2023 Chevy Colorado Desert Boss: Features, Towing, Off-Road Review

We test out all the features of the new 2023 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Desert Boss. Also, can it conquer our most challenging off-road course?
#Chevrolet #ZR2 #offroad
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[@franciscocarrera6188]

Did he say 62k for a Chevy Colorado? Plus taxes and fees..... Fk no wonder Americans are broke. This is ridiculous. 😂

[@Expressionistix]

We wont buy this - Chevy can go suffer. We'll just keep our old cars and buy private party used when we have to.

[@DavefromCA2023]

@@Expressionistix people will pay it. GM isnt stupid...

[@Ruddline]

Dude 41K Trail Boss is 90% as good, we have this thing in the US called muh freedumbs so winners of the capitalist lottery can spend way too much for crap but if you are smart you can survive in this Darwinian land.

[@Snappydadshoes]

I almost stopped watching after the price...62K for a midsized? Hole eee sheet.

[@DavefromCA2023]

People will pay it...I wont and neither will you lol

[@seana985]

To be fair, that desert boss pack is essentially $9000 of crap. Functionally the same truck without that is $52.5k

[@davidgroff3355]

Can't take it with you $ or give it to your kids , make them earn their own money

[@Gabistro_]

Thought of the same thing

[@ryanankeny3712]

I almost stopped watching him tow the trailer 😴

[@Ktheodoss]

I think the reasons the truck didn’t make it are the obvious ones. Dirt is very dry and loose, almost as bad as sand. Tires could have been better and perhaps aired down. It’s a heavy vehicle and the hill was very steep. The speed required to power up the hill might have damaged the truck and that wouldn’t have been a wise decision to make.

[@LivinDaDrean]

Yeah it really seems like he's just leaning on the truck 100% to make it happen, like he's never driven on soft terrain before. Airing down is rule #1 of sand.

[@willturnbull6465]

Too much air in the tires you should air down when you get off road

[@cobyjones9519]

@@LivinDaDreanif you watch any of his videos you would know that he never airs down the tires…mostly because the manufacturers don’t want him too and to also just show what the vehicle can do as standard from the factory…

[@user-wm1xm5gm2k]

Only homosexuals would order a raptor

[@joelesparza8812]

Looks like you were in wrong 4WD setting, you were on 4WD Low and trying to throttle it up the hill. 4WD high with only rear lockers on and Off road mode may have produced better results

[@busslayer4790]

Having another vehicle (like your Ranger) at the course, to try the same obstacles ar the same time, would be useful, especially when reviewing these purpose built off roaders. That would help us understand if trail changes or vehicle flaws were the cause when a vehicle fails a particular obstacle.

[@Traumatree]

Agreed. Or if the driver can't adjust the settings properly like I think has just happened in this video. I can't believe a truck with that much torque and off-road bells and whisltles couldn't make it from the loose dry ground - it was not a tire issue but a setup issue imo.

[@drivingsports]

We're finding out that we ALWAYS need to bring a compressor if we're running up The Ladder. Also moisture levels are causing wide-ranging results.

[@carlson2012abqb]

$62k?! Ugh

[@kx8960]

Don't get the Desert Boss trim (only) package, ot adds no functionality. I got my loaded ZR2 for $53k MSRP.

[@BeanWater24]

I would love to see a G-Wagon on this course

[@brycea0225]

I remember when $62k for a 3/4 ton truck was considered expensive. Now we’re paying that for midsize trucks. I’d still love to have a new Colorado I just can’t believe these prices

[@basicbodybuilding]

35k for a 3/4 ton still exist

[@Adventure_blac]

Yeah like 2005

[@brycea0225]

@@Adventure_blac more like 2018. My 2015 ram 1500 was 40k off the dealer lot with nearly every option. Up until covid trucks were affordable

[@SueUTube]

Atrocious price. Atrocious mileage.

[@cofffeejoe2079]

Nothing screams big badass truck like a turbo 4 cylinder 😂

[@ChrisSmith-fc8ki]

it has more torque than your v8!!

