Considering a new or used Chevy truck or SUV? No problem. You have a multitude of options to choose from. However, if you’re looking for a specific kind of Chevy, one with off-road capabilities, there are particular trims and models designated for such a task to keep an eye out for when looking around the lot of your Chevy dealer. Not every truck or SUV is designed to go off-road, though, and some models offer more features and capabilities than others when it comes to off-roading. A lot of it depends almost entirely on what you’re looking for and what sort of off-roading you plan on doing. That’s why we’re here to help identify the off-road models from Chevy, whether you’re tackling some minor hills or some heavy-duty rock climbing.
#7: 2022 Chevy Traverse High Country
While it might be considered the least off-road capable vehicle on this list, the 2022 Chevy Traverse High Country is still quite capable if you need to venture off the paved road. Unlike some of the other vehicles on the list, its off-roading capabilities are more limited to light trails and easy-to-traverse dirt roads. Even still, for entry-level enthusiasts who wanted something basic, capable, and at the same time something that could also be used for day-to-day luxury travel, the Traverse High Country is your SUV.
The trim comes with heavy-duty engine cooling, which is great if you’re pushing the Traverse up high altitude pathways or driving along mountain ridges. It also comes with standard trailering equipment in case you regularly take hiking, camping, or survival gear with you into the wilderness. With the heavy-duty 600 cold-cranking amps battery, 20-inch all-season tires, and all-wheel drive with StabiliTrak for stability management and traction control, the Traverse High Country is a decent entry-level introduction to very light off-roading.
#6: 2022 Chevy Blazer RS
If you need something a little more capable than the 2022 Chevy Traverse, the 2022 Chevy Blazer RS is a good step up if you’re looking for something a little more rugged during your off-road vehicle scouring. The Blazer RS trim comes with several mechanical systems that make it a good pick for novice off-roaders, especially if you want a midsize crossover SUV that is both stylish and economical. The advanced twin-clutch, all-wheel drive system helps provide torque independently to the rear wheels, which is great for those who need extra traction on wet, uneven, or rough terrain. This feature is only available for the all-wheel drive iteration of the Blazer RS trim. Combined with heavy-duty engine cooling and fully independent tuned suspension, the RS can provide you with some light off-roading at a lower price than the Traverse High Country. Of course, you’re giving up some towing capacity and passenger volume by comparison.
#5: 2022 Chevy Suburban Z71
Large and luxurious, the 2022 Chevy Suburban Z71 is designed as a full-size family SUV. However, what you may not know is that it is also capable of going off-road. Outfitted with a standard Autotrac two-speed transfer case for fully-realized four-wheel drive, 10-speed automatic transmission, and the availability of adaptive air ride suspension, the Suburban Z71 is surprisingly capable as an off-road machine.
In many ways, a vehicle like the Suburban Z71 works as a two-fold solution for those who both need a large-scale family SUV and those who want an off-road capable SUV. The Suburban probably won’t be the first choice for steep hill climbs or rock crawling, but with the heavy-duty air filter, external engine oil cooler and external auxiliary transmission oil cooler with available Brembo brakes, and a front coil-over-shock system with a rear multi-link suspension, the Suburban is surprisingly capable off the road. If you have a budget for the Z71, it’s a good off-road vehicle that targets several segments in one.
#4: 2022 Chevy Tahoe Z71
The Tahoe is a full-size, three-row SUV. Taking a large vehicle off-road requires a specific level of heavy-duty cooling, power, and reinforcement to handle non-paved roads. However, if you have a large family but you regularly like taking trips into the wilderness, out into the forests for weekend camping excursions, or any other number of areas where a sedan just won’t do, the Chevy Tahoe Z71 is a good substitute. It’s a great large-scale SUV that is also finely tuned for off-road.
While you won’t be able to rock climb or rally race in the Tahoe, the Z71 trim does come with a lot of rugged-tier equipment, including red recovery hooks, a skid plate to protect the drivetrain in the undercarriage, as well as the availability of four-corner adaptive air-ride suspension that dynamically raises and lowers depending on the terrain and driving conditions. Even though the Tahoe is a pretty big SUV, the Z71 makes it highly efficient for off-road use, making it a slick choice for enthusiasts who need something from a Chevy dealer that’s rugged and capable but not something too over-the-top or overly expensive.
#3: 2022 Chevy Trailblazer Activ
Oftentimes off-road enthusiasts don’t want to get trapped in cost-traps where they’re paying out more than what they want for a capable off-road machine. It can happen quite easily with some larger vehicles where you’re paying for a lot of features you may not want in order to get the features that you do. The highlight of the 2022 Chevy Trailblazer Activ model is that the Trailblazer is actually a compact SUV, so you’re getting something much smaller than some of the other vehicles on the list, and that means fewer costs.
The other highlight of the Trailblazer Activ is that it comes with an off-road-tuned suspension, which means stiffer shocks, a reinforced undercarriage to take more punishment, and the standard inclusion of a functional skid plate, so you don’t have to worry about damaging anything while skimming over rocks or fording through shallow water. With the extra dual-outlet exhaust and 9-speed automatic transmission paired up with the Ecotec turbocharged 3-cylinder, the Trailblazer Activ may not be as torque heavy as some other entries on the list, but it will get you onto trails and off the road with ease. Also, given that the trim comes standard with everything you need for modest off-roading activities, it means you won’t have to rely on aftermarket parts to make the Trailblazer off-road ready.
#2: 2022 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison Edition
You need not look any further than the 2022 Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison Edition. Not simply a basic ZR2, the Bison Edition takes all of the benefits of the ZR2 and amplifies them. This includes a 2-inch lifted suspension with 3.5-inch wider front and rear tracks and class-exclusive front and rear locking differentials for improved traction control. The Colorado ZR2 also benefits from Multimatic’s DSSV multiple dynamic suspension spool valve damper technology for improved shock absorption and off-road traversal.
What the Bison Edition does is ramp up the feature-set of the Colorado with front and rear front liners, AEV front bumpers, fog lamps, skid plates, and specially made 17-inch aluminum wheels. The Colorado ZR2 Bison Edition makes for a good pick for those looking for a midsize pickup from a Chevy dealer that’s affordable and extremely capable for off-road traversal. It’s a nice alternative for those who may be looking for something a little more cost-effective than some other vehicles on the list.
#1: 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2
Clamoring to conquer some of the toughest trails, hills, and rock-climbing ventures in a pickup truck? Then the 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 ZR2 is the truck to do it. The ZR2 is making its appearance in production models for consumers for the very first time. Previously the ZR2 was exclusive to the racing edition of the Silverado 1500, and now anyone can purchase the trim to conquer the most challenging of off-road tasks thanks to the Multimatic 40mm DSSV dampers with three connected oil reservoirs, reinforced suspension, and front and rear e-lockers.
With a lifted suspension, a 6.2-liter V8 engine powering the truck, and 33-inch MT tires, the 2022 Silverado 1500 ZR2 is uniquely designed to tackle all sorts of off-road adventures. With a 31.8-degree approach angle and skid plates to protect the undercarriage, you have a rugged, performance-heavy truck that also has the ability to tow up to 8,900 pounds and carry up to 1,440 pounds worth of payload in the bed. The ZR2 makes for one of Chevy’s most efficient and promising off-road vehicles yet. As far as cost-to-performance is concerned, the Silverado 1500 ZR2’s costs are entirely oriented around its off-roading capabilities, making it a lot more efficient price-wise than some other Chevy vehicles when it comes to off-road use.
