2023 Colorado Trail Boss

Since for me the older version of the Colorado was a strong contender in my research, and I knew that this new model was coming out soon, I wanted to stay up to date when they did finally begin to hit the market.

The one in this video is about 3 grand more than what I paid for my TRD OR (since it's a brand new model, I can only assume availability is going to be limited and they're not going to be keen to move off of MSRP for a while) and is missing features that were must-haves (dual climate being one)... And I didn't realize when I bought my truck (I kind of just lucked into a pretty stripped down TRD OR that happened to come with LED headlights), but I really just love my headlights and if I do replace this vehicle in the future, I'm going to shy away from anything with standard halogens. Granted, you can get those things, on the ZR2, for example, but now you're at 50k.

Another negative to me is that it seems everything is basically controlled from that center screen...even the headlights! Our Volvo is basically all center touchscreen controlled...and Volvo did a great job there, but even then (in a $60k vehicle where you know they went all out on a well-thought out user experience) is annoying sometimes.

Three "engines" to choose from (I put engines in quotes because it's all the same 4-cyl turbo with different power outputs).

Setting the drive modes seems....cumbersome (frustrating at times?) and not well-thought out. (7:30)

The rear locker operation sounds weird to me (10:19)...you can't choose to lock it in, but it automatically activates when it detects a 100 RPM difference between the wheels? Is that a mechanical locker then or does it rely on ABS module / brake activation to "lock" the rear axle?

Terrain mode stopping you on its own seems really odd (maybe annoying?) (11:19)

ok...the selection between 2, 4h, 4l seems very odd to me -- is that knob not really a knob? It's a touch screen? You can even see he tries to first intuitively turn it - but then remembers that the knob isn't a knob, but a touch screen instead? (15:30)

I can only assume the reviewer is right about the steering wheel (I remember driving my buddy's old base model Colorado one day, and my first impression, other than the cheap interior, was how cheap it felt to be touching that steering wheel). If that's the same steering wheel feel (which I'm assuming it is) from the base model Colorado, that's bad. That is literally the driver's connection-point to the vehicle...and a nice place for your hands to be is so valuable. Keep in mind - this is a $43k spec'd vehicle he is driving here...and a little interior fit and finish should be expected. (17:35)

I will say this also about interiors - I do get the appeal to the instrument cluster screen being completely digital. But when all of the instrument clusters just paint a fake picture of what is actually, physically there on our cluster, for example, it just annoys me. It's always (to me) just some worse rendering of an actual circular gauge that displays your speed with a needle...that no one looks at anymore because we all (most of us) have the actual speed in big digital numbers in the middle of that instrument cluster anyway. I do get that pretty much everything is going that way anyway - and I can honestly take it or leave it, but I don't appreciate that something is removed just to artificially draw a worse version back on in place of what was removed.

Exterior looks - I think it looks great.

Anyway...Pretty good video that hits all the features on the Trail Boss trim, if anyone is interested in staying up to date...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpoWHfxyLuY

 

Seems like Chevy kind of missed the boat with their off-road modes. My buddy who has a Z71 Colorado and his a huge Colorado guy was complaining too. It sounds like it would be the G-80 auto mechanical locker. When it detects slippage, the clutches in the diff with lock the diff together. Having all the controls in a touch screen is a terrible idea!

 

It's pretty disappointing where this segment of vehicles has headed. I think Toyota still offers the best choice, even if many parts are dated.

I want a basic truck that I can option with lower gears and at least rear locker without all the electronic, soccer mom options. I get it that most trucks will never get off the pavement, but you really have to be willing to buy and build to get something really made for offroad, and hope all the electronics don't screw up on you.

 

Completely agree.

 

I like the looks of it from the viedo. The Trail Boss almost seems like their version of the SR5 - Trail Runner. Sort of a lower trim level, but decently outfitted for offroading - their crawl control seems pretty neat in how it will progressively slow down. Also like the cameras on it. I think I'm going to have to test drive one when I get the chance. I'm really liking it. Just hope dealers don't start adding $5k worth of useless garbage to them.

 

I've been having a devil of a time finding a review of one with the top engine option.

Since it's new and looks nice, if reviews come out and give it a good rating the dealers are going to take the opportunity to gouge.

Prices will stabilize once all the "Gotta Get It First" crowd gets theirs and dealers realize that rational people won't pay over MSRP for a vehicle that is still being manufactured.

Except for the Ford Maverick apparently. The "low cost" hybrid truck still gets a $5k minimum "market adjustment" in this area.

The Maverick is a steal at MSRP or under, but with thousands in dealer padding tacked on, not so much.

 

I think that's my number one dislike about both this new ZR2 as well as the Ranger/Raptor...and even the redesigned Ranger in the FX4 trim. It was a consideration with the 24 Tacoma as well for me. That's probably one of the main reasons I got the '23 while I could...well that and the years of refinement.

 

Not many of the Z71/TBs have hit dealer lots, if any. Zero Canyons afaik. Word is the hang up was waiting for the EPA to certify them, and the economy appears lower than preproduction models indicated. No clue which is more realistic until they hit lots.

ZR2 and AT4X are slated to go into production in the next week weeks, but who knows how long it’ll take to see them on lots. Allotments for them seem razor thin right now.