As we told you earlier, midsize pickups are enjoying a healthy upswing in sales this year — a trend that’s sure to continue in 2019 after the release of the Ford Ranger. It’s generally agreed that this segment is not an afterthought, and might be something worth investing in for automakers lacking a less-than-big truck model. Ram’s got one on the way, too.
For General Motors, which enjoys major segment share via its Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon, the sky seems to be the limit for its midsize clan, and that goes for price, too. With the Colorado ZR2 Bison, the automaker has a truck that more than doubles its entry price.
The General will part with a basic Bison — a collaboration between GM and American Expedition Vehicles — for the not insignificant sum of $48,045 (after destination). That gets you an even more butched-up ZR2 extended cab (a model starting at $42,295) powered by the familiar 3.6-liter V6 and mated to an eight-speed automatic. If a crew cab fits your style, expect to pay $49,645 after destination, before any options.
While all Bisons borrow the ZR2’s wider track and beefed up suspension and driveline components (front and rear locking differentials, Multimatic DSSV dampers), signing on for brawniest Colorado adds all manner of AEV gear, including Boron steel skid plates for the oil pan, fuel tank, transfer case, and front and rear lockers. Newly aggressive front and rear bumpers and larger fender flares telegraph that this is no mere ZR2. Your weekend adventures take place courtesy of 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac off-road tires wrapped around 17 x 8-inch aluminum wheels.
If you really want to flaunt it, there’s a snorkel available, matching that of the revised-for-2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. There’s also a 2.8-liter inline-four diesel that can be had in place of the V6. This mill, like in other GM midsizers, makes 181 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque and mates to a six-speed automatic.
Compared to a bare-bones, entry-level Colorado, the crew cab Bison represents a markup of $28,150, though you can’t compare the two in terms of off-road ability. You can certainly compare its price to competitors, though.
The Tacoma TRD Pro starts at $46,390 after destination, though checking the box for all options, including automatic transmission, that snorkel, and TRD performance exhaust, pushes you past $54,000. A Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited, which boasts no bed but plenty of rock-crawling prowess, starts at $42,940, or $44,940 with an eight-speed automatic. The 50 grand mark is easily surpassable once you start playing with packages and equipment groups.
[Images: General Motors]
Just bought a Ram 1500 Laramie longhorn, basically loaded to the gills. Sticker $69k, $58k “sale price, 3k rebates. $55 pp.
Those new Ram’s are NICE looking trucks, and I love the 8 speed ZF tranny. Enjoy your purchase!
@1500 miles, only about 14.5 MPG. Missing my 2.7 turbo F150, 19 MPG.
Not trying to brag up my purchase, just saying asking price is not what it appears to be, even on a new MY2019 Ram.
I was in a new Ram and was impressed by the interior of the truck. Yes, it was the high zoot model, but it looked it. The few items I touched felt good too. Now about that billboard RAM on the back of some trucks…
johnnyz – that is a good point. Often people speak about depreciation that is based on sticker price. A useless metric. Base the depreciation on actual transaction price…
“Those new Ram’s are NICE looking trucks, and I love the 8 speed ZF tranny. Enjoy your purchase!”
I’ve never owned anything but GM with my FS trucks/SUVs but I’m gonna take a look at the new Ram. I can’t drive something that doesn’t look good to me & right now for my eyes the new Ram is easily the sharpest looking truck on the road. Just need to sit in one and see how it feels. Plus you can still get it with a wonderful roller cam push-rod V8. Still the best all around engine you can put in a 1/2 ton PU if your spending my money!
WHEN will we ever get a SMALL truck again?
Is there ANY manufacturer who wants my money?!
I see plain jane Tacoma’s now and again, with the 2WD and no options and they seem pretty small.
Still classified as mid-sized.
Likely never, all our mid-sized trucks are based on international platforms (except the Tacoma), and there are no body on frame mainstream pickups made that are classified as small or compact anywhere in the World.
This is of course not including Kei 660cc trucks in Japan or city trucks for developing countries, or car based UTEs.
SD,
The Tacoma chassis is global…… 70 Series, Prado, FJ Cruiser …..
Even if more than 200 people are prepared to pay sticker price for them, with the existing progression of fuel economy rules that is set to get much stricter by 2025, small pickups will never return to the US.
Well if the stupid “footprint” aspect of the standards was eliminated then it wouldn’t matter…that was a major bone tossed to Detroit.
CombiCoupe99
Just buy a sedan and remove the Trunk lid. I suggest one of the Toyota Magic cars. I’ve heard many people say they can haul anything, do anything, and go a billion zillion miles without even needing gas.
Peter are you talking about the Prius plug in? Take the hatch off the back and go a “Billion zillion” miles without gas.
It doesn’t matter which Toyota you buy your going to get a fuel efficient vehicle. Since Toyota’s last forever without anything ever going wrong with them. Look for a used Taxi.
They sell small 2WD trucks all over the world, including the US. Just preconfigured with integrated truck caps, given the more theft prone times we live in.
Wow, the prices are like $80,000 Aussie. We can buy a HSV Colorado for that! Or, a top of the line X Class Benz with a great V6 diesel ………………… or a Ranger Raptor for less. Even the V6 diesel VW Amarok Ultimate is cheaper.
I think the US is becoming a very expensive place to live and own a vehicle.
https://www.hsv.com.au/see/coloradosportscat/
https://www.ford.com.au/performance/ranger-raptor/?searchid=ac10_FoA&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoJrfBRC0ARIsANqkS_5Tx5B9jHYD4KJ98u1EM56uamyYe-eZ-LjFnpETGd7dY8GpgnjVPBsaAm7rEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/mercedes-benz-x-class-v6-2018-review-113320/?tracking=dsa&gclid=Cj0KCQiAoJrfBRC0ARIsANqkS_4geCQpMzyYFw6Ni3TFGUp2xFambSvtQyZ5bCChVoufmUgoowczmXkaAh29EALw_wcB
https://www.drive.com.au/new-car-reviews/volkswagen-amarok-tdi550-2018-119608
Or we can buy this for $36,000 AUD ($25,000 USD) …….. diesel (same diesel as US Colorado), 4×4, leather, all the gouchy electronic sh!t, dual cab, etc. A fully blinged pickup.
https://www.carsales.com.au/editorial/details/ldv-t60-2017-review-109626/