Chevrolet builds its ZR2 lineup around one principle: factory-lifted, trail-ready trucks across every segment — mid-size, half-ton, and heavy-duty. No other manufacturer offers a purpose-built halo off-road truck in all three categories. For Whitby buyers who want a truck that handles cottage road washboard as confidently as it handles the 401, the ZR2 family gives you options at every capability level. The 2026 lineup now also includes the Silverado EV Trail Boss — Chevrolet’s off-road capable electric truck, which shares the ZR2 family’s purpose-built philosophy outside of the ZR2 badge.

This guide covers what separates each truck, what it’s built for, and which one makes sense for different driving needs in Ontario.

The ZR2 Family at a Glance

Truck	Lift	Tires	Key Hardware	Max Towing
Colorado ZR2	3-inch factory lift	33-inch MT	Multimatic DSSV dampers, front + rear e-lockers, full skid plates, rocker protection	2,722 kg (6,000 lbs)
Colorado ZR2 Bison	3-inch factory lift	33-inch MT	All ZR2 hardware + AEV steel bumpers, AEV skid plates, available winch	2,676 kg (5,900 lbs)
Silverado 1500 ZR2	2-inch factory lift	33-inch Goodyear MT	Multimatic DSSV dampers, front + rear e-lockers, 33.5° approach angle, full underbody skid plates	Configuration-dependent
Silverado HD ZR2	1.5-inch factory lift	35-inch MT	Rear e-locker, additional underbody coverage, front aluminum skid plates	8,392 kg (18,500 lbs)
Silverado EV Trail Boss*	2-inch factory lift	35-inch AT	Terrain Mode, Sidewinder, 4-Wheel Steer, 31.6° approach, 255 mm clearance	5,670 kg (12,500 lbs)

*The Silverado EV Trail Boss carries the Trail Boss designation, not ZR2, but shares the family’s factory-lifted, purpose-built off-road philosophy.

Maximum trailering ratings for comparison purposes only. Actual towing capacity varies by configuration and installed options.

Colorado ZR2 and ZR2 Bison: Mid-Size Maximum

The Colorado ZR2 is the entry point to purpose-built off-road capability in a truck that fits in a Whitby driveway, a Scarborough parkade, or a tight trail head. The 3-inch factory lift with Multimatic DSSV dampers gives the ZR2 an ultra-wide stance and suspension travel that absorbs trail obstacles without the driver having to compensate with the wheel. Front and rear electronic locking differentials direct torque to whichever wheel has traction — useful on the loose gravel cottage roads north of Peterborough or the soft shoulders along the 115.

The ZR2 comes standard with full skid plates, rocker panel protection, and 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires on ZR2-specific aluminum wheels. A segment-first available underbody camera system lets you see terrain directly below the truck at low speeds — no guesswork at waterway crossings or rocky approach lines. The off-road performance display monitors key trail metrics in real time.

• 3-inch factory-installed lift with Multimatic DSSV dampers
• Front and rear electronic locking differentials
• 33-inch MT tires, rocker panel protection, full skid plates
• Available underbody camera (segment first)
• Max towing: 2,722 kg (6,000 lbs) — Crew Cab TurboMax 4-cylinder

The ZR2 Bison Edition adds AEV’s proven off-road engineering on top of the ZR2 foundation: AEV stamped steel front and rear bumpers, AEV transfer case and differential skid plates, and an available COMEUP winch for self-recovery. It’s the most off-road capable mid-size Chevrolet has built — and at 655 kg (1,445 lbs) of payload with the Bison’s hardware weight, it’s purpose-built for trails, not job sites.

Silverado 1500 ZR2: Half-Ton Off-Road with Duramax Power

The Silverado 1500 ZR2 takes the half-ton platform to its off-road ceiling. The 2-inch factory lift with Multimatic DSSV dampers delivers the same premium suspension technology as the Colorado ZR2, tuned for the Silverado’s heavier architecture. The off-road cut front bumper brings the approach angle to 33.5 degrees — enough to clear most trail obstacles without contact.

Front and rear electronic locking differentials and the Enhanced Autotrac 2-speed transfer case with Terrain Mode work together to deliver controlled traction on slick surfaces, loose terrain, and uneven ground. Full underbody aluminum skid plates protect the powertrain and transfer case on rocky trails.

The standard engine is the Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel with 305 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque — the same unit that delivers 9.3 L/100 km highway in other Silverado configurations, now paired with the ZR2’s off-road hardware. The 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 at 420 hp and 460 lb-ft is available for buyers who want maximum gasoline output. Both engines run through a 10-speed automatic with Terrain Mode calibration.

The ZR2 Bison Edition is available on the 1500 as well, adding AEV Bison stamped steel front and rear bumpers, AEV-specific differential, transfer case, and fuel tank skid plates, and Gloss Black 18-inch AEV wheels. It’s the most extreme half-ton off-road build Chevrolet sells in Canada.

