The 2027 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss has 9.51 inches of ground clearance with its 32-inch tires. The ZR2 goes to 10.73 inches with its 33-inch tires, and the ZR2 Bison reaches 12.2 inches with 35-inch tires. That gives a buyer near Springdale three distinct factory setups for gravel, ruts and rocky ground.

Colorado Off-Road Hardware by Trim

Trail Boss pairs standard 4WD with a two-speed automatic transfer case and a transfer case shield. Low range lets the truck move slowly on rough ground without requiring as much throttle. The two-inch lift gives the Trail Boss more underbody room than the Z71.

ZR2 includes electronic locking differentials on the front and rear axles. Chevrolet also fits rocker protection and skid plates, along with Multimatic DSSV dampers that control suspension movement over uneven ground. ZR2 Bison adds front and rear jounce control dampers to cushion the suspension near the end of its travel.

Ground Clearance and Factory Lifts

The Trail Boss and Z71 share a tire size, while their ride heights differ. Chevrolet describes the Trail Boss lift as improving approach and departure angles when the truck climbs onto or comes off a ledge. The Bison gets its clearance from the combination of the 35-inch tires and 4.5-inch lift, plus boron steel protection for the areas most exposed to rocks.

Tires and Wheels for the Trail

The Trail Boss and Z71 have 18-inch wheels with 32-inch all-terrains. ZR2 uses a 17-inch wheel with a 33-inch mud-terrain tire. The ZR2 Bison runs 35-inch mud-terrains, so it is the factory option for a buyer who wants the largest tire without making the suspension changes after purchase.

The EPA rates the regular 4WD Colorado at 19 mpg combined. It rates the ZR2 at 17 mpg combined and the ZR2 Bison at 15 mpg combined, a difference that adds up on daily trips from Fayetteville to Rogers on I-49.

Low Range and Water Crossings

The Colorado’s two-speed transfer case gives the driver low range for slow moves on loose surfaces. The available Terrain Mode applies braking at low speed, including when the accelerator is released, to help the truck creep on uneven ground.

The Colorado owner’s manual treats flowing water as unsafe and warns that standing water can reach the engine air intake or exhaust. Chevrolet’s 2027 Colorado material gives ground clearance measurements, and the manual’s water crossing guidance governs those conditions.

Colorado Trail Tech

The Off-Road Performance Display shows vehicle information on the center screen. Available underbody cameras on the ZR2 show front and rear views underneath the truck, useful when the hood hides the next rock. ZR2 also adds Baja Mode to the drive mode selector.

Where to Wheel Near Northwest Arkansas

From Siloam Springs and Tontitown, US-412 is the east-west road into Springdale. The Trail Boss’s 32-inch all-terrain setup gives those daily highway miles and a gravel driveway the same factory tire. The ZR2’s mud-terrain tires and skid plates add hardware for rougher ground on a legal motor vehicle route.

AR-102 links Centerton and Bentonville. A Colorado test drive at George Nunnally Chevrolet is a chance to see the seating height on both a Trail Boss and a ZR2, including how much of the road the available camera system can show.

Which Colorado Fits Your Terrain?

Colorado Off-Road FAQs

How much clearance does the Trail Boss have?

The Trail Boss 4WD Crew Cab has 9.51 inches of ground clearance and a two-inch factory lift. The Z71 has 8.90 inches of clearance with the same nominal 32-inch tire size. The Trail Boss also includes a transfer case shield underneath.

Does the ZR2 have a front locker as well as a rear locker?

Yes. The ZR2 has electronic lockers at both ends. The extra traction hardware comes with the Multimatic DSSV dampers, a three-inch factory lift and 33-inch mud-terrain tires. The ZR2 also includes rocker protection for the area below the doors and factory skid plates.

What does Bison add below the truck?

Bison adds five boron steel skid plates and jounce control dampers at the front and rear. The 35-inch mud-terrain tires and 4.5-inch lift bring ground clearance to 12.2 inches. A standard ZR2 starts with 33-inch tires and 10.73 inches of clearance.

Which Colorado has cameras that show underneath?

Chevrolet offers underbody cameras on the ZR2 and Z71. On the ZR2, the camera system can give a view ahead of and behind the underside of the truck. Those views supplement the off-road information shown on the center screen when the truck is equipped for them.

Is the ZR2 rated to tow as much as a Trail Boss?

A properly equipped 2.7L ZR2 4WD Crew Cab is rated for up to 6,000 pounds. The 2.7L Trail Boss 4WD Crew Cab with Advanced Trailering can pull a 7,700-pound trailer with the right equipment. Bison’s limit is 5,500 pounds.

Does Colorado publish a water-fording depth?

Chevrolet’s 2027 Colorado specifications give ground clearance figures by build. The Colorado owner’s manual supplies water-crossing guidance and warns against driving through flowing water. The 12.2 inches listed for the Bison describes ground clearance, so it does not establish an allowable water depth.

Actual trail conditions and access rules govern where a truck can go.

Explore the Colorado