Is the 2016 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss Extra Boss?
Earlier this year, Chevrolet showed off an upgraded version of the Z71 package for the Colorado midsize truck. Called the Trail Boss, it had chunky off-road tires, black bowtie badges, and a few other accessories that you’d probably want. Now, for 2016, they’ve added a few more things to the Trail Boss. One of the optional extras is the addition of a 2.8L Duramax diesel engine. Does the diesel make the Trail Boss more Boss?
To find out, I found myself in Spring Branch, Texas for the 2015 Texas Auto Writers Association’s Texas Truck Rodeo, and a Trail Boss diesel at my disposal. I had the opportunity to take the truck both on and off-road, and while it wasn’t a whole lot of time behind the wheel, there is definitely some worthwhile information to be had.
First off, diesel torque is awesome. You probably already know that, but when you are slow climbing a rocky hill, that torque pays for itself in spades with how easily the Colorado Trail Boss will climb. While it doesn’t have a fancy Crawl Mode like the Toyota Tacoma, it’s still more than capable of handling most off-road courses.
Secondly, the fuel economy ain’t too shabby. Granted, I didn’t get to spend a week in the thing really seeing how fuel efficient it is, but I did do a short 7.5 mile test loop and the indicated MPG was 27. So, I can’t complain too much. More highway driving would surely make that number climb, but I wasn’t in the fuel-efficient, rear-wheel drive version. I was in the off-road focused, off-road tired, four-wheel drive model, driving the truck like I normally would drive.
Cosmetically, the biggest change for 2016 Trail Boss models is the addition of the roll hoop in the back, with the lights on top. Keep in mind it’s strictly cosmetic (the lights work, but the roll bar won’t save you in a rollover), but does add to the off-road look of the truck. Additionally, it can be removed if you need to load up the bed and need more space.
Inside, the biggest changes come with the new Chevy MyLink infotainment system that supports Apple Car Play (and Android Auto later this year), and a full-color center cluster display for trip computer functions.
The diesel engine is quiet in the Trail Boss, but maybe not as quiet as a diesel would be in the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, for example. Enthusiasts will be the ones opting for the diesel in the Colorado, and Chevrolet wants to make sure that the driver knows the engine is there. Enthusiasts like to hear that engine noise.
But even so, it’s still quiet enough to have a conversation at quiet levels driving down the highway. In fact, the loudest noise in the cabin is tire noise from the chunkier off-road tires. All-in-all, I’d say this is a pretty refined pickup truck.
I’ve now driven both the V6 and Duramax versions of the Colorado, and I have to say if I were spending my own money, I’d probably pay the price premium to go diesel. It’s just such a cool little truck and one I wouldn’t mind having in my driveway.
What do you think? Let us know over in the forums!
Photos via [Raven Studios Photography]
