When Chevrolet first collaborated with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) we got to see the Colorado ZR2 Bison which had the Tacoma TRD Pro firmly in its crosshairs. But while that model was a nice treat, we always wondered what would happen if AEV were allowed to apply their craft to the bigger Silverado? We finally got the answer with Chevrolet unveiling the 2023 ZR2 Bison.
ZR2 Bison, Bigger And More Capable Than Ever
Chevrolet and AEV used a stock Silverado ZR2 as the base for their creation and while the changes here are not quite as radical as those that were given to the Colorado, this Bison is still a different breed of Silverado. Stamped steel front and rear bumpers help give this beast a more aggressive appearance, while special e-coating further enhances durability. There are also integrated recovery points and steps, with a spot at the nose being reserved for a winch assembly.
Chevrolet isn’t ready to release formal off-road measurements just yet, but look for the Bison to be a noticeable improvement in nearly every category over a stock ZR2, especially in break-over and departure angle. All Bisons are mounted on 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires with the massive slabs of rubber being accented by 18-inch gloss black wheels. Five skid plates are also mounted along the underbelly of the truck, and AEV chose to make them out of Boron which is stronger than traditional steel and is also slightly lighter too.
Meanwhile, the interior is adorned with AEV logos, and Chevrolet even threw in rubberized floormats, but since this is a light package exclusive update, the bulk of the Silverado’s revamped interior carries over unchanged, which is good news for buyers that like its higher degree of user-friendliness and technology. Performance for this rig comes from the ZR2’s 420 hp 6.2 liter V8, but it’s important to note that while Chevrolet is offering a 3.0-liter diesel engine in select Silverado trims, neither the ZR2 nor the Bison is getting it. That’s even stranger considering that the Trail Boss family of trail runners is getting the turbodiesel, so perhaps there are some unique factors in play that kept these two from getting it.
When Can I Buy One?
The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Bison will begin making its way to dealerships in early 2023 with a base model starting at $78.490. That’s noticeably cheaper than a Ford F-150 Raptor, and it still undercuts the Ram TRX. While the Bison still doesn’t;t make as much power as either of these trucks, it appears that GM is not bring blinded by outright power numbers and is instead focusing on delivering what customers truly want with this model.
If your a buyer that wants the pinnacle of backwoods commuting and the added insurance of one of the most iconic names in the off-road/overlanding industry, this bigger, more powerful Bison might be the perfect thrill ride for you and your family.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.