17 MPG combined. The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 doesn’t win any fuel economy contests, but if you’re considering this truck, you likely already know that. This isn’t a commuter vehicle, it’s a purpose-built off-road machine engineered for dominating trails, rock crawling, and high-speed desert runs. Fuel efficiency is less important than capability in the ZR2’s design, and its buyer base understands and accepts this.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the Colorado ZR2 at 17 MPG in both city and highway driving. These identical figures suggest that the ZR2’s aerodynamics and powertrain calibration are optimized for consistent performance regardless of driving environment. The 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder engine, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, prioritizes low-end torque. This helps with off-road situations, but may not improve highway efficiency versus frequent stop-and-go driving. For ZR2 owners, consistent fuel consumption, regardless of where they’re driving, might be more important than chasing small efficiency gains.

Annual fuel cost

According to the EPA, the estimated annual fuel cost for the 2025 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is $2,600. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using national average fuel prices. Your real-world fuel costs will vary depending on your driving habits, the type of fuel you use, and changes in gasoline prices. The $2,600 estimate provides a standardized benchmark.

Real-world expectations

While the EPA figures offer a baseline, real-world fuel economy for the ZR2 will likely be lower for many owners. This truck wasn’t conceived to drive between home and the office. Owners are more likely to spend time in 4-wheel drive, tackling challenging terrain, and using aftermarket modifications like larger tires, roof racks, or heavy skid plates. These factors will negatively affect fuel economy. Anyone considering the ZR2 should mentally prepare for single-digit MPG figures during dedicated off-road excursions. Highway trips at higher speeds will likely yield results close to the EPA estimate, but acceleration will quickly negate those gains.

How it compares

Comparing the ZR2 to other mid-size trucks highlights its unique positioning. A Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, another off-road focused truck, achieves a combined 18 MPG with its V6 engine, offering a slight edge in fuel economy. The Ford Ranger Raptor achieves 16 MPG combined, which is similar despite having a more powerful engine. Note the Ford only comes in one configuration and buyers have less flexibility in spec’ing their truck, and a buyer shopping for a Colorado ZR2 would likely be drawn to the Chevrolet’s rugged character. If fuel economy is a primary concern, the standard Colorado trims offer much better mileage. You can find COLORADO MPG across all years. Even a fully loaded Silverado with a V8 can sometimes offer comparable MPG, though that would still be a markedly different vehicle. Ultimately, the ZR2 buyer prioritizes off-road performance above all else, making fuel economy a secondary consideration compared to strong suspension, locking differentials, and rock-crawling capability. You may find all Chevrolet fuel economy data on our website.

Tips to maximize efficiency

While the ZR2 isn’t designed for hypermiling, there are a few steps you can take to modestly improve fuel economy. Minimize idling, especially during warm-up. The turbocharged engine benefits from gentle acceleration when cold, avoiding excessive fuel enrichment.

Ensure your tires are properly inflated to the recommended pressure. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and drag down fuel economy. On the ZR2, this is especially important as many owners switch to more aggressive off-road tires. Those tires will always decrease efficiency, but correct inflation minimizes the impact.

Avoid unnecessary weight. Remove any gear or equipment from the bed or cabin that isn’t essential for your current trip. The ZR2 is already a heavy vehicle, and extra weight further reduces fuel economy.

Drive smoothly and anticipate traffic conditions to avoid sudden acceleration and braking. The 2.7L engine delivers plenty of torque at low RPMs, so there’s no real need for aggressive throttle inputs during normal driving.

Service your truck regularly. This includes keeping your air filter clean and changing your oil at the recommended intervals. A well-maintained engine runs more efficiently.