Some people would bitch if they were hung with a new rope.

 

That was one of my dad's favorite sayings. I always wondered what I'd do if I saw him bring home some new rope.

 

I’ve had my ‘21 Colorado ZR2 for 9 months and love it. I see complaints from reviewers/owners about the interior, gauges, navigation, audio system, fuel economy, etc. And I just don’t get it. Did you not research and test drive the truck before you bought it?
Interior:
This is an off road truck. It’s going to get dirty. The interior hard surfaces are way easier to maintain & clean than soft touch materials. They get dirty? Spray them with 409, wipe and they come clean. Easy. The layout is great. Looks fine to me. I have other vehicles with more soft touch interiors (dashes, door panels, etc.) and they are a PITA to keep clean. Dust seems to stick like glue to them.
Gauges:
The gauges show speed, rpm, temperature, fuel, and MANY other data points in the DIC. What else do you need? It doesn’t have to look like a video game, for crying out loud. Are you that nit picky? What other info do you need?
Navigation:
You type in a location and it guides you there. Works just fine. Do you need more hand holding to get you to your destination? Same comments regarding it looking like a video game.
Audio system:
The Bose is great. Sounds good to me. It’s bass heavy, so I turned the bass down a bit and increased the mid & high slightly. Sounds great when listening to all types of music as well as the news & audiobooks.
Fuel economy:
It could be a little better, but for a 4700# brick, it’s ok. I get over 20 on the hwy and ~20 in a mix of city/hwy. Sure, some full size trucks get better, and I’m all for better mpg. But didn’t you see the numbers on the sticker? If you're heavy on the gas pedal, you're gonna pay. It is what it is. You knew this going in.
Storage:
I would like a few more nooks to store stuff, but how much stuff do you really need to carry with you all the time? A $10 console tray makes a big difference. The door pockets could've been done better, for sure. There's ample storage under the rear seats (in a CC).

There are WAY too many things that I love about this truck that they make up for the very few negatives. Keep in mind, this truck is a mid $40K truck. Not exactly cheap, but not a mortgage either. If it had everything that the reviewers (the so called automotive journalists) and the "complainers" wanted, it’d cost a lot more. And then they'd be complaining about the price!
Putting my flame suit on for the hater replies, haha!
View attachment 425349 View attachment 425350 View attachment 425351

First off - Gorgeous truck.

Secondly - I agree with a lot of your points.

More tech in a vehicle = more stuff that can go wrong. The new "fancy" tech (dash screens, etc) that most manufacturers use is actually pretty low grade/outdated in general. In my opinion, simpler is better especially if you're planning on keeping the vehicle a long time.

Compared to other midsize trucks, GM actually ranks pretty high. However, I feel there is also some nonsense with the comparisons as the Tacoma is often rated the highest despite poorer power, less towing, worse comfort and not having a ton of tech features.

 

First off - Gorgeous truck.

Secondly - I agree with a lot of your points.

More tech in a vehicle = more stuff that can go wrong. The new "fancy" tech (dash screens, etc) that most manufacturers use is actually pretty low grade/outdated in general. In my opinion, simpler is better especially if you're planning on keeping the vehicle a long time.

Compared to other midsize trucks, GM actually ranks pretty high. However, I feel there is also some nonsense with the comparisons as the Tacoma is often rated the highest despite poorer power, less towing, worse comfort and not having a ton of tech features.

Totally agree with this - thanks

 

I also agree. In the months I spent researching which truck to get and the only complaints I saw about the Colorado were the ones you listed. I've only had mine two weeks, but I am enamoured with it! I live in so cal and every where you look is another Bro-coma TRD. But I see another zr2 and we both get excited. It's a special thing.

 

I also agree. In the months I spent researching which truck to get and the only complaints I saw about the Colorado were the ones you listed. I've only had mine two weeks, but I am enamoured with it! I live in so cal and every where you look is another Bro-coma TRD. But I see another zr2 and we both get excited. It's a special thing.

Couldn't agree more, Im in Norcal and for every zr2 you see 10-15 trd offroad's and trd pro's and im starting to see a hell of a lot of rangers out here. When i do see another zr2 i get excited.

 

I agree, people will complain if it was free and free service / fuel / insurance for life.
BTW, your trucks are too clean..

 

BTW, your trucks are too clean..

I got it covered I'd sand and fine dust this weekend, then it rained and washed all off. Hope to find some mud this spring!

 

Yeah...the automotive industry has this weird habit today of reviewing cars as if they were cellphones. You'll watch a comparison review and they'll spend 3/4s of the time comparing which one has a bigger screen in the dash and more digital wizardry, and then as an afterthought briefly mention how they, you know, actually drive.

When I decided I wanted a new midsize I went and test drove every single one. The pandemic actually made this a joy since you're not spending the entire drive with the sales person breathing down your neck. Then I read all of the reviews, and I couldn't understand it. The Tacoma has drum brakes. No other midsize has a 4W Auto mode which is a massive deal for me living in Ontario, where my winter driving alternates between snow covered and bare pavement literally every few seconds. The handling and performance of the twins is exceptional, especially for a truck, while the taco / ranger / nissan drive like they're from the 90s. But all anyone can talk about is the fact that I have to physically insert the key into the ignition? Heaven forbid! It still has remote start...who cares...

The other major gripe seems to be that the interior is outdated, because not every single feature is handled by one massive all encompassing touch screen. I LOVE the fact that the interior has physical knobs, buttons, and switches. It is so much safer, and easier to use. I want my car to drive well, have a nice stereo, and do what I need it to do. Not pretend it's a computer...smh.

PS I'm getting more and more excited by these fuel economy numbers. My family's Ram 1500 (which is, btw, an exceptional truck) will manage 15 in the city and 18 on the highway, dropping back down to ~16 on the freeway. My own golf R - a golf - will do 18 in the city and 23 on the highway, 21 ish on the freeway. If you're telling me I get Ram levels of usefulness with VW fuel economy, I am ECSTATIC.

 

Well said, very well said.

 

I can see the younger owners that grew up with smart phones would want or expect a high tech interior, older owners nor so much. Less high tech, less high cost maintenance. Toyo dominated the mid size off road market for years, in 2017 the ZR2 leaped ahead in all areas.
I'm looking forward to the 2023 release, 33's, outboard rear shocks, improved interior and a turbo 2.7 could make me upgrade from the baby.

 

It seems to me a lot of people buy ZR2's, TRD's, RAPTORS, for identity, which is fine. But I think that's what creates the weird mismatch of expectations and griping about the lack of soft-touch plastics and LED dome lights.

 

The problem with complaining is that half the listeners don't care - and the other half figure that you probably deserved it.

 

I’ve had my ‘21 Colorado ZR2 for 9 months and love it. I see complaints from reviewers/owners about the interior, gauges, navigation, audio system, fuel economy, etc. And I just don’t get it. Did you not research and test drive the truck before you bought it?
Interior:
This is an off road truck. It’s going to get dirty. The interior hard surfaces are way easier to maintain & clean than soft touch materials. They get dirty? Spray them with 409, wipe and they come clean. Easy. The layout is great. Looks fine to me. I have other vehicles with more soft touch interiors (dashes, door panels, etc.) and they are a PITA to keep clean. Dust seems to stick like glue to them.
Gauges:
The gauges show speed, rpm, temperature, fuel, and MANY other data points in the DIC. What else do you need? It doesn’t have to look like a video game, for crying out loud. Are you that nit picky? What other info do you need?
Navigation:
You type in a location and it guides you there. Works just fine. Do you need more hand holding to get you to your destination? Same comments regarding it looking like a video game.
Audio system:
The Bose is great. Sounds good to me. It’s bass heavy, so I turned the bass down a bit and increased the mid & high slightly. Sounds great when listening to all types of music as well as the news & audiobooks.
Fuel economy:
It could be a little better, but for a 4700# brick, it’s ok. I get over 20 on the hwy and ~20 in a mix of city/hwy. Sure, some full size trucks get better, and I’m all for better mpg. But didn’t you see the numbers on the sticker? If you're heavy on the gas pedal, you're gonna pay. It is what it is. You knew this going in.
Storage:
I would like a few more nooks to store stuff, but how much stuff do you really need to carry with you all the time? A $10 console tray makes a big difference. The door pockets could've been done better, for sure. There's ample storage under the rear seats (in a CC).

There are WAY too many things that I love about this truck that they make up for the very few negatives. Keep in mind, this truck is a mid $40K truck. Not exactly cheap, but not a mortgage either. If it had everything that the reviewers (the so called automotive journalists) and the "complainers" wanted, it’d cost a lot more. And then they'd be complaining about the price!
Putting my flame suit on for the hater replies, haha!

You are wrong sir! My truck is crap and I knew it when I bought it. I bought it to give me something to bitch about.
lol
But seriously, the non Bose sound is horrible and I'm pretty sure they tuned it that way. There is no way it wasn't on purpose. How else could even talk radio sound so bad I ask you or any reasonable thinking person.
No really, it is that bad. lol
And don't get me started on the headlamps, halogen bulbs! What is this 1990?!

 

non Bose sound is horrible

I should have ordered Bose....

