The 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 high-performance, off-road midsize pickup truck will have a starting MSRP of $40,995 in the U.S., and a $940 destination charge, when it launches this spring.

For the sake of comparison, the director competitor to the Colorado ZR2 — the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro — starts at $41,920 with a six-speed manual transmission and $43,920 with a six-speed automatic; both figures include a $960 destination fee. As such, the Colorado ZR2 starts at over $2,500 less than the Tacoma.

“ZR2 is truly a segment of one and does everything well — from traversing heavy two-track trails to high-speed desert running and full-on rock crawling. We’re thrilled to be able to offer it for more than $2,500 less than the next closest comparable vehicles. Taken in the context of serious off-roading, $2,000 will buy you 50 years of annual passes to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah,” said Sandor Piszar, Chevrolet Trucks marketing director.

Meanwhile, the Ford F-150 Raptor — which is a size class bigger and more powerful than the Colorado — has a stating MSRP of $48,860 and can be specced out to be as much as $26,000 more than the Colorado ZR2.

The standard engine on the Colorado ZR2 is GM’s 3.6L DI DOHC V-6 LGZ engine making a class-leading 308 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque parked to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2.8L Duramax Turbo-Diesel LWN engine is optional; the oil burner is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, with the duo making 186 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The ZR2 is available only as a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The starting MSRP includes various key standard features unique to the ZR2 trim level, including:

Class-exclusive front and rear locking electronic differentials

Revolutionary, segment-exclusive Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSVTM) dampers

Off-road rocker protection

Modified front and rear bumpers for better off-road obstacle clearance

Exclusive ZR2 17 x 8-inch aluminum alloy wheels

31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac off-road tires

New cast-iron control arms

An aluminum skidplate that protects the radiator and engine oil pan

Autotrac transfer case

Transfer case shield

Aggressive grille and hood combo unique to ZR2

Modified rear axle with a 3.42 ratio

Front and rear tracks widened 3.5 inches over a standard Colorado

Suspension lifted 2 inches over a standard Colorado

Off-Road Mode Technology

4-wheel disc brakes

“When you buy a ZR2 at the starting price of $40,995, you are getting all of the significant off-road technologies standard with the vehicle, as well as an eight-speed automatic transmission and a wealth of other features at no additional cost”, said Piszar.

Other standard features include:

Tow/haul mode

Trailering Package, including trailer hitch and 7-pin connector

Integrated trailer brake controller

Spray-on bedliner

Heated driver and passenger front seats

Wireless phone charging

Rear sliding window

EZ Lift and Lower tailgate

Locking tailgate

Recovery hooks

Six-speaker audio system with Chevrolet MyLink Radio with Navigation and 8-inch diagonal color touchscreen AM/FM stereo with seek-and-scan and digital clock Bluetooth streaming audio for music and select phones Voice-activated technology for radio and phone featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability Auxiliary jack

All-terrain spare tire with unique ZR2 wheel

Four USB ports: one on the instrument panel, one in the center console and two in the rear of the center console

Electronic automatic cruise control

Rear window electric defogger

OnStar 4G LTE with built-in Wi-Fi

Rear Vision Camera

Remote keyless entry

Remote vehicle starter system

4-way power front driver and passenger seat adjuster with power driver lumbar control

Rear seats with underseat storage

Available options on the 2017 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 will include:

Choice of crew- or extended cab configurations (including short and long beds, respectively)

7-speaker Bose premium audio system

Dealer-installed, bed-mounted spare tire carrier

Full-length black vinyl floor (no additional cost — standard interior features leather seats and carpet)

See more on the 2017 Colorado ZR2: