2024 Colorado Trail Boss has Serious Off-Road Capability

Motor Trend’s 2024 Truck of the Year was awarded to the entire Colorado Model line. At the top of the model line, the Colorado ZR2 is already building a serious off-road reputation. The ZR2’s MSRP of $48,295 is considered perfectly appropriate given its capability, but off-road activities vary, and not all of them can square with the ZR2’s premium. If that applies to you, Barry’s Chevrolet is here to tell you about the Colorado Trail Boss, which also has pretty respectable off-road capability on its own but costs about $10,000 less than the ZR2.

Earning its Name

With a name like “Trail Boss,” standard 4-wheel drive is not surprising, but it doesn’t stop there. Also standard on the Trail Boss are:

• 32-inch all-terrain tires
• Automatic-locking rear differential
• Hill descent control
• 2.0-inch suspension lift, and a 3.0-inch wider track than conventional Colorado 4WD models. 

The tires, lift, and bodywork combine for a 30.5-degree approach angle, 21 degrees of break-over, and a 22.4-degree departure angle—not quite matching the ZR2 figures, but still respectable. The Trail Boss also includes Terrain driving mode, which, when used in slow off-road conditions, will enable control of both acceleration and braking from just the gas pedal. This one-pedal driving makes slow rock crawling much more straightforward, keeping you from continually coordinating both feet or switching your right foot between two pedals. 

No matter how frequent your off-road activities, your Trail Boss will still spend most of its time on the pavement. Lacking the ZR2’s Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve dampers, the Trail Boss will ride more stiffly than the ZR2 and other 4×4 Colorado models, but it isn’t excessive, and you will always feel in control.

Robust Power

Like all Colorado models, the Trail Boss is powered by the 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine. In this case, it is in its middle state of tune, which produces 310 at 5,600 rpm with a peak torque of 390 lb-ft at 1,250 rpm. This engine is easily more powerful than the V6 of the previous generation and also outpowers the V6 in the Nissan Frontier. The payload is rated at 1,610 pounds and can tow a respectable 7,700 pounds. EPA-estimated mpg city/highway/combined is rated at 19 / 23 / 21. 

Looking the Part

The Trail Boss exterior features black trim on the front end, fender flares, mirrors, and door handles. The interior features a standard 11-inch touchscreen and a digital driver’s center on the handsome dashboard. The Google built-in operating system powers the touch screen. This system includes Google Maps and the Google Assistant voice command system without the need to connect your smartphone. Nor do you have to connect your phone to have the Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ interfaces, as wireless smartphone compatibility is standard, enabling you to access everything you need from your phone while it remains in your pocket. 

The Trail Boss neatly fits between conventional 4×4 Colorado models and the to-ranging ZR2. See if the Trail Boss hits your off-road sweet spot by visiting Barry’s Chevrolet, where we keep plenty of Colorado models in inventory.