2018 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 - Review and Off-Road Test

Spawned from Chevy’s midsize Colorado pickup truck the ZR2 has been meticulously modified for an unpaved world. With electronic locking differentials front and rear, a 2-inch higher ride, a 3 ½ inch wider track, and highly-advanced Multimatic DSSV dampers the Colorado ZR2 has strong off-road credentials. To see how the ZR2 fares in a range of off-road settings Kelley Blue Book’s Micah Muzio set out for two days bashing through the desert and mountains of Southern California. The result was a thrilling and illuminating adventure.
For the latest Chevrolet Colorado pricing and information:
www.kbb.com/chevrolet/colorad...

[@N0mamesTV]

I just got 1 a week ago, read the manual and learned how to disengaged the stabilitrak, the only thing I don't like is that it didn't have HIDs lol but I put LED bulbs in next day. Other than that I've already had it in Azusa canyon and did well. I picked it over Rubicon and trd pro....I've had Broncos, 87 4 runner and an XJ. I love the truck

[@zuhairafsar2540]

how's it holding up?

[@Santi-pp7zs]

I’m actually thinking about buying one. Would you still recommend it?

[@jthor8373]

I took a good hard look at both the Tacoma TRD Pro and the Colorado ZR2 and I have to admit I like the Colorado ZR2 a lot more. It felt more special especially the one with the diesel and look unique compare to the Colorado Z71. The Tacoma TRD Pro doesn't feel or really look that much different from the Tacoma with TRD off-road package. I feel like I'm only really getting only the suspension, some better fog lamps, hood from a TRD Sport and wheels with the Tacoma TRD Pro but the Colorado ZR2 I'm getting the suspension, aggressive looking hood unique only to the ZR2, wheels, rocksliders, front locker, rear disc brakes, a wider track that is actually widened by a wider rear axle and wider control arms instead of the rim's offset and wider fenders. So long story short I picked up the Colorado ZR2 with the Duramax. I'm very happy that I did. Didn't want buyer's remorse.

[@sexxysadie2973]

I think you made a great choice. I agree with you 100% on the Toyota Tacoma’s. Plus imo they’re way overrated.

[@septuzwillz5936]

So in love with this truck will have one some day. Happy new years America. And gratz to all the lucky ppl who got a zr2. 😀

[@gilvietor1918]

If you hold the traction control down for 8 seconds it turns off, if you then PUSH the 4x4 selector in, it will go to Off Road mode (holds gears longer). I love mine. The engine light might have also been a regen?

[@JLeeChron]

Gil Vietor he probably should have knew that or found out about it and reported it. Also the gas 3.6 is a different vehicle altogether in the way it performs/handles/drives.

[@grizzstud22]

The amount of youtube reviewers who dont know this is mind blowing. Fake car guys

[@BigFrogs4x4]

We bought a used 2017 DuraMax ZR2 in Dec. from a dealer that used it as a show display truck. So far loving the truck. Getting 25mpg average. Thanks for the video. BTW if you hold the traction control button down for a few seconds it turns off stabilitrac.

[@cadsux]

Maaan...Micah has the best job in the world. It's like an adventure every week. In about a dozen years, he'll need those "Teen Driver" settings for his daughter!

[@vinnier6]

You have to push the 4wd button to put the truck in off road mode to turn off stabilitrak

[@samzapata771]

Finally a review about this zr2

[@Daywalker_27]

Okay quick question. When you were complaining about the turning radius, did you have 4x4 engaged?

[@1148bucknasty]

hold down traction control to turn off stabilitrak? works on my silverados

[@bosse641]

Sure is cool. Would love to get one.

[@k.r.v.4219]

Ok it’s simple to deactivate the stability and traction control. Just hold the button down for a few seconds and the left gets will come on in the instrument gauges. Then for even more fun hit the tow/haul button! I also have a 2016 Colorado Z71,4x4, V6 Ext Cab! That we live, we use it for towing our travel trailer all over the east coast, from home in Massachusetts, to Bar Harbor to Key West Florida and as far west as as The Smokey Mountains of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge areas. We averaged 14 mpg on our last trip, but get 18 city 26 highway!

