2023 Chevy Colorado Path Boss Is a Goldilocks Off-Roader

The all new Chevrolet Colorado is here, and it appears good. The redesign introduces new trims and packages for the midsize truck, together with improved off-road functionality. The ZR2 Desert Boss is the highest canine within the Colorado lineup, but it surely’s the model new Colorado Path Boss that Chevy thinks would be the breakout star.

The Path Boss is the second costliest of the five trim levels available on the new Colorado, a spread that begins with the base-model WT and climbs by means of LT, Z71, Path Boss and at last ZR2. The Path Boss comes with a 2-inch manufacturing unit suspension carry and wider observe, giving it 9.5 inches of floor clearance and roughly the identical observe width because the ZR2, which features an additional inch of clearance because of a 3-inch carry and particular DSSV spool-valve dampers. The Path Boss gives a 30.5-degree strategy angle, 22.4-degree departure angle, and 21 levels of breakover.

Mechanically, the Path Boss is most related to the Z71 that sits slightly below it within the vary. Each 2023 Colorado makes use of a model of Chevy’s 2.7-liter turbo inline-four (first seen in the Silverado), with completely different energy and torque outputs based mostly on trim stage. The Z71 and Path Boss each get the Turbo Plus model of the engine, making 310 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. Path Boss will probably be 4WD solely, with a two velocity switch case and rear restricted slip differential. It’ll have 18-inch wheels and 32-inch all-terrain tires. What it received’t have is the F1-derived Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers found in the ZR2, nor the brand new ZR2’s Turbo Excessive Output engine with 310 hp and a whopping 430 lb-ft of torque.

Chevy expects the Colorado Path Boss will doubtless outsell the ZR2. Worth performs a job in this, but it surely’s as a lot about functionality as value — the Path Boss is much less of a hardcore off-roader than the ZR2, and that’s type of the purpose.

Chevy vice president Scott Bell summed it up on the digital reveal of the brand new Colorado, saying, “Path Boss is a giant addition as a result of it has the look of off-road, however not the acute functionality of the ZR2.” Bell described the ZR2’s functionality as “extreme,” which isn’t a stretch. The last-gen ZR2 actually ripped, and with extra energy and torque from that new turbo engine, the 2023 ought to rip even tougher. However whereas most midsize truck shoppers appear to need the look of off-road efficiency, not all people wants the total breadth of the ZR2’s gear.

Enter the Path Boss, which Chevy approached with a little bit of self-awareness; the automaker admits many off-road autos seldom go off-road, which is a waste of a ZR2. So, Chevy made the Path Boss as a ZR2 for individuals who don’t want a ZR2.

I’m simply blissful that Chevy is being aware concerning the use-cases right here. However the variations between Colorado fashions may make it tougher for fans to construct their very own off-road beasts ranging from a WT or LT mannequin: As Chevy defined, the Path Boss and ZR2 have sure variations of their body and suspension structure, making these off-road fashions extra succesful proper out of the field.

By Chevy’s account, the Colorado trims break down into two teams: WT and LT are pavement centered, whereas Z71, Path Boss and ZR2 are off-road oriented. Although the Z71 is technically a midrange trim, it’s kind of the beginning of the off-road vary of Colorados. Chevy expects many drivers will go one trim up to the Colorado Path Boss, which is extra succesful than a Z71 however not fairly a ZR2.