Here at the Mid Missouri Powerhouse, we know what matters when it comes to off-road trucks: strength, capability, and dependability. And when you’re heading into the backcountry or winding through Missouri’s rough trails, only one midsize truck proves time and time again that it’s built for the challenge—the 2025 Chevy Colorado ZR2. The Ford Ranger Raptor might try to keep up, but when the terrain gets tough, Chevy consistently rises above. Here’s a breakdown of five key areas where the Colorado ZR2 leaves the competition behind.
1. ZR2 Pulls Ahead in Towing Confidence
Off-road performance is important—but so is the ability to bring your gear with you. The Chevy Colorado ZR2 confidently hauls up to 6,000 pounds, and even with the ZR2 Bison package, you’re still getting up to 5,500 pounds of towing muscle. The Ford Ranger Raptor maxes out at 5,510 pounds.
So whether you’re pulling a small camper, a trailer full of ATVs, or your fishing boat for a weekend getaway, the ZR2 gives you the confidence to tow more—without hesitation.2. Power Is More Than a Number
Yes, the Ranger Raptor has more peak horsepower with its 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, but the Colorado ZR2’s 2.7-liter turbo-four delivers 430 lb-ft of torque—the exact same as the Raptor. And torque is what really counts when you’re climbing rocks, trudging through mud, or muscling your way up steep inclines.
The ZR2’s powertrain is balanced, smooth, and tuned specifically for real-world off-road control—not just flash. Ford’s high-output setup may shine in wide-open spaces, but on the tight, technical trails Missouri drivers face, Chevy’s precision-tuned setup gets the job done better.
3. ZR2 Bison: Built for More Than Just Looks
The ZR2 Bison package, developed in collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), takes the Colorado even further into extreme-terrain territory. With AEV steel skid plates, beadlock-capable wheels, heavy-duty bumpers, 35-inch tires, and a bed-mounted spare, the ZR2 Bison is equipped for trails that other trucks fear to tread.
Ford’s Ranger Raptor comes with some factory off-road equipment, but it doesn’t match the refinement or rugged quality found in Chevy’s Bison setup. It’s not just about looking the part—it’s about delivering when it matters most, and the ZR2 delivers every time.
4. Suspension Designed for Real-World Trails
The Multimatic DSSV dampers on the Colorado ZR2 are widely regarded as some of the best in the business. Combined with a solid rear axle and leaf springs, the ZR2 offers unmatched control and stability on rocky, uneven terrain. When equipped with the Bison package, it achieves 12.2 inches of ground clearance—more than enough to conquer just about anything you’ll find in the Ozarks.
Meanwhile, the Ranger Raptor is tuned more for speed across open ground, with Fox shocks designed for desert racing. But when it comes to technical driving, rock crawling, and maneuvering through tight trails, the ZR2 simply has the edge.
5. Built for Missouri Adventures
Whether you're trekking through Mark Twain National Forest or navigating backroads near the lake, the ZR2 is tuned for the kind of driving Missouri truck owners actually do. With its balanced dimensions, superior trail capability, and thoughtful engineering, the ZR2 isn’t just a midsize truck—it’s a purpose-built machine for serious off-roaders who value control, durability, and smart design.
The Raptor may shout louder, but the ZR2 backs up its toughness with real-world performance, making it the smarter, more capable option in just about every meaningful category.
Final Take: ZR2 Leads, Raptor Follows
In this matchup, there’s really no question who comes out on top. The 2025 Chevy Colorado ZR2 brings a smarter build, more trail capability, better towing strength, and more practical off-road upgrades than the Ford Ranger Raptor. Chevy engineered the ZR2 to dominate not just on paper, but out where it counts—in the dirt, mud, rocks, and trails of Missouri and beyond. Ready to experience it for yourself? Stop by the Mid Missouri Powerhouse today and see firsthand why the ZR2 doesn’t just compete, it conquers.
