2017 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Off-Road Review: Desert Runner AND Rock Crawler? 

Why won't people stop complaining about the interior. It's a truck people not a BMW. The chevy interiors are plenty luxurious for what a truck is meant to do.

I watched this when it was first posted and it influenced my decision to but a ZR2 2 months later. Best choice I could have made. In original form this truck is fantastic. I've tuned, geared (4.10's) relocated rear shocks and upgraded front and rear springs, added Timbren off rod bump stops and removed front sway bar. Only limit this has now is wheel base related. MPG is 15/17 in town and 22/24 on hiway. No problems, trans is great (tune). I was tempted by a 70k Gladiator for a few days but my truck is paid for.

Excellent use of side-by-side graphics comparing gas vs diesel, under body camera placement and multiple simultaneous camera views! You guys just earned my Patreon donation.

I would have liked to see Andre doing the review of this truck. He seems to always provide more details

Love your content for years now & Joined your patreon campaign keep up the good work!

Now it's time for a comparison video between the Colorado ZR2 and the Tacoma TRD Pro

They should of had a 5.3 option like they did in the concept Colorado. Plenty of power, torque, and fuel economy. Not to mention you get the beautiful sound of the v8 vortec.

Everyone tells me to get the Toyota Tacoma, guess they think it's the truck you bring home to meet Mom and Dad....That's why I'm picking up a ZR2 tomorrow, it's the truck I want to take to Las Vegas!

If they made a ZR2 version for the GMC Canyon...that would be sweet!

I saw one on these on the road yesterday! I was excited 😄

everyone is watching this thing climb rocks and they're complaining about gas mileage. if you want gas mileage then you don't want an off road vehicle.

Great work on the video! Can't wait for a ZR2 vs. Tacoma TRD PRO vs. Wrangler Rubicon comparison video! I don't think the Raptor really fits in with the group however.

I've got a 11' pro 4x LOVE IT! Extremely capable truck, with tried and true design. But I'm dead set on this being my next truck after its out a few years so they can work out the bugs it MAY have. Always been a huge fan of the Zr2.

Im curious about the longevity on the DSSV shocks. They sound way more expensive to replace than normal shocks, so I would hope they last longer. We shall see once they have been out on the market for a bit.

Been waiting for this video and hope i can own one someday! bad ass truck

Min 6:02 different motor then the regular F150. I thought this was a Colorado review. LOL .. Great vid as always..LOVE THIS CHANEL YOU GUYS!

Oh yea that’s a nice truck! It’s looks just like my Z71! Side by side they would both look similar, the only difference in looks are the bumpers! I have the same tires, plus with the better coil overs to level mine and air bags for towing level their both the same height! My only regret is not getting the diesel, but they were not available when I was ready to buy. I actually do too much over the road traveling and heavy hauling to compromise with a ZR2. I’ll say this though, after seeing the new Silverado that comes out next fall? I’m waiting to drive one and see what engines are offered in them before I do anything. I’ve also added four mud guards on my truck, that really helps to keep the mud and road spray down! After my truck looking like the one at the end of the video? I knew it needed them!

As a taco owner, that's a sexy truck.. nice job chevy!! Still need some work with that interior though

You kick ass roman ! love the channel

Wow, nice little truck. It is also very nice to see a manufacturer actually demoing an off-road vehicle in REAL off-road conditions.

I'd honestly love to see you guys take some vehicles to Browns Camp and hit Bates Road (it's a single Diamond, more like a Blue square run, but it's the easiest Diamond there). It'd look awesome and would give more challenge to the vehicles.

4th option, Bose sound system 5th option, lighted interior package, and lighted emblems.

It would be really interesting to do a comparison with the V6 and The Duramax. See how they do against each other rock crawling, desert running, exploring gravel roads. What I a really curious about is the range difference between the two while off-roading. More range & endurance = going further and spending more time out in the boonies!

I'm a taco guy all day, but i'm glad chevy came out with this ZR2. Im hoping that with this entering the market, Toyota will finally come out with a diesel for the Tacoma here in the states.

Locking front and read diffs nice. Read diff skid plate essential.

The Colorado is a really nice looking truck! Especially in the ZR2 configuration! My stepdad has a 2016 base model as a work truck & i like it a lot better than his old Canyon that it replaced!

