Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison Crew Cab
Colorado 2026
Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison Crew Cab
Vehicle Overview
Flagship off-road midsize pickup engineered with AEV, featuring a 310 hp TurboMax engine, 430 lb-ft torque, Multimatic DSSV dampers, Jounce Control bump stops, 35-inch MT tires, and 12.2 inches of ground clearance.
Category Scores
Specifications
Powertrain & Performance
| Engine type | 2.7L TurboMax Inline 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Horsepower | 310 hp @ 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 430 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm |
| Drivetrain | 4WD with Autotrac Transfer Case & Power-Locking Front/Rear Differentials |
| Transmission | 8-speed Automatic Transmission |
Extreme Off-Road Hardware
| Suspension Dampers | Multimatic DSSV Dampers & Multimatic Front/Rear Jounce Control Dampers |
|---|---|
| Ground Clearance | 12.2 in (Best-in-Class) |
| Wheels & Tires | 17-inch AEV Beadlock-Capable Carbon Flash Wheels with 35-inch LT315/70R17 MT Tires |
| Underbody Armor | 5 AEV Hot-Stamped Boron Steel Skid Plates (Radiator, Steering, TC, Fuel Tank, Rear Diff) |
| Bumpers & Recovery | AEV Heavy-Duty Stamped-Steel Front/Rear Bumpers with Recovery Points |
| Spare Tire Mount | Bed-Mounted Vertical Spare Tire Carrier with 35-inch Matching Spare |
Fuel Economy
| EPA Estimated City | 16 mpg |
|---|---|
| EPA Estimated Highway | 16 mpg |
| EPA Estimated Combined | 16 mpg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 21.4 gal |
Dimensions & Capacity
| Length | 212.7 in |
|---|---|
| Width | 78.1 in |
| Height | 81.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 131.4 in |
| Seating Capacity | 5 Passengers (Crew Cab Short Box) |
| Max Towing Capacity | 6,000 lbs |
| Max Payload Capacity | 1,050 lbs |
| Curb Weight | 5,265 lbs |
Safety & Ratings
| NHTSA overall rating | 4 stars |
|---|---|
| IIHS safety rating | Top Safety Pick |
| Safety suite | Chevy Safety Assist Suite & Available HD Surround Vision |
Engine & Performance
Fuel Economy
Safety
- Automatic Emergency Braking & Front Pedestrian Braking
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
- HD Surround Vision with Underbody Trail Camera Views
- Rear Pedestrian Alert & Rear Cross Traffic Braking
- Adaptive Cruise Control
Technology
- 11.3-inch diagonal advanced color LCD touchscreen with Google built-in
- 11.0-inch diagonal fully digital Driver Information Center
- Bose Premium 7-Speaker Audio System
- Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibility
- Off-Road Performance Display (Pitch, Roll, Tire Pressure & Locker Status)
- Wireless phone charging pad
Ownership
- Jet Black / Artemis perforated leather-appointed front seats
- Heated and ventilated 8-way power driver seat with lumbar support
- Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- AEV all-weather floor liners with Chevrolet logo
Engage Baja Mode for high-speed desert runs to relax stability control intervention and maximize throttle response across loose dirt or sand.
Expert Review
Overview
Off-Road Capability & Terrain Performance
Cabin Quality & Technology
Pros
- Best-in-class 12.2 inches of ground clearance with 35-inch Goodyear MT tires
- Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers combined with Multimatic Jounce Control hydraulic bump stops
- Power-locking front and rear electronic differentials standard
- Five AEV hot-stamped boron steel underbody skid plates for ultimate component protection
- AEV stamped steel bumpers with front winch compatibility and integrated rear recovery points
Cons
- Bed-mounted vertical spare tire takes up significant bed cargo space and blocks rear mirror view
- Towing capacity drops to 6,000 lbs compared to 7,700 lbs on standard Colorado models
- Fuel economy is low at 16 MPG combined due to 35-inch mud-terrain tires
Verdict
The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison Crew Cab is arguably the most capable factory midsize off-road truck ever built, combining 35-inch tires, 12.2 inches of ground clearance, Multimatic DSSV dampers with hydraulic Jounce Control bump stops, front/rear electronic lockers, and 5 boron steel skid plates.
Pricing Intelligence
Product Intelligence
Buying Recommendation
The ZR2 Bison package ($11,700 over base ZR2) comes virtually fully equipped from the factory. If you need full bed cargo space and do not require 35-inch tires, the standard Colorado ZR2 on 33-inch tires is a fantastic alternative.
Ownership Cost
Engage Baja Mode for high-speed desert runs to relax stability control intervention and maximize throttle response across loose dirt or sand.
Alternatives
The ZR2 Bison package ($11,700 over base ZR2) comes virtually fully equipped from the factory. If you need full bed cargo space and do not require 35-inch tires, the standard Colorado ZR2 on 33-inch tires is a fantastic alternative.
- vs GMC Canyon AT4X AEV Edition Mechanical twin sharing the same AEV hardware, but Colorado ZR2 Bison comes at a slightly lower price point with classic Chevy bow-tie styling.
- vs Ford Ranger Raptor Ranger Raptor offers more horsepower (405 hp), but Colorado ZR2 Bison features larger 35-inch tires, 12.2-inch ground clearance, and superior underbody boron steel armor.
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