Building on the success of the all-new '15 Colorado, Chevy has begun introducing special editions of the vehicle, which cater to a consumer's desire for a customized ride that fits their unique personality. It all started with the '15 Colorado Z71 Trail Boss, and the company has wasted no time in introducing us to the updated '16 Trail Boss (along with the Midnight edition for the more street oriented crowd, more on that next issue). With lots smooth talking and a lot of bribery we were able to get our hands on the one and only '16 Trail Boss in existence (don't worry, they assure us that more will be built soon).



The Trail Boss is built off of Chevy's legendary Z71 off-road package and adds unique features that improve both appearance and functionality. It is offered in extended and crew cab configurations, with the choice of a long (6-foot 2-inch) or short (5-foot 2-inch) bed. It can also be had in two-wheel or four-wheel-drive, and with the 2.5L inline four-cylinder, 3.6L V-6, or the 2.8L Duramax diesel engine. Unfortunately, the only drivetrain option not available is the manual transmission, which to us is unacceptable (but understandable).





At its base, the Z71 off-road package adds a G80 automatic locking rear differential, off-road suspension with twin-tube shocks, all-terrain tires, front recovery hooks, hill descent control, a transfer case skid plate, fog lights, and projector headlights. Checking the Trail Boss box on the order form cranks it up to 11. Black, three-inch round rocker steps provide an aggressive look, help with ingress, and protect against rocker damage on tough trails (though Chevy doesn't officially claim that last part). However, we found the steps to be a bit of nuisance when getting out of the truck. Also part of the Trail Boss package are black fender flares, black Bowtie emblems front and rear, a spray-on bedliner, and all-weather floor mats with the Z71 logo. Adding functionality to the Trail Boss are aggressive 265/65R17 Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac all-terrain tires, which are wrapped around custom black 17-inch wheels. A sport bar is mounted in the bed and holds a pair of LED off-road trail lights for those times when your adventures last well past the sun's quitting time.







From behind the wheel, the Trail Boss drives just like any other Colorado. The Z71 suspension is soft enough for comfortable daily driving, yet tuned just right for the mild trials that it's intended for. We bombed around on some simple dirt trails, graded roads, and tore-up two-track, and the Trail Boss handled it phenomenally, only occasionally bumping the air dam into the trail (we're keeping our fingers crossed for a removable version on the next Trail Boss). The Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires are a great addition to the truck and provide enough traction to get you deeper in trouble than you probably wanted to be. We're still annoyed that the transfer case selector is hidden behind the steering wheel and easily confused for the headlight switch, but its operation is quick and easy once you find the knob.



Overall, we're extremely pleased with the direction that Chevy is headed with the Colorado Z71 Trail Boss. This truck provides a quick and easy way to get outdoors in a pickup that has excellent looks, loads of capability, and is completely covered by the factory warranty (and financing). And the fact that the '16 model has been introduced so quickly after the '15 went on sale, and with even more content than before, reinforces their commitment to this lifestyle. While we're excited for the '16 Trail Boss, we're even more interested in what the future holds!



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