I'm downsizing from a GMC Sierra 2500 HD Diesel and I'm interested in a 2026 Trail Boss. I need a smaller truck.

They have the 2.7L TurboMax engine. I don't need a tow vehicle but want a 4WD truck. I've pretty much ruled out the Ranger, Toyota's, Frontier, etc.

I've heard good things about the Colorado but I'm mostly concerned about the inline 4 cylinder turbo. Some online reviews have mentioned overheating concerns with the turbos but you can find all kinds of complaints about all brands online.

Does anyone have any good or bad experiences with this Gen 3 Colorado?

Thanks!

I owned a 2006 Silverado 2500hd with an LBZ duramax for 18 years and then moved to a 2019 ZR2 Colorado with a 2.8L baby duramax. I can highly recommend the body size and style, the Bose stereo, the ZR2 suspension. I do not have any experience with the gas engines, and I think the transmissions are different now as well. I had some trouble with the transmission shudder when it gets warm but no issues with the engine or other systems. My experiences are over the last 6 years but overall it is a good truck and drives well. I have been up and down the east coast several times and out to California three times. it's a good long distance ride, not as good as a full size, but acceptable. my wife has a little trouble getting in and out due to the factory lift on the ZR2 models. I don't think GMC Canyon comes in a ZR@ model. I think it's the best one.

Edit to add: GMC Canyon AT4X: GMC's luxury-focused equivalent to the ZR2, featuring similar off-road capability with a more premium interior.

Also keep in mind that Chevy and GMC are getting an entirely new engine line refresh in 2027.

If you’re concerned about long term reliability don’t rule out the Nissan Frontier. It’s got a non turbo V6. Nissan isn’t really known for reliability but the Frontiers have been solid trucks for a long time. It’s the last of the non turbo engines in small trucks.

quote:

Originally posted by sigspecops:
…. It’s the last of the non turbo engines in small trucks.

Except for the Jeep Gladiator…

I have a Colorado but it's the 3.8 V6. This is probably the best truck I have ever owned. There are several good Colorado forums on the net that would have a lot of info on that engine.

I have a 2WD Colorado Lt 2026 model. I now have 3K miles on it. Averaging 25.5 MPG so far in mixed city/hwy. No towing but my neighbor has a 2025 that he tows a pretty good size travel trailer with. The 2.7 turbo I believe to be a good engine. It was designed and built to be a truck engine. I also had one (2019) in full size Silverado as a company truck. That was the first year for the engine. I drove it over 70K miles with no issues. I retired, but the truck was used for my replacement and I think he drove it another 2 years. The Colorado with 310/430 is fun to drive. Plenty of power.

My coworker has 2 Colorados, both bought new.
2016 2wd crew cab with nearly 200k on the 3.6 V6
2024 Trail Boss crew cab with the 2.7 T4

He drives about 58 miles, one way, to the office, 4 days/wk. From the Katy area to around IAH.
No problems reported with it yet.

I drove it once, when he got it, and it's a nice truck, a big upgrade over the 2nd Gen. Definitely feels peppier with more low-end torque.

I don't think I'd want the 2.7 in a Silverado, but it works well on the mid-sized Colorado.

I wish the looks of the TB were available on the Z71, from the factory.

My uncle has a ZR2, but it doesn't get a lot of miles on it. No complaints from them, either.

I have a '24 ZR2 with the Turbomax and love it. Massive low-end torque. MIleage isn't the greatest in the ZR, best I have gotten is 21HWY - 16 to 17 is more realistic in my shitty traffic. Though, the 33's can be a bit noisy on the road on mine, it is very well mannered (for a lifted truck).

So far, I have no complaints with 12k miles.

I don 't have a Colorado but if I were replacing my Ridgeline with something else, that or a Canyon is what I'd buy. I've heard less bad things about them than the 1/2 ton trucks. One thing I don't like about the 2.7 engine is cylinder deactivation. Is that even necessary on a 4 cylinder? I believe I'd invest in a disabler.

I completely forgot about the Gladiator having a non turbo engine available. Which would be nice, but Jeep reliability? Not sure if I’d gamble on that long term. If you’re okay with a turbo, the GM trucks seem to have a decent engine. I’ve driven the full size truck with the 4 cylinder and I was surprised at how much torque it had.

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:

quote:

Originally posted by sigspecops:
…. It’s the last of the non turbo engines in small trucks.

Except for the Jeep Gladiator…

I've got about a year [my oldest will be 16 next August]
But, a Texas Trail Gladiator is on my shortlist of options to check out.

Everybody that I know that has one say the 2.7 in the Silverado is just fine.

I sell quite a few to my clients, mostly pest control and cable companies. No problems I have heard of. I wish they still made a dbl cab with a 6' bed or a crew available with it.

Don't overlook the WT 4x4 with the "custom" package, it has a lot of standard equipment and is $5-6k cheaper than the Trail Boss

https://www.maxieprice.com/veh...o/1GCPTBEK5T1205811/


And here is a TB, I do all of the ordering as well and try not to put too many options on the WT and TB as to keep them reasonable


https://www.maxieprice.com/veh...o/1GCPTEEK9T1281176/

Let me know if you want help with incentives or locating

Those you linked seem very competitively priced Big Swede. I couldn't deal with black interior though and unfortunately many cars and trucks only come with that.

I have a company issue 1500 with the turbo 4. It’s has more enough power needed to hang with traffic. Mileage is not stellar but that is where the power comes from. I get 16 mpg with a high roof work truck cap on almost all highway miles. In 50k miles the only trouble has been three spells of turbo boost fault codes then de-powering while cruising highway speeds in near single digit cold weather. I cleared them with a reader and carried on.
I would think that same engine in an unloaded Colorado would drive like a rocket.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jed7s9b,

I think it is the perfect power plant for the Colorado. Honestly it was pretty good in the Silverado as well especially one that is mostly highway and light loads.

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
I sell quite a few to my clients, mostly pest control and cable companies. No problems I have heard of. I wish they still made a dbl cab with a 6' bed or a crew available with it.

If a dbl cab 6’ bed was available, I’d buy one today. Unfortunate they seem to have gone extinct.

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
I sell quite a few to my clients, mostly pest control and cable companies. No problems I have heard of. I wish they still made a dbl cab with a 6' bed or a crew available with it.

Don't overlook the WT 4x4 with the "custom" package, it has a lot of standard equipment and is $5-6k cheaper than the Trail Boss

https://www.maxieprice.com/veh...o/1GCPTBEK5T1205811/


And here is a TB, I do all of the ordering as well and try not to put too many options on the WT and TB as to keep them reasonable


https://www.maxieprice.com/veh...o/1GCPTEEK9T1281176/

Let me know if you want help with incentives or locating

Wow! A Trail Boss for $40k seems like a great deal, and that’s coming from a Jeep guy…

quote:

Originally posted by smlsig:

quote:

Originally posted by sigspecops:
…. It’s the last of the non turbo engines in small trucks.

Except for the Jeep Gladiator…

Nissan still has their 3.8 V6 in the Frontier and that'll be running long after the Jeep is in the junkyard.

BTW, there is an additional $2000 "conquest" rebate. You have to currently own one of the competitors mid/small trucks, including the Gladiator. You do not have to trade it