Overlanders Now Trust the Colorado ZR2 More Than Any Wrangler

Pickup trucks and SUVs are an overlander’s go-to, and if you have ever given it a go or are part of overlanding circles, you will know the same nameplates keep coming up as trusted models. Vehicles like the 4Runner, Land Cruiser, Defender, Tacoma, Bronco, and Wrangler are among the most relied upon in the backcountry, and owners swear by them.

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For decades, the Wrangler has dominated overlanding with its legendary off-road prowess, but newer rivals, like the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, are now challenging its formula with greater comfort and better versatility. ​

Why Overlanders Are Looking Beyond The Wrangler

The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 and ZR2 Bison are the off-road and overlanding versions of Chevy’s trusted mid-size pickup truck. Built originally between 2017 and 2022 and then from 2023 to present, the ZR2 was the first mass-produced truck to get Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) suspension. When it was released, it landed squarely in the territory that the Wrangler has dominated for so long, with more space, more comfort features, more cargo capacity, and genuine off-road prowess.

Colorado ZR2 Bison Brings Truck-Sized Practicality To The Trail

TopSpeed

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The 2026 Colorado ZR2 is much bigger than the largest current Wrangler (the four-door fitted with the Xtreme tire package), measuring 212.7 inches long by 78 inches wide, and riding on a 131.4-inch wheelbase. The Wrangler measures 192.5 inches in length by 79.3 inches in width, and rides on a 118.4-inch wheelbase. While it may sound counterproductive to have such a long vehicle on trails, the Colorado ZR2 offers more space inside and in the bed to go for longer in the wilderness in more comfort.

The ZR2’s bed can carry 41.9 cubic feet of cargo, while 45.1 inches of front legroom and 34.7 inches of rear legroom make it relatively roomy as well. In comparison, the Wrangler offers 41.2 inches of front legroom and 38.3 inches of rear legroom, and a 31.7-cubic-foot cargo capacity with the rear seats in place.

Wrangler Still Has The Edge When Rock Crawling Gets Serious

Jeep

The smaller footprint of the Wrangler, even the four-door flavor, does make it arguably more useful when the trail gets rocky, narrow, and tight, though. This is especially true if you opt for the Wrangler Rubicon or Rubicon X, both of which are equipped with heavy-duty Dana 44 solid front axles, full-float Dana 44 solid rear axles, a locking differential, the Rock-Trac 4×4 system, a 4:1 low-range transfer case, and a sway bar disconnect . With the Xtreme 35-inch tire package added to the Rubicon X, you also get 12.9 inches of ground clearance.

Colorado ZR2 Bison Is Built For Long Days Off-Road

Chevrolet

That is all very impressive from one of the top-tier Wranglers, but from the outset, alongside the generous bed and decent interior space, the Colorado ZR2 Bison, the most enhanced overlanding-ready version, gets 12.2 inches of ground clearance.

Looking at a base-trim Wrangler this year (the Sport), the off-road capability is still there: 9.7 inches of ground clearance and 31.7 cubic feet of storage space in the two-door version, but its suspension, wheel size, and underbody protection do not compare to what the ZR2 or ZR2 Bison offer.

Multimatic DSSV Dampers Smooth Out Washboard And Rocky Terrain

Chevrolet

The ZR2’s standout feature is hidden behind the wheels. Its Multimatic DSSV dampers use spool valves to meter oil flow through the shock, giving it much finer control over compression and rebound than a conventional twin-tube setup. When a trail turns into a conveyor belt of square-edged rocks and washboard, this is very handy.

The dampers can manage repeated hits without simply resorting to soft, floaty suspension, keeping the chassis composed while the tires do their thing. Multimatic’s system effectively gives the ZR2 several damping characteristics within a single shock, helping it behave well on pavement before dealing with considerably more challenging terrain off it.

Stock 35-Inch Tires Add Clearance Without A Lift

Chevrolet

The Colorado ZR2 comes equipped with 33-inch AT/MT tires, but the ZR2 Bison steps up to 35-inch tires. That extra diameter raises the axle and differential away from obstacles, and reduces the chance of the hardware underneath becoming the trail’s most expensive speed bump.

Chevy did not stop at simply fitting larger tires into the wheel wells and leaving it there; the Bison’s suspension, wheel, and body clearances were all designed around the 35-inch package, while its 17-inch wheels are beadlock-capable for serious wilderness use.

Chevrolet

For overlanding, this is significant. Tires this large can deform around a rock at lower pressures, increasing the contact patch while maintaining useful sidewall height. You get more compliance and obstacle-clearing ability without turning the truck into an aftermarket science project.

The ZR2 Bison Makes Carrying Gear Easier

Chevrolet

The ZR2 Bison’s cargo bed measures, at floor level, 61.7 inches long by 58.5 inches wide. There are also 45.5 inches of space between the wheel housings, and with the tailgate open, up to 84 inches of usable length. That, combined with an open bed, means you can load taller items in the back, such as a small motorcycle.

In comparison, the four-door Wrangler has a floor depth of roughly 36 inches behind the rear seats, while the two-door gets around 18 to 20 inches behind the rear seats. The four-door Wrangler does get a maximum cargo capacity of up to 72.4 cubic feet, but you have to fold down the rear seats to get it.

13.4 MPG Real-World Returns Makes Fuel Planning Part Of The Equation

Chevrolet

When the Colorado ZR2 was first released in 2017, buyers could choose between a 3.6-liter V6 producing 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, or a 2.8-liter Duramax four-cylinder turbo-diesel producing 181 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Both are solid options for overlanding, particularly the diesel engine.

The latest generation is equipped with a 2.7-liter HO Turbomax turbo-four good for 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, in a bid to improve fuel efficiency. With this engine, you can tow up to 5,500 pounds in the ZR2 Bison and up to 6,000 pounds in the ZR2. It is, therefore, impressively torquey and genuinely useful.

Chevrolet

FuelEconomy.gov says the 4WD ZR2 can achieve 17 combined mpg, and the ZR2 Bison can achieve 16 combined mpg. That is quite poor, especially given that fuel tank ranges are only between 342 and 364 miles. In reality, when you are fully loaded with the maximum payload of up to 1,310 pounds, fuel efficiency is worse than that.

Some owners have reported that they are only getting around 13.4 mpg from the ZR2, and not just when off-roading or towing, but also around town. Hybrid-SUV ratings are not a realistic expectation here, but that will likely mean that for a long trail-hunting weekend, some of that bed space will be reserved for fuel cans.

Where The Wrangler Still Beats The ZR2: Angles, Aftermarket, And Price

Stellantis

TopSpeed

While the ZR2 and ZR2 Bison are exceptional overlanding trucks, there are simply some things a Wrangler does better. For one, a new Rubicon has an MSRP of $50,535, a new Rubicon X has an MSRP of $61,230, a new Willys 392 has an MSRP of just under $70,000, and a new Moab 392 has an MSRP of just under $80,000.

A new Colorado ZR2 has an MSRP of just under $52,300, making it a little more expensive than the well-equipped Wrangler Rubicon. When it comes to what a Wrangler can do on trails, the ZR2’s price puts it at a slight disadvantage.​​​​​​​

Better Approach Angles And Articulation Favor Technical Trails

Stellantis

The 2026 ZR2 has a 38.3-degree approach angle, a 25.1-degree departure angle, and a 24.6-degree breakover angle. A four-door Wrangler Sport has a 41.4-degree angle, a 20.3-degree breakover angle, and up to a 36.1-degree departure angle. The four-door Rubicon is even better, with a 43.9-degree approach angle, a 22.6-degree breakover angle, and a 37-degree departure angle.

On a techy trail, the Wrangler’s shorter body, and approach and departure angles let it climb steeper ledges and drop off obstacles with less risk of dragging its bumpers. Add greater suspension articulation, and the Jeep can keep its tires planted in situations where the ZR2 may start lifting a wheel.​​​​​​​

Jeep’s Aftermarket Advantage Still Gives The Wrangler More Options

Stellantis

The Wrangler is perhaps one of the most iconic American vehicles ever. With that kind of reputation comes a vast body of knowledge, a devoted owner community, dedicated clubs, and an extensive aftermarket parts ecosystem. The Colorado ZR2, while based on a well-regarded truck, is far newer and less established in the overlanding world.

That means the Wrangler can be built around almost any stupidly specific idea you have for it. Want more suspension travel, different gearing, a winch bumper, long-range fuel capacity, or a suspension setup tailored for a specific trail? There is probably already a kit, a forum thread, or someone who has been there before you.​​​​​​​

Is The ZR2 Bison The Better Overland Rig For You?

Chevrolet

The Colorado ZR2 could well be the better overlanding vehicle for you. That is the case if you prioritize a turnkey solution that needs very little in the way of upgrades to make it a comfortable, capable, tough, and spacious off-road platform. There are downsides, however: even though you can carry more, you will need to plan around the truck’s fuel consumption.

A Wrangler is probably the better choice if you prefer technical trails along narrow paths, you want to upgrade beyond the original specification, or you do not need the extra storage or second row of seating that a truck naturally offers. That is part of the Wrangler’s enduring appeal: you are rarely the first person to attempt something ambitious with one. If you are an overlander who values cabin comfort and wants to get out on the trail without turning the build into a lifelong project, the ZR2 makes sense.​​​​​​​

Base Trim Engine

2.5L Inline-4 Gas

Base Trim Transmission

6-Speed Manual

Base Trim Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

200 hp

Base Trim Torque

191 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm

Fuel Economy

20/26 MPG

Make

Chevrolet

Model

Colorado

Segment

Midsize Pickup Truck

Infotainment & Features

9 /10

Sources: Chevrolet, Jeep, FuelEconomy.gov, Colorado Fans, and Kelley Blue Book.