If there's one thing that pickup owners are constantly clamoring for, it's more. More horsepower, more tire, or more capability. Chevrolet is listening, and has fiddled with its Silverado 1500 ZR2 accordingly, expanding on a partnership with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) that began with the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison, which quickly became the most popular special edition package offered on the Colorado ZR2. The two companies have once again teamed up, this time to create what is sure to be the most capable off-road Silverado ever.
"Our most recent collaboration with AEV resulted in the much-acclaimed Colorado ZR2 Bison. We.re thrilled to team up again to bring customers Chevrole's next chapter of off-road dominance, this time on Silverado," says Scott Bell, Chevrolet vice president. "The 2023 Silverado ZR2 Bison unlocked the pinnacle of the nameplate's off-road capability."
The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Bison features a host of upgrades that go above and beyond the already immensely capable Silverado 1500 ZR2 and checks most if not all of the proverbial boxes when it comes to backcountry adventure travel. It has robust bumpers, complete underbody protection, impressive off-road suspension, loads of engine power, and so much more.
The 2023 Silverado 1500 ZR2 Bison reaches new levels of off-road capability thanks to a complement of hot-stamped boron steel skid plates and unique front and rear bumpers. Five skid plates cover the front and rear differentials, the fuel tank, and the transfer case. Also included is a front bash plate behind the bumper. The standard Silverado ZR2 skid plates don.t offer coverage for the fuel tank or rear differential, and either way, the press-hardened hot-stamped Boron steel used by AEV is three-and-a-half times stronger than an equivalent cold-stamped high-strength steel plate.
AEV's stamped-steel front and rear bumpers are constructed from 3-millimeter-thick steel and are both powder- and E-coated. At the front, the bumper is a three-piece unit with integrated heavy-duty black tow hooks. Much like the factory ZR2 bumper, the outer edges can be easily replaced if damaged or simply removed for even greater tire-to-obstacle clearance. Naturally, the front is winch compatible, as well. The rear bumper includes similar heavy-duty recovery points and features integrated steps. Rocker panels don.t get left out either. Steel rock rails, which are optional for the Silverado 1500 ZR2, are standard on the Bison.
The standard 2022 Silverado ZR2's wide-and-high stance, 33-inch tires, and high-clearance front and rear bumpers give it admirable off-road specs. Thanks to the Bison's unique stamped steel bumpers, these already impressive stats improve even more. Approach angle increases from 31.8 degrees to 32.5 degrees while departure angle goes from 23.3 to 23.4 degrees. Ground clearance remains the same at 11.2 inches.
One of the biggest, and really only, disappointments when it comes to the ZR2 package on either the Colorado or Silverado is tire size. While other manufactures are happily offering 35- and even 37-inch tires with their off-road packages, Chevy seems stuck in the past and currently outfits the Colorado ZR2 and Silverado ZR2 with relatively dinky 31- and 33-inch tires, though for 2023 the Colorado ZR2 is upgrading to a 33-inch tire. Sadly, the upfit 2023 Silverado 1500 ZR2 Bison will arrive with the same 275/70R18 Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires as the standard ZR2.
Never fear, however, as AEV currently offers kits to fit both 33-inch and 35-inch tires on the Colorado ZR2 Bison. Knowing this, we can safely assume that a 35-inch option likely will arrive for the bigger Silverado soon. And maybe, just maybe, if we beg hard enough… a fitment for 37s?
It wouldn.t be a special edition if the 2023 Chevy Silverado ZR2 Bison didn.t come with a set of unique interior and exterior appointments. Starting at the front, the ZR2 Bison receives a body-colored grille bar that provides contrast to the otherwise all-black grille design while also prominently featuring the truck's signature ZR2 badge alongside the iconic "flow tie" emblem. Around back, a bold matte-black finish is applied to the standard Multi-Flex tailgate, allowing the centered Chevrolet bow tie to really pop. Large "Bison" stickers on the bedside round out the exterior enhancements.
Moving inside, ZR2 Bison owners will enjoy discovering an array of tasteful nods to the Chevrolet and AEV collaboration. These include the AEV logo stitched into the front seat headrest along with the AEV badged all-weather slush mats.
Of course, the 2023 Silverado ZR2 Bison builds on the already capable Silverado ZR2 platform, meaning it comes with a full host of premium on and off-road features to start with. Under the hood is GM's proven 6.2-liter V-8 engine, which pumps out 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. The truck features a lifted suspension with wider control arms and impressive 40-mm Multimatic DSSV dampers while boasting 9.84 inches of front wheel travel with 10.62 inches in the rear. Front and rear electronic locking differentials are standard. The truck's interior is on par with the most premium in the class, complete with standard 13.4-inch color touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display. Bison also retains ZR2's exclusive Jet Black and Greystone leather interior scheme.
The 2023 Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Bison will begin production in early 2023. However, it will arrive on dealer lots with a starting MSRP of $78,490, including destination and delivery. At that price point, the Silverado ZR2 Bison will be more expensive than the base Ford F-150 Raptor ($70,555) and Ram Power Wagon ($62,715) and just slightly under the entry-level Ram 1500 TRX ($78,890). Though the Raptor and TRX outgun the Bison with outright power, they have an altogether different—and higher-speed—focus; by comparison, the Bison is set up more for pure rock-bashing and traditional, slower-speed off-roading. But hey, remember how we said truck buyers always want more? Chevy, we wouldn't say "no" to a little more power under the Bison's hood, even if it attracts predators like the Raptor and TRX...