After seven years of dependable service in its second generation—juggling heavy hauls and school runs with ease—the Chevy Colorado received a complete overhaul in 2023. The third-generation model blends fresh design with upgraded capabilities, making it a standout in the midsize pickup segment.

Equally reliable on your daily commute and rugged off-road adventures, the Colorado’s sturdy chassis and well-rounded equipment package are tailor-made for trail enthusiasts. With most trims priced comfortably below $50,000 and packed with features modern buyers prioritize, it offers an appealing mix of practicality and value.

While the Silverado 1500 often steals the spotlight, the Colorado stands out as the savvy choice for drivers who want serious capability without the bulk of a full-size or heavy-duty truck.

Midsize pickups like the Colorado also shine where full-size trucks struggle: off-road trails. As larger pickups have grown longer and wider, many have become too unwieldy for narrow paths, creating the perfect opportunity for the nimble, adventure-ready Colorado to take the lead.

Overview of the New Chevy Colorado

Chevy completely revamped the Colorado for 2023, earning widespread praise from automotive experts. It’s now considered one of the best midsize pickups available, setting a high bar in the segment.

While rugged durability is expected from a truck like the Colorado, its ability to deliver a surprisingly smooth and comfortable ride—especially when unladen—might catch you off guard. Pair that with advanced tech features, and you’ve got a pickup that’s as intelligent as it is tough.

• The 2024 Colorado caters to a wide range of buyers with its diverse trims and engine options. Prices start at $33,495 for the practical base model (including destination fees) and go up to $51,195 for the off-road-ready ZR2. 
• Under the hood, Chevy swapped out the previous generation’s V-6 and Duramax engines for a more modern 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. This engine delivers impressive power, with strong low-end torque that enables a towing capacity of up to 7,700 pounds.
• The 2024 Colorado is offered exclusively as a four-door crew cab with a 5-foot-2-inch bed. Chevy’s research suggests this configuration best suits the needs of midsize truck buyers, explaining the absence of an extended cab or longer bed options. 
• With six trims to choose from—including the off-road-focused Z71 and Trail Boss—it’s easy to find one that fits your lifestyle.
• Inside, the Colorado boasts a standard 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with essential active safety features.

2025 Chevrolet Colorado Z71

Key Highlights

• MSRP: $45,395
• 2-speed Autotrac transfer case and shield
• Automatic locking rear differential
• Four selectable drive modes with Off-road performance display
• Hill Descent Control
• 18-inch full-gloss aluminum wheels with meaty all-terrain tires
• LED headlamps, taillamps and fog lamps
• Red recovery hooks
• Unique Z71 badging
• Jet Black interior with Adrenaline Red accents

Overview

Unlike its larger sibling, the Silverado, the Colorado doesn’t rely on an off-road package—it gets its own unique Z71 trim. While it’s not as rugged as the Silverado, the Colorado Z71 balances added luxury with enhanced off-road capabilities.

Positioned above the WT and LT trims, the Z71 adds more than just convenience features and aesthetic upgrades. It comes equipped with all-terrain tires, hill descent control, underbody skid plates, and a limited-slip rear differential.

Standard four-wheel drive with low range and four driving modes—Normal, Tow/Haul, Off-Road, and Terrain—ensures the Z71 is ready for adventures, whether you’re climbing rocks or powering through muddy trails.

The Z71 also features twin-tube off-road-tuned shocks for damping, but Chevy stops short of including specialized shocks like the Rancho models typically seen in Z71 trims. Similarly, there’s no suspension lift, unlike the Trail Boss’s 2-inch lift. That said, the Z71’s standard 8.9 inches of ground clearance is respectable for a midsize off-road truck.

What’s impressive is that these off-road enhancements don’t compromise the Colorado Z71’s towing capabilities. It still delivers a robust 7,700-pound peak tow capacity.

2025 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

Key Highlights

• MSRP: $51,195
• Performance-focused suspension featuring DSSV Multimatic dampers and a 3-inch factory-installed lift
• 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory mud-terrain tires mounted on 17-inch Graphite and Oxide Gold aluminum wheels
• Wider chassis with an elevated stance and increased ground clearance
• Off-road rocker panel protectors and aluminum skid plate for added protection
• Off-road-specific front fascia with reinforced bumpers and fender flares
• Flowtie emblem and black hood trim
• Stowflex tailgate 
• Driver-controlled electronic locking front and rear differentials
• Five selectable drive modes, including Baja Mode w/Performance Shift
• Exclusive Artemis interior featuring Strike Yellow accents
• Black hood trim and Flowtie emblem

Overview

If regular pickups are your daily ride, think of the ZR2 variants as their high-energy, adrenaline-charged siblings.

The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 takes off-road performance to a whole new level. It’s packed with enhancements like a purpose-driven front fascia for better approach angles, rugged underbody protection, and a 3.5-inch wider track than the standard model. Plus, it comes with a 3-inch lift and 33-inch Mud-Terrain tires. 

The ZR2’s e-lockers on both front and rear axles ensure exceptional control, making it easy for drivers of all skill levels to handle.

Where the ZR2 really shines, though, is in the details—the suspension setup, to be specific. With DSSV Multimatic dampers paired with a high-performance suspension and a factory-installed lift, the ZR2 boasts an impressive 10.7 inches of ground clearance. That’s a solid jump from the 8.9 inches on its predecessor, or the standard Z71. More than just extra clearance, the ZR2’s suspension handles like magic, keeping it smooth and composed both on and off-road. It feels more like a car than a rugged truck, with less bouncing and more precision.

While regular Colorado models come with four drive modes—Normal, Tow/Haul, Off-Road, and Terrain—the ZR2 adds a fifth: Baja Mode. It’s built for maximum throttle response and minimal intervention from the truck’s electronic systems, making it perfect for some sideways fun.

Just a heads up, though—the ZR2’s increased off-road capabilities come with a trade-off. Its towing capacity drops to 6,000 pounds, down from the 7,700-pound capacity of the standard Colorado. But if off-roading is your priority, it’s a trade worth making.

Z71 vs ZR2: Which One Should You Buy?

If you’re on a budget, the Z71 is hard to beat—unless you’re diving into serious off-roading.

The Colorado Z71 is Chevy’s answer for casual off-roaders – it’s perfect for someone who doesn’t want to sacrifice too much practicality or smooth driving on regular roads.

The 2025 Colorado Z71 delivers strong performance, is capable, and provides much of what full-size truck owners love—at a more affordable price. 

It’s fast, reliable on, and for everyday use, trail rides, and even camping, the Z71 excels while offering better fuel efficiency (about 23.5 mpg on the highway and 17 mpg in the city) and the ability to tow more.

All in all, unless your weekends are dedicated to overlanding or rock crawling, the Z71 will likely cover all your off-road needs just fine.

However, if you prioritize off-road performance over towing and budget allows, the ZR2 takes the cake.

The ZR2 shines with its superior off-road capabilities, unique front-end design, and impressive suspension setup. It’s built for those who want a more rugged experience. The ZR2, although thirstier with fuel (averaging about 19 mpg mixed), provides a smoother ride and handles corners like a smaller vehicle. It’s comfortable for daily driving while excelling off-road. If you don’t mind sacrificing some towing capacity (6,000 pounds vs 7,700 pounds in the Z71), the ZR2’s extra ground clearance and Multimatic dampers make it a standout for tough terrains.

For those who don’t frequently overland or rock-crawl, the Z71 is likely more than enough for your off-road needs. But if you value top-tier off-road performance, enhanced comfort, and don’t mind the higher fuel consumption, the ZR2 is worth the extra investment.