"For maximum protection of key undercarriage elements while driving over rocky, jagged terrain, Bison features five skid plates covering the engine oil pan, fuel tank, transfer case and front and rear locking differentials," Chevy explained when the new ZR was launched.
"Designed by AEV, these skid plates are constructed of hard, durable hot-stamped Boron steel. AEV-designed stamped steel front and rear bumpers further shield the truck from obstacles. The front bumper contains winch provisions and standard fog lights, with recovery points integrated into the rear bumper."
The upshot here is that while the ZR2 is extremely capable, the ZR2 Bison is capable and then some. If you spend your spare time busting over rocks, climbing hills, and fording rivers — in other words, if you consider pavement something for the weak — then you'll be interested in what the Bison spec has to offer.
Effectively, the ZR2 Bison is a Colorado ZR2 with an armor-plated underside. Hot-stamped Boron steel! That sounds pretty impressive.
The ZR2 also has locking front and rear differentials and some other offroad goodies; the Bison upgrade adds about $6,000 in extras, including some rather stout-looking floor mats.
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.
I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
Catan adds climate change to the latest edition of the world-famous board game
Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
Next Story