The Four Best Chevrolets for All Types of Off-Road Drivers

It’s no secret that off-roading, or at least owning a vehicle with off-roading capabilities, has grown immensely popular. Think of all the kitted-out SUVs and trucks you see driving along. Chevrolet has been one of the leaders in offering several vehicle models with off-road packaging options. So, if you think you might want to know what the best kinds of Chevy’s for off-roading are, then head down to your local Chevy dealer in McCordsville and look at what there is to offer.

Chevrolet hasn’t completely dedicated itself to solely selling trucks and SUVs, as Ford has done, nor have they given up offering powerful, gas-powered machines to make way for an all-electric lineup, at least not yet. Chevrolet still holds a pedigree for excellence, and they’ve proven that the performance packages they offer will sell and sell well.

We’ll be looking at four models with optional off-road capability: the Trailblazer, Colorado, Silverado, and Tahoe. Each of these vehicles caters to different types of off-roading, and we’ll be spending a decent amount of time on the Colorado as it has quite a lot to offer in terms of specialty trims. But first, the Trailblazer.

The Return of the Trailblazer

Many of us can remember the Trailblazer of old. A lot of them are still on the road. It was a 3 to 7 passenger, traditional, large SUV that epitomized the early 2000s. Though this iteration was discontinued in 2009, Chevrolet brought the nameplate back in 2021 to fill the subcompact SUV slot between the miniature Trax and the compact Equinox. Not designed with heavy off-roading in mind, the pint-sized Trailblazer can hold its own off the beaten path with the ACTIV package.

While Trailblazer comes equipped with either FWD or AWD, ACTIV is specifically tuned for off-roading. It’s fitted with a 1.3 L EcoTec turbo engine making 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque which, while not Colorado level, is still enough power to get you over some difficult terrain. A protective skid plate is standard, as are the tuned shock absorbers, sport terrain tires, and 17” black aluminum wheels. The package also comes with contrasting roof color and black roof rails, heated seats and steering wheel, titanium chrome plating on the front and rear, and trapezoidal dual exhaust ports. On top of that, the exterior design gives the Trailblazer a very rugged look.

Under the hood, there is nothing to joke about either, with available drive mode selection, which includes Normal (FWD), AWD or Snow mode, and sport mode. Likely anyone purchasing a 2021 Trailblazer ACTIV will be utilizing the AWD mode more often than any other.

It’s not a vehicle designed for any serious off-roading, but if you’re trying to get away for a weekend or go on an adventure where the roads may not be paved, and the weather can get inclement, why not check out the Trailblazer? It’s relatively affordable—the base price starts at $21,600 and you’ll get a combined MPG (miles per gallon) rating of 28 with the 1.3 L. So if that’s the kind of off-roading that sounds appealing to you and you’re not looking for a monster, the 2021 Trailblazer might be the best choice.

The Colorado Brothers

Next up, we have Colorado. Not the state, the truck. Yes, we know they named the truck after the state, but that’s hardly important. Well, actually, it is. What do we think of when we think of Colorado? Mountains. And the Chevrolet Colorado, at its core, is designed for crushing them. The current iteration of this much beloved truck was launched in 2015 and has remained a best seller for Chevrolet ever since. But we’re interested in what it can do off-road.

Well, the Colorado is the modern flagship for Chevrolet’s off-roading brand. Much like the Tacoma and the re-introduced Ranger, the Colorado is less a work truck and more a lifestyle truck. This means that those buying the Colorado are not really in it for the payload or the work aspect. Instead, they’re looking for where it can take them. And, with the Z71, ZR2, and ZR2 Bison, Colorado can take you virtually anywhere.

The eldest of these off-roading brothers is the Z71, which was launched in 2015 with the redesigned Colorado as its top trim level. With a Z71, 2015 and on, you’ll get a 3.6 L V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that produces 308 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque, a locking rear differential, a rotary controlled transfer case with a protective shield, and specifically tuned off-road Z71 suspension. More than enough power and grip to take you off the beaten track.

The darling younger brother of this lineup is the ZR2, which was introduced in 2017. This is the true off-roader of the family. While the Z71 is more than capable of handling the backwoods, it’s the ZR2 that’ll truly get you to the top of the mountain. The only thing these brothers share is their 3.6 L V6 engine, but the similarities end there. The ZR2 is taller, wider, and tougher. The suspension is a Multimatic DSSV with a damping system with front and rear locking differentials. Two red recovery hooks complete the front, with fender flares, an updated grille, and Chevrolet written in bold letters across the fascia. The tires you get with the ZR2 are Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac all-terrain tires. They’re beefy with deep treads that’ll more than handle a mountain road or no road at all.

If you need something even beefier than the regular ZR2, it has a twin brother called Bison that’s been working out at the off-road gym 7-days a week. The special edition Bison is all-new for 2022. It has all the capabilities of the ZR2, but with the following upgrades: front winch, engine snorkel, boron steel skid plates that cover the front/read differentials, engine oil pan, transfer case, fuel tank, enormous fog lights, fender flares, and an upscale interior.

The Colorado is one of those vehicles that can cater to any off-roading driver. The Z71, much like the Trailblazer, is for the more weekend adventure types, with the ZR2 for the more serious adventurers, and the Bison for those who are dead serious about their off-roading excursions. If you’re truly interested in off-roading, the first place to look when buying a Chevrolet is a Colorado.

The New Silverado

Now, onto the big boys. We’ll start with Silverado. Though Chevrolet’s flagship work truck, the Silverado is no slouch when it comes to going off-road. While there have been models with off-road capabilities over the years, no Silverado has ever had its own trim package specifically for off-roading. Until now.

Brand new for this year is the Silverado ZR2. Quickly invading nearly every vehicle with a whiff of off-road interest, the ZR2 is the off-roading package sweeping the Chevrolet lineup. For the Silverado, this means Multimatic DSSV damper suspension, a new, steel front bumper that offers a 31 degree approach angle, black chrome grille, raised hood with styled black inserts, and wheel flares. Not that it stops there.

Powering this beast is a 6.2 L V8 mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, producing 420 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. If the Colorado crushes mountains, Silverado dynamites them. A long, underbody aluminum skid plate protects the new 2-speed transfer case with Terrain mode and front and rear locking differentials. If you’re somehow not convinced that this thing will pull you through virtually anything, may we point your attention to the new 33” Goodyear Wrangler Territory Mud Terrain tires. With deep treads attached to the new suspension system, you’ll not only be comfortable off-roading, you may barely notice you’ve left the pavement. You also get the benefits of the capability of a full-sized pickup truck, with max towing of 13,300 lbs and a max payload of 2,270 lbs. This thing is a monster in the best possible way.

We Didn’t Forget the Tahoe

Last, we’ll mention the Z71 Tahoe. This is the off-roader for big families, as the Tahoe can fit up to eight passengers when fully equipped. The 2022 Z71 has a wealth of features such as improved ground clearance, 20” tires, hill descent control, front skid plates, recovery hooks, roof rails, tubular step assists for entering, a high approach angle, and a 2-speed transfer case. For power you have a 5.3 L EcoTec V8 with variable valve timing and direct injection, producing 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque.
And since SUV buyers like comfortable interiors, the Z71 Tahoe comes with 10-way power-adjustable, leather front seats, Bose speakers, a 12’’ color infotainment screen for the driver, and a 10.2’’ screen mounted to the dash with Google built-in.

Something for Every Type of Off-Roader

With a bevy of off-roaders to choose from and catering to every level of enthusiast, the only question remaining is when are you gonna get off your computer, quit reading, and go get one? Hello? Oh good, you’re gone.