The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison comes with serious factory off-road equipment: Chevrolet lists 35-inch mud-terrain tires, 12.2 inches of ground clearance, front and rear jounce control dampers, and five boron-steel skid plates. Those specifications explain why Chevrolet calls it the Colorado’s most off-road-capable configuration. They do not, by themselves, establish that it is the toughest midsize truck in the segment.
What makes the Colorado ZR2 Bison different?
Chevrolet’s 2026 Colorado page identifies the ZR2 Bison as a model developed in collaboration with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV). Its listed hardware emphasizes clearance, tire size, impact control and underbody coverage—features intended for driving over rough terrain. The specifications below are manufacturer-reported claims, not independent measurements.
| Equipment or specification | Chevrolet’s published figure | What it indicates |
|---|---|---|
| Mud-terrain tires | 35-inch outside diameter (OD) | A large tire size suited to off-road use; the figure alone does not establish performance in particular terrain. |
| Ground clearance | 12.2 inches | The listed clearance beneath the truck; it is one factor in avoiding contact with obstacles. |
| Jounce control | Front and rear jounce control dampers | Hardware Chevrolet identifies as part of the Bison’s suspension setup. |
| Underbody protection | Five boron-steel skid plates | Chevrolet’s stated count and material for the Bison’s skid-plate protection. |
Confirm the model year and build when checking a specific truck: Chevrolet’s figures cited here are from its 2026 model page, not a measurement of every vehicle described as a Bison.
Is the ZR2 Bison the toughest midsize truck?
That absolute ranking is not established by the available specifications. Chevrolet describes the Bison as its most off-road-capable midsize truck and says it holds best-in-class marks for ground clearance, breakover angle and underbody protection. Those are Chevrolet’s claims; the cited material does not supply competitor measurements or a model-to-model test to verify them.
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“Toughest” also needs a defined yardstick. A meaningful comparison would line up model years and configurations, then assess comparable measures such as ground clearance, breakover angle, underbody protection, tire size and suspension or jounce-control hardware. It would also need to state how capability was assessed and under what conditions. Without that evidence, the fair conclusion is that the Bison has substantial factory-listed off-road equipment—not that it has independently proved a segment-wide title.
What the available praise does—and does not—show
Chevrolet’s page reproduces a MotorTrend statement: “The Colorado ZR2 is the best midsize off-road pickup truck you can spend money on.” The attribution is to MotorTrend; the cited material does not identify an individual speaker or provide a publication date for the quotation. It is praise for the Colorado ZR2, not independent proof of a comparative ranking for the ZR2 Bison.
Rank #2
- CUSTOM FITMENT | Fits 2015 - 2022 Chevrolet Colorado; 2017 - 2022 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Model
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Check accessory fitment by model year
Chevrolet Accessories lists GM Part #19418205, an AEV ZR2 Bison winch mounting kit. Its fitment table specifies 2019–2022 Colorado trims. That listing does not establish compatibility with the current Bison. Before buying or recommending it, verify the truck’s model year and the part’s current official fitment.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Features outstanding durability and consistent performance designed to meet or exceed OE Specifications
- Manufactured by ISO certified factories to meet requirements of fit and function
- Direct Replacement
- Please see your year make and model in the product details
Rank #4
- 2017 Colorado ZR2 Pickup Truck - 37517 Showcasts Model Vehicle
- 1/27 Scale Collectible Model Pickup Truck
- This is a 7.75"L x 2.75"W x 2.75"H Diecast Metal model with some plastic parts
- Freewheeling And Openable Doors
- 1 Car, No Box
Rank #3
- 2017 Colorado ZR2 Pickup Truck - 37517 Showcasts Model Vehicle
- 1/27 Scale Collectible Model Pickup Truck
- This is a 7.75"L x 2.75"W x 2.75"H Diecast Metal model with some plastic parts
- Freewheeling And Openable Doors
- 1 Car, No Box
