Off-road vehicles was constructed for a single function: going off the overwhelmed path. As we speak they function luxuries like therapeutic massage seats and panoramic glass roofs, inflating the value and defeating the aim of being an reasonably priced car you would not thoughts beating up on a dust path. The 2023 Chevrolet Colorado seeks to deliver the off-road truck nearer to its roots by providing the Path Boss as a separate trim for the primary time.
The Path Boss sits in the course of the Colorado lineup, beginning effectively beneath $40 grand earlier than choices. With the typical pickup truck transaction value now over the $60 grand mark, that makes the Colorado Path Boss a relative cut price. It might not be essentially the most succesful model of Chevy’s midsize truck, as that honor goes to the ZR2 Bison from AEV, however it’s one of the best ways for patrons on a funds to get some off-road thrills with out breaking the financial institution.
Exterior: Bossier Styling
Every Colorado trim wears a barely completely different face; we would describe the face on the Path Boss as authoritative. The grille is constructed from unpainted plastic, which provides the truck an affordable and easy look. We a lot desire the painted entrance finish on the Z71 trim, however the Path Boss has much less painted floor space for rocks to bounce up and chip away. Along with the imply face, the Path Boss did not skip leg day on the gymnasium, rocking a two-inch suspension carry and plastic fender flares that add three inches of width.
18-inch wheels wrapped in 32-inch all-terrain tires come commonplace on the Path Boss, although 20-inch black wheels can be found individually and as a part of a Darkish Necessities Package deal for $2,995. There are additionally 22-inch wheels accessible if you wish to blow $4,495 simply to harm the journey and off-road functionality.
Chevy affords loads of no-cost colours resembling Summit White, Black, Sterling Grey Metallic, Harvest Bronze Metallic, and Sand Dune Metallic. All the brighter hues like Nitro Yellow Metallic (pictured beneath and priced at $395), Glacier Blue Metallic ($395), and our tester’s Radiant Purple Tintcoat ($495) value a bit further.
Inside: Naked Requirements
If all you need is the naked requirements, the Path Boss affords them. This is identical inside discovered within the base Work Truck trim, however it may be upgraded from fabric to Evotex (leatherette) for $1,250. We might kill for a splash of colour anyplace on this cabin as a result of each floor is affordable, arduous plastic. The Ford Maverick proved that it is potential to make an affordable inside look good, however the lack of any distinctive floor makes the Colorado look drab inside. The again seat can also be fairly cramped, shedding legroom in comparison with the earlier era.
On the optimistic aspect, the expertise is fairly sturdy. An 11.3-inch infotainment display comes commonplace with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although the 360-degree digicam system that might be helpful for off-roading is locked to a $950 Know-how Package deal that was not geared up to our tester. The infotainment is powered by Google, that means it additionally features a digital assistant that may reply questions on the go. We additionally just like the digital gauge cluster, which will be configured with completely different display layouts with a single button press and no added issues.
Engine: 4 Cylinders Is Sufficient
Whereas the earlier era Colorado provided three engine decisions (a base four-cylinder, a V6, and a diesel), this new truck solely comes with a single 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. It could have fewer engines choices, however the brand new four-pot is out there in three completely different flavors. The bottom Turbo engine within the WT and LT produces 237 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque, good for a 3,500-pound tow ranking. Both of these trims can improve to the Turbo Plus with 310 and 390 lb-ft of torque, which comes commonplace on Path Boss and Z71, upping the tow ranking to 7,700-lbs.
With the usual eight-speed automated transmission, the Turbo Plus looks like a powerhouse, simply punching the Colorado in control with little fuss. That being mentioned, it does not emit essentially the most refined noise regardless of Chevy’s finest efforts to make it sound like a bigger V6 or V8. Solely the ZR2 is out there with the Turbo Excessive-Output choice, which will increase the torque to 430 lb-ft, although a seller would possibly be capable of tune the engine with out voiding the guarantee.
Driving Impressions: Path Prepared
Most fashionable, full-size vehicles are literally fairly snug, however the mid-size vehicles are usually a bit tough across the edges. The Colorado is not any exception with a jittery journey, particularly over bumps, although the street noise is fairly restricted. Chevy did a pleasant job with the steering, threading a pleasant steadiness between gentle really feel that does not depart the motive force feeling indifferent from what the entrance wheels are as much as.
The Path Boss comes commonplace with four-wheel-drive with low vary and a locking rear differential, that means it will likely be in a position to sort out most off-road trails. Patrons who want extra off-road gear resembling a locking entrance differential, Multimatic DSSV dampers, and underbody safety will need to look forward to the ZR2 to reach at dealerships.
On the street, we do want the Colorado provided extra commonplace security options. Ahead collision warning, lane maintain help with lane departure warning, and automated emergency braking come commonplace, however security tech like adaptive cruise management, rear park help, and blind spot monitoring is all non-compulsory and tends to be on most Normal Motors automobiles.
Pricing & Verdict
The Colorado Path Boss is likely to be a bit fundamental inside, however at the least it is cheap. A base Colorado WT begins at $29,200 with 2WD or $32,500 with 4WD. Stepping as much as the LT brings the beginning value to $31,600 (+ $3,300 for 4WD). The Path Boss affords comparable options because the LT, however provides the off-road gear and commonplace 4WD for $37,000. With just some choices, our tester rang in at $39,700 ($41,195 with vacation spot). In the event you by no means plan to take your truck off-road, the LT represents a major financial savings over the Path Boss.
We might personally spend up for the Z71, beginning at $39,900. It seems to be higher on the skin with out the plastic bumper, comes with a extra premium inside, and is not considerably dearer than the Path Boss. The ZR2 tops the Colorado vary at $46,800, and is finest reserved for truck house owners who spend their weekends off the overwhelmed path.
For now, the Colorado represents the freshest choice within the mid-size truck phase. Nonetheless, Ford is about to strike again with a brand new Ranger and a hardcore Raptor variant. And let’s not overlook the Toyota Tacoma will arrive by the tip of the 12 months and it is nonetheless the king of the phase.