Does anyone else zone out when the guides start talking.

oh yeah,as soon as I pay my silverado down a little bit more,this bad boy toyota crusher will absolutely help me keep the roads and the trails 🔥

I'm honestly impressed with this truck and I typically don't like Chevy or Ford trucks. I'm not sold on the body mounted sliders though even though their engineer said they held up to being scraped across rocks.

Beastly looking truck!

The rear brake hose is making the brake line move like crazy. Look at the rear right when its climbing @ 2:18

Front and rear lockers is pretty impressive.

comparison vid against the original ZR2?? like to see how it does against the 1st gen ZR2 I had an '02 I got new & I liked it so much that 2 years later got another new1.. I absolutely loved em & it'd be way cool to see how the original ZR2 does against the new colorado ZR2 esp offroad

I like the undercarriage view of the truck that you guys have started doing lately.

The one thing that stands out for me is the rear shock mounts being too low and that they seem to be made of plastic. I'm guessing a replacement shock isn't cheap either. I'd like to see some roll over and brake testing too. It has my attention even though its missing a V8.

I love it whenever I hear "only 6-speed." Half the vehicles I've owned were 3-speeds. Most of the rest were 4 and 5. A couple had as many as 6. Never had more than that.

should do a lil more desert running with it some jumps mud enough of the rocks like do the raptor run.lil more speed and bump testing be cool to see

It would be interesting to know the difference in cost of maintenance between the two. The diesel gets better fuel mileage but diesel costs more. So, I wonder what the cost comparison is there. But, if the diesel will pull more, the cost - if diesel is more - may be worth it depending on the use of the truck. I'm interested in Overlanding and I've seen those folks really load down a vehicle and/or the addition of a trailer. I don't know how the v6 equipped version in the Colorado, the Taco or the Jeep do it. In this case, I think the diesel would be the best choice regardless of cost of operation.

Wow, nice truck!

Tabeguache trail is always fun and challenging.

I would like to see the ZR-2 desert running not just trail crawling. Oh and look RU-vid just recommended exactly such a video. Nice.

There are used Z71 duramax now and at the prices Im seeing... I think Im going to have to grab one.

Just bought the ZR2 today for 43k and change..I compared it to the TRD off-road and that was 45k+ with the upgrades. The TRD pro was even more.

GJ made it into a show!!!

Offroad mode, when in offroad mode, offroad mode affects the stability control during offroad mode

Looking forward to head to head with raptor and taco!

Wonder if the 3.6 v6 will be sold in N.Z? Hope so,been waiting for it to show up here, probably be brought in under the Holden badge like the current Colorado is.

that is an interesting competitor for the tacoma. I'm not about to trade my trd off road in just yet though.haha

Race the TRD PRO vs ZR2 up cliff hanger 2.0!!!

So how would you rate the gas V6 vs the Diesel? I've test driven non ZR2 versions of both engines and honestly found the diesel to be underpowered and plagued with turbo lag on road. The diesel was great at making the traction control work overtime in 1st gear, but once it upshifted the diesel was downright slow in comparison. My fear using that diesel off road would be that turbo lag causing a lot of strain on the axles in a rock crawl type situation.

Well it certainly seems to be every bit as capable as the Tacoma TRD Pro. I'm glad that GM has stepped up and decided to compete in this segment. I must admit a certain bias given that I own a 2016 Canyon. It has thus far been an outstanding truck. Maybe now Toyota will decide to actually do something crazy like, I don't know, put disk brakes on the rear of the Tacoma. lol

I would love love to have your job. Or at least a guest hosting spot.

looks pretty cool but I still feel better spending that much on my trd pro. I'm only jelous of the power seats. it's funny that the exhaust is so low on the diesel and its alreay bent. competition is always good. 👍

4:46 -- Those who consider 'rock crawling' a sport clearly use these trucks away from parking lots and standard roads. Considering the engineering and construction costs already invested in delivering a product to market, wouldn't it still be a good idea to add a protective plate for the gas tank for a comparatively nominal cost? The Titanic was unsinkable.

I'm getting rid off my trd off-road and getting this one with the duramax

full sizes are hard to find spaces sometimes lol

This was awesome

That's in my backyard I live down the street from that trail

Aw man. Reminds me of the good ol' S-10 ZR2.

