What Does the 2020 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss Do to Optimize Off-Roading?
There are a lot of pickup trucks on the market that claim to handle off-road driving with ease, but that isn’t always the case. Some trucks can’t handle the terrain and end up getting towed out of a tough situation. Many models are built for towing and hauling and are better suited for a work site rather than going off the beaten path.
U.S. News took a look at the best off-road trucks of 2020 to find which ones were able to stand up to the challenge of mud, inclines, rocks, and all the obstacles that come along with off-road maneuvering.
The 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 made it into the top 10 with its Trail Boss trim that is perfectly suited for the great outdoors.
Best off-roading trucks on the market
Built for cruising through wide-open desert spaces, the 2020 Ford F-150 Raptor claimed the No. 1 spot on the U.S. News list. A twin-turbocharged V6 engine combined with Fox Racing Shox, 35-inch all-terrain tires, and a Terrain Management System makes this pickup truck a top choice for off-road enthusiasts.
Ranking second on the best of off-roading trucks list is the 2020 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison. This year’s model has many upgraded features that include AEV steel skid plates and fender plates, a front-end mounting point, and Multimatic off-road shock absorbers.
Other contenders on the U.S. News list for 2020 include the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, Jeep Gladiator Rubicon or Mojave, Nissan Frontier PRO-4X, GMC Canyon AT4, Ford Ranger FX4, and Ram 1500 Rebel.
The 2020 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss took the No. 9 spot, gaining a respectable position among the top 10 best off-road trucks available today.
The Silverado Trail Boss is off-road-ready
There are two off-road-oriented models available in the Chevy Silverado. The Custom Trail Boss and LT Trail Boss trims offer features such as hill descent control, skid plates, and a two-speed transfer case.
To make the Chevy Silverado 1500 off-road-ready, a 2-inch factory suspension lift with Rancho shocks gives the popular truck the boost it needs. An automatic locking rear differential makes switching to off-road driving mode a breeze. Equipped with Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires, the Silverado Trail Boss is ready to take on any terrain it encounters.
The four-wheel-drive system has an auto mode that makes switching from highway driving to off-road dirt surfaces a simple transition. Tackling mountain grades is not a problem, and it takes on urban roadways like a pro. The rapid acceleration without spinning the tires is a welcomed feature of this highly capable off-road truck.
J.D. Power noted that the Chevy Silverado is “easier to place on narrow mountain roads than other full-size trucks.”
The 2020 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss
There are three powertrain options for the 2020 Chevy Silverado that include a turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder gas engine, a 6.2-liter V8, and a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 option. Updates for the 2020 model are an adaptive cruise control system along with advanced trailer towing technology.
The Chevy Silverado offers eight unique trim levels. The Trail Boss is the mid-grade level, designed with off-road driving in mind. The interior isn’t going to win any awards, although it does provide a comfortable driving experience for both the drivers and passengers. There is plenty of legroom in the backseat, but the lack of quality materials makes the truck feel less sophisticated than others in its class.
The light-duty truck does not come with advanced driving assistance systems, which is standard in the High Country trim of the Silverado. It did rate well in safety, receiving a four-star overall rating from NHTSA. The powerful V8 engine option outputs 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque, producing a smooth and seductive rumbling sound.