• 2-inch factory lift, Multimatic DSSV dampers
• 33.5-degree approach angle (off-road cut front bumper)
• Front + rear e-lockers, Enhanced Autotrac transfer case with Terrain Mode
• Standard engine: Duramax 3.0L Turbo-Diesel (305 hp / 495 lb-ft)
• Available: 6.2L EcoTec3 V8 (420 hp / 460 lb-ft)
• ZR2 Bison Edition available

Silverado HD ZR2: Heavy-Duty Towing with Off-Road Capability

The Silverado HD ZR2 is the only heavy-duty off-road truck in its class with a factory-installed lift, MT tires, and a rear e-locker. The 1.5-inch lift is more modest than the light-duty ZR2s, tuned to preserve the HD’s towing geometry while still raising ground clearance for trail use. The 35-inch MT tires provide additional clearance and traction on the same terrain.

Maximum towing reaches 8,392 kg (18,500 lbs) — the capability to pull large travel trailers, equipment trailers, and recreational setups that exceed what a half-ton can safely manage, while the ZR2’s hardware handles the unpaved access routes to those destinations. The rear e-locker and additional underbody coverage including front aluminum skid plates protect the drivetrain on rough terrain approaches.

For Durham Region buyers who haul large trailers to fishing camps north of the city, pull equipment for commercial work, or need a truck that covers both the job site and the weekend trail, the HD ZR2 addresses a use case that no other heavy-duty off-road truck in Canada fully covers.

• 1.5-inch factory lift
• 35-inch MT tires, rear e-locker
• Additional underbody coverage, front aluminum skid plates
• Max towing: 8,392 kg (18,500 lbs)
• Available diesel and gas V8 powertrain options

Silverado EV Trail Boss: Off-Road Capability Without a Gas Engine

The Silverado EV Trail Boss carries the Trail Boss name, not ZR2, but its factory hardware puts it firmly in the off-road truck conversation. The 2-inch factory lift raises ground clearance 24% above the base Silverado EV. At 255 mm of ground clearance with a 31.6-degree approach angle and 25.1-degree departure angle, the Trail Boss navigates trail obstacles that would ground a standard half-ton.

The dual-motor electric drivetrain delivers instant torque from standstill — 775 lb-ft on the Max Range configuration — which translates to controlled traction on loose surfaces without the RPM lag of a gasoline engine. Terrain Mode adjusts throttle response and traction control calibration for low-speed off-road use. Sidewinder allows all four wheels to turn in the same direction at low speeds, moving the truck diagonally — useful in tight trail situations and job site manoeuvring.

35-inch all-terrain tires on unique 18-inch wheels complete the visual and functional package. Maximum towing is 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs) with the Extended Range battery and trailering package — covering most recreational towing needs, from a loaded boat trailer to a mid-size travel trailer. The Extended Range battery offers up to 660 km of estimated unladen range; plan charging when towing longer distances from Whitby north toward cottage country.

• 2-inch factory lift, 255 mm ground clearance
• 31.6-degree approach angle, 35-inch AT tires
• Terrain Mode, Sidewinder, 4-Wheel Steer standard
• Extended Range: up to 660 km unladen range, 5,670 kg (12,500 lbs) towing
• Max Range: 725 hp / 775 lb-ft

Which Off-Road Truck Is Right for You?

Colorado ZR2 / Bison: Ontario drivers who want the deepest off-road capability in a mid-size package — easier to park daily in Whitby or Oshawa, easier to manoeuvre on narrow trail access roads. Best for buyers who trail frequently but don’t regularly tow over 2,500 kg. The Bison is the choice when trail protection matters more than payload.

Silverado 1500 ZR2: Buyers who need the half-ton’s towing capability and bed utility alongside ZR2-grade suspension and hardware. The Duramax standard engine gives this truck diesel efficiency at 9.3 L/100 km highway when it’s not on a trail. Best for buyers who split time between loaded towing and weekend off-road use.

Silverado HD ZR2: Buyers who regularly tow above 5,000 kg and also access unpaved routes. The only heavy-duty off-road truck in Canada. Best for buyers whose trailer weights require HD-class capacity and whose destinations require something more capable than a standard HD.

Silverado EV Trail Boss: Buyers who want off-road capability without gasoline operating costs, or who are ready to plan around charging infrastructure for weekend trips. Best for Whitby drivers who primarily trail within the Extended Range’s reach — cottage country, Haliburton Highlands, Algonquin approaches — with home charging available.

Explore the ZR2 Lineup at Nurse Chevrolet in Whitby

All four ZR2 trucks and the Silverado EV Trail Boss are available through Nurse Chevrolet in Whitby. Stop by to compare the suspension setups in person, discuss towing configurations for your specific trailer, and find the right off-road Chevrolet for your Ontario driving and trail use.