2023 Chevy Silverado ZR2 Bison LaGrange
The bison is known to be one of the largest terrestrial animals roaming the parks and conservations of North America. Despite their colossal size, they’re fast, reaching speeds of 35 miles per hour. They’re also nimble and can swim and jump high hurdles.
In looking to replicate such features in their truck, Chevrolet has brought a ZR2 Bison package to their Silverado ZR2 trim. The truck is synonymous with being an off-road capable vehicle, but the added bison package gives it an extra touch of ruggedness.
Here are the features of the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Bison
- 6.2L Ecotec V8 Engine
- 420 Horsepower with 460 lb-ft of torque
- A 10-speed automatic transmission
- Four wheel drive
- 18-inch aluminum wheels
- ZR2 suspension package
- A gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 7,100 lbs
- Four-wheel antilock disc brakes
- Hill descent control
- Driver selectable full locking front and rear differential
- External engine oil cooler
- Integrated trailer brake controller
- Skid plates
- Dual outlet exhaust.
Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Exterior
The exterior of the ZR2 portrays all the ruggedness that the Silverado nameplate has to offer. At first glance, you’ll notice the black Chevrolet bow tie badging on the front and rear of the vehicle. There’s also a ZR2 badging on the grill and above the left front fender.
The ZR2 also features a high gloss black on the front and rear bumper. At the rear of the pickup are textured corner steps that make it easier to climb in and out of the high truck easily. The bedliner is textured as well to minimize cargo shifting while hauling luggage.
Other features include intelligent auto high beams, daytime running LEDs, fog lights, cargo area and bed lamps, tail lights, and driver-side auto-dimming mirrors. The vehicle also has deep-tinted glass for UV light protection.
The ZL2 has the standard Chevy truck tailgate and bed rail protection caps. The tailgate has an EZ lift assist, power lock, and release.
Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Interior
As much as the ZR2 trim is an all-terrain-oriented vehicle, it’s also a luxury truck allowing you to go offroad in style.
Its interior includes a massive 13.4-inch infotainment system with Google built-in functions. You can control functions such as Bluetooth, wireless AppleCarPlay, and Android Auto through the infotainment.
It also has SiriusXM Radio that you can try for free on a three month subscription. The vehicle also has a Bose sound system in the cabin. It comprises seven speakers and a Richbass woofer in the cabin, delivering a premium sound experience.
The driver and front passenger seats are bucket-style to tuck in the front occupants of the vehicle. The front and rear seats are heated for optimal temperature control and comfort. The vehicle also has dual-zone automatic climate control for the front-row occupants.
The driver gets a wrapped and heated steering wheel as a luxury feature. They also get a huge 12.3-inch driver information center that displays vehicle information. The vehicle also has a programmable universal home remote to open your garage doors.
Other features include ample storage space in the front center console featuring cupholders, USB ports, mobile phone storage with wireless charging, file holder capacity, and a 120-volt power outlet.
Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Suspension
The truck features a ZR2 suspension package complete with multimatic dssv dampers and a high-performance lifted suspension. It’s one of the key components in ensuring that the truck remains a formidable off-roader compared to other trucks.
To keep up with terrain changes, the shocks use three spool valves that control the energy flow in the hydraulic system as the vehicle moves on the road. As such, the terrain response and road adaptability on the ZR2 is superb.
Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Wheels
The ZR2 trim has 18-inch aluminum black-painted wheels. They are coupled to mud terrain Good year blackwall tires with aggressive tread for extreme off-roading. However, on typical road tarmac applications, they may produce a lot of noise while driving.
The vehicle also has an 18-inch spare wheel. It’s housed in a spare tire carrier lock.
Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Color Options
The ZR2 is available in the following color options; Summit White, Sterling Gray Metallic, Dark Ash Metallic, Sand Dune Metallic, Harvest Bronze Metallic, Red Hot, Glacier Blue Metallic, Northsky Blue Metallic, and Black.
Performance Specs of the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2
- Engine
- Gearbox
- Towing Capacity
- Off-Road Capabilities
- Miles Per Gallon
Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Engine
The ZR2 gets the biggest of the engines in the Chevrolet Silverado trim line ups. It has a 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 engine that churns out an impressive 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. It has the ideal power figures to go off-road.
The raw power enables it to easily navigate various terrains, including mud, rock, sand, and snow.
Gearbox
The ZR2 truck has a 10-speed automatic transmission that enables seamless transitions across gears to deliver power to the wheels as needed. The gearbox also has a host of other integrated technologies that assist the driver in operating the truck. They include;
- Powertrain grade braking in downhill descent that reduces brake wear and increases control of the vehicle
- Cruise grade braking to slow the truck down when using cruise control
- A tow mode reduces shift cycling to enhance control and improve cooling, especially when hauling a lot of cargo
- The vehicle onboard computers control the transmission, enabling overdrive, and driver shift control as needed
Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Towing Capacity
Due to its massive engine output, the ZR2 can tow and haul a lot of cargo. However, it still has its limits, which is why Chevrolet set the maximum trailering capacity of the truck at 15,000 lb. It includes the gross combined weight rating.
The short bed version of the ZR2 gets to haul even less cargo of 8,800 lb.
Off-Road Capabilities
The ZR2 offers some serious off road capabilities that can rival competitors such as the Ram and Ford trucks.
First, its 6.2L V8 provides enough power to conquer most terrains. Chevrolet also makes the truck using roll-formed high-strength steel, making it a hardy vehicle.
It offers a ground clearance of 11.22 inches with an approach angle of 31.8⁰ departure angle of 23.3⁰. It means that the wheels have more room to navigate tricky terrain. In case of close encounters with the ground, the vehicle has a skid plate that protects the undercarriage.
Its standard mud tires are good in muddy terrain as well as a variety of other off road terrains. The ZR2 suspension also absorbs most road imperfections providing comfort for those in the cabin when offroading.
2023 ZR2 Fuel Mileage Miles
The 6.2L V8 is a gasoline-happy engine that Chevrolet has tried to tame using EcoTec technology. It gives a fuel economy of 14 mpg while driving in the city and 17 mpg on highway applications. The average consumption is 15 mpg.
How Is the Silverado ZR2 Bison Different From a Normal Silverado ZR2?
- Exterior Detailing
- Interior Detailing
Exterior Detailing
Certain design cues can tell you whether a Silverado ZR2 has the Bison package or not.
ZR2 Bison Features
- AEV box side outer decal
- AEV Stamped Steel Front Bumper
- AEV Stamped Steel Rear Bumper
- Hot Stamped Boron Steel Skid Plates to protect front bumper, rear differential, transfer case, and fuel tank
- Rocker protection
- Multiflex tailgate
- 18 inch Gloss Black AEV wheels
- 18 inch AEV Aluminum spare wheel
- Multi-Flex tailgate with unique black finish
Interior Detailing
The interior of a Silverado ZR2 Bison has minor detailing that differentiates it from a normal ZR2. For example, it has the following features;
- AEV branded all weather floor liners in the first and second row of seats
- AEV branded head restraints
Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Bison vs. Ford F-150 Raptor
For a long time, in the category of high-performing offroad trucks, people went for the Ford 150 or the Ram 1500. However, there’s a new big boy with a big V8 engine; the Silverado ZR2 Bison.
Here’s how Chevy Silverado ZR2 compares with its close competitor, the Ford F-150.
| Features | Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Bison | Ford F-150 Raptor |
| Engine | 6.2L V8 | 3.5L EcoBoost V6 |
| Power | 420 hp/ 460 lb-ft of torque | 450 hp/ 510 lb-ft of torque |
| Transmission | 10-Speed Automatic | 10-Speed Automatic |
| Drive Configuration | 4WD | 4WD |
| Weight | 5,750 lb | 5,740 lb |
| Maximum Height | 78.66 inches | 79.8 inches |
| Ground Clearance | 11.22 inches | 13.1 inches |
| Towing Capacity | 8,900 lb | 8,200 lb |
| Payload | 1,440 lb | 1,400 lb |
| Fuel Consumption (Miles per Gallon) | 14 mpg (city), 17 mpg (highway) | 15 mpg (city), 18 mpg (highway) |
| Price | $73,395 | $76,775 |
FAQs
How Much Is the Chevy ZR2 Bison?
The Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 has a manufacturer-suggested retail price of $73,395. When you add the cost of kitting it with a ZR2 Bison edition, the total cost is $81,290.
Is the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Better Than High Country Trim?
The Silverado ZR2 is better than the high country trim in the following ways. It gives out 420 hp/ 460 lb-ft of torque more power than the High County’s 355 hp/ 383 lb-ft of torque. It’s also more off-road capable than the High Country trim.
However, the high trim wins over the ZR2 with better fuel economy hence more cruising range and more towing capacity.
What Makes the Chevy Silverado ZR2 Special?
The Silverado Z2 is special because it offers the much-needed and wanted V8 engine. It produces the power needed for various drive modes while also producing incredible sound.
The dssv dampers are also a great addition to the vehicle, making it an excellent truck to drive over a variety of terrains.
Is a Chevy Silverado ZR2 Supercharged?
The Chevy Silverado ZR2 engine isn’t supercharged as it runs on General Motors EcoTec engine. It serves to reduce fuel consumption and keep emissions to a minimum.
Is the Silverado ZR2 Fast?
The Silverado truck is built for off-road applications rather than high-performance track applications. However, it still gives out impressive stats when put to the test in a 0-60 test since it does have a massive engine with plenty of horsepower. It does 0-60 in 6 seconds.