MotorTrend Takes Its Colorado ZR2 on a 5,000-Mile Road Trip

The Colorado ZR2 had been lauded for its off-road abilities, but the fact is, it is still a truck that is expected to do pickup truck things and provide decent on-road performance as well. MotorTrend brought a Colorado ZR2 into its long-term fleet a few months back. It had been at the office near Los Angeles, but it was up to editor Jared Korfhage to bring it to the Detroit office, or more specifically, his home in Ohio. There were a few stops along the way during this 5,000-mile trip. A sure way to evaluate the ZR2’s on-road abilities, Sharp Automotive gives you the road trip highlights. 

In addition to taking two people, the truck was loaded with two mountain bikes, a pair of skis, three waterproof duffel bags full of clothes, and the usual travel necessities. The editor also brought along some tools, off-road recovery equipment, and a Dometic CFX 35W portable 12-volt fridge in the back seat full of road trip snacks.  

Almost all reviewers of the ZR2 note how well the Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) dampers handle the challenges and abuses of hard off-road driving, while providing a surprisingly comfortable highway ride. This was borne out by Korfhage’s description of the first third of the trip. “Just set that adaptive cruise control, and the miles roll on by effortlessly … Over that first leg of the California-to-Ohio journey we refueled eight times, averaging 16.2 miles to the gallon, with 39 hours of seat time. No complaints. No issues.” 

But this was a trip during the winter holidays, and the snow dropped in Cheyenne, Wyoming, along with 60-mph winds. The editor turned to the four-wheel-drive’s Auto setting on the selection knob, which “…summoned the wizardry of our ZR2’s AutoTrac MP3025 two-speed transfer case, which began sending power to each of the four wheels based on traction needs in a manner safe for use on the interstate.” 

Smart four-wheel drive combined with the all-terrain tires enabled the ZR2 to confidently head down the highway without a problem. Someone else was not so lucky, giving the ZR2 the opportunity to pull a Chevrolet Spark out of a snowbank. In the rescue process, the editor got stuck himself, but thanks to the snow chains and a shovel from his off-road recovery kit, the Spark was rescued. The rest of the trip went without incident.  

The fuel economy for the trip stuck close to the EPA combined estimate of 17 mpg. During the trip, he and his passenger found plenty of space for themselves and their gear. He found the Colorado to be as good of an on-road companion as off-road. The mid-size was ideal for pickup truck things like carrying gear, traveling worry-free in the snow, and even helping out a stranger. 

If this sounds like the vehicle for you, Sharp Automotive invites you to check out the Colorado ZR2 and any of the other many Chevrolet, GMC, and Toyota trucks in our inventory.