The Silverado 1500 is Chevy’s light-duty pickup truck that does battle with the likes of the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Toyota Tundra. It is Chevrolet’s top-selling car, and there is a lot to love in regards to the sizable pickup. It has a number of completely different engine choices, your alternative of three cab configurations, various bed-length alternatives, and choices so far as the attention can see. There’s even an all-electric model of the Silverado that is price a better look if you’d like your every day commute pushed by plug-in energy as a substitute of gasoline or diesel gasoline.
One of the crucial attention-grabbing issues in regards to the Silverado 1500, although, is the variety of completely different out there off-road trims it is supplied in. There’s premium trims just like the Excessive Nation, or fundamental trims like the usual WT, however then there are off-road specialists just like the ZR2. Whereas it is not fairly as wild as rivals just like the F-150 Raptor or the Ram RHO, the ZR2 provides severe off-road functionality by way of a lot of upgraded {hardware}. The ZR2 is not low cost, although: it prices over $74,000.
Additional down the lineup, nonetheless, there are off-road prepared trims just like the LT Path Boss and Customized Path Boss which provide a bit much less luxurious and functionality, however with a a lot smaller price ticket. I’ve pushed a number of variations of the Silverado through the years, and examined vehicles off-road exhaustively. And in my expertise, most off-road adventures could be completed in trims just like the LT Path Boss and Customized Path Boss, with out breaking the financial institution.
What are the worth variations?
The ZR2 is the highest of the Silverado’s off-road trims. For 2026, it has a beginning worth of $74,690 (together with $2,595 vacation spot payment) and it comes with a variety of severe {hardware}. The ZR2 has a 2-inch carry, and it impressed us with its Multimatic DSSV dampers. It additionally will get off-road bumpers, underbody aluminum skid plates, and 33-inch mud-terrain tires.
For considerably much less cash, although, you may get a reasonably well-equipped Silverado additional down the lineup — the LT Path Boss. It additionally has a 2-inch carry and plenty of options price noting, with a way more approachable worth of $62,195. The LT Path Boss does not use the identical Multimatic suspension, it makes use of Rancho monotube shocks as a substitute, however they need to suffice for many off-roading functions. The Customized Path Boss will get the identical Z71 suspension because the LT Path Boss, however with fewer creature comforts.
There are two base trims of the Silverado: the WT (Work Truck) and Customized. And simply above the Customized is the Customized Path Boss, and it is priced at $55,395 –that is almost $20,000 lower than the massive ZR2 and about $7k lower than the LT Path Boss. It feels a bit bare-bones by comparability, but it surely nonetheless comes normal with a variety of the mandatory gadgets for delicate off-roading. And, when you’re like me, and also you get pleasure from a little bit of personalization and at-home modification, there shall be loads of price range left over for that with both of the Path Boss trims.
What comes normal on the Customized Path Boss?
It is inexpensive than the priciest Silverado trims, however the Customized Path Boss nonetheless provides a superb quantity of apparatus for the cash. Together with the 2-inch suspension carry by way of the Z71 suspension, it comes with skid plates to guard the oil pan, differential case, and switch case. Pink tow hooks provide you with a pleasant, daring towing location to latch onto, and normal Hill Descent Management helps with steep downhill grades. Goodyear mud terrain tires are normal, wrapped round black 18-inch wheels. The Customized Path Boss comes with Chevrolet’s smaller 7-inch heart touchscreen, however wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are additionally a part of the package deal (the LT Path Boss will get the bigger 13.4-inch touchscreen).
Each the Customized and LT Path Boss come normal with Chevy’s TurboMax four-cylinder engine, so there is no distinction in energy. In each trims, it places out 305 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque and is paired with an 8-speed computerized transmission. 4-wheel drive is, naturally, normal. The Customized Path Boss is lacking some creature comforts and trendy options like wi-fi smartphone charging, heated seats, and a 360-degree digicam. These choices can all be had on the LT Path Boss if you wish to spend some mid-range cash to improve.
Methodology
Trying carefully on the trim ranges out there for the Silverado, and on the gear that every trim provides, it is clear that not everybody will want a ZR2. In my expertise out on the paths, most consumers need one thing that is competent in getting them too and from their nature vacation spot, however not almost as many adventures embrace the necessity for optimum articulation and rock-crawling functionality (not less than not in full-size vehicles). That actuality, together with a lot of expertise wheeling in all types of vehicles and SUVs, influenced the advice right here for the lower-level Path Boss trims.
And if we have a look at the panorama that’s the full-size truck market, choices just like the Ford Raptor and trail-busting Ram RHO are most likely higher suited to desert-conquering exercise anyway. For off-roaders that need to pull a trailer, barrel via some muddy sections of their native hearth street, and preserve most of their hard-earned cash of their pocket, the LT, and Customized Path Boss trims are sturdy choices.
