All-New Chevy Colorado ZR2 Is a Better Off-Road Pickup in Every Way
The switch to four-cylinder-only power is a big part of what makes the new Chevy Colorado ZR2 the best mid-size off-roader around.
After getting a little long in the proverbial tooth, GM gave the Chevy Colorado a total overhaul for the 2023 model year, one that featured extensive changes. This included a powertrain revamp with a single choice for simplicity’s sake – the turbocharged 2.7-liter inline-four – along with a laundry list of other updates. It also meant a new generation for the fan favorite, off-road-focused Chevy Colorado ZR2, which was recently reviewed in heavy detail by the folks at Savage Geese.
In this particular video, however, the focus centers largely upon that new four-cylinder engine and its future for GM in general, as well as how the Chevy Colorado ZR2 stacks up against rivals like the forthcoming redesigned Ford Ranger Raptor and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. As a GM engineer explains in the video, the brand decided to go all-in on four-cylinder power, but in this case, we aren’t talking about a downgrade. Rather, the 2.7 is used in applications like the larger Silverado, so it’s a pretty big upgrade for the mid-size Colorado in general.
Not all versions of the Colorado’s I-4 are equal, however, as the base work truck version focuses on value. It features a gearbox with less torque capacity and no piston squirters – the latter move made to reduce oil consumption – but the powerplant is otherwise essentially identical, with the same turbo, pistons, and heads, along with the rest of the mechanicals. As for the engine itself, GM went with direct injection – a favorite among automakers these days for a number of reasons – and designed it for truck use from the get-go, which isn’t often the case.
Chevy Colorado ZR2 owners will also be happy to know that the turbocharger utilized on this particular application was designed specifically to be both serviceable and durable, which isn’t always the case, either. In fact, a lot of turbo trucks wind up having issues with that pricey component that can quite literally wreck the entire engine if they aren’t caught early enough, which is obviously quite frustrating for owners.
All of this techno-wizardry sounds good, of course, but it still doesn’t answer the question – how is it to live with in the real world? On its test drive, the team at Savage Geese discovers that, well, the latest Colorado is pretty darn good. In fact, they go so far as to declare it the best mid-size truck on the market, which is high praise in a segment ripe with fresh products. GM put a ton of effort into making the new Colorado the best in the business, and it seems as if that work paid off – which is great news for Bow Tie fans seeking a capable, reliable, and modern mid-size pickup.
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