[@ruger-hi2tg]

Hey guy! You have a good point about the Ridgeline, and I think you might be right, I have not seen very many ridgelines on the road.

[@Sir......]

It will be neat to compare this once the Ranger Raptor comes out...

[@tannerlundell2987]

Still waiting

[@GenkiDamaSSJ]

Can the rear be locked in 2wd or 4x4 only?

[@mikemissouri5152]

You can disengage stability Trac. Simply hold down the button for about 5 seconds. It will show you when it's off. Then it will get as loose as you want.

[@markroosevelt2985]

You (presenter) are a joy to watch! I love your playful demeanor and self-deprecating sense of humor. Keep doing what you're doing!

[@rancher2112]

Haters be jealous. This is a badass lil truck. Diesel option is the cherry on top.

[@brendanmehling2539]

Can we even get a manual transmission on the zr2?

[@996TwinTurbo911]

I really enjoyed how he went into detail regarding the stability control. These new safety features really take the fun out of driving; but this is why they install a traction control off button, right? Sadly, even when the TC button is held down and all safety controls are disabled, they are really not. Pending on the vehicle they turn back on again when the brakes are applied or if to much yaw is sensed. This is one of the reasons I recently sold my 2016 F-150; I could not drive it the way I wanted. However... It seems that with this ZR-2 you can really disable these features.

[@JohnJohn-qp8wd]

996TwinTurbo911 on the newer Tacoma it can be disabled too. Had a lot of fun this winter haha.

[@topshotchannels5642]

I love this truck so much can u telling me how much for this truck I should go get one for me thanks...

[@yel75]

An “Always On” check engine light comes standard with all GM vehicles.

[@Mrbeecash]

Great feature that’s missing in Toyotas

[@gilvietor1918]

But you'll have some fun listening to that Toyota shift, a lot!

[@xxhondaxx9929]

LuckyOoh10 Ford too

[@jessehernandez5043]

guy proulx everyone says that and then the sales sheets come out proving people arent dying for a manual like people claim

[@swingbag12]

Gil Vietor yes when I'm shifting my own in my manual !

[@norevlimitr1602]

You have to hold the t/c button for several seconds to completely disable t/c and stabilitrak %100 off..

[@landon390]

Zl1 1le? Or z28?

[@beasmode18]

Check engine light in a Chevy? Inconceivable !

[@robertsteele667]

I have a 2018 zr2 diesel getting 22 to 27 hwy but iv been babying it. Yes if notice the lack of power above 2400 rpm . But in manual mode if you can keep below that its just fine. Now I went from a 1998 f150 4.6 4x4 the Colorado has more than power I'm fine with it.

[@DiwaGalvez]

Awesome review as always, Micah. Where's Zach?

[@MicahMuzio]

Diwa Galvez Zach has actually moved on to other opportunities. I’ll be carrying on solo until we find a replacement.

[@briantel9432]

best looking truck out today😉

[@ulyssesubias2326]

I like it

[@nurendrayadav904]

Can you do a review on Volvo XC40

[@zendardino8999]

collorado zr2 or toyota tacoma??

[@matthew197735]

i got a 2020 Colorado ZR2 v6 love the way it looks and some of the features but wish i wouldn't have switch from my 2020 ranger XLT FX4 to the ZR2, the ranger has more features that i used more often biggest different mpg, the 2020 Colorado ZR2 V6 gets about 13-15mpg city and 16-18 highway and the 2020 Ranger got about 18-19 city and 20-25mpg highway plus tops out at 110mph with 0-60 at about 6.4sec. , ZR2 98mph and 0-60was about 6.9,

[@Edg90]

Trucks prices went up and my monthly salary still the same

[@reginaldmclean8013]

Check engine light on because you change the 4/4 selector while driving over recommended speed it turns off when you stop and restart the engine

[@Matp345]

I'm a ZR2 owner and was incredibly excited when I heard the name was coming back and it looks like they did a incredible job but I refuse to even step foot in a dealership until they make a short cab or Blazer version of it. Until then, sorry Chevy. Never thought I'd say that

[@shannonzittlow8462]

Thy didn’t tell him about off road mode button in middle of transfer case dial it turns of traction control and stability track

[@Bargainteers]

The check engine light on all GM vehicles is a feature

[@jamie91433]

Bargainteers I never had the cel come on, on any of my gm trucks

[@great0789]

+1 Jamie. I am on my 7th GM truck. Most were sold with over 200k mi on the odo. Kept up with general maintenance. Never had a Check Engine Light... not once. My old Toyotas however.... left me stranded several times. They had poor maintenance though and lots of miles too.

[@reginaldmclean8013]

I’m driving the zr2 daily in ruff country every day it’s great. Trying to not scratch the paint is the problem here

[@akltom]

i think it's the same thing with holden colorado in australia and new zealand. but the holden with 2.8 liters diesel engine.

[@victorcreed8856]

Just wish they made the 6sp manual an option

[@googleit1131]

Victor Creed everyone dose, but do you know why most cars don’t come with manuals? No one buys them. No one with any small amount of money would buy a Honda Civic or a truck with a manual when the automatic is vastly superior (of course, I’m not talking about the Type-R, which only comes in manual.). When I say superior, I mean that it’s gives better mpg and not a ton of new drivers know how to use a manual. I do With they would offer a manual in most cars, but the reality is that it would just be a waste of time and money most of the time.

[@XvFenixvX]

Google it I just hate when auto makers take the route of "manual can only come in the base form". If I want some nice leather seats and the most powerful engine offered for that particular car I shouldnt have to compromise on the transmission

[@victorcreed8856]

Google it Oh totally. I hear ya, but dealerships around my neck of the woods don't typically stock ZR2s on the lot. If you want one, you will probably have to factory order. I just think that if they're going to make me go to the trouble of ordering one, why not make the manual available...

[@googleit1131]

That's true. I wish more manufactures offered that, but again, it comes down to price and time. They would have to pay a engineer to create a manual transmission that is suited for a truck like this. Not only does that take money, but time as well. They would also have to have a different assembly line for the manual transmission (or new software for the machines that build the transmissions). Again, more time and money. Yes, they could just take an older transmission and throw it in the truck, but that wouldn't make it different, and when competing with the Raptor, you need to be different. My guess is that they will use the money they get from selling this truck and develop a manual in a later version, like how Honda used their Civic money to develop the Type-R, or Tesla using Model S and X income to develop the Model 3 and the new Roadster and Semi. Now, I am by no means a truck guy. I have no use for them and therefore do not buy them or pay much attention to them. But does this truck have an override option, like most cars now, where you can control the gears? I would imagine that it does, and that is far cheaper than developing both a new manual and automatic. If they offered a manual, the truck would likely cost a few hundred - a thousand dollars more. I'm not saying that that's a bad thing. I feel like most Chevy fans would gladly spend extra on something if it was made by their brand. But they would sell less, and they need to sell as many as they can.

[@victorcreed8856]

Google it I believe a 6MT is currently available in the base Colorado Work Truck. I would imagine that it's robust enough for the gas engine ZR2 at the very least, but you're absolutely right. There could be other engineering/logistical factors going on that make the 6MT either not possible or prohibitively expensive.

[@somekidzenvy]

Austin Powers style = instant like

[@roadrash76]

1:01 hahaha. Total "squirrel" moment.

[@lunisce]

I thought check engine lights came standard in American cars?

[@austinrasmussen1870]

I used to think that the check engine light mint that your engine was running.

[@Acc0rd79]

I still miss the S10 name:(

[@joskjj3625]

I’m not a gm fan but the Colorado zr2 pickup is just awesome, it’s like a baby Ford raptor from Chevy

[@gamesofcontent]

You turned off traction control but not stabilatrack. You need to hold the button for 10 seconds.

[@MrDjh66]

Can you get diesel

[@aaronmckiddy]

After my 08 Colorado i swore id never drive a colorado again...This truck however has me thinking differently

[@Lumpia_In_Texas]

Check engine light wtf

[@JordanDanielCox]

Mc13oner this is a test vehicle that it loaned out to multiple publications. And it’s surely been abused the entire time. Who knows what the previous reviewer did to it.

