In case you hadn't noticed, Americans love their trucks—large trucks, in particular. Indeed, it's one of the few remaining market segments in which the Detroit Three automakers still dominate. Along with the Ford F-150 and the Ram 1500, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is among America's best-selling large light-duty pickup models.
Photo: Jeff Youngs
Following a significant refresh for the 2022 model year, including the debut of the ZR2 off-road variant, updates to the 2023 Silverado were minimal. The ZR2 Bison Edition debuted with some hard-core off-road features, the Duramax 3.0-liter turbodiesel received a power boost, and three new paint colors became available.
For 2024, Chevrolet gives the Silverado another round of changes:
Last but not least, the 2024 model year also sees the debut of the new Silverado EV all-electric pickup truck. But that's a different story.
Like other full-size trucks, the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 half-ton pickup comes in various configurations. Cab sizes include regular, extended (Chevy calls it a Double Cab), and crew. Pickup bed lengths include short, standard, and long.
Regarding powertrains, the 2024 Silverado 1500 is available in either rear-wheel drive (2WD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD). Gas engines range from a 310-horsepower, turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder to a 420-hp 6.2-liter V8. A 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel is also available, providing 495 pound-feet of torque and capable of towing up to 13,300 pounds with 2WD. All 2024 Silverado 1500 engines use an eight-speed or ten-speed automatic transmission.
For the 2024 model year, the Silverado 1500 pickup is available in no fewer than nine trim levels, with several geared toward off-roading. They include WT, Custom, LT, RST, Custom Trail Boss, LTZ, LT Trail Boss, High Country, and ZR2. A handful of special editions are also available, including the off-road-oriented ZR2 Bison Edition.
Previously, JD Power reviewed the updated 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. This review focuses on the ZR2 Bison Edition and how it potentially impacts the Silverado 1500's overall consumer appeal.
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 competes in the Large Light Duty Truck market segment. According to data collected from verified new-vehicle buyers for the JD Power 2023 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners rated their trucks in 10 primary categories.
Listed below in descending order, you'll find their preferences, from what they like most about the Silverado 1500 to what they like least:
In the 2023 APEAL Study, the Silverado 1500 ranks fourth out of six Large Light Duty Truck models.
In the following sections, our independent expert analyzes a 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab ZR2 4WD equipped with the following options:
The ZR2 Bison Edition package includes a bevy of off-road goodies co-developed with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), detailed below. Highlights of the Technology package include a rearview camera mirror, a 15-inch head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel.
The test vehicle's price was $85,250, including the $1,995 destination charge to ship the truck from the Silao, Guanajuato, Mexico, assembly plant to your local dealership.
Photo: Jeff Youngs
More and more, owners are using their trucks for work and play. Acknowledging this trend, automakers continue to roll out specialized versions of their trucks—some catering to on-road performance while others are more dedicated to off-pavement adventures. A small handful provide enhanced performance both on- and off-road.
In recent years, Ford has brought the F-150 Tremor and Raptor to market. At the same time, Ram launched the Rebel, Power Wagon, and TRX variants. Chevy's answer? The Silverado ZR2, which it introduced for the 2022 model year. While it doesn't offer the desert-running capabilities of the F-150 Raptor or the Ram TRX, the ZR2 does enhance the Silverado 1500's off-roading capabilities above and beyond the Trail Boss versions.
The ZR2 sets itself apart from the standard Silverado aesthetically and mechanically. Exterior styling elements include a black hood insert, a unique grille with integrated lighting, and a Chevy "flow-tie" badge that allows air to flow through it, aiding engine cooling. Inside, the ZR2 features a Jet Black/Graystone leather interior with dark trim. Motivation comes from the newly standard 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission.
While those items are a nice touch, most of the goodies that come on the ZR2 are to enhance the truck's off-roading ability. For example, the steel front bumper not only provides extra protection compared to the standard unit but also features a higher approach angle, which helps in more challenging off-road situations. A handful of skid plates help protect the ZR2's underbody components. Front and rear electronic-locking differentials further enhance the truck's abilities.
Suspension upgrades include Multimatic Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) dampers, specially tuned springs, and ZR2-specific 18-inch wheels paired with 33-inch off-road mud-terrain tires.
While the ZR2's upgrades undoubtedly enhance its visual appeal and off-road capabilities above and beyond the Trail Boss versions, the truck still falls short of its competitors' abilities. So, what's an automaker to do? Make it bigger and badder, of course. Enter the ZR2 Bison Edition.
Photo: Jeff Youngs
For the 2023 model year, Chevrolet further enhanced the Silverado's off-road ability by introducing the ZR2 Bison Edition. Developed with aftermarket off-road tuner AEV, the Bison Edition adds a smattering of enhanced off-roading components to take the ZR2's off-road abilities to the next level.