[@cofffeejoe2079]

@@ChrisSmith-fc8ki so? If your going to give me a 4 cylinder at least give me fuel economy and reliability, which this engine does not have.

[@Rich-xq3uv]

A cummins turbo 6 cylinder is more 'badass' than a V8 in a Tundra. The number of pistons is irrelevant.

[@mabelpup8502]

@@ChrisSmith-fc8kibut won’t last as long as the v8..so what’s your point?

[@stackchn]

Just pray 🙏 GM doesn't do an over the air update that drains your battery and leaves you stranded in a desert 🏜 that could lead to your death from heatstroke

[@kx8960]

There's a setting to turn that off to prevent that, I did on my '24 ZR2.

[@richardhouvener6423]

16 MPG on the highway? No thanks.

[@Traumatree]

He's in tow mode on a straight highway... and the engine rev at 4k+ rpm. You use tow mode in hilly mountains or to get your boat out of the water. After that, you put it back in normal mode as once you are moving, the weight in the back is minimal.

[@triedproven9908]

You think about it that's about right. That 2.7 is trying all the time. Its class average mpg.

[@jmpersic]

Sometimes I just want to see you run a Bradley Armored Personnel Carrier on this course.

[@theUltimateLord]

Like a tank ? Hahaha

[@jmpersic]

@@theUltimateLord Yes, like a tank. I'd like to see some tracked vehicles, maybe some extreme off road RAZRs, an ATV or two. I think it would really put the course and everything on it in greater perspective. I'm dead serious. Probably get a fair amount of views too.

[@wildbill23c]

@@theUltimateLord Bradley's are about 1/2 the weight and about 1/2 the size of a tank LOL.

[@just4ivaylo92]

Can't wait to see you get the Ranger. They only produced 15 in September...so it might be a long wait. 😉

[@pr0n3]

maybe in 2025 my dood.

[@eubenhadd3300]

Now I feel better about the Pilot not getting up that hill.. :D

[@benblakeney7418]

The Goodyear territories are not mud terrains. Their MT moniker is for maximum traction not mud terrains. Those tires are AT not MT. Bad marketing by Goodyear. Andre from TFL has been making a big deal of denoting that since he found out. As we all know, tires make a huge difference. Great video and a beautiful if expensive truck. Also, not sure why GM and Chevy have such uncomfortable seats since about 2018. Probably changed suppliers for cost would be my guess.

[@drivingsports]

I hate that they call them MT. Will do some more research and will note it in the future.

[@iandl9147]

Was gonna post the same...MT maximum traction...not a mud terrain

[@Kiss__Kiss]

☠ That 4wd system. Could have been tires as well but, jeez!! and for $60k plus? Ouch!!

[@BritGuyAbroad]

The Honda Pilot Trailsport doesn’t look too bad compared to this!

[@BlueSTI]

Not sure if youre affiliated with TFL but you do way better reviews. Like night and day 🔥

[@sikandershah9619]

Greetings from Colorado! Ryan, I have been watching your show forever. Cannot help but say, if you are pulling a 3K plus trailer with a 4-cylinder engine. You will have to sacrifice the mpg. I have a 2024 Silverado 3500 HD Diesel and pull a 46' Toy hauler. Normally on an average I get 19 mpg, primarily due to more aggressive tires. When pulling the Toy Hauler, I get 10.2 on flat terrain, but about 7 to 8 up in the mountains. Just my two cents worth. You have a great show by the way, and I religiously wait for new videos. God Bless!

[@malifestro3319]

That hill resembles sand more then anything. So you need to be air downed to around 10-15.

[@triedproven9908]

Silty powder for sure just digs in when dry. But man the zr2 looked good trying.

[@TREVORJB101]

This is such a sweet truck and way better than the previous gen. Btw, those are not mud terrain tires; the MT stands for Maximum Traction on those specific tires. It confuses a lot of people. I'm glad to see Desert Boss dropped in favor of the ZR2 Bison. Maybe you can do a review of the next gen Bison over the coming winter months. This was a fantastic video! Great job!

