The 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Named One of the Best Off-Road Trucks by Kelly Blue Book
The regular 2021 Chevy Colorado hasn’t gotten the best reviews in the pickup truck world. In fact, Consumer Reports has the 2021 Chevy Colorado tied for dead last with the 2021 GMC Canyon. However, Kelly Blue Book has included the 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 in its list as one of the best off-road trucks on the market.
How is the 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 different than the regular Chevy Colorado?
According to GM Authority, Kelly Blue Book put together a list of the top 15 best off-road trucks for 2021. Even though the regular Chevy Colorado didn’t receive high praise, the 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 made it on this list.
The factory off-road sub-genre has really picked up steam over the last few years. More pickup truck and SUV models are getting factory packages that offer stouter suspensions, bigger tires, and some built-in off-road accessories like winches and lights. These packages come in all levels, from basic aesthetic packages like the Honda Ridgeline HPD to serious performance models like the Ford Tremor or Raptor models which are based on the Ford F-150.
The 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 is one such off-road factory trim that has clearly elevated the underwhelming regular trims. KBB called the ZR2 “one of the most capable and versatile,” of its type on sale today. Thanks to its upgraded suspension, aggressive tires, and locking differential, the 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 stands out as one of the best off-road trucks of the year.
The 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 named one of the best off-road trucks
Off the top, KBB was impressed by the ZR2s standard Multimatic DSSV dampers. The reporters claim that the suspension can take a pretty hard beating without failing. This means everything for serious off-road rigs. KBB also loved the “powerful 3.6-liter V6” and the grunty little diesel four-cylinder.
The strong suspension also makes room for the taller, more aggressive off-road tires that give the Chevy Colorado ZR2 strong footing on the trail. If the tires find some tougher track, the locking front and rear differentials can keep everything pulling in the same direction. It’s for all these reasons that Kelly Blue Book gave the 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 a 4.1 out of 5 landing it squarely as one of the best off-road trucks of 2021.
What are the other best off-roading trucks for 2021 according to Kelly Blue Book?
Although the 2021 Colorado ZR2 ranked pretty well on KBB’s list of best off-road trucks, some other trucks rank even better. The 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty Tremor is one such truck. KBB was impressed by its plethora of underbody skid plates, toughness, and unstoppable 7.3-liter V8.
While Ford was well represented in this list of best off-road trucks, GM only had two models make it. Obviously, the 2021 Chevy Colorado ZR2 was one of them, the other was the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 AT4, which Kelly Blue Book said was a “solid package that fits nicely in between a more extreme Raptor or TRX and a standard-issue 4×4 pickup.”
How much does the Colorado ZR2 cost?
The upcoming 2022 Chevy Colorado ZR2 starts at $45,395 including destination and freight for a Crew Cab model with the 3.6-liter V6 engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. But as we mentioned, the ZR2 can also have the 2.8L Duramax turbocharged diesel four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic, which raises the base price to $48,895.
Considering that the base price for a Ford Raptor or Ram 1500 TRX starts north of $65,000, the Colorado ZR2 seems like a solid option. Although comparing the Ram and Ford to the little ZR2 is probably unfair, the price point still matters.
