The 2023 Chevy Silverado ZR2 Bison Stacks the Deck With Off-Road Features
The most off-road-oriented Chevy Silverado takes things to a whole new level for 2023. Most trims of the Silverado enter this new model year unchanged, but the ZR2 takes on the Bison package for some serious off-road fun. Let’s see what the 2023 Chevy Silverado ZR2 Bison brings for your wilderness fun.
What does the 2023 Chevy Silverado ZR2 Bison package include?
The Bison package adds to the Chevy Silverado ZR2 by giving owners more off-road truck components for a more rugged truck. JD Power tells us this package includes:
- Five boron steel skid plates
- A 3-piece custom front bumper including tow hooks and winch capability
- Steel rocker panel protection
- Exclusive gloss-black AEV 18-inch wheels
- 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires
These items take that step upward beyond the ZR2 to give you the ZR2 Bison, a tougher and more rugged off-road truck.
What is the AEV influence in the Silverado?
Chevy first gave the Bison treatment to the Colorado. This occurred before the Silverado ever received the ZR2 trim level. Now that the Chevy Silverado ZR2 is part of the mix, Chevy saw fit to add the ZR2 Bison treatment to this truck. This treatment comes with input from American Expedition Vehicles (AEV).
The AEV treatments bring the new 2023 Chevy Silverado ZR2 Bison closer to the Ford F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX.
What does the Chevy Silverado ZR2 offer as a foundation for the Bison treatment?
The standard Silverado ZR2 is an impressive off-road truck. It includes a standard 6.2-liter V8 engine attached to a 10-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. This powertrain makes 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.
The ZR2 trim also gives this truck:
- Rear e-lockers
- Special chassis and suspension tuning
- Drive-mode settings for various off-road terrain situations
Adding the ZR2 Bison elements to the standard Chevy Silverado ZR2 gives us an excellent off-road truck. Chevrolet vice president Scott Bell certainly thinks so and is quoted saying:
“The 2023 Silverado ZR2 Bison unlocks the pinnacle of the nameplate’s off-road capability.” – Scott Bell
Does the 2023 Chevy Silverado ZR2 Bison change the off-road geometry?
According to Chevrolet, the ZR2 Bison improves the off-road angles for better off-road truck capability. Although the Chevy Silverado ZR2 and ZR2 Bison share the same ground clearance numbers, the upgrades to the Bison allow better off-road angles, which are:
- Approach Angle – 32.5 degrees compared to 31.8 degrees
- Departure Angle – 23.4 degrees compared to 23.3 degrees
While not massive increases, these improved angles could be the difference you need when handling slopes on the trails.
Is there an optional powertrain for the ZR2 Bison?
Yes, this off-road truck can be powered by the new second-generation 3.0-liter Duramax diesel engine. This engine delivers 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque. These power numbers are improved over the first generation of this 6-cylinder diesel engine.
How much is a 2023 ZR2 Bison?
The 2023 Chevy Silverado ZR2 Bison starts at $78,490. Adding the Duramax diesel engine increases the price to push this off-road truck over the $80,000 mark. The standard Chevy Silverado ZR2 starts at $71,500, which means you’ll pay nearly $7,000 for the Bison treatments.
Is the ZR2 Bison worth it?
If you’re looking for a hardcore off-road truck that’s great in the wilderness, the ZR2 Bison could be the right off-road truck. This pickup has excellent ground clearance, power, and off-road features. On the other hand, the Ford F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX offer more power and hardcore features than the ZR2 Bison.
Next, check out what you should look for in an off-road truck, or learn more about the 2023 Chevy Silverado ZR2 Bison in this video below:
