New Atlas Discovers there is a lot to Love about the ZR2 Bison
Colorado ZR2 Bison is a ‘wonderfully designed off-road powerhouse,’ says New Atlas.
The Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison builds on the off-road capability of the ZR2 package to create a versatile machine that will please anyone who plucks down the cash to drive one home. That’s the conclusion reached by Aaron Turpen over at New Atlas. Turpen had the opportunity to sample a crew cab Bison equipped with the 2.8 liter Duramax and he came away impressed with how the truck handled itself off-road in the wilderness of Wyoming.
His review covers the modifications that separate the Bison from the standard ZR2. And he also goes into detail about the exact figures that make the Bison able to tackle such difficult terrain. You won’t find any impressions of the Colorado’s infotainment system or on-road handling abilities in his review because that’s not the point. Instead, Turpen focuses on what makes the Bison such a great off-road vehicle.
Turpen starts off the review by focusing on what buyers need to know if they’re interested in the Bison. He points out all the major differences between a Bison and a ZR2. Boron steel skid plates supplied by American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) cover the transmission, fuel tank, transfer case, and both differentials. The Bison also gets boron steel bumpers and wheels, along with some cosmetic upgrades like unique interior stitching and a trim-specific front grille, which can be seen above. Turpen notes that these additions build on the ZR2’s 31 inch tires and front and rear locking differentials, which makes the ZR2 and Bison the only Chevy trucks with dual locking diffs.
He points out why a truck buyer might want something like the Bison. The main reason is the AEV bumpers and skid plates, which are designed to resist gouging and are strong enough to bend back into shape after hitting a rock or other tough obstacle. Turpen also points out that only about 400 pounds separate a diesel Bison from a gasoline ZR2.
Taking the Bison off-road
Turpen then discusses how the Bison performed on a local hill. His test allowed the Bison to flex its muscles, but it did come up short in one area.
“Going down the hill, the Bison “ass-smacked” a few times because of its less aggressive departure angle in the back, but otherwise had no problem getting down the rocks. Going up? Not so much. Its lack of breakover clearance meant it couldn’t get over those same rocks. The Gladiator Rubicon, we’ve since learned, also has a similar breakover issue on that same hill. It’s a matter of wheelbase and clearance.”
For the Bison, it’s basically a numbers game. The Chevy has a breakover angle of 23.5 degrees, which is substantially shorter than the Wrangler’s 37 degree figure. Ground clearance also comes up short compared to the Jeep, with the Bison boasting 9 inches of clearance while the Wrangler has 10.8 inches available. The Gladiator is the more apt comparison though, and Turpen helpfully points out that the Gladiator has 20.3 degree breakover clearance, substantially shorter than the Bison. The Gladiator does have 2 more inches of ground clearance, but there are other reasons the Bison presents a more compelling option for mid-size truck buyers.
The Bison was not able to get up the hills that Turpen originally descended, but for him that’s not a huge concern. Turpen still finds the Chevy to be a desirable truck, as the Gladiator will generally cost more and currently does not offer any sort of diesel option, while the Ford Raptor is in another category altogether. Ultimately, the Bison’s $43,995 base price tag represents a good value when compared to its rivals.
General Motors modernized the mid-size truck segment when it introduced the current generation Colorado and Canyon into the American market. Turpen’s review is proof positive that the Chevy is as capable as ever.
Photos: Aaron Turpen/New Atlas