Midsize truck with off-road versatility
The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado comes in five trim levels, ranging from the most basic model to one of the most off-road-focused trucks in the industry. The Trail Boss model sits in the middle of the range, priced from $40,400 and ready to rock with plenty of off-road equipment. At the top of the lineup and available from $50,500 lies the ZR2, a model that takes off-road capability to the max. Is it worth the additional $10,100 premium over the Trail Boss, though?
Chevrolet
The 2026 model year doesn’t bring much in the way of changes for the Chevy Colorado. The midsize pickup gets a few new wheels and paint options, but that’s about it. For 2025, the automaker simplified the Colorado’s range by making the 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine the standard powerplant. Several models, including the Trail Boss and ZR2, got a handful of new features and packages added to their standard equipment as well.
Both Chevy Colorado models feature a bold stance
The Chevrolet Colorado is a midsize pickup with rugged features, but the off-road Trail Boss and ZR2 take the aesthetic to the next level. A bold grille and sleek lines make both Colorado models some of the more athletic pickups on the road. While the Trail Boss rides on 18-inch wheels wrapped in 32-inch all-terrain tires, the range-topping ZR2 gets 17-inch wheels with 33-inch mud-terrain tires designed for extreme off-roading. The ZR2 also offers 10.23 inches of ground clearance, 1.22 inches more than the Trail Boss.
Chevrolet
The Trail Boss features an off-road suspension with a two-inch factory lift and a wide stance. As the name entails, the ZR2 comes with the ZR2 off-road package, which features a three-inch factory lift, DSSV multimatic suspension dampers, and an off-road front and rear bumper. The range-topping pickup also comes stocked with several other niceties that the Trail Boss lacks, including LED lighting, a spray-on bedliner, a 120V bed outlet, and body-color door handles.
Chevrolet
To make the ZR2 even more capable off-road, Chevy offers a trim-exclusive ZR2 Bison Edition package, albeit for an additional $11,700. There’s a long list of high-end equipment from American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) included in the package that makes the Colorado ZR2 the pinnacle of off-road versatility. Four skid plates protect vital components, including the transfer case and rear differential. Front and rear stamped steel bumpers, complete with heavy-duty cast recovery points, make the pickup more durable in the great outdoors. Beadlock-capable wheels and a bed-mounted spare tire carrier further reinforce the Chevy Colorado ZR2’s capability.
Everyday capability versus weekend warrior
The Chevy Colorado comes equipped with a single engine option: a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. That powertrain generates an impressive 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. While some Colorado models are available with rear-wheel drive, the Trail Boss and ZR2 are solely available with a four-wheel drivetrain.
Chevrolet
2026 Chevrolet Colorado models equipped with four-wheel drive earn up to 17 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. Thanks to its extra equipment, the ZR2 earns 17 mpg across the board. Both off-road Colorado models come equipped with a trailering package, but their towing capabilities are a major differentiating factor. The Trail Boss is the mightier of the two, with a 7,700-lbs. maximum towing capacity thanks to its standard advanced trailering package. The ZR2 tows a good deal less, at just 6,000 lbs. when properly equipped.
Classy, yet rugged interior
The Chevy Colorado Trail Boss and ZR2 feature a similar aesthetic in terms of styling, but the interior is a different matter. There’s a sufficient amount of comfort amenities in both models, including rear air vents, front bucket seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. In the tech realm, the Trail Boss and ZR2 share an 11.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-inch driver information display, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Chevrolet
The range-topping ZR2 may cost $10,100 more than the Trail Boss, but its comfort and convenience features could bridge that gap. Standard equipment includes heated and ventilated front seats, remote start, perforated leather-appointed upholstery, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver seat and lumbar control. Opting for the ZR2 also gets you more premium amenities, like a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The ZR2’s interior advantages extend to tech as well. The ZR2 gets rear USB ports, wireless smartphone charging, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Opting for the available technology package adds HD surround vision, adaptive cruise control, and rear pedestrian alert to both pickups. Additionally, the ZR2 also gets upgraded from six speakers to a Bose premium audio system.
Final verdict
James Riswick
The 2026 Chevrolet Colorado is a rugged midsize truck, especially once you take the Trail Boss and ZR2 into consideration. Their off-road capability speaks volumes, but does the ZR2 pack enough punch to make it worth $10,100 more than the mid-level Trail Boss?
As an off-road warrior, the range-topping Colorado ZR2 is the better-equipped of the two. It also includes a plethora of standard equipment that makes the ownership and driving experience more comfortable and convenient. If you don’t plan on hitting the trails on the regular and need a truck that excels in utility, the Trail Boss proves to be the better option. It’s sufficiently equipped for traversing rough terrain on the weekends, and can still serve as a reliable daily driver.
About the author
Joseph Pudlewski
Contributing Writer, Autoblog