There’s no question the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison is a highly capable off-roader, with all the right equipment to handle dirt duties. But what about snow and ice? To find out, Driving Sports TV took the Bison up to the mountains to test its capabilities in a blizzard, and the result is this 33-minute, 37-second video review.
The video starts off with a quick rundown on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison’s litany of upgrades. Built in collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), the Bison is equipped with chunky 31-inch all-terrain rubber, a two-inch suspension lift, locking differentials, Multimatic DSSV dampers, a unique front and rear fascia, and extensive underbody protection.
The tester in the video is equipped with the optional 2.8L LWN four-cylinder turbo-diesel Duramax powerplant, which connects to a six-speed automatic transmission and dual-range four-wheel-drive system.
According to the video review, total outlay for the setup hits at $53,345 with destination.
After going over the interior spec, comfort features, and various tech bits, the reviewer then goes over the drivetrain modes, including the automatic four-wheel-drive system and off-road mode.
About ten minutes in, the reviewer heads up the hill and runs into some deep snow, making progress even in the cold, wet blizzard conditions. The road starts to look a little treacherous, and at one point, the truck starts to get stuck, and even begins sliding back down the hill. In response, the driver engages the lockers and off-road mode. The tires struggle to grip the icy surfaces, but after a few tense minutes (and more than a little backwards sliding) the driver gets some momentum going back up the hill.
“That was a situation where it would have been really good to have chains on these tires,” the reviewer admits before pushing on.
For anyone that loves off-roaders mixing it up in the white stuff, this video is definitely worth a watch.
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Comments
It’s amazing how this old design still outclasses the brand new Ranger. They still move with relatively low discounts and have quite the fan club.
The specialty models like the Bison, ZR2, and turbo diesels really hiked up the ATP’s for mid sized trucks. Despite that, Chevrolet is still able to offer a basic work truck variant that’s still affordable and practical enough for fleet vehicles.
Well done, Chevrolet! The Colorado has exceeded market expectations and has reignited the segment. It even pushes Ford and FCA to offer products in the mid sized truck market as a response.
The upcoming 2023 Colorado redesign should not stray from the formula too much. The goal should be to push the tech and luxury envelope a bit farther to bring it in line with the new Silverado without sacrificing the affordable “work truck” models that are so appealing to fleet buyers. New features like push button start, turbo gas engines, better interior materials, a “high country” model, and perhaps a niche EV variant should accompany the successful ZR2 and Bison models.
I agree the only other thing I wwould like to see is more hp and tq.thats what
I have been adding to my 2019 with after market parts
The 4 cylinder gas engine has a hard time keeping up with traffic the engine is always working. Cruse control also with the 4 cylinder is not the best needs adaptive cruise control.
Low-range (high torque) is not your friend on snow and ice. You’ll find that hi-range and also the transmission in 2nd gear rather than first will provide better traction in snow and icy. You may be close to stalling but that is okay. The situation is even worse with a diesel due to it’s low end torque. All the torque is great when you have traction, but not on snow and ice. Also hill descent is great for going down an icy hill letting it do the braking so you can concentrate on steering.
should of had chains in that deep snow. 2019 ZR2
A few years back a documentary made for tv show was released on the Discovery channel in Utah during a snow storm that had like 2 ft in uncharted trails in mountains and the challenge was to see how the Dodge and Jeep Special Teams could attack the trails in a Jeep Rubicon v8 Hemi, Jeep v8 Wrangler, and a Dodge Ram v8 Hemi pickup which carried the gas cans and tools with a front and rear wrench hooked on the bumpers and carried most of tents and gear. The Jeeps carried the incidentals.
Anyway, despite the v8s in “a Jeep ” experienced the same issues you did. At one point the pick up was moved to the front to clear the un molested snow since both Jeeps failed, but also failed and had to turn around. The more the pick up tried to move the snow the more the snow packed the front grill and slowed the truck to a slow stop.
Being out weighed by a Ram Hemi with a huge payload on 35″ aggressive ATs couldn’t plow through un molested snow trail… I think the Bison did a hell of job with no payload on 31″ tires to prove its worth in un molested snow trail!
Nice job!
I think nokian studded tires would of made a big difference in the ice and snow other than that chains. regarding bison stuck
I notice while in 4lo with both front and rear ELocker were engaged that the front one didn’t disengage due to going over 35mph. Can you further explain this because I thought that they would disengage once the mph was over 35. I notice on you tube videos that both front wheels would always be spinning at high mph/rpm. Also, will all 4 wheels spin above a certain speed and not be Elocker not engaged. What mode will cause all 4 wheel to stay in the locked mode regardless of the truck speed! It was a very informative video and my 2022 Colorado ZR2 is still in transit. Thanks for all the help.