2026 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2: Douglaston Buyers Guide
Quick Answer: 2026 Colorado ZR2
ZR2, from $50,700 MSRP, tops the 2026 Colorado lineup — 4WD standard, no 2WD offered. It's the only trim with a 3-inch factory-installed lift, Multimatic DSSV dampers, and 33-inch mud-terrain tires as standard equipment, plus front and rear underbody rock rails and five selectable drive modes including Baja Mode. Max tow drops to 6,000 lbs, below the 7,700-lb rating on WT through Z71 with the trailering package, because of the tire and gearing package. This guide covers the base ZR2 only — Chevrolet also sells a separate, higher ZR2 Bison edition that isn't part of this dealer's current lineup coverage.
The only trim with this hardware standard
ZR2's suspension is the real differentiator: Multimatic DSSV dampers, a 3-inch factory lift, and 33-inch mud-terrain tires that no other Colorado trim offers, even as an option. Front and rear underbody rock rails protect the frame rails on terrain that would concern a Trail Boss or Z71 owner. Five drive modes, including a Baja Mode tuned for high-speed desert-style running, give ZR2 a broader capability range than the four modes on Z71. This is factory-engineered off-road hardware, not a lift kit added after the fact.
The tow-rating trade-off
ZR2's 33-inch mud-terrain tires and off-road gearing bring its max tow rating down to 6,000 lbs — meaningfully below the 7,700-lb rating that WT, LT, Trail Boss, and Z71 reach with the Advanced Trailering Package. That's the trade a buyer makes for the off-road capability: less rated tow weight in exchange for tires and suspension built for a different job. Worth weighing carefully if towing is a regular need alongside off-road use.
ZR2, not ZR2 Bison
Chevrolet sells a further-upgraded ZR2 Bison edition above plain ZR2, with additional off-road-specific equipment and a meaningfully higher price. That trim isn't part of East Hills Chevrolet's current Colorado lineup coverage in this guide — ask the dealer directly if Bison availability matters to your search, since its equipment and pricing differ from the ZR2 covered here.
What buyers say about the store
ZR2 buyers at East Hills describe going out of their way for the specific truck. One recent buyer: "Joe was a great salesperson. Got the job done. Drove 3 hours into MA to pick up the Colorado ZR2 and 4 hours back! If you are in the market for a vehicle ask for Joe and he will make sure you get the car you want no questions asked." ZR2 buyers have named the dealership's staff for years, not just this model year — one earlier owner wrote: "Just bought a Colorado Zr2... Danny, a young and almost uncomfortably handsome man, worked hard to get me the exact car I was looking for. I would be remiss not to mention the work that both Max and especially Jason put forth to help me achieve the best deal I could get."
Frequently asked questions
Is ZR2 available with 2WD?
No — ZR2 is 4WD only, the same as Trail Boss and Z71. Only WT, Custom, and LT offer 2WD.
What's the fuel economy on a ZR2?
EPA-rated 17 city / 17 highway / 17 combined — the lowest in the lineup, a direct result of the standard 33-inch mud-terrain tires and off-road gearing. ZR2 is the only Colorado trim with its own dedicated EPA rating separate from the generic 4WD figure.
How much can a ZR2 tow?
Up to 6,000 lbs — lower than the 7,700-lb rating on WT through Z71 with the trailering package, because of ZR2's tire and gearing setup.
What's the difference between ZR2 and ZR2 Bison?
Bison is a separate, higher-positioned edition above plain ZR2 with additional off-road equipment and a higher price. This guide covers the base ZR2; ask East Hills Chevrolet directly about Bison availability if that's the truck you're after.
Is ZR2 worth the jump over Z71?
If the plan includes real off-road use — rock crawling, desert running, terrain beyond graded trails — ZR2's suspension and tires are purpose-built for it in a way Z71 isn't. If the off-road trims are more about look and occasional trail use, Z71 delivers most of the presence at a lower price and without the tow-rating trade-off.
The bottom line
ZR2 is the 2026 Colorado for buyers who will actually use factory-grade off-road hardware, not just want the look of it. The lift, dampers, and mud-terrain tires are the real thing — and so is the lower tow rating that comes with them.
MSRP figures exclude the $2,095 destination charge plus taxes, title, registration, and dealer-installed options; the dealer sets the actual selling price. Fuel-economy and towing figures are Chevrolet/EPA estimates that vary by configuration; consult your Owner's Manual or East Hills Chevrolet for vehicle-specific ratings. Equipment and availability can shift with production timing. Customer quotes are excerpts from public Google reviews of East Hills Chevrolet of Douglaston.