If you’re seeking adventure on any terrain, a midsize pickup truck is the vehicle that can truly handle it all—whether you’re on paved roads or exploring off the beaten path.
A well-equipped midsize pickup provides you with power, capability, and versatility to handle any terrain. The 2026 Chevy Colorado lineup displays an impressive performance, especially for drivers looking for an off-road vehicle. With three trims built to tackle rough terrain, it’s no wonder the Colorado has become drivers’ go-to choice for off-roading.
However, one trim stands out among the others in this incredible lineup, and that is the ZR2. If you’re looking for ultimate off-road capability, the 2026 Chevy Colorado ZR2 lets you experience what it truly means to conquer any terrain.
Standard Engine, Exceptional Off-Road Power
The 2026 Colorado offers one standard powertrain across the lineup. A robust 2.7-liter TurboMax I-4 engine powers the ZR2. This comes paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and features a dual overhead camshaft design with 16 valves for its four cylinders, utilizing a turbocharger to boost output without compromising efficiency.
The result is delivering up to an incredible 310 hp at 5,600 RPM and a best-in-class 430 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 RPM. This gives the Colorado ZR2 the ability to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.8 seconds. As a result, you can enjoy running through the trails at an excellent pace. If you’re also looking for serious towing, the midsize truck delivers a towing capacity of up to 7,700 lbs, perfect for a weekend getaway, bringing a boat or camper, for your next outdoor adventure.
By offering Colorado with a standard powertrain, Chevy doesn’t put you in the position of needing to pay extra to get better performance. It delivers an impressive mix of power and efficiency, ensuring you get all the features you expect without compromise.

Take Your ZR2 to New Heights
The 2026 Colorado ZR2 trim features a three-inch factory-installed lift, providing you with greater ground clearance than found in the other lower trim levels, as well as many other midsize pickup trucks. The result is an exceptional 10.73 inches of ground clearance for both the front and rear of the truck, allowing you to navigate obstacles in your path with complete confidence. The ZR2 provides much greater ground clearance than the 7.9 inches available in the other trims, making it more capable off-road.
The factory lift will enhance your ability to approach, depart, and break over angles in your truck more effectively. Making traversing over rough terrain, such as rocks, ruts, and logs, safer when off-roading in the Colorado ZR2. You also benefit from knowing that since the lift is factory-installed, it is precise and won’t compromise your warranty—a common concern with aftermarket options and feature additions.
The ZR2’s suspension is built for off-roading, featuring high-performance Multimatic DSSV dampers that cushion rough terrain and provide a smoother, more comfortable ride for you and your passengers.
Unlike some of the other trim options in the lineup, the ZR2 comes standard with four-wheel drive, ready for any terrain. For the ultimate off-roading capabilities, the ZR2 features five selectable driving modes. Normal mode is for use when driving on paved surfaces, while tow/haul provides the maximum towing capacity for your truck. However, it’s the other three driving modes that are key to the ZR2. The off-road mode enhances traction on loose surfaces, including grass, mud, and gravel, while the terrain mode provides a crawling ability that allows for smooth climbing over hills and steep obstacles with ease. Terrain mode also features the helpful ability to automatically apply the truck’s brakes, allowing you to focus on steering and acceleration.
Finally, Baja provides you with optimized traction control for driving in sandy environments. Baja mode is exclusive to the ZR2 trim, optimizing power delivery, traction, and stability to prevent spinning out or getting stuck spinning your wheels on the beach.
Off-Road Ready
The 2026 Chevy Colorado ZR2 comes with additional standard features that provide everything you need for a successful trail experience. The truck rides on a set of 17-inch aluminum wheels, wrapped with 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory Mud Terrain tires. Engineered for off-road adventurers, they deliver the grip you need on slippery and uneven surfaces. You can also opt for the available beadlock wheels if you are interested in improving traction by underinflating your ZR2’s tires.
Many folks worry about damaging the vital parts of their truck’s undercarriage when they are off-roading. However, the Colorado ZR2 has you covered with its full skid plates and rocker protection, guarding crucial parts of your truck, such as the oil pan and transfer case, from damage.
Other standard key features include the LED fog lamps on the ZR2, which will help you in low-light conditions. The vehicle’s impressive off-road performance is showcased on the 11.3-inch infotainment system. This display allows you to monitor your truck’s off-road performance in real-time, enabling you to make adjustments for the optimal outcome on your latest ride. You’ll also have the added peace of mind of fender flares to protect your ZR2 from flying debris.
Additional upgrades include the option of red recovery hooks on the front and rear bumpers of the Colorado ZR2. These not only add to the off-roading aesthetic, but can also help you out of a slippery jam. Chevy offers a Recovery Package with the ZR2 that includes a Winch by COMEUP and tie-downs, allowing you to help pull your truck out if you get stuck while out riding on the trails.
The ZR2 Bison: Dominate Every Trail
If you think these off-roading capabilities aren’t enough and still want more, you can opt for the available ZR2 Bison edition on your 2026 Colorado. If you’re impressed by the ZR2, then you’ll love what the Bison edition has to offer as it builds upon the ZR2 and further its off-road capabilities by adding heavy-duty components.
Created in coordination with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), the ZR2 Bison has some of the most advanced features ever offered on a midsize pickup truck. This edition features five Boron steel skid plates that protect the truck’s vital underbody, providing unmatched durability on rough terrain. It also features front and rear jounce control dampers, which help absorb impacts and smooth out rough terrain. The ZR2 Bison rides on 35-inch OD MT tires and boasts best-in-class ground clearance of 12.2 inches, making it easy to tackle breakover angles.
Built for Fun, Ready for Work
The Colorado ZR2 is not a one-trick pony. This is a pickup truck that can also deliver the kind of utility you need when you are not out on the trail. The 5’2 inch payload bed offers 41.9 cu.ft. of cargo space for all your gear. Chevy offers both a hard-folding and a soft roll-up bed cover as options, allowing you to protect your belongings from the elements. The ZR2 comes with a spray-on bedliner that keeps your cargo from sliding around while protecting the bed from dents, scratches, and erosion.
The Colorado ZR2’s tailgate makes cargo hauling easier than ever, featuring an EZ Lift and Lower system that opens and closes with the push of a button. Additionally, the StowFlex Tailgate provides extra storage space for protection on your truck. This is a great space to store tools, emergency gear, or other items that you want to have readily available on your Colorado ZR2.

The 2026 Chevy Colorado ZR2: Conquer Every Road and Trail
A midsize truck should deliver top-tier capability, and that’s essential for anyone seeking adventure. You need to have the peace of mind that your truck can handle whatever you may encounter. The Colorado ZR2 is a truck that instills confidence with its special features and equipment. On top of its off-road prowess, the Colorado ZR2 delivers impressive towing and hauling capabilities for a truck of its size—making it the perfect choice for your next midsize truck.
At Edwards Chevrolet Downtown, we offer an unrivaled selection of Colorado trims to choose from, especially the ZR2 trim. As an authorized Chevy dealership, we are the place to go for adventurous drivers who want to push the limits with the 2026 Chevy Colorado ZR2.
