2024 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison Returns as Off-Road Multitasker
The redesigned 2023 Chevrolet Colorado debuted last summer with three off-road variants: the Z71, Trail Boss and range-topping ZR2. However, the most off-road-capable version, the ZR2 Bison, was notably absent from the pickup’s menu. Off-road enthusiasts won’t have to wait much longer for the Bison to arrive, though; the new 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison is expected to go on sale later this year with even more capability for a variety of off-pavement endeavors like overlanding or high-speed desert jaunts.
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An Off-Road Concoction Spiked With AEV
According to Chevy, the new ZR2 Bison will be the most off-road capable yet thanks to the automaker’s continued collaboration with off-road parts and accessory manufacturer American Expedition Vehicles. Chevy first partnered with AEV on the 2019 Colorado ZR2 Bison, followed by a collaboration for the full-size Silverado 1500 and Silverado HD’s Bison variants.
The ZR2 Bison comes equipped with AEV components and accessories straight from the factory: It gets modified front fenders with unique fender flares, which are designed to fit the Bison’s supersized tires that now measure 35 inches (for reference, the standard ZR2 comes with 33-inch tires). According to Chevy, the larger tires add more capability on off-road terrain.
For added protection on a variety of terrain, the Bison is once again armored with five AEV boron-steel skid plates to protect its radiator, steering gear, transmission, fuel tank and differential. It also gets winch-capable, stamped-steel front and rear bumpers.
The Bison shares the ZR2’s chassis and off-road-oriented suspension with Multimatic Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve shocks that are designed to balance off-road capability with on-road comfort. The 2024 pickup also gains new standard front and rear Multimatic Jounce Control dampers that are exclusively offered on the Bison for enhanced off-road shock absorption.
Additional items on the Bison’s off-road resume include a factory suspension lift for the highest ground clearance of all the Colorado trims and improved departure and breakover angles over the ZR2 sans the Bison package. The Bison’s 12.2-inch ground clearance adds 1.5 inches over the standard ZR2’s, and its approach, departure and breakover angles measure 38.2, 26 and 26.9 degrees, respectively, compared to the standard ZR2’s 38.6, 25.2 and 24.8 degrees.
Standard Engine Brings Extra Beef
The new ZR2 Bison gets a higher-output variant of the turbocharged 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that powers all Colorado trims: The ZR2 and ZR2 Bison each make 310 horsepower and 430 pounds-feet of torque, while horsepower in lesser trims ranges from 237 to 310 and torque from 260 to 391 pounds-feet. According to Chevy, the ZR2 and ZR2 Bison’s torque is optimized for a variety of off-road tasks like slow rock crawling or high-speed jaunts in the desert. The range-topping pickup gets the Colorado’s standard eight-speed automatic transmission and is once again offered exclusively with four-wheel drive.
Opting for the Bison means making a small sacrifice in the payload and towing departments compared to the standard ZR2: The Bison’s payload and towing capacities max out at 1,050 and 5,500 pounds, respectively. The standard ZR2, meanwhile, has a maximum payload of 1,280 pounds and can tow up to 6,000 pounds. The Colorado’s maximum 7,700-pound towing capacity requires choosing one of the pickup’s lower trims.
Bison Fixins
Visually, the Bison is differentiated with AEV-branded bumpers, skid plates and 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, as well as AEV badging on the tailgate and a decal on the truck bed. Inside, the Bison adds familiar accents like an AEV logo on the front head restraints and AEV-branded all-weather floor liners. A bed-mounted AEV spare tire carrier and spray-on bedliner also come standard on the Bison.
Pricing and Release Date
The 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison is expected to go on sale in Fall 2023, with pricing to be announced closer to its arrival. Currently, the 2023 Colorado ZR2 starts at $48,295 (including the destination charge), and the Colorado’s base WT variant starts at $30,695.
Versus the Competition
When it arrives, the Colorado ZR2 Bison will rival off-road-oriented mid-size pickups including the Jeep Gladiator, Ford Ranger Tremor and the redesigned 2024 Toyota Tacoma’s TRD Pro and all-new Trailhunter variants. While the Tacoma offers two separate adventure-oriented trims — one for high-speed off-roading (TRD Pro) and one for slower-speed overlanding (Trailhunter) — Chevy claims the ZR2 Bison will be able to take on both tasks thanks to recent improvements including the new engine, suspension tweaks and larger tires.
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