It’s the same supercar technology that once did time in the track-focused Camaro Z/28, and it works well. The big news is the sophisticated shock absorbers, which have three spool valves apiece to control compression and rebound for on- and off-road situations.

Developed at parent company GM’s Arizona proving grounds, the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2’s suspension employs softer tuning, taller coil springs in front and longer leaf springs in back. It’s a bit wider than the Tacoma TRD Pro, however. Though it’s a few inches wider than lesser Chevrolet Colorado variants, the ZR2 is some 5 to 10 inches narrower than the full-size off-roaders. Of note, the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2’s dimensions give it a smaller footprint than serious off-road trucks, which are mostly full-sizers (think Ford F-150 Raptor or Ram 1500 Rebel). All told, it’s an impressive visual display - the sort that looks like an aftermarket kit, or something in the vein of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ erstwhile Ram Runner conversion, more than a factory package. You can even relocate the full-size spare tire from underneath the truck to an optional bed-mounted carrier to improve departure angles.

Steel tubes guard the lower sides, while the rear bumpers ditch the regular Colorado’s outboard steps. An aluminum skid plate protects the ZR2’s radiator and oil pan another shield protects the transfer case. Gone is the lower air dam that shaves ground clearance in other Colorado variants, even with the milder Z71 off-road package. With a 2-inch suspension lift, 3.5 inches’ wider track and clipped bumpers below the headlights, the ZR2 bares its tires - 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac off-roaders - when viewed from the front. The ZR2 is new for 2017 stack it up against other variants here, or compare the 20 Colorado here. Our review focuses on the ZR2, but if you’re looking for a broader take on all Chevrolet Colorado variants, read our soup-to-nuts review of the current Colorado (including base model and fuel economy) here. We drove an extended-cab ZR2 at ’s Chicago offices, and our sister site tested the ZR2 in the Southern California desert against its archrival, the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro.

Shoppers will have to decide whether that’s enough to overcome a few pesky limitations.

The ZR2 is better off-road than its chief competitor, Toyota’s Tacoma TRD Pro. The 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is an off-road beast with mid-size dimensions - a rarity among pickup trucks that’s ripe for a loyal following.

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