I really like the truck, I wish it had the V 8

The Colorado zr2 needs to go on the rubicon trail in California

GM should "limit availability", by "selectivity misplacing some shocks". This will help keep the eventual big $ on the hood discounts to a min for a few months.

yes head to head on those 3 trucks. i say most people wouldnt bring their 45 to 65k truck off roading like that. but its good to know it can do it

Pretty soon, the only body-on-frame, compact vehicles you'll have to buy will be trucks. Toyota has ramped up Tacoma production for this generation and it will be fun to watch what Ford does with the Ranger. Will we see a return of the Dakota with a 3.0L Diesel? The midsize truck market is getting interesting. Do you think GM will bring out and off road GMC Canyon?

Love this

Now thats a badass truck

Is that shock location stock or are those relocated for more Clearence?

I love my new taco, but for sure will go look at one of these. Would love the diesel. I wonder what kinda of deal they would cut on the truck, they seem over priced, so i bet they would make good deals.

How do you think it will do as a snow/winter truck? Being in the NE we don't go rock crawling a lot but we do deal with weather.

This truck with the ecoboost engine (yes I know, not the same company) would be amazing.

Debating which truck I put in a deposit for the pro but seriously considering the zr2 diesel I live on the big island of hawaii so I have to ship in bottom line how are the seats like a full size ?

Hey was that white duramax at the end even a zr2, it had the wrong bumper on it if so.

I need one!

Roman, is there a engine braking and tow haul mode on gas zr2?

what size that big tires and lift kit? Also, What name brand tires too?

I'd love to buy one. However, my local dealer has prompted added $5000 markups to their ZR2s.

I love this truck

living in Alaska I would love the zr2 or the bison but those packages hurt the only reason I would buy a diesel. the mileage. what about the zr2 hurts mileage?

I'd still be that one stubborn person and take the front bumper off anyways and put something aftermarket on! Also does it have a center diff or is it solid from front to back when in 4 wheel?

Nice but what's up with that gage cluster @ 3:19.

The problem with the ZR2 is that you don't have a real option for more ground clearance. Replacing the Multimatic DSSV shocks defeats the entire purpose of the computer in the truck.

Is the rock sliders an OEM option? but it only bolts onto the body....

any plans for the Silverado ala Colorado ZR2?

I recommend people who are comparing the Tacoma with the Colorado to go read the details of the JDPower results. The Colorado did better....Also look at KBB resale. Colorado did pretty well also, but down about 10% more than Tacoma. Trucks have fairly good resale overall. After driving both a ZR2 and a Tacoma Pro, I'm sold on the Colorado.

Does the traction control off button turn it off completely?

Chevy needs to produce a performance Colorado ZR2 with the Ecotec3 5.3L V8

Nice truck for a chevy and i like the fact that it has a diesel option regardless of it being a pig

Why does gm tune the 3.6 to a lower horsepower number than mid sized suvs vs crossovers. For instance a 2016 V6 Equinox has 310 and so does the Colorado. Why do the the Traverse and Acadia have 280 horsepower?

The taco looks like it has more ground clearance, especially on the step downs where Andre went down in the Trd pro

Even my 85 Toyota Pickup has a gas tank skid plate... It doesn't take much to have a rock launch up and smash it.

I'm pretty sure you can get the little Dmax in the other gmc and Chevy trim levels and the raptor gets 3.5 high output ecoboost and none of the other f150 trims levels do so yeah the zr2 doesn't get it's own power plant like the raptor does.

does it look for a gear to stay in when you mash the go pedal...

So the shocks are basically just bypass shocks?

Is there no stick available with the 3.6 and the zr2?

Nice truck. Send it down to me for long term testing, say 3-5 years? ;)

Vinyl floors, four-door, Duramax!

Finally a step in the right direction.

About time chevy fixed that awful front end/snow plow, next they have to tuck the rear shocks outboard towards the inner wheels , and how about larger wheels like the Hummer had? 285/70-17" min!!!! Tires are a bit small, I'd want the 285/70-17 min for something semi capable and street friendly, great video! Did you guys damage the weak rock sliders? They should go to the frame!

Will there be a GMC Canyon version of this truck?

Are these fancy dancy shocks a wear item we will have to replace at 50000 miles? Wonder how much that will cost.... I love this truck but i have a feeling that once its time to replace shocks its going to be really pricey