[@swingbag12]

normal for gm

[@DirtRoadLanding]

Thats what i said...Taco Pro! 🤔

[@danielissel6349]

You have to review the Jeep Wrangler JL!

[@MicahMuzio]

Daniel Issel Coming Monday.

[@ruger-hi2tg]

I don’t think it speaks poorly of the consumer. There’s just some trucks that appeal to people more than other trucks, kind of like how the F1 50 outsells Chevy and ram...... I will admit the Chevy Colorado in the GMC Canyon have done a lot better this go around the previous model, I will be curious to see where they are at 4 to 7 years from now if they’re still making them. I really like the Chevy Colorado ZR2 with the Duramax diesel. My only problem is the tow rating is 5000 pounds. Should have a tow rating of 6500-6800 pounds

[@Vera-xu3xw]

I got a 1999 ford f150 4x4 v8 Triton. Im not saying its better then any other truck but i love the fact that i can off road without worrying about scratches and new squeaks... The best 4x4 is one thats beat up, paid for and taken care of.

[@indyhco]

Little did he know he had to push the of road mode button. Located where the 4wd engage is. Push that button in and the vehicle will turn off traction control limit the ABS, and of course let you disable that damned stabilitrak

[@notarice8509]

If I am ever super rich I will buy one of these purely for the winter/snow

[@DirtRoadLanding]

Damn, a brand new truck and the check engine light is already on....😕 i’m starting to lean towards the Tacoma PRO.

[@sexxysadie2973]

I’ve owned mine for over a year and it has 32K miles on it. The check engine light hasn’t come on one time. I love the truck, it does great on regular roads, snow, ice, dirt, sand and mud. I haven’t taken it rock crawling yet but I plan on doing that very soon. This truck so far never disappoints.

[@peteyklondike]

hold the traction control down for 7 secs shuts off

[@walkerl2482]

58k in Canada... Hoping to score a low mileage used one in the next 2 years for a decent price.... Unless Ford Pumps out a ranger raptor before then,...

[@samuelyeet6006]

So you claimed that the raptor is only 10k more then the zr2, then you claim you got this for 41k (which is still just msrp, if you shopped around you could get one for as little as 35k) So you are saying a raptor is 51k??? Please show me where you can get a new raptor for 51k lmao.. you cant period, the raptor is easily twice as expensive as the zr2

[@azotequa]

4:32 the Chevy colorado can win a low rider comp XD

[@MrRedskins0021]

The Raptor is 20k more

[@Aj_0400]

Which not only is it worth the money unlike this, you can get a first generation Raptor for 22k-25k now and it'll still kick this things ass. Feel like I'm being biased? Watch the video. The damn thing has a check engine light on and it's brand new!

[@mak450]

Biased ford fanboy is biased. A first generation Raptor? LOL, that thing was underpowered straight from the factory, and if you can get one for 22k without a damaged frame it wouldn't see which way this thing went. Which isn't saying much because it's bigger, heavier, and makes the same horsepower. Quick bitching about the check engine light, it's a press car and at no point did the presence of it stop the Truck. Give it a rest.

[@JordanDanielCox]

RestoStang this is a test loaner to multiple publications. Who knows how it was treated before he got it

[@Aj_0400]

