 flaunts the following features and equipment:

Trim-specific exterior styling, including front and rear fascias
Electronic-locking front and rear differentials
Sophisticated four-wheel drive system in the segment
- 9 different modes available
Four additional toggle switches
- Two for winch in and winch out operation
- Two for the electronic front- and rear-locking differentials
ZR2-specific, cast iron front control arms
Higher ground clearance than the non-ZR2 Colorado
High-performance Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) dampers
Full-size matching spare wheel/tire assembly
- Mounted in the bed with a quick-release handle
Protective spray-in bed liner
Available GearOn accessories
48-inch Hi-Lift jack
ZR2 badges
3.6L V-6 LFX gasoline or 2.8L Duramax Turbo-Diesel I-4 LWN engine

Of course, there were some changes made through the years, which are fleshed out below.

The updates and changes described here are specific to the U.S. market and may be different for other markets.

Colorado ZR2 Concept

A concept version of the vehicle was revealed at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2014. Notably, the following upgrades were made to the Colorado chassis used:

More extreme 30.7-degree approach angle, and 22.7-degree departure angles
- By comparison, the 2015 Colorado Z71 had 25 degree approach and 21 degree departure angles
New front and rear fascias, including:
- Integrated flip-out aluminum tow hooks
- Built-in front-mounted winch
- CornerStep delete in the rear bumper for a better departure angle
Capable 275/65R18 off-road tires
King Off-Road Racing mono-tube coil-over shocks designed for greater suspension travel

More information on the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Concept.

Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Concept

2017 (Intro Model Year)

As mentioned, 2017 was the first model year for the off-road compliant Colorado ZR2 pickup truck.

“Our engineers have been incredibly successful developing Corvette and Camaro performance variants with broad performance envelopes,” said Mark Reuss, executive vice president, Global Product Development, Purchasing and Supply Chain. “The ZR2 applies that same philosophy to off-road performance. You can go rock crawling on Saturday, desert running on Sunday, and comfortably drive to work on Monday. This truck can do it all, and do it all well.”

Visually, the production version of the Colorado ZR2 closely resembled the concept shown at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. Chevy aimed to carry as much of the original design into production as possible, as consumer response to that concept was simply overwhelming.

“For both the concept and the production versions of ZR2, the exterior design was shaped by the desire to improve capability driving over mud, sand and rock,” said Rich Scheer, director of design for Chevrolet Truck. “The wider, more aggressive stance, modified front and rear bumpers, and even the bed-mounted, spare-tire carrier all improve performance driving over rough terrain.”

2018

The 2018 model year represents the second year of production of the Colorado ZR2. The only changes to the off-roading pickup truck include the addition of the Colorado ZR2 Midnight and Colorado ZR2 Dusk Special Edition models. Both packages were exclusive to the ZR2 model.

Colorado ZR2 Midnight Edition

Assigned RPO code PDF, the Colorado ZR2 Midnight Edition adds the following features to the standard Colorado ZR2:

Black exterior color (GBA)
17″ x 8″ gloss black aluminum wheels (RIF)
Off-road lights (S3X)
Off-road sport bar (SCU, LPO)
Black Bowtie Emblem Package (LPO, (SG1)
17″ x 8″ gloss-Black aluminum spare wheel (S4S)

Colorado ZR2 Dusk Edition

Assigned RPO code PDE, the Colorado ZR2 Dusk Edition adds the following features to the standard Colorado ZR2:

17″ x 8″ gloss black aluminum wheels (RIF)
Off-road lights (LPO, S3X)
Off-road sport bar (LPO, SCU)
Black Bowtie Emblem Package (LPO, SG1)
17″ x 8″ gloss-Black aluminum spare wheel (S4S)

See detailed 2018 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 changes, updates and new features here: 2018 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 log (coming soon).

2019

For the 2019 model year, the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison Edition package was introduced, as well as two new exterior color options: Crush and Shadow Gray Metallic. Additionally, 2019 is the year that Chevy fitted black bowties to the ZR2, rather than the traditional gold emblem.

The Colorado ZR2 model did see quite a few changes for 2019, which are overviewed below:

Exterior

Deletion of two exterior colors:
- Deletion of Deepwood Green Metallic exterior color
- Deletion of Graphite Metallic exterior color
Addition of two new exterior colors:
- Crush
- Shadow Gray Metallic
ZR2 models now feature black bowties

Interior

Replacement Chevrolet MyLink 8-inch diagonal Color Touch Screen (IO5) with Chevrolet Infotainment System Plus with 8-inch diagonal HD color touch-screen (IOS)
Deletion of Chevrolet MyLink 8-inch diagonal Color Touch Screen Navigation (IO6) with Chevrolet Infotainment System with Navigation and 8-inch diagonal HD color touch-screen (IOT)
USB and connectivity port changes
Addition of second in-cabin microphone for passenger
Addition of HD Rear Vision Camera as standard
Addition of heated steering wheel as standard

Packages:

Introduction of Colorado ZR2 Bison package

See detailed 2019 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 changes, updates and new features here: 2019 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 log (coming soon).

2020

The 2020 Colorado ZR2 saw a few minor changes for the sixth model year of the second-generation Colorado:

Exterior

Introduction of remote locking tailgate
- Standard on ZR2 models
Introduction of Tire Fill Alert on all models

Interior

Chevrolet Infotainment Premium system with Navigation (IOT) replaced with Chevrolet Infotainment Plus system with Navigation (IOU)

See detailed 2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 changes, updates and new features here: 2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 log (coming soon).

2021

The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 receives a light update that is as close to a mid-cycle refresh/MCE as it gets, it is not an official refresh/MCE, which included:

All-new, lettered, flow-through “Chevrolet” front fascia
Standard red tow hooks
New Sand Dune Metallic exterior color option
- Shared only with the Colorado Z71 model

See detailed 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 changes, updates and new features here: 2021 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Changes, Updates, New Features.