2020 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss, Ford Ranger FX4 Are Ready For The Worst

As we are in the middle of historic circumstances, it’s time we get a vehicle that’s ready for the occasion