BEHIND THE WHEEL: Rugged and refined – the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss Z71 is something we have been looking forward to for a while. The Silverado has been a part of the fabric of Texas since the name was just a trim level. So most Texans are familiar with the Silverado, but the Trail Boss package makes this a different truck.
The competition for the 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss includes the usually suspects in the Ford F51 and the RAM 1500. No surprise there and sometimes it is just a matter of comfort and style and what you are used to driving.
The first thing you notice on the Trail Boss is the size, the two- inch factory lift helps to make the truck look massive. The blacked out trim helps with the robust look that is sporty but goes well together. It looks like a truck that has been customized that can be driven off the lot.
Entering the Silverado, once again you notice the size. No mid-size truck here, especially with the full-size crew cab. There is plenty of room to stretch out and move around on a long trip, and enough room for a crew of husky construction workers or a large family.
With the size it could be assumed that the Trail Boss would be like driving a work truck, but this was not the case. The truck rode very smoothly and navigated the Dallas freeways and road construction with ease. Being higher than most other vehicles on the road was a nice feeling as well.
The 6.2 liter V8 engine with 420 horsepower and 460 foot pounds of torque provides all the power one could ask for in a vehicle. In fact, we almost jumped out of the parking lot with all of the power. To put it in perspective the 6.2 liter engine has more power on tap than almost all of the muscle cars of the 60’s and 70’s but gets better mileage. Maybe that’s why it has a muscle car feel.
Regarding safety an optional safety package is available for the Trail Boss and that adds front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
What’s new and included is the automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and forward collision alert. The adaptive cruise control isn’t included, but there are plenty of options on this hard hitting machine and men and women and alike will feel the power and the safety behind the wheel.
Indeed, the Trail Boss is where the Chevrolet Silverado shines. Think style, bang for the buck and complete capability.
Trail Boss is an appropriate name for this truck as it has all of the conveniences and power without the frills of one of upper level trim packages.
SHOULD YOU NEED TO KNOW: There are several available power trains for various towing and hauling needs.
MILES: The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Trail Boss will give you 15 miles per gallon in the city and 19 miles per gallon on the highway with a combined of 17 MPG.
COST: At an MSRP of $45,000 it is a great value and mix of rugged and refined.