Alright, fellow truck enthusiasts and weekend warriors, let’s get real about midsize pickups. In a world where giant full-size trucks seem to get all the glory, Chevy’s Colorado has been quietly, steadily crushing it. And honestly, after spending a full week absolutely punishing the top-tier 2025 Colorado ZR2 Bison, I totally get why it’s so popular.
This isn’t just any Colorado. This is the Bison. Think of it like a standard ZR2 – which is already a beast with its lift kit and rock sliders – but then cranked up to 11. It’s got even more serious off-road gear, courtesy of AEV (American Expedition Vehicles). If you’re serious about getting way, way off the beaten path, this is the truck that wants to take you there.
My goal for the week? See if this truck’s insane looks actually translate into insane capability. And let me tell you, I didn’t hold back. We skipped the Starbucks drive-thru and headed straight for the gnarliest trails I could find. Places where most trucks would get stuck, scratched, or just plain scared. So, did the Bison live up to the hype? Mostly, yes. But it definitely had a few quirks that caught me by surprise. Let’s dive in.
The Specs: What You Get with the Bison
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Model: 2025 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison
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Price: A cool $62,995 (Your wallet will feel this one!)
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Size: It’s a midsize, but feels substantial.
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Length: 214.1 in (5,437 mm)
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Width: 84.4 in (2,144 mm, with mirrors)
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Height: 81.8 in (2,078 mm)
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Wheelbase: 131.0 in (3,327 mm)
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Ground Clearance: A mighty 12.2 in (310 mm) – that’s serious!
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Weight: 5,275 lbs (2,393 kg) – chunky in a good way.
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Engine: 2.7-Liter Turbocharged Four-Cylinder (The one we’re all talking about)
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Power: 310 Hp (231 kW) & 430 Lb-ft (582 Nm) – plenty of grunt!
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Transmission: Eight-Speed Automatic – smooth operator.
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Fuel Economy: 16 mpg combined (EPA estimate, my real-world was… lower off-road!)
First Impressions: Tough Looks & Plenty of Torque
You can’t miss this truck. The Bison is just covered in aggressive details – bulges, fender flares, special bumpers. It absolutely screams “I eat trails for breakfast.” And believe me, it turns heads. People stop, stare, and usually give you a nod of approval. It looks like it can go anywhere, and that’s a big part of its appeal.
Under that muscular hood is the 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Now, I know what some of you are thinking: “Only a four-banger in the top-dog Colorado?!” And yeah, I get it. On paper, it might feel a little underwhelming that it makes the same 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque as the standard Work Truck. But out on the road and especially off it, this engine, paired with the smooth eight-speed automatic, pulls hard. It’s got plenty of torque to get you moving and keep you moving, even through tough terrain.
One thing to keep in mind: every Colorado, including the Bison, comes with a crew cab and a short bed. For my kind of adventuring (weekend trips, light gear hauling), this is perfect. It’s big enough for friends and gear but still manageable on tight trails. Plus, it can still tow 5,500 pounds and handle a 1,160-pound payload, which is pretty solid for a midsize truck.
Inside the Cabin: Comfy, Rugged, and Smart… Mostly
Stepping inside the Bison, you immediately notice how practical and well-laid-out it is. Unlike some heavy-duty trucks I’ve driven, the Colorado’s cabin feels surprisingly spacious. I had plenty of room in every direction, which is great for long drives or bouncing around off-road. The Bison doesn’t sacrifice interior comfort for its extreme exterior capabilities.
As the flagship model, it’s packed with cool little details. The steering wheel is simple and intuitive. The physical buttons and knobs for climate control, diff lockers, and other functions are a huge win – no fumbling with a touchscreen when you’re wearing gloves or bouncing down a trail. There’s even a pre-wired AUX switch if you want to add more lights or gear later, which is super thoughtful for the enthusiast crowd. The drive mode knob is clever, letting you spin through modes and push to switch between 2WD, 4WD High, and 4WD Low.
The overall look of the cabin is handsome, with durable-looking textures. My one big complaint? The relentless use of piano black plastic. It’s a dust magnet, and it picks up fingerprints like crazy. My photos even show it! The seats themselves are supportive and comfortable, though I wouldn’t mind a tiny bit more side bolstering for really aggressive off-roading. Rear seats are basic but offer power ports and vents – a nice touch.
And the infotainment? It’s got Google Built-In, which is fantastic if you’re already in the Android ecosystem. It’s fast, user-friendly, and has cool features like real-time pitch and roll measurements (super nerdy, super useful!), plus all your trailer controls and even Amazon Alexa. It adds a touch of modern tech polish to this otherwise raw, rugged truck.
Driving Dynamics: Off-Road God, On-Road… Bearable?
Okay, this is where the ZR2 Bison earns its stripes. On pavement, where most folks will spend 90% of their time, it’s surprisingly well-behaved. The engine has plenty of punch for highway merges and passing, and the truck feels relatively nimble. It doesn’t wallow or lean like some lifted trucks, thanks to that magic suspension.
