Manoli Katakis 
The refreshed 2021 Chevrolet Colorado and 2021 GMC Canyon midsize trucks are slowly being produced out of the GM Wentzville, Missouri plant. And while we’ve seen official images of the base models and the upgraded 2021 Colorado ZR2, there hasn’t been much attention to the 2021 Colorado ZR2 Bison. It’s pictured above. Can you spot the differences from the 2020 model year?
Here’s what’s new. Up front, the 2021 Colorado Bison grille ditches the ‘ZR2’ badging from 2020, while the extraction hook on the lower fascia is now prominently colored red. In the back, the tailgate gets a styling change. For 2021, the bowtie badging is replaced by embossed ‘CHEVROLET’ lettering across, while the AEV and Colorado badging stay where they are. The interior remains entirely the same as before. Pictured below is the 2021 Bison in gray, and the 2020 model in orange.
Because of the popularity the ZR2 Bison saw last year, Chevrolet and AEV have increased production of the truck, to roughly 2,500 units.
Per the configurator, the pricing on the ZR2 Bison package for the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado remains unchanged, at $5,750 USD. The pricing of the package is the same for both the V6 and the Duramax diesel engine configurations. However, the ability to personalize the 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison further fans out from there. Should customers stick with the V6, they can add a performance cat-back exhaust system for $675. Should they get the 2.8L Duramax, a $395 exhaust tip relocation kit is available, fixing an off-road vulnerability of diesel ZR2 trucks. The bed can also be fitted with several upgrades, which include (but are not limited to):
Off-Road Sport Bar ($1,145)
Off-Road Lights ($1,195)
Cargo Tie-Downs ($125)
Carbo Box LED Lighting ($270)
Black Tailgate Lettering ($195)
Accessories are plentiful. There’s dozens of cargo management solutions, ranging from soft-rolling tonneau covers, to sliding bed trays, and various mounting racks. But somebody looking to take their 2021 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison deep into the trails will probably want the 9,500-lb rated winch from ComeUp ($1,236 – plus the required $209 mounting kit).
All told, it’s pretty easy to drop $60,000+ on this factory-built midsize off-roading truck. But if customers truly want to take things to another level, American Expedition Vehicles independently offers a special ZR2 Bison upgrade package for another $11,949. The package adds several top-shelf features, highlighted by a 4.10 rear diff ratio, HighMark fenders, 35-inch BFG tires, suspension lift kit, and more skid plate protection for the Bison’s underbelly. And for those seeking more power, several companies are now offering supercharger kits for the 3.6L V6 engine in the Colorado, which can make as much as 500 horsepower.
It starts to become Mustang Shelby GT500 levels of money pretty quick. But unlike the Mustang, you can drive a 2021 Colorado ZR2 Bison up a mountain slope, park it into a cave, and wait for all of this to blow over.
Looking ahead, the 31XX Chevrolet Colorado will exist for only a few more years. By the 2024 model year, the 31XX-2 Colorado is expected to debut. Along with major technology upgrades, such as Global B integration, the next-gen Colorado and GMC Canyon will offer just one engine and transmission combination: the 2.7L L3B turbo four with a 10-speed automatic. General Motors has already pledged $1.5 billion to Wentzville Assembly for the new truck program, as well as new vans.
