Chevrolet introduced a new Colorado pickup for 2023, giving it revised styling, fresh powertrains, and a better interior than before. For 2024, the automaker is adding a ZR2 Bison variant to the Colorado line. The rugged off-road-oriented pickup gets a host of upgrades to make it better off-pavement, and Chevy says it hired a champion off-road racer to test the truck on the massively popular Rubicon Trail.
Chevy offers the 2024 Silverado ZR2 Bison with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which it shares with the Silverado 1500. Four-wheel drive comes standard, and all ZR2 Bison trucks feature a long list of driver-assistance features. Chevy also teamed up with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) for the build, and the truck gets a load of rugged off-road gear from the company.
Chevy installs a heap of off-road gear from AEV on the ZR2 Bison, including a winch-ready front bumper and revised rear bumper. The automaker reshaped the wheel openings from the standard ZR2 to fit 35-inch tires, and AEV provided the aggressive fender flares. Standard steel rock rails protect the truck’s sides from damage on hardcore trails, and the Bison’s underbody gets AEV skid plates for even more protection. The changes give the Bison a 1.5-inch lift over the standard ZR2, and the truck features a wider track than its less focused counterpart.
The 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison builds on the standard ZR2 with AEV-embroidered headrests and AEV floor mats. Cloth upholstery comes standard, but Chevy offers upgrades, and power seats are onboard by default. Other standard features include heated front seats, folding second-row seats, and steering wheel controls.
The Colorado ZR2 Bison has the same turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that powers some Silverado 1500 models. It makes 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, which reaches all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission, 2-speed transfer case, and front/rear power-locking differentials. The truck gets Multimatic DSSV dampers and “Jounce Control Dampers,” which help soak up big impacts from jumps and rugged terrain.
Ground clearance measures 12.2 inches—a full 1.5 inches greater than the regular-issue ZR2. Though the AEV bumpers cut into the approach and departure angles a bit, the Bison still delivers a respectable 38.2-degree approach angle, a 26-degree departure angle, and a 26.9-degree breakover angle. Despite its heady off-road capabilities, the Bison is still a truck and delivers the “truck stuff” as it should. Towing maxes out at 5,500 pounds, and payload reaches 1,050 pounds.
The all-new 2023 Colorado got a safety upgrade with more standard features. The list includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. While the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hasn’t yet rated the new truck’s crashworthiness, one can expect it to improve upon the mixed results of its predecessor.
An 8-inch digital gauge cluster comes standard on the ZR2 Bison, along with an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The system brings wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth connectivity, and six speakers. Chevy’s infotainment software is one of the easier systems to use and makes interacting with the truck less distracting while driving. That said, the automaker moved some physical controls into the touchscreen, such as the headlight controls, which some may find confusing at first.
The Colorado ZR2 Bison has a surprising number of rivals, with 2023 and 2024 being exciting years in the midsize pickup market. Ford recently introduced the new 2024 Ranger and off-road Ranger Raptor, which gets more horsepower but the same torque rating. The 2024 Tacoma is all-new, and it will come in several TRD-tuned off-road variants and a new Trailhunter overlanding trim. Finally, the Colorado’s twin, the GMC Canyon, is also all-new for 2023, and a beefy AT4X off-road version is coming soon.
Chevrolet is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of June 1, 2023, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
Chris Teague is an experienced writer in the automotive and technology fields. In addition to JDPower.com, his work appears at Forbes, The Drive, Your Test Driver, and others.
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