[@wildbill23c]

16mpg LOL...are we still in the 80's? Wait my 30+ year old Ranger gets 24mpg highway with a V6....not impressed with fuel economy in today's vehicles...that kind of fuel economy is usually reserved for HD trucks. Another case of an engine not up to the task of moving that mid-size truck around.

[@cofffeejoe2079]

Right! It’s crazy

[@pavansai9066]

Waiting to see how Tacoma 2024,Lexus gx550 and Land Cruiser will perform in this offroad trail

[@Bill_Ackman]

Ready to tackles those Kroger Parking lots taking up two spaces near you!

[@jacobshort5378]

The turbo motors are cool and all, but I would be more likely to consider a truck with a NA motor.

[@wildbill23c]

A NA V6, or the 5.3L V8 would get better fuel economy, and have enough power to get out of its own way unlike that undersized 4 cylinder.

[@nickh5049]

So Desert Boss is an expensive appearance package...

[@mabelpup8502]

Yes

[@kennethwomack8678]

Funny how the 4Runner made it but the ZR2 didn’t. The there’s the screaming gas sucking 4 cylinder. Hmmm.

[@franktesoro7489]

Looks good, but no thanks. That engine is a big question mark. As a long term owner of most of my vehicles I can't trust a turbo 4 cylinder.

[@hugebulkguycb1805]

Man would that 3.0 diesel be great in that truck

[@stevenlord6120]

First off, your son is doing a fantastic job..even when you’re dusting him out :). Like other commenters, I too held back my reservation on the Ranger Raptor with too many unknowns. The other two on my list are the Tacoma TRD pro as well as the LC….like other commenters. It seems we all share similar DNA.

[@commbubba1990]

Is it me or your trailer camera angle showing how much the frame is flexing.....@9:30

[@EZapar]

I'd be willing to bring the Wildtrak out there to prove it like in a game of HORSE. lol That was disappointing, I thought for sure the Chevy would make it. I'm sure it's the tires.

[@mabelpup8502]

Good thing these hills won’t be at any mall the truck goes to….

[@bertito43]

62k msrp and 16 hwy mpg 😥

[@pr0n3]

Thanks for all the work you do my dood in putting together these great vids. Still so many choices. Still got my heart set on a Toyota Off-road with the rangers being in low supply due to certain "reasons".

[@LaGenteNoOlvida]

How much does your trailer weights? The max on the dessert boss is 5500lbs right?

[@drivingsports]

Trailer is 3k fully loaded.

[@commbubba1990]

maybe when doing these hill challenges, keep the ranger on hand for a same day comparison. those GY tires are not MT (mud terrains) but MT (max traction). Dumb marketing people trying to confuse buyers.

[@drivingsports]

So they're neither MT nor MT. Lol.

[@wiks101]

62k for a 4 cylinder NO WAY!

[@Deetroiter]

I’ll go buy a Mercedes for $62k. Ford and GM trying to sell at Mercedes prices and neither of them are even close to a Mercedes for what you get

[@kx8960]

F1 cars of the "Golden" turbo era in the late '80's made around 1,500hp from a 1.5L turbo 4, and of course cost WAY more than $62k, but, ok.... Oh, and Pro Tip: Skip the trim only Desert Boss package and get a fully loaded/w-power moonroof regular ZR2 for $53k MSRP before T, T, & L like I did.

[@WW-wf8tu]

Yah, no. It is snazzy looking. It has some stuff on it that is supposed to make it capable. But frankly, it did not impress me. With the small engine and the way it performed out there on the OR course, I would say, street runner. Some light OR work. IF anyone worked that thing hard by towing max and OR hard, it would be in the shop more than on the road is my prediction. You should count yourself fortunate it did not break down on you as it is.

