Colorado ZR2 Bison Crowned as Overland Truck of the Year

The Overland Journal recently announced the star-studded winner of its very first overland Truck of the Year award, handing over the honors to the off-road conquering Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison. The strong rivalry that needed to be overcome for this rallying victory was in the forms of the Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, Jeep Gladiator, and Ford Ranger. This testing process involved thousands of clocked miles spend both on and off-road, and heavily weighed factors such as capability, reliability, durability, payload, and even efficiency.

After a rigorous number of test drives, it was unanimously decided that the Bison is “one of the most exceptional overland trucks ever sold in North America”. Chief Editor Scott Brady reflected that “just a list of its features makes it the truck we always wanted, and even better”. The front and rear locking differentials, winch-ready steel front bumper with ¼ panel protection, full-length rock slider, and class-leading suspension were elements that checked all the needed boxes for sheer domination. Production took place seeing a collaboration with class-leading experts American Expedition Vehicles as an extreme off-road variant of the Chevy Colorado ZR2 off-road pickup, and comes with a long list of features for those who prefer dirt heavily over the highway.

As those on duty this week at GM Authority illustrated for their blog, the Bison is equipped with one of two engines: the 3.6L LGZ V6 gas engine, which cranks out 308 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque, or the 2.8-L LWN inline 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, which makes 181 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Under everything resides the GMT 31XX platform, the same frame as what the GMC Canyon sports. Still offered exclusively as a production variant of the concept that was originally the 2017 ZR2 AEV, the construction takes place at the GM Wentzville factory in Missouri.

The knowledgeable staff at Automobilemag.com were amazed at the raw and practical protection power of the extra skid plates, ground clearance, approach angles, bead-locked wheels, and remote-reservoir shocks bolted onto a truck, greatly expanding the limits beyond a typical weekend off-road-capable model. There are many trails and areas at the ends of the Earth that even the most capable 4X4's struggle to conquer, even with an experienced driver at the helm. This testing team never saw the going got tough after throwing ruts, sand traps, rocky paths, drop-ins, and jutting rocks in the way, and used the locking differentials to always swiftly bail themselves out of trouble.

All of us on staff here at West Chevy of Knoxville have an extreme passion for any truck, let alone those that are always out there pushing the limits. We are proud of the Bison for snagging up yet another award in an arena where normal will never cut it, and cordially invite you to check out the entire Bison line among others this February!