2026 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2: Monroe Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: 2026 Colorado ZR2
The ZR2 is the top of the standard Colorado range, starting at $50,700 MSRP plus the $2,095 destination charge, and it has 4WD on every truck. Chevrolet equips it with a 3-inch factory lift and Multimatic DSSV dampers, 33-inch mud-terrain tires, rock rails, five drive modes including Baja Mode, plus ZR2 badging and hood graphics. It uses the same 2.7L TurboMax four-cylinder (310 horsepower, 430 lb-ft) and 8-speed automatic as the other trims. The EPA rates the ZR2 at 17 mpg city, 17 highway and 17 combined, because the mud-terrain tires are standard.
What the suspension is doing
Most of what separates a ZR2 from the trucks below it lives out of sight. Multimatic DSSV dampers are the headline: they're the spool-valve shocks that let the truck stay composed on washboard roads at speeds that would shake a standard truck apart, and Chevrolet fits them from the factory along with a 3-inch lift. Add the 33-inch mud-terrain tires and the rock rails and you have a truck set up for terrain, not for show. The five drive modes include Baja Mode, aimed at fast driving on loose surfaces, which is a more specialized idea than the four modes on the Z71.
How it compares on price
The ZR2 is $6,100 above the Z71 and $10,200 above the Trail Boss. Those gaps are the largest steps anywhere in the Colorado lineup, and they're explained by the hardware rather than the trim label. Buyers deciding between the three should be honest about their driving: a truck that does 95 percent of its miles on pavement may not use the ZR2's travel, while one that regularly visits remote trailheads off US 2 will. A ZR2 Bison edition sits above the standard ZR2 and is a separate conversation; this guide covers the standard ZR2.
Living with the tires
Mud-terrain rubber is loud on pavement and costs mileage, which shows in the 17 combined rating. It also wears differently, so regular rotations matter (the service guide explains the schedule). In return, the grip on loose, wet ground in the foothills is a step above all-terrain tires. Regular unleaded is all it needs.
What a ZR2 buyer says
Vince G. ordered a 2023 ZR2 through a factory build order and described the wait on Google: "It was a build order, and I had come in multiple times checking in on the progress. Each time, I was treated kindly, with professionalism, and they didn't get annoyed with me." He added, "The whole process was really smooth, and I wasn't pressured at all (which can't say about everywhere)." If a ZR2 isn't on the lot in the color you want, ordering one is an option the sales team can walk through.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 2026 Chevy Colorado ZR2 cost?
The ZR2 starts at $50,700 MSRP before the $2,095 destination charge, taxes and fees. Options and the dealer's selling price change the final figure.
What makes the ZR2 different from the Z71?
The ZR2 brings a 3-inch lift, Multimatic DSSV dampers, 33-inch mud-terrain tires, rock rails and a fifth drive mode (Baja Mode). The Z71 focuses on lighting, cabin finish and four drive modes.
What fuel economy does the ZR2 get?
The EPA lists the ZR2 at 17 mpg city, 17 highway and 17 combined, using regular gasoline.
Is the ZR2 good for daily driving?
Yes, but expect more tire noise and lower mileage than the street-tire trims. The ride is tuned for rough ground, so test drive it on the roads you actually use.
Does the ZR2 come with a diesel or V8?
No. Like every 2026 Colorado, it uses the 2.7L TurboMax four-cylinder with 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft.
The bottom line
The ZR2 is the most capable standard Colorado, and the price follows the hardware. If it fits your driving, see what's available in the Monroe store's Colorado inventory, and ask the sales team about ordering when the exact color or package isn't on the lot.
MSRP figures exclude the $2,095 destination charge, taxes, licensing and any dealer fees or installed options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Fuel economy figures are EPA estimates that vary by configuration; see the Owner's Manual or Speedway Chevrolet for vehicle-specific ratings. Equipment and availability can change with production timing, so confirm current specifications with the dealer. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of Speedway Chevrolet in Monroe, Washington.