Chevy Silverado EV Trail Boss takes the basic architecture of GM's Ultium platform and applies it to what is meant to be its mass-market model.
New for 2026, the Silverado EV Trail Boss gets a high approach angle, two inches of extra ground clearance, a specially tuned coil suspension, unique 18-inch wheels, and 35-inch all-terrain tires.
The most affordable version of the Trail Boss is the Extended Range flavor, starting at $72,095 with 410 miles, and it's probably the version we'd go for.
General Motors' electric truck odyssey may have started with the technological tour de force of the GMC Hummer, but it was clear even then that it was a halo model meant to clear the path for more everyday trucks with more modest off-road capabilities and lighter curb weights.
That everyday truck is the Chevrolet Silverado EV, and it has arrived on the scene just after the euphoria of the EV truck gold rush has worn off.
GM's EV trucks, and their competitors, are now judged on what they can do for owners on a daily basis rather than who wants to be first on their street with a truck that resembles the Bass Pro Shops pyramid.
Thankfully, the Silverado EV will not be confused for a Bass Pro Shops pyramid from afar and is thus aimed at repeat truck buyers rather than repeat early adopters of various Verhoevean fads or novelties.
In fact, from far away, you can't even tell it's electric, unless you studiously follow the EV truck sphere. And that's the whole point.
The Silverado EV Trail Boss takes the basic architecture of GM's Ultium platform and applies it to what is meant to be its mass-market model, especially if it's not weighed down by the cost of the largest battery on this platform.
Two More Inches of Ground Clearance
This allows is it to keep enough distance from the higher-spec Silverado EV RST as well as the GMC Sierra EV, positioned as the luxury version of this expansive lineup.
It's also different enough from its other competitors, including the Rivian R1T and the Ford F-150 Lightning, so odds are you won't be cross-shopping these with too many other players in this field.
New for 2026 is the Trail Boss version of the Silverado EV. It features a revised front bumper with a high approach angle, two inches of extra ground clearance, a specially tuned coil suspension with a hydraulic rebound control system, unique 18-inch wheels wearing 35-inch all-terrain tires, a low-speed Terrain mode with four-wheel steering, and the special Sidewinder mode.
Sidewinder mode, you may recall, comes from the RST lineup, and it permits all four wheels to turn diagonally at slow speeds.
But otherwise the Trail Boss stays close to the equipment offered in the palatably priced LT trim of the Silverado EV, with the Trail Boss featuring a starting price of $72,095.
What does the extra coin deliver over the WT and LT versions of the Silverado EV?
Quite a bit more power, for starters, with the Trail Boss serving up 725 hp over the 510 hp in the base truck, in addition to 775 lb-ft of torque.
Venture Off the Beaten Path
And of course, there's more off-road capability, thanks to the larger wheels and tires, permitting the Trail Boss to go further off the beaten path.
But before we get to that path, we have to do some non-heroic driving on city and highway roads.
And this is where the Silverado EV impresses with its smooth ride, thanks to its long wheelbase and generous sidewalls, buying the truck a very settled demeanor even without loaded cargo.
We have the battery to thank for giving the Silverado EV a relaxed feel even on broken pavement that would upset many other unloaded trucks. The heavy battery underneath provides even weight distribution.
They should have just called this version of the truck the Chillverado.
Once we get to the steep gravel trail—whose boss we are that day—the Silverado EV eagerly climbs the winding forest road without letting its weight be felt in the corners, and without spitting gravel from its four tires.
It's a very civilized experience, even off-road, far from cell signals, and combined with the quietness of the cabin it feels like a luxury SUV.
The 35-inch tires are a boon in town as well, giving the Silverado EV a supple ride without losing too much connection to the road. So this is not an off-road setup that adds excessive numbness to the everyday street driving experience.
Soooooo Much Legroom
One other thing the long wheelbase buys the Silverado EV is plenty of rear legroom, giving rear seat passengers more space than we've seen in a number of recent full-size SUVs, which must make compromises for third rows.
No third row is found here, thankfully, as the Silverado EV is still a truck first and foremost, and keeps its priorities straight.
Those priorities also include 410 miles of range in standard form, which is a lot in any EV segment these days, whether an SUV, truck, or sedan. And 410 is not even the top battery range, with the Max pack having served up 478 miles.
In either case, we are far from the days of base trucks offering just over 200 miles of range.
At this point it's perhaps too easy to get into territory where range becomes "too much of a good thing," unless you're primarily towing boats or car trailers on the interstate as part of your job.
The towing capacity of the Trail Boss, by the way, stands at 12,500 pounds, while the payload is rated at 2,100 pounds.
And 410 Miles of Range
Coupled with the extra range of the Max Pack, one really could use the Trail Boss for industrial activities that require a yellow hard hat.
With the Silverado EV lineup now catering to many different needs, we find three battery ranges to choose from, before we even get to how many luxury features you want in a truck.
Given how much the base model already offers buyers, we'd probably opt for few options. When it comes to range and price, the Trail Boss lands in the upper half of the Silverado EV lineup, which has quickly grown in variety.
For now, the most affordable version of the Trail Boss is the Extended Range flavor, starting at $72,095 with 410 miles, and it's probably the version we'd go for, as Max Range with 478 miles puts us close to the $90,000 mark with a starting price of $88,695.
In the practical EV world it's difficult to envision needing 478 miles, over the 410-mile EPA rating, to stretch your trip to a more distant EV station.
You're not going to cut it that close anyway if you're experienced enough with long EV road trips. That bump in range is there purely to beef up the mileage while towing.
As we've learned with EV trucks over the past few years, there is definitely a sweet spot to be found when it comes to range, price, and capability.
The Extended Range version of the Trail Boss is perhaps where that sweet spot resides, unless you really want the most base version available, which weighs in at a very reasonable $54,895.
Will the EV truck market continue to gain market share from repeat gas and diesel truck buyers, or will it remain the province of early adopters for another decade? Please comment below.
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