The Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss Is a Seriously Capable Off-Road Pickup

The Colorado ZR2 is the model line’s off-road hero with a starting price of $48,295. If that price is a bit dear for your budget, Chevrolet of Spring Valley wants you to know that the mid-grade Colorado Trail Boss has some serious off-road chops, and its starting MSRP is about $10,000 under the ZR2.

Built to Leave the Pavement Behind

As expected, with a name like “Trail Boss,” the model has standard 4-wheel drive. Also standard are 32-inch all-terrain tires, an automatic-locking rear differential, hill descent control, a 2.0-inch suspension lift, and a 3.0-inch wider track than conventional 4WD models. The tires, lift, and bodywork combine for a 30.5-degree approach angle, a 22.4-degree departure, and 21 degrees of breakover. The ZR2 boasts higher figures, but these are quite good for the price point.

When the going really gets rough, the Trail Boss has a trick up its sleeve that you won’t find on other 4×4 trucks. The Terrain driving mode controls both acceleration and braking with the gas pedal, enabling one-pedal driving. Though that term is usually reserved for EVs, this makes slow rock crawling much more straightforward, keeping you from having to coordinate both feet or switching your right foot between two pedals. 

Even this off-road-focused model is going to spend most of its time on the pavement. Without the magic of the ZR2’s Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve dampers, the ride is stiffer than you will find on the model line’s flagship or the Z71, which lacks the Trail Boss’s off-road hardware. 

Power A-Plenty

Under the hood is the middle version of the 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-4 that powers the model line. It produces 310 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, which peaks at a low and very accessible 1,250 rpm. The ZR2 has the same horsepower but 100 more pounds per foot at its peak. The engine is more powerful than the V6 of the previous generation, as well as the V6 on the Nissan Frontier. The tires and other hardware bring the EPA-estimated mpg city / highway / combined figures to 19 / 23 / 21 combined. The payload is rated at 1,610 pounds and can tow a respectable 7,700 pounds. 

What You Need in the Cabin

Outside, the Trail Boss is trimmed in black with an all-black for the front end, fender flares, mirrors, and door handles. The interior sports the same handsome dash design that graces all Colorado models with a standard 11-inch touchscreen and digital driver’s center. The Google Built-in operating system gives you Google Maps and the Google Assistant voice command system without requiring your cell phone. It also enables wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, letting you access everything you need from your phone while it remains in your pocket. 

Overall, it is quite a bit of off-road capability for the money, and we invite you to see it for yourself at Chevrolet of Spring Valley.