If Cars Could Talk, the Bison Would Yell To Drivers to “Send It.”
If there was ever a golden age of pickup trucks, it would be right now. Automakers are investing heavily in off–road–focused variants, offering an unprecedented amount of choice from compact trucks to luxury trucks. And among the most sought–after of these offerings is Chevrolet’s acclaimed Colorado ZR2 Bison.
The new 2023 edition of the Colorado has already hit the market and Chevy has unveiled the latest version of the rugged, high–performance ZR2 – the 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison. This revised, badass version comes stocked with a host of exclusive goodies, courtesy of aftermarket supplier, American Expedition Vehicles, such as protruding fender flares, a full–width steel front bumper with a winch provision, and a rear bumper with steel corner plates.
Drivers will also have more peace of mind on rugged terrain, as the Bison has five skid plates made of Boron steel (while the regular ZR2 has just three aluminum plates) covering the fuel tank and rear differential. Steel rock rails are also standard.
The Bison’s special Goodyear Wrangler tires are sized LT315/70R–17, rounding out to 35 inches, something that‘s bigger than what the other mid–size trucks on the market come with. Ford Ranger Raptor and Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro ride on 33–inchers, same as the regular ZR2. Chevy had to modify the ZR2’s fenders to accommodate the bigger tires, and also had to move the Colorado’s front axle forward by 3.1 inches.
This helped with the truck’s now 66.3 inches of front and rear track width, which are nearly an inch wider than the regular ZR2‘s. The additional height provided by the tires allow the Bison to have a whopping 12.2 inch of ground clearance—1.5 more than the regular ZR2—and its suspension has been retuned to account for the additional weight of the 300–pound–heavier truck.
The Bison’s bump stops also fit the bill in terms of off–road lunacy, consisting of four hydraulic dampers that help absorb hard landings and ensure a smoother ride over rocky terrain.
Other interior features are almost identical to the regular ZR2, save for AEV–branded floor mats and embroidered headrests. Otherwise, it has the same fully digital gauge cluster, 11.3–inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay or Android Auto wireless capabilities.
While the ZR2 Bison is loaded with off–road features, it is also designed to be a comfortable daily driver. It is equipped with a leather–trimmed interior, heated and ventilated seats, and an 8–speaker Bose audio system. Its 4G LTE Wi–Fi hotspot comes with a 3–month/3GB data trial, and wireless phone charging is optional. Additionally, the Bison is offered with several driver assistance features, such as lane–departure warning, forward–collision alert, and rear park assist.
Under the hood is the same 2.7 liter turbocharged four–cylinder, delivering 310 horsepower and 430 lb–ft of torque. Paired with an 8–speed automatic transmission and all–wheel drive, the ZR2 Bison can The ZR2 Bison can tow up to 5500 pounds and has a payload capacity of 1050 pounds, 230 less than the regular ZR2.
Chevy also says the launch mode is automatic optimized for different surfaces like dirt, gravel, or sand, and a full–sized 35–inch spare tire is mounted in the cargo bed at the front of the five–foot–two–inch box.
Currently, the 2024 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison is slated for production in the third quarter, with orders being opened in the fall. Pricing has yet to be announced, but it is likely to break the $60K barrier.
It comes as no surprise then that the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison is one of the most coveted pickups on the market. Long before the dust even had a chance to settle from the initial rollout, Chevrolet is already looking to rev up the truck game with this monstrousfully–equipped mid–size beast.
No matter if you want to take the Colorado ZR2 Bison off–roading, or just want a capable, comfortable mid–size truck for everyday use, it certainly delivers. The robust suspension and aggressive tires help you tackle any type of terrain with confidence, and the aggressive exterior styling and luxurious interior make it a joy to drive.