 

Thank you Mad German, for appreciating what you have, extremely refreshing. Having said that I want to get my major bitch out of the way….NO TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK! Okay, I’m done. I also know people that will buy a 2500 HD 4X4 with a big block gas engine and complain that it rides rough and gets terrible mileage. Off road packages are for just that…. good off road performance. Xwd, I think that is your point, purpose made vehicles driven for a different purpose. I don’t do a lot of off road driving anymore so I bought a Denali. It rides very nice on the road and I’m sure it will be capable of more than anything I ask of it off of the pavement. I do have a bit of a problem with owning a truck that is smarter than I am. Yesterday when I backed into the driveway the DIC told me the model of my phone and that the battery was low. I realized that it wasn’t in my pocket and that…. hell, I wasn’t sure where it was!

 

I bought a used '18 ZR2 a couple weeks ago, love it. Just wish it has push button start/stop.

 

The problem is vehicles today are targeted at a large number of people. They have to be as most vehicle to sell at an affordable price needs well north of six figure sales.

So the more people you target the more you sell but more complaints you get.

Most options are cheap so it is easier to sell a vehicle with more features vs with less.

I love my truck but there are things I would change but I am not complaining as I get it.
if you are making everyone happy you may not be selling enough vehicles.

Also reviews are just opinions and like other things everyone has one.

All that matters is are you happy with most of what you have and that is all that matters.

 

What people that don't understand or can't agree is this 2nd version of the Colorado/Canyon came about in the early 2010's time and there were only 2 mid-size trucks (Tacoma and Frontier) on the market at that time. The Colorado and Canyon had to meet more broader customers than the two Japanese trucks in that GM has a much larger fleet and commercial customers than those other two brands and the market wasn't as large and GM also sold the Gen 1 versions and bankruptcy came around for GM and come '17 GM flipped the outsiders with dual locking axles, an available diesel engine and brand new shocks using technology that had never been used for off-road. Newer mid-size trucks came out later and that's were the majority of complaints come from as they have more modern features.

Were we really need to look is the future 3rd generation, they had big ideals of changing the platform to the T1 (Silvereado/Sierra) platform, but that didn't suit the budget. I can promise you that GM Insiders that work on the 3rd generation have been listening very well and bringing more than just an update to the 2nd gen version. Are we ever going to get a perfect truck to suit everyone here. Not a chance as it's not really possible but this will give a chance to see if GM has heard our complaints and made the changes the majority wants. Right now we can only cross our fingers, but we should get to see the 3rd gen models coming off the line by the end of the year.

 

Its been pretty clear so far that of what we have seen of the new trucks they are answering many of the wants.

Many were just held up till the new platform arrived with the new electrical architecture.

To be honest I still feel these trucks are still best in class. The new trucks are still going to be based on this platform just updated and that is not a bad thing.

I know many will pitch a fit over the 4 but it will be ok and many after driving it will find that it will do the job just fine for most buyers. Just with ever tightening government numbers on emissions and MPG the 4 is about the only option they have in this class anymore. Just having to shut off the auto stop every time you start will be a reminder why they cut two cylinders.

 

Excellent post @Mad German !! And nice truck!

 

What about this truck? That's not good.

Maybe return it for a Ford Ranger?

 

I see no issue here. Just turn up the AC and you'll be fine

 

I think most of the complainers are ex-Subaru owners cause the truck did not come with a trophy

 

My truck is a 2018 Z71 crew cab 4WD with a 3.6. I love it. Would there be things I would like changed, sure but it fits my life style. It pulls my travel trailer, hauls my kayaks and hauls just about anything I want to carry. I personally don't care for keyless start, electronic driving aids and my non Bose stereo sounds just fine. I have installed a few things myself that Chevrolet could have done better but that is part of the fun.

 

I have a 21 Z71 and I love it. I'm glad it doesn't have push to start. I added LEDs and the Kicker sub under the back seat. The only thing I really wish my truck has is leather seats. If I was doing it again I would order a truck with leather seats. I bought mine off of the lot and I liked everything else about it.

I would deftly buy a twin again. The only thing that might steer me towards a full-size is if we want to do longer distance camping trips. A full-size would make for more enjoyable longer distance trips.

 

I agree with nearly all points Mad German and others have made - I knew what I was getting when I bought it, and I still came away happy, with the exception of two things: the stock headlights suck, and the only phones I've found that can fit on the wireless charging pad are too old to have wireless charging. Beyond that, there's a lot to like, especially at the price point.

 

Yeah, the headlights do suck from what I hear...so LED lights is upgrade #1 for me. In terms of the wireless charger, my phone fits, and charges...but then again I'm one of those weird people that specifically looked for the smallest phone they could find!

 

I do enjoy a good rant.🍻

 

Just one correction, its not a mid $40k truck... its a $25K with $15-20k of options installed. They were all assembled using many of the same parts as the 25K 2WD white work truck with the 4cyl engine. Once you set that as the expectation everything seems just fine.

I have no complaints about my truck, are there things GM could have done better, yes. Are they better in a Sierra - probably. Did I want to drop another $25K on a truck to get that, no. This thing fits in my driveway, navigates the roads at the deer lease, tows my SxS, and is generally good on a road trip.

 

I sure hope GM worked out their RFID keyless entry/start issues before they put it in the Twins. It's not a feature I cared about, but it came in my new T1 Silverado. New fob battery, fob in my pants pocket, just jeans, about half the time the truck incorrectly believes I've left the key fob in the truck, and so it honks three times quickly. There's also a setting to turn OFF that notification, which the system doesn't respect. The thing needs a software engineer.

I was fine with a key and a remote. Push-button start is stupid. Now I have to hold down the button for 5 seconds so I can listen to the radio for more than 10 minutes with the engine off. And that turns all accessories ON. Sometimes I have to push the button twice to get the engine to shut off. And, there's a feature that automatically shuts the truck off after 30 minutes of idle. Not that I ever idle that long, but I could see a use case where someone would want it to run longer than 30 minutes. This is now something that can be disabled by request via dealer....unfortunately some people discovered this feature the hard way.

TL;DR.... I don't need no stinkin' RFID push-button crap in my vehicles.

 

I’ve had my ‘21 Colorado ZR2 for 9 months and love it. I see complaints from reviewers/owners about the interior, gauges, navigation, audio system, fuel economy, etc. And I just don’t get it. Did you not research and test drive the truck before you bought it?
Interior:
This is an off road truck. It’s going to get dirty. The interior hard surfaces are way easier to maintain & clean than soft touch materials. They get dirty? Spray them with 409, wipe and they come clean. Easy. The layout is great. Looks fine to me. I have other vehicles with more soft touch interiors (dashes, door panels, etc.) and they are a PITA to keep clean. Dust seems to stick like glue to them.
Gauges:
The gauges show speed, rpm, temperature, fuel, and MANY other data points in the DIC. What else do you need? It doesn’t have to look like a video game, for crying out loud. Are you that nit picky? What other info do you need?
Navigation:
You type in a location and it guides you there. Works just fine. Do you need more hand holding to get you to your destination? Same comments regarding it looking like a video game.
Audio system:
The Bose is great. Sounds good to me. It’s bass heavy, so I turned the bass down a bit and increased the mid & high slightly. Sounds great when listening to all types of music as well as the news & audiobooks.
Fuel economy:
It could be a little better, but for a 4700# brick, it’s ok. I get over 20 on the hwy and ~20 in a mix of city/hwy. Sure, some full size trucks get better, and I’m all for better mpg. But didn’t you see the numbers on the sticker? If you're heavy on the gas pedal, you're gonna pay. It is what it is. You knew this going in.
Storage:
I would like a few more nooks to store stuff, but how much stuff do you really need to carry with you all the time? A $10 console tray makes a big difference. The door pockets could've been done better, for sure. There's ample storage under the rear seats (in a CC).

There are WAY too many things that I love about this truck that they make up for the very few negatives. Keep in mind, this truck is a mid $40K truck. Not exactly cheap, but not a mortgage either. If it had everything that the reviewers (the so called automotive journalists) and the "complainers" wanted, it’d cost a lot more. And then they'd be complaining about the price!
Putting my flame suit on for the hater replies, haha!
View attachment 425349 View attachment 425350 View attachment 425351

I found myself laughing as I read this... Mostly because I could totally see myself saying most everything said.

 

Ya'll can complain all you want...I am just glad I don't have the auto start/stop option. That drives me crazy and probably would not have bought it. Would love to do away with the auto V4 mode also.
But all else, these mid sized trucks are pretty well equipped. In my opinion of course.

 

Ya'll can complain all you want...I am just glad I don't have the auto start/stop option. That drives me crazy and probably would not have bought it. Would love to do away with the auto V4 mode also.
But all else, these mid sized trucks are pretty well equipped. In my opinion of course.

I think you mis read? we want push button start. I don't think anyone wants start/stop.

 

[Elwood Blues and Jake Blues has a fight over the Colorado that Elwood Blues got after he traded away the original bluesmobile for a microphone]
Elwood: You don't like it?
Jake: No I don't like it...
[Elwood Blues floors the pedal and jumps over an open drawbridge]
Jake: Car’s got a lot of pickup.
Elwood: It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?
[a brief thinking pause while Jake attempts to light a cigarette]
Jake: Fix the cigarette lighter.