Does this bar sit behind the bumper cover or replace something visible?

This reinforces the structural skeleton behind the bumper cover. You won't see it once installed—it bolts between the frame rails and absorbs impact energy the way the factory design intended.

Can I reuse my existing bumper cover and brackets with this bar?

Yes. The bar mounts at the same factory points. Your current cover and mounting hardware attach to this bar exactly as they did to the original.

Do I need to remove the full bumper assembly to install this?

Partial or full bumper removal is typically necessary to access the mounting points. Consult your service manual for the exact procedure and any fastener torque specs.