2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2

Episode 3649
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

Ever since Ford’s Raptor burst onto the truck scene; we, as well as the Chevy truck faithful, have been waiting for a bowtie response.  Well, we’ve finally got one, but it’s not the full-size Silverado that we expected. so, let’s find out if the mid-size Colorado ZR2 is able to do more with a smaller footprint.

For 2017, Chevrolet does indeed have something aimed directly at insatiable off roaders, the Colorado ZR2.  We’ve seen the ZR2 badge before of course; on S-10 pickups and Blazers, and even on the ahem… Chevrolet Tracker in the 1990’s.  But it now seems to have much more meaning adorning this purpose-built rig. 

Standard powertrain is a 308-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 with 275 lb-ft. of torque coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission.  The Colorado’s base 2.5-liter I4 is not available, but the 2.8-liter Duramax I4 turbo-diesel is; outputting 186-horsepower and a stout 369 lb-ft. of torque. It comes with a 6-speed automatic.  4-wheel-drive is, of course, is standard on all.  

We spent some time burning and breathing both gasoline and diesel fumes out in the dirt near Grand Junction, Colorado. We had plenty of fun with both, but wouldn’t complain if GM snuck some more power into future versions of the ZR2; along with quicker responsive from the transmission. 

The list of included off-road goodies is a long one, including electronic locking diffs front and rear, rocker protection, upgraded control arms, Autotrac transfer case, 3.42 rear axle, off-road programming for Stabilitrak, and 17-inch aluminum wheels with 31-inch Good Year Wrangler DuraTrac All-Terrains. 

Suspension gets a modest 2.0-inch lift; but the biggest deal here is the Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve dampers, which are similar to those found in the Camaro Z/28.  Chevrolet says this is the first such technology in an off road truck. 

And we can attest it allows the ZR2 to literally glide over obstacles both big and small, as well as land softly after getting big air like a Trophy truck; all while you feel totally in control.

There’s nothing else quiet like it; sure you could throw Toyota’s full TRD catalog at a Tacoma and get close, but you’d pay a lot more and the ride quality would be a deal breaker.

Chevrolet went the sedate route as far as styling the exterior, no flashy brotastic graphics like the original Raptor; just minimal ZR2 lettering on the bed.  But it’s certainly more than your typical Colorado. There’s the distinctive power dome hood, and both front and rear are redone to handle steep terrain.

The stance is noticeable wider too, with plenty of skid plate protection added underneath.  Both crew and extended cabs are available, as are both short and long beds; a spray-in bedliner is standard. 

A trailering package with integrated brake controller is also included, though due to all of the off-road upgrades, towing capacity is limited to 5,000-lbs.

Not much visual change inside, which is a good thing if, like us, you appreciate the Colorado’s upscale, highly functional and quiet space; a bad thing if you’re looking for something a little flashier to show off to your friends or bare-bones rugged. 

Much like the latest Raptor, the on road experience is surprisingly pleasant.  The ZR2 is not floaty at all; as those high-dollar dampers allow for quick turn-ins and keep cornering relatively flat.  Road noise from the tires is fairly subdued too. 

While not exactly a direct competitor to the Raptor; as far as the total package goes, the ZR2’s “just right” size makes it a much more satisfying option for daily use, as well as easier to navigate in tight trails, though it certainly doesn’t have the Raptor’s monster motor under the hood. 

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 16-City, 18-Highway, 17-Combined for gas, and 19-City, 22-Highway, 20-Combined for the Diesel  which has the better Energy Impact Score at 19.1-barrels of annual oil consumption, with 8.4 tons of CO2 emissions. 

Pricing starts at $40,995 for Extended Cab and $42,620 for Crew Cab; add another $3,500 for the diesel.  You could spend much less on a Colorado 4X4, but why would you? This beast of a bargain is now our top Colorado choice, at least until the price goes up!

The 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is truly a do-anything truck; from rock crawling, to bombing across desert 2-track, to hauling your toys, taking the family on adventures, and even getting you to work on time every day in comfort; all while feeling like some crazy off-road Camaro. Well, done GM. 

Specifications

  • Engine: 2.8-liter Duramax I4 turbo-diesel
  • Horsepower: 186
  • Torque: 369 lb-ft.
  • EPA: 19 mpg city / 22 mpg highway
  • Energy Impact: 19.1 barrels of oil/yr
  • CO2 Emissions: 8.4 tons/yr
Honda Prologue Reinvigorates Brand’s Electric Efforts

2024 Honda Prologue

Honda Shows Up Late To EV Party, Brings Best Appetizer

Episode 4329
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

Except for some very limited run vehicles over the years, Honda has largely been sitting out the EV revolution. But that all changes now their first high volume effort, the Prologue. So, let’s find out if it is indeed the start of a great run for Honda.

The 2024 Honda Prologue is not only the brand’s first serious battery electric effort, but it’s also a substantial midsize five-passenger SUV, coming in about 3-inches longer than the internal combustion Passport. Though it’s worth noting, they got here with the help of General Motors and their Ultium EV platform.

So, Honda came to play, both with ultra-competitive pricing and segment leading 296 miles of range. That’s with the standard single-motor front-wheel drive EX rated for 212 horsepower, but top Elite doesn’t sacrifice all that much, coming in at 273 miles. The additional rear motor raises total output to 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft torque.

2024 Honda Prologue 4
2024 Honda Prologue 2
2024 Honda Prologue 3
2024 Honda Prologue 1
2024 Honda Prologue 5
2024 Honda Prologue 42024 Honda Prologue 22024 Honda Prologue 32024 Honda Prologue 12024 Honda Prologue 5

Relatively low output numbers in the EV game, but the Elite’s all-wheel drive setup delivered plenty enough acceleration to get our blood pumping during some early and very wet drive time through the recent historic downpours in Northern California.

And while Honda did get here with the help of GM and their Ultium chassis, the multi-link suspension bolted to it has been optimized by Honda for a “dynamic driving experience.” It was indeed plenty of fun to drive, nimble for its size with responsive steering, though we were also happy to find it comfortable and safe feeling in those weather conditions. It also has great visibility and a very natural feel to it that quickly has you forgetting you’re in an EV.

Comprehensive drive modes address just about every aspect of the driving experience, from power delivery to steering response and even braking power; but also changes things up inside with lighting and displays as well as active sound control.

For now, all Prologues come with an 85-kWh battery that will accept up to 150-kW fast charging for 65 miles of range for every 10 minutes on charge.

It also has great visibility and a very natural feel to it that quickly has you forgetting you’re in an EV.

As we’ve come to expect from Honda, the Prologue’s interior is minimalistic and practical, though not fully simplistic as there is plenty of tech on display, including the very high-mounted 11.3-inch touchscreen display. It has a Google-based operating system built into it like in the latest Accord Touring, and you can still use your Apple Carplay and Android Auto phones, both of which connect wirelessly.

Just below that display is some refreshingly easy to use traditional climate controls, and behind the steering wheel is a hoodless 11-inch tablet-style gauge display. Honda worked with Bose to develop an EV-specific sound system with 12 speakers. The standard EX’s system works with six speakers.

Being an EV means more space inside for both front and rear passengers than a vehicle built around a conventional drivetrain. Though with a substantial dual-level center console it doesn’t have the open floorplan of some EVs. The top layer of that console houses dedicated cell phone storage, mega-sized cupholders and Honda’s first use of a pocket-type wireless phone charger, which is standard. There’s space in back for 23.7 cubic-feet of cargo; 54.5 cubic-feet with the 60/40 split rear seatbacks folded; plus, more space under the cargo floor.

2024 Honda Prologue 6
2024 Honda Prologue 10
2024 Honda Prologue 8
2024 Honda Prologue 7
2024 Honda Prologue 9
2024 Honda Prologue 62024 Honda Prologue 102024 Honda Prologue 82024 Honda Prologue 72024 Honda Prologue 9

And while length and ground clearance are in the ballpark with the Passport, the Prologue’s wheelbase is nearly a foot longer, and it sits much lower, with a design theme that Honda calls “neo-rugged.” Its slick shape and smooth body panels are clearly designed for enhancing aerodynamics, yet the overall design doesn’t necessarily shout it from the rooftops. Aero-optimized 19-inch wheels are standard, with Elite rolling on 21s, a first for Honda. Roof rails, panoramic roof, and power liftgate are standard on all but the base EX.
With the launch of this new generation of Honda comes new badging that looks to the past with throwback-looking Honda script now spelled out across the back. The Prologue and future Honda EVs also get a new “e” series logo.

Comprehensive Honda Sensing safety features are included on most Prologues, with just rear pedestrian alert and a Surround Vision camera system reserved for Elite.

Pricing starts, before incentives, at just $48,795 for a front-wheel-drive EX, top Elite comes with all-wheel drive and starts at $59,295.

Like most brands, Honda has big plans to deliver a full array of battery electrics in the near future, making significant investments here in the U.S. to make it happen. It may have taken a little help from General Motors to get them started, but Honda is in the EV game for real now, and it arrives at a great time when competition in the midsize SUV EV ranks is getting serious. So, the 2024 Honda Prologue does indeed look like the start of something special for Honda, and for all of us.

Specifications

As Tested

  • Motor Setup: Dual Motor
  • Horsepower: 288
  • Range: 273 miles
  • Battery Size: 85-kWh
  • Torque: 333 lb-ft
  • Peak Charging Rate: 150-kW
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Roebling

2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse

Not Just a One-Trick Pony

Episode 4328
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

The Mustang name alone is about as nostalgic as it gets, but it seems like whenever Ford ups Mustang’s performance ante, they double down with throwback names like “Boss” and “Mach 1.” But now they’ve actually come up with something all-new for the seventh-gen pony car. It’s the Mustang Dark Horse… and around the race track, it’s anything but stealthy!