[@drivingsports]

Keep that in mind when you watch our upcoming Bison video. 😂

[@WW-wf8tu]

@@drivingsportsUt oh. Spoiler alert. lol

[@Cringer101]

I cant wait for the new Tacoma to try the hill!

[@canalesivany]

Buy this and prepare for battery problems and transmission problems

[@gbouley1]

Driver errors

[@bradenstuart4074]

I think it’s the tires. As you were able to make it up with your Ford Ranger with the Falken Wildpeak RT tires!!

[@infernoking7504]

Looks good but thats it absolutely useless for anyone that needs a truck I would call this a toy

[@Cavemol5823]

a toy for sure

[@richardmahoney9415]

This is a cool truck who cares if it’s 4 cylinders just seems like a cool truck

[@scottpomygalski6078]

Has there been any vehicled to complete that current course with all the loose dirt?

[@davidgroff3355]

Add those stick on bubble mirror on the mirrors like last gens

[@Kenneth_R]

They went for the smaller engine for emissions not really fuel economy. One has to separate the two. You really cant have both very low emissions and high fuel economy in i.c.e.'s.

[@wildbill23c]

You end up burning more fuel with those undersized engines you end up polluting just as much if not more. 16mpg in a mid-size truck is pitiful. I get that or better with my V10 in my F250.

[@pavansai9066]

Seeing how chevy colorado done this trail with front and rear lockers,The 4runner done very well this trail with rear locker only and definitely not aggressive tyres as chevy colorado tyres. Is my opinion

[@cuzz2895]

I love how this ford fanboy makes a chevy look bad every chance he gets. Haha. Love my ZR2. Very capable.

[@drivingsports]

Car and Driver: www.caranddriver.com/features/a39850302/chevy-silverado-zr2-4wd-off-mystery/

[@drivingsports]

This has literally happened to me in front of Chevy Engineers after this article was published and I told them I was 2-footing a climb and they acted like they had no idea what happened. (I was chatting with Ezra recently and he pointed out his C&D story on this exact issue.)

[@cuzz2895]

@@drivingsports and your fanboy-ism is very apparent. With that said, the Raptor is very cool, but so is the ZR2

[@lolotus4borderless]

High speed Desert running is the rig specialty

[@baldino.soccer]

Great video!! So what are the best off-road vehicles that can best tackle such terrain/slopes? I thought this ZR2 would have done a great job for every test (including the ladder). Would you/everyone say the Bronco is better? What other vehicles does everyone think is more capable.... F150 or Ranger Raptor, Wrangler Rubicon, TRX, 4Runner, Tacoma TRD,.... Land Rovers??

[@rockymountainjazzfan1822]

4WD pickups will always perform worse than a comparable 4WD SUV on steep, muddy, snowy or deep dirt trails IF the 4WD pickup doesn't have some weight in the back. The reality is that, without weight in the bed of the truck, the back wheels may have half or less of the traction compared to a pickup with a load in the back. An SUV is better weight-balanced because the roof, seats, etc. in the back portion of the vehicle add significant weight to the rear even if the SUV is not carrying a load.

[@jimmycline4778]

I hate that sports bar on the back and that front bumper with that bar that blocks the flow tie, I’m getting a little more lift and 2023 ZR2 wheels for my 2023 Colorado Trail Boss and I’m completely happy! I just don’t like all that crap on my trucks!

[@kubapruszkowski6288]

Cannot wait for new Tacoma and hopefully soon new 4Runner

[@ryanb8736]

4 cylinder struggling! Poor MPG! Uncomfortable seats! Overpriced! Etc……. Yet tons of people will still buy them. 😂

[@infernoking7504]

Yeah towing up a mountain at 75mph its gonna be high rpm and get awful fuel economy 💀 I bet if you drove on the highway with tire pressure up and Tonio cover at 65 mpg you could get 19-20mpg

[@Bobstone2131]

Ouch, I think I would spend the extra $1k and buy an F-250 Tremor with the gas V8. These new Car/Truck/SUV prices are way out of hand.

[@TheCarterMan]

Would have been great to see the tire spin in the display but overall great video.

[@jthor8373]

I honestly don't think it's neither the truck or driver. The condition of that trail or obstacle has deterriated over time making it more challenging than it was the last time. It just so happens the Colorado ZR2 got to try the course at its worst state yet. Only way to know for sure is to try out your Ranger. This is one of your best videos so far. I think a lot of us weren't expecting the Colorado ZR2 to struggle. I still like the truck regardless.

[@joshthursday88]

Maybe he should take it up a mountain in a blizzard by himself and plant the vehicle in some nice wet snow again. Then start sliding down the road backwards because he made an ice slide by spinning tires up the road. I don't think it has anything to do with tires or the vehicle in my opinion, he's not the greatest driver. Just an observation. Also helps a lot if you put the gear selector in low and use 2nd or 3rd gear, stops with the vehicle cutting power.

[@wayneeden98]

Well, yeah, it's a high price, ya have to consider your lifestyle of income money, everyone has to consider just how badly do you want it, cause everything is high, it's not like it was back in the 60s,and 70s,

[@paverave6986]

This truck looks so mean I love it, but, 62,000 dollars for a turbo 4-cylinder engine. What is the American economy coming to.

[@vivekkaushik9508]

Man if it weren't for the woke virus spreading though US, I'd wish to move to US and do a cross country road trip on one of these mid-size truck with a small trailer.

[@ghostdawg4690]

So tired of these videos showing us something we can’t get, like wtf who TF owns one and driving it around, these auto companies should stop promoting this if they can’t deliver.

[@danielbuchanan5327]

The first time I saw a ZR2 back in 2018 in a dealership it was only $38,000

[@GregoryMeekins]

In very loose dirt like your dirt is very hard to clime that hill if you go far back and take a run at it the chevy will make it for sure 4x4 man!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Eightball2516]

16 mpg that’s horrible I get better then that in my v8 hemi and for 61k I can almost buy a power wagon for that love the truck hate the rack in the back leaves no room for a tonneau cover if you would have taken some air out of the tires you would have gotten more grip had to be those tires that were the issue

[@Elijah-fc3ex]

The cope in these comments. It should have made it up the tiny hill let's not make excuses for corporate moochers selling 60k off road trucks that suck off road

[@ronhu6035]

I don't recall you saying anything about air'g down the tires and it doesn't look like you did from eyeballing them in the video.

[@SuperNova23333]

I've been waiting for this video thank you! Keep up the great work!

[@LivinDaDrean]

The hill climb watches like someone who has never driven off road before and is relying on the truck to make it happen.

[@axellness]

16mpg city & highway (lol). Absolutely terrible. Sticking to my pro4x

[@m_m_m_beer8917]

Hmm. I saw another video where it kept shifting itself out of 4wheel drive on the guy while walking it uphill too.

[@Cavemol5823]

A short lived trim but thank you for doing this . I Perfer last gen boss:)🎉 I can’t wait for Raptor review ! 62k when Ranger raptor is 52k and change is crazy. With UAW strike I think your more likely to see it in February hope I’m wrong

[@drivingsports]

I know. Fingers crossed. 🤞

[@itsjustnate08]

Its a cool truck, but not for that price. Would rather just get a Toyota

[@B86432]

Almost 60k 😂

[@713Jflo]

You should of Aired Down the Tires & that would have made a difference.

[@bdub4112]

I’m watching the opening add and seen the comment on 62k. Posting this and then not watching

[@mickeybrumfield764]

Bring back the V-8.

[@landmine55]

? There was never a V8 in a Colorado.

[@KristiHartway]

Think you need some lessons on crawling up a hill not trying to fly up a hill 🥴

[@davidzavala337]

Sorry, I’ve stopped the video as soon as you said it’s was $62k

[@JRs-guitars]

It was the music....hard rock music would've made it up that climb 🤣 Also, the 1st and 2nd year of a new gen vehicle always have issues. Thats why i finally just traded my Ram in for a 2022 colorado Z71. But ill admit the new gen looks awesome.

[@davidgroff3355]

Don't look at the rpms for god sake, has 33 inch tires on it ,mpgs

[@fitsector4271]

Dirt is really loose. No truck Can climb that section. At least bring two trucks per episode to set same conditions for both vehicles. Low gear on a real transfer case and both axles locked is the real deal. This truck is as capable as a jeep or a bronco for this test.

[@Iraseferovich]

Wish we could have seen the Bison attempt these conditions.

[@Coloradohiker658]

Would love to see this and the new Ranger duel it out.

[@saintb1500]

Lower ur psi on the tires and it will make it

[@xijinpooh8534]

I would have used 4h, turn off trac, and gunned that shit

[@johnng6416]

Why don’t you air down? Better traction and smoother ride.

[@thewhiskeycowboy-official]

Tires, tire pressure, and proper momentum.....

[@timanderson6111]

OK. Usually, I wax prolific on Ryan and his travails, but this time I will share parts of his running commentary, which is a very vital part of these reviews. I think the key is knowing what to look for… Excellent video views… Great point about the mirrors… Do you have the new Raptor? 8.9 mpg????? Travel commentary is a 10 It’s fine, it’s fine, it’s fine… Seats… do we have a vote? It’s struggling a bit… Definitely a “not in you face” video… which I really appreciate... We do have lotsa of cameras… (which we know Ryan really likes…) Boom! To the top! Guage clusters… very nice! What is the ground clearance? Did I miss that? I love the variety of camera positions… I need to load more rocks to this run… Up we go…. Super easy… The Ladder: Passed… Let’s go back, going up… Whoa, whoa, whoa… that didn’t work… OK. Let’s do this again… Wow! Whoa, whoa, whoa… why did my 4-wheel drive turn off? Climb, climb, climb… not! This may require brute strength, with the controls… This course have become very challenging… Let’s get out of this hole… Running sideways now… Baja mode… Ain’t gonna make it! The truck is trying, but it’s not going to happen, today… Tire comparison: good comments… 28-degrees is really tough! Python Pass: Let’s see what we can do, here… Could be the tires… the Bronco killed this trail…. It’s gotta be the tires… It’s harder than it should have been… Close: I would say that, for this test hill, it was pretty good. I do love this truck. It’s lotsa fun! Do with this what you will!

[@ra47584758]

Hi would like to ask few questions about your Ranger Raptor older if you don't mind. I am trying to get my order in as well soon as we can agree on price coz they want at least 15k markup. Can I ask how much of a markup did the dealer agreed on your order. Im surprised you said Oct, NOV 2023 for delivery? or is it 2024? I was told Feb, March or later 2024.

[@JoeCosta-z4t]

Too much air in the tires maybe?

[@Deetroiter]

At these prices, makes one wonder if it’s intentionally making vehicles outpriced and out of range for more and more people. Less vehicles on the road and less emissions, all in the name of climate change or global warming, whichever it is this week. I absolutely love Ryan and co’s material and videos, but I’m becoming more and more disenchanted about watching because it’s obvious these vehicles will be out of my reach at this point.

[@bryandale7125]

There's no replacement for displacement, which is why I love my six-cylinder in my two-door Jeep Rubicon JL, which is a perfect size for this size of rig.

[@christrarback9748]

Have you done a review of a F150 ford tremor yet? Couldn't find one when i looked through your videos

[@drivingsports]

They haven’t sent one to the NW yet.

[@christrarback9748]

@@drivingsports that's a shame , I hope they do

[@goneoutside1011]

I had to come back and watch this video after watching the Subaru crosstrek video. It made but the Chevy is a superior vehicle. I don’t understand how Subaru made it and Chevy didn’t. I have a outback and now want a bison

[@pascualpena1288]

Tires need to be aired down. It will make it no problem.