mak450, underpowered? That’s funny. The original Raptor made 411 horsepower and this ZR2 makes 308 horsepower with its best engine. So no, they don’t make the same amount of power. There are actually very few things the ZR2 does better than the original Raptor. Let’s start with curb weight. The Raptor weighs 6,260lbs and the ZR2 weighs 4,983 lbs. So you would think that a truck that weighs almost 1,300 lbs. lighter would be faster, right? Wrong. The Raptor has a 6.9 second 0-60 and the ZR2 has a 0-60 of 9.7 and 7.1 depending on the engine. So it’s still slower than a 3 ton 6.2l V8. Let’s move on to tow capacity. The ZR2 has a tow capacity of 5,000 lbs and the Raptor has a tow capacity of 8,000 lbs. So with all of these suspension modifications, you would think that it would have decent ground clearance, right? Wrong again. The ZR2 has a ground clearance of 8.9 in. That’s almost half an inch more than a early 2000’s Explorer! Meanwhile the Raptor has 11.2 inches of ground clearance. The only thing it actually does better than the Raptor is it’s size. The ZR2’s dimensions are 212.4 x 76.7 x 72.2 in and the Raptors are 232.1 x 86.3 x 78.4 in. That’s not even mentioning the brand new Raptor. It has 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, it also has a 0-60 of 5.1 seconds. It now weighs 560 pounds less than the original Raptor. The new Raptor(s) suspension has 14 inches of travel (4 more than the ZR2). The new Raptor has an improved ground clearance of 11.5 in. There’s nothing that a ZR2 can do that the Raptor can’t which is why kicks the ZR2’s ass. It *does* matter that the check engine light is on since that didn’t happen in the Raptor press vehicle. Aren’t you supposed to impress the people reviewing your cars? That’s right, let the people who inform your customers have a broken ZR2 to review. Good job GM. The only biased person is you mak450.

[@mak450]

That's not the original Raptor, biased Ford fanboy. The Raptor hit the market with the 5.4 making 310 horsepower, so yeah, underpowered. I guess you must've just selectively blocked that iteration from your memory. Run the numbers on that if you can stomach it. So, yeah the actual original first generation Raptor was underpowered. And if you want to call the press car broken, go ahead and inform me of what was broken. You can't, because there wasn't anything, in fact it sounded like Mika's left foot braking was causing all the issues though that was never really confirmed. But if you're really so stuck on check engine lights, you can find plenty of Raptors with them on the Raptor forums, LOL. Ah, I guess you'll just dismiss that because it didn't happen during a review? Yeah sure, *_I'm_* the biased one, just me. Ok, whatever you say, buddy.

[@slyman190]

Put in 1 or 2in lift, loosen the springs, and get wider wheels.

[@BTC909]

Yes 41K is a BARGAIN!

[@jhorne4]

So you drive with two feet?!

[@indyhco]

I didn’t know that mud tires made noise???? Lol

[@danielrocha-garcia8609]

All these butt hurt ford and dodge guys talking about “hurr durr the check engine light” but clearly none of them know about cars because 9 times out of 10 the check engine light just means that your truck isn’t meeting emissions standards

[@Ismunoz]

Just Bring back the S10 !

[@ruger-hi2tg]

Not really Toyota fan,just stating the facts!.....America is the Tacoma’s 2nd biggest customer...Australia is where Toyota sells the tacoma the most.

[@rocksjoshua]

This is probably the worse looking verson of the zr2 I've seen so far. Looks like a work truck, but I've seen some really good looking versions of this truck. In a darker color and a full cab, this truck is so clean!

[@filmingNgaming]

Duratracs arent that noisy on the road.. sigh.

[@gfinnstrom]

anything made by man will break regardless of the car company one brand no better than the other and the new taco have a lot of problem and complaint according to complaints filed to the NHSTA..... i have had three Chevy's with no check engine lights coming on

[@rudedogii]

I just bought a 2018 Colorado LT 4x4 Crew Cab for $36K. The ZR2 was way to much money for 31 inch tires. Going for 35s on my Colorado LT.

[@derekbreschetti8407]

No skid plate or any protection on gas tank!

[@tonytone7863]

Get use to that check engine light! That always works in a chevy.

[@3Pew0Pew3]

No offense but my 2007 toyota 4runner limited v8 has 112k miles and cost 20k. For one of these zr2's it's 40k plus. For 20k I could get my 4runner showroom pretty and baja ready...and its a Toyota.

[@dank3823]

Great vehicle. I like these speciality off road packages. Why the comparison to a raptor. This is a smaller vehicle. Ford doesn't make anything to compare to this. Off road package or not

[@scspur5262]

Ford just released the Raptor Ranger in southern Asia. Rumored to be coming to America in a couple of years.

[@Guafarina]

why no manual? this is a deal breaker for me : ( Tacoma offers a 6 speed

[@alex-mx7cd]

mcarb002 cause why the fuck would you want a manual in an off road vehicle with how good automatics are now. The clutch would be toast.