Bison Edition upgrades include AEV front and rear bumpers, five skid plates, 18-inch wheels with a full-size spare, a rocker guard, and floor liners. The ZR2 Bison also includes Chevy's innovative Multi-Flex tailgate, which adjusts six ways to allow for various payload-carrying options. In addition to enhanced off-road abilities, the upgrades combine to make the ZR2 Bison an excellent choice for overlanding, which is becoming more popular.
Due to unique front and rear bumpers, the Bison Edition features slightly higher approach and departure angles than the standard ZR2. The increased angles on the Bison allow for greater off-road capability, effectively creating shorter front and rear overhangs. This is important when traversing rocky terrain. Beyond adding capability, the Bison Edition's AEV components enhance the truck's look and feel.
Photo: Jeff Youngs
Beyond the mechanical and structural improvements, the Bison Edition sets itself apart from the standard-issue ZR2 with a handful of unique exterior and interior aesthetic elements. Many include "AEV" and "Bison" emblems and badges to give the truck an exclusive look.
The truck's exterior has a gloss black grille, a body-color grille bar with integrated lighting, and prominent ZR2 badging. A matte black upper tailgate also sets the Bison apart from the standard ZR2. Additionally, there's a Bison decal on the side of the pickup box, accompanied by AEV decals on the lower tailgate, front license plate holder, and bumpers.
As any car, truck, or SUV enthusiast can surely attest, having the right wheel-and-tire combination on your vehicle is extremely important. The ZR2 Bison doesn't disappoint in this regard. Chevrolet outfits the Silverado Bison with exclusive, gloss black, AEV-branded 18-inch wheels wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires.
On the inside, AEV badging appears on the front headrests and floor liners, adding a touch of exclusivity.
Photo: Jeff Youngs
As with any lifted vehicle, getting in and out can be challenging, even for taller drivers. Indeed, despite being 6 feet 1 inch tall, it took a fair amount of effort to climb into the Bison's driver's seat. Likewise, exiting the cab required extra care to ensure I didn't slip off the narrow rocker guard as I tried to find my footing. Fortunately, it didn't rain during my time with the Bison, which likely would have made the exercise even more challenging.
Once situated in the truck, the Bison offered a roomy, comfortable cabin, as you'd expect from a full-size pickup. The high ground clearance afforded by the larger wheel-and-tire combination also manifested in excellent forward visibility. Even though I'm tall-ish, I tend to raise the seat in any vehicle I drive to its highest setting, whether it's a low-riding sports car or a tall SUV or truck. I simply prefer the commanding view. Indeed, the Bison provided a commanding view.
Despite the truck's intended purpose, I mostly drove the Bison on paved surfaces. After all, even if you buy a truck like this with the intent of going far off the beaten path, you still need to get to that path, which likely means you'll spend 95 percent of your time on a paved road. I also think that many truck buyers simply like the lifted look and are just as concerned with its on-road driving characteristics as its off-road abilities.
Besides some extra road noise from the 33-inch Goodyear off-road tires and a bit of extra body lean around corners courtesy of the truck's higher stance, the ZR2 Bison exhibited commendable on-road driving dynamics. The V8 engine, in particular, provided strong acceleration and a nice exhaust growl. The transmission shifted smoothly and didn't hunt for gears on hills, and braking was effortless despite the vehicle's hefty weight.
During my time with the Bison, I ventured off the beaten path several times to test the truck's off-road capabilities. My first foray off-pavement was on a long, undulating gravel road that wound through a heavily wooded area in central Tennessee. Although I encountered no boulders on this trail, I was impressed with the Bison's solid feel, smooth wheel articulation over bumps and grooves, and the gutsy power delivery from the big 6.2-liter V8.
I also visited a local rock quarry to test the Bison's abilities when tackling larger rocks at lower speeds. Again, I was impressed with the truck's ability to soak up the bumps without excessive head toss. Even with the seat adjusted to its highest setting, I never bumped my head on the ceiling. Just as importantly, I never bottomed out the suspension or scraped any of the skid plates. However, it was reassuring to know they were there.
Regarding fuel economy, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the 2024 Silverado 1500 ZR2 at 15 mpg in combined driving. The observed fuel economy during my evaluation was slightly lower at 14.4 mpg.
Photo: Jeff Youngs
With the ZR2 and even more capable ZR2 Bison Edition, Chevrolet brings the half-ton Silverado 1500 closer to matching the off-road abilities of its nearest competitors from Ford and Ram. Indeed, the ZR2 Bison is a rugged, handsome, and capable truck. With a potent V8, surprisingly docile on-road manners, and competent off-roading ability with a suspension that soaks up ruts and bumps, the ZR2 Bison provides a good mix of on-road comfort and off-road ability.
Jeff Youngs has over 25 years of experience in the auto industry, including 19 years with JD Power in marketing and editorial management roles. He also spent nearly six years as a media relations pro with General Motors. As a freelance automotive journalist, his work has appeared on JDPower.com, CarGurus, Kelley Blue Book, Autotrader, Autolist, and iSeeCars.
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