2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV Trail Boss: Tackling a New Trail

The full-size electric pickup truck segment is at a crossroads. The F-150 Lightning enjoyed initial success, but sales have slowed significantly. At Tesla, those who wanted to get their hands on a Cybertruck have already done so, and the hype is dead. The Rivian R1T is competent, but in a class of its own. And Ram has simply abandoned the idea of a fully electric pickup in favour of developing a pickup with a range extender (i.e., the good old Pentastar V6).

General Motors is betting on its Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV pickups. And in order to avoid ending up in stagnant waters like its rivals, it has added the Trail Boss and AT4 variants, which lightly draw on the company’s arsenal of off-road components to spice up electric driving off the beaten track.

The Car Guide travelled to the San Diego area to test drive the 2026 Silverado EV in its Trail Boss version.

Definitely not running out of juice

Armed with a large 205 kWh MAX battery pack, the Silverado EV Trail Boss pickup promises a range of around 760 kilometres, which is impressive for a large vehicle equipped with 35-inch off-road tires and high ground clearance. With our enthusiastic driving on winding roads, highways, and trails, we recorded a consumption rating that fluctuated dramatically between 34 and 43 kWh/100 km, which would predict a range of 532 kilometres. Of course, our driving did not reflect reality, hence our “pessimistic” estimate.

In terms of performance, the Silverado EV Trail Boss boasts 725 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque, another of its impressive features. And with a weight of nearly 9,000 pounds (4,000 kg) it puts all the cavalry to work. In addition to its chunky tires, the Trail Boss variant features model-specific suspension tuning, 2 inches of additional ground clearance, front tow hooks, and a Terrain driving mode. This mode makes use of the rear steering wheels to navigate narrow trails. At the same time, the Silverado EV's Sidewinder feature allows the truck to drive diagonally at low speeds—similar to the Hummer EV's Crabwalk feature—helping it to navigate around obstacles.

Moderate off-road capabilities

In the trails, the features listed above turned out to be essential given the truck’s bulky size and weight. However, our Trail Boss variant managed to navigate the obstacles we threw at it with surprising agility, thanks in large part to its impressive torque and rear-wheel steering. The Silverado EV Trail Boss doesn't have a limited-slip differential, but it uses ABS to favour one side over the other in situations where it needs traction. It's worth noting that the suspension also does a good job of handling the truck on bumpy surfaces. Ultimately, the Silverado EV makes the trail experience quiet and (almost too) easy.

Off-trail and on the road, the Silverado EV Trail Boss provides acceptable ride comfort, but with noticeable roll and pronounced body movements. While the F-150 Lightning, for example, almost manages to emulate the ride of its combustion-engine counterpart, the Silverado EV behaves more like a large electric vehicle that has been converted into a pickup truck. We also hitched a trailer to our test vehicle and drove it for several dozen miles on winding roads and the highway. The trailer carried a side-by-side vehicle, bringing its weight to just under 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg).

It goes without saying that towing with an electric truck is a completely different experience than with a combustion engine truck. On the one hand, the Silverado EV Trail Boss' electric motors never seemed to run out of juice when accelerating, no matter how enthusiastically we tackled hills. On the other hand, you have to get used to hearing all the metallic noises from the trailer because of the near-total silence of the motor... but you get used to that. And there are other advantages, particularly when it comes to diagnosing problems with the hitch, the trailer, or the equipment on it.

On the highway, the Silverado EV tows like a champ with impressive stability. But on winding and sometimes bumpy roads, the choppy feeling is once again noticeable. Special mention goes to Chevrolet's towing apps and camera system, which make the task easier in several ways, especially when it comes to keeping an eye on the trailer in tighter corners.

A digital, no-frills interior

Although seating is very comfortable, the interior finish of the Silverado EV Trail Boss leans toward simplicity. There are no luxurious or adventurous touches, which is a bit disappointing for a truck with a six-figure price tag.

However, this interior has two features that are worth highlighting. First, the versatility of the cargo area, which can be extended to 10 feet in length thanks to the retractable split tailgate. Second, the 17.7-inch infotainment system screen is well oriented toward the driver and offers a range of useful apps, such as the one for towing mentioned above. And while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto software suites are conspicuous by their absence, the Google Built-In system, which manages navigation, does a good job.

Who is this truck for?

As mentioned above, the full-size electric truck is still looking for its ideal buyer. And while it's already difficult to know who it's aimed at overall, it's even harder to determine who the adventurous Trail Boss version is for. And the puzzle becomes even more complex when you see its $110,625 price tag... 

With that price (and weight!), it's easy to imagine that Silverado EV Trail Boss buyers are more likely to conquer potholes in the suburbs than trails in the middle of nowhere. But we must applaud the manufacturer's strategy in demonstrating that it is possible to introduce adventure-oriented versions of electric vehicles while maintaining impressive range and useful technological features.

WATCH: 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV first images