In my review of the non-Bisonized ZR2, I wrote, "You can sort of think of the ZR2 as a less intense, junior-ized version of the Ford Raptor or the Chevy Silverado Z71."
And I added: "Not that it isn't intense on its own. I think the smaller size and sportier demeanor would quite a lot of fun to take to the desert, maybe more so than bigger and far more powerful high-test pickups."
The ZR2 Bison is the midsize equal of the Raptor — a sort of Raptor junior, with the most extreme offroad market for midsizes to itself until Ford brings out a Raptoradelic version of the new Ranger.
Obviously, I didn't rock-crawl or even get off the pavement in my tester pickup, so I have to give the folks at AEV the benefit of the doubt and suggest that their mods would serve ZR2 owners well.
So how does the ZR2 Bison function for more mundane duty?
Like the Raptor, it handles freeway cruising and errand-running quite well. Climbing in and out is a pain, and the MPGs are woeful, but you have excellent small pickup versatility to go along with the offroading cred — and the ZR2 comes with enough creature comforts to take the edge off the truck's rougher demeanor.
The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, a major ZR2 and ZR2 Bison rival, can't give you this. The Taco is a challenging truck to live with when you aren't busting through uncharted territory. Awesome, to be sure, but also uncompromising.
That's a good thing for ZR2 owners. But what about ZR2 Bison folks?
Well, comfort is an added perk. But then again, people who drop the $6,000 extra are likely to spend more time offroad in their ZR2 than on pavement. If you're trying to make a choice, be real: the ZR2 is plenty of truck for folks with day jobs that don't entail daily dirt and jagged rocks.
The bottom line is that right now, Chevy and Toyota offer the most comprehensive lineups of midsize pickups. And in Chevy's case, the brand has really taken the lead in reviving the segment. If you're a serious offroader and you thought Toyota was the only small pickup in town, I've got news for you: the bowtie brand can loosen up and take to the trails — and then some.