[@rute1745]

Yeah sounds like you starved the engine of oil hence the $ light.

[@trishapaytas3370]

*"stabilitrak"*

[@HRTBRKD0G]

I'll take a s10

[@lsdemon7773]

Bad review. You did no justice for this awesome truck!

[@JLeeChron]

Brian Dudra kinda like he was making fun of it. The 3.6 is a different vehicle in many ways. The diesel does not suit what he was after.

[@drwangls2]

GM, please keep making this truck, it needs refinement.

[@chriscardoza9714]

I think it's no mach for the ford..

[@brandonr45]

Raptor>ZRpoo

[@anthonycoffey4699]

I love peoples opinions on vehicles they don't even own 😅 this truck is probably a "review whore that's been passed around & beaten on daily. Of course it's got issues! A new one should be fine if you treat it right. My 1997 Tahoe has 300,000 miles with a rebuilt motor & trans pushing 150,000. Drive it every damn day with no issues... and that's on 9" of lift & 37" nittos!

[@jdord4838]

Great and insightful review, great job..."Yeshua (Jesus Christ) is the way"

[@upnorthyooper1196]

I stoped watching after he couldn't figure out the stabilitrak. It is a shame these guys doing these videos know nothing about what they are talking about. I guess reading the owners manual would have been to munch effort.

[@isaacho4573]

I like Range Rovers

[@redpilledpatriot8484]

LOL, Check engine light and other issues, ITS A NEW TRUCK! Go chevy , NOT

[@Libertarian_Neighbor]

Check engine light on in a brand new Chevy... but Chevy won all those “most reliable” awards. Lmfao! I’ve seen enough in my friends’ Silverados to know that is complete BS. +1 for a manual Tacoma or a base Raptor.

[@camaro_kyle6851]

Hogh308 the "check engine" light doesn't always mean that theres something particularly wrong with the engine fucktard.

[@Libertarian_Neighbor]

CAMARO_KYLE Correct, but I never said there was anything wrong with the engine. A Chevy badge means it’s an unreliable POS. Modern GM vehicles are unreliable Trolltard.

[@Dialysisforever]

guy proulx - like for example, we drove up to a very high elevation very quickly and the engine light came on. After we stopped for lunch and started the car, the light was off again. From what i understand, the light came on because the altitude was effecting the air fuel mixture but the engine management corrected for the problem.

[@Dialysisforever]

Very stressful. You don't know whether you should pull over or risk damaging your engine. Just lately I bought a cheap code reader so I could see what the engine light was for.

[@skilledsports32]

Hogh308 are you even old enough to posses a drivers license?? Lol

[@erikhadinger7655]

Sure looks like it has an aluminum driveshaft what a place to skimp for an off-roader. I don't think Toyota has even gotten that stupid ! Typical Chevy so close yet so far . Last time I was on the trail a friend had his Chevy a rock touch the Driveline and it curled up like an accordion stranding him in the trail

[@kilojoule11]

Micah is so hot.

[@stormbob]

Cosign.

[@biscuitninja]

Spool valves leak like a sieve....

[@sportsmobilexlvoc3526]

biscuitninja 13k on my zr2 and there's no leaks to be found

[@JohnJohn-qp8wd]

dvtman ducati how long have you had your ZR2?

[@sportsmobilexlvoc3526]

John John I've owned it since may19th and I have right around 13,000 miles

[@ruger-hi2tg]

Doesn’t matter what their sales are there nowhere near Tacoma sales..... like I said I’ll give them 4 to 7 years and they will discontinue them

[@JakeBristol]

It's pretty embarrassing when your intenton is to offer a review of a vehicle and haven't done your homework on said vehicle.

[@indyhco]

Half the stuff he says in this video it slightly pointless.

[@kdog18ful]

Good try Gm

[@reloadss4680]

lmao wait for the ranger raptor

[@workhardplayhard3206]

A f!@#ing diesel!!!!! Lol

[@CCBZRG]

Looks like Chevrolet has a lot of improvements to do on this truck.

[@NizzleFM]

The front is extremely ugly.