Recently, MotorWeek awarded the all-new, seventh generation Ford Mustang with two top honors in our Drivers’ Choice Awards: “Best Sport Coupe” and, even more impressive, our 2024 “Best of the Year.” There are lots of reasons for that ultimate decision, from the modernized take on the iconic profile, to Ford’s unwavering support of the V8 engine and manual transmission. but another reason is this, the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse, the first new Mustang livery in decades.

Bred as the next evolution of Mustang performance, the Dark Horse takes that pony car formula and really kicks it up a notch. It roars to life with Ford’s fourth-gen 5.0-liter, naturally-aspirated “Coyote” V8, cranked up to 500 horsepower–14 ponies more than a GT with active exhaust which is, by the way, standard here. This modern “five-oh” cranks out 418 lb-ft of torque, sent to the rear wheels through your choice of transmission: six-speed manual or, in our case, 10-speed automatic. Note that six-speed is the same Tremec used in the last Shelby GT350 and Mustang Mach 1, an upgrade from the GT’s MT-82.

2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 3/4 Front
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Grill
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Hood Decal
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Profile
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 3/4 Rear
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Rear Detail
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Wheel
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Hood Graphic
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Badge
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Splitter
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 3/4 Front2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Grill2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Hood Decal2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Profile2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 3/4 Rear2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Rear Detail2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Wheel2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Hood Graphic2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Badge2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Splitter

On track, our drivers certainly would have preferred the six-speed, as the 10-speed felt more reactive than proactive, with automatic downshifts rather unaggressive. Manual mode using wheel mounted paddle shifters does improve things, allowing us to find better footing through all nine corners of Roebling Road Raceway.

However, for acceleration runs, there’s no doubt about it: this 10-speed rips! After a few trips to warm up the tires, we caught grip for a 0-to-60 time of 4.3-seconds. We have no doubt sub-4.0 seconds with this 10-speed is doable in ideal conditions.

But, the 40-degree air temps didn’t slow us down too much, racing down Roebling’s front straight to hit a 12.7-second quarter-mile at 117 miles-per-hour. Talk about warming us up!

And the day’s fun didn’t stop as we wrung out this 5.0-liter V8 to its 7500 rpm redline. Like Coyotes that came before, the Dark Horse’s V8 loves to rev, and with an exhaust note like this you’ll be compelled to oblige. We managed to hit 147 miles-per-hour before pulling back the reins: six-piston front Brembos that made easy work of hard stops. Joined by four-piston calipers clamping on the rear discs, these brakes were remarkable.

We enjoyed interrogating them lap after lap, but it took a lot for the Dark Horse tires to squeal: grippy Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS rubber; 305’s in front and 315’s in back, both wrapping 19-inch wheels. Those wheels and tires are part of the available Handling pack, as are adjustable top strut mounts and revised chassis tuning. This $5,000 upgrade also adds the performance rear spoiler and Gurney flap– low enough to not limit visibility, but big enough to show you mean business.

And on the topic of appearance, the Dark Horse, despite the name, will stand out from your neighbor’s fresh-off-the-line GT. Available only as a coupe, it wears bespoke “Dark Horse” badging and graphics. The front end is almost evil with large nostrils sending air directly to the dual intakes, bookended by the seventh-gen’s tri-bar headlights. Opting for a bright color will show all these blacked-out elements even more, but we think it’s rather appropriate in this Blue Ember Metallic paint, reserved for Dark Horse Premiums.

2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Dashboard
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Center Display
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Shifter
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Backseat
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Engine
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Dashboard2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Center Display2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Shifter2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Backseat2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Engine

The interior isn’t too far removed from the GT Premium. All models come with two large displays, a 12.4-inch instrument panel and a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, mounted in one continuous housing. The Deep Indigo cloth seats can be swapped for these leather-trimmed RECAROs; quite comfortable on the street and very supportive on the track.

And although that’s where this machine truly shines, the Dark Horse is perfectly capable of gallivanting you around town too, as the standard MagneRide adaptive suspension means great handling in both scenarios.

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are on-par with a GT running on Regular, 14 city, 22 highway and 17 combined.

The Mustang Dark Horse pricing starts at $61,080, stepping up to $65,075 for a Dark Horse Premium. Add all the bells and whistles, and you can easily exceed $70,000.

But that still smacks us as a supercar-style bargain. So, is Dark Horse worthy of a permanent slot on Ford’s high-performance mantle? Or, does it simply live in the shadow of 60 years of Mustang greats?

Well, its name is “Dark Horse.” That’s far from “Black Sheep.” It’s loud, proud, and does everything a 5.0-liter Mustang should, and a lot more. So, our answer is undeniably… yes!

Specifications

As Tested

  • Engine: 5.0-liter NA V8
  • Horsepower: 500
  • 0-60 mph: 4.3 seconds
  • EPA: 14 City | 22 Highway | 17 Combined
  • Transmission: 10-speed automatic
  • Torque: 418 lb-ft.
  • 1/4 Mile: 12.7 seconds at 117 mph
  • Starting Price: $61,080