And speaking of suspension, let’s talk about the DSSV Multimatic dampers. These things are wizardry. They’re position-sensitive, meaning they react differently depending on how much travel the suspension has, and they even have jounce dampers for huge impacts. What does that mean for you? It means this truck soaks up bumps like they’re not even there. Zipping around a parking lot, it feels composed. But take it off-road and hit Baja mode, and it seriously feels like a trophy truck, swallowing massive bumps with ease. Switch to Off-Road or Terrain mode, and the suspension articulates in ways that will blow your mind, keeping the tires on the ground and pushing you forward.
We tackled some gnarly stuff: steep, uneven climbs with huge ruts, slippery gravel, thick mud. The Bison just… walked through it. Even with its massive 35-inch tires caked in mud, it rarely spun a wheel. This is hands-down one of the most capable factory-built pickups you can buy, and it does it all without needing a massive V8 or being a giant, unwieldy rig. It’s truly impressive.
Now, for the “not perfect” part. While the engine is powerful enough, and supposedly more fuel-efficient than the old V6, it sounds awful. Seriously. The exhaust note is a constant, droning hum. It sounds weird at startup, and it just never feels inspiring, especially given how aggressive the rest of the truck looks. People would literally ask me if something was wrong with the truck because of the noise! And fuel economy? During my heavy off-road week, I averaged around 14.7 mpg, which is below the 16 mpg EPA estimate. On a shorter, paved drive, I did see it hit 19 mpg, so it’s capable of better, but don’t expect Prius-like numbers.
The Bison’s Blind Spot: A Huge (Tire) Problem
Alright, here’s my biggest beef, and it’s a significant one. Rearward visibility is almost non-existent. From the driver’s seat, your side mirrors are fine, but that huge 35-inch spare tire mounted right in the bed, on the driver’s side, completely blocks about 60% of your rear view. It’s genuinely shocking.
My first thought was, “No big deal, I’ll just flip on the digital rearview mirror.” Except… the Bison doesn’t have one. This $66,000 off-road monster has a rearview mirror that might as well be from a 1990s pickup. I even double-checked the configurator – nope, no option to add it. It’s a baffling design choice to include a feature that blocks your view without offering the tech to compensate.
Sure, you could take the tire out when you’re not off-roading, but then you don’t have a spare. It’s a major safety and convenience issue for a truck this expensive.
Competition & Pricing: Where Does the Bison Fit In?
The midsize truck market is absolutely booming, and there are so many great choices. You’ve got the GMC Canyon (the fancier Colorado), the rugged but basic Nissan Frontier (a great budget option), and the much-hyped Toyota Tacoma (with its hardcore TRD Pro and overland-focused Trailhunter, both starting north of $66,000). Every one of them has its own vibe. The Bison, to me, feels like Chevy’s perfect blend of old-school ruggedness with modern tech.
But then there’s the elephant in the room: the Ford Ranger Raptor. I haven’t driven it yet, but everyone who has raves about it. It’s powerful, performs incredibly well, and starts at $57,765. Remember that number.
Now, let’s talk Bison pricing. The standard ZR2 starts at $51,295, which gets you most of the key off-road goodies. The Bison package adds another $11,700, bringing it to $62,995. You do get a lot for that money: the 35-inch tires, beadlock-capable wheels, AEV armor, and those amazing jounce dampers.
But would I pay that much? Probably not. Here’s my pro tip: The standard ZR2 is already insanely capable. And Chevy lets you add a lot of the Bison’s best features à la carte. I’d grab the ZR2, then add the underbody cameras (500),thetechpackage(500),thetechpackage(1,450), and those essential Multimatic jounce control dampers ($2,675). This custom build would cost around $56,070. That’s significantly less than the high-end Tacomas, doesn’t lose much real-world performance, and avoids that annoying spare tire visibility issue! Plus, no hybrid bits if that’s not your thing.
I Want This Truck! (Mostly)
The 2025 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison is a genuinely fun, incredibly capable truck. It looks aggressive, it’s the right size for daily driving and serious off-roading, and it makes you feel like you can conquer anything.
Yes, it’s expensive, especially when the Ford Ranger Raptor offers a similar package for less. Even my “optimized” ZR2 build is still close to the Raptor’s price. But when you compare it to Toyota or even the GMC Canyon, the Colorado ZR2 (and its Bison variant) really holds its own.
Of all the trucks I’ve tested recently, the Bison is the one I actually wish I could keep. Its off-road prowess is just mind-blowing, and despite the weird engine sound and that terrible rearview visibility, it’s a truck that delivers big thrills. If you’re looking for a midsize pickup that can truly tackle the wild and look good doing it, the ZR2 Bison should absolutely be on your radar. Just make sure to get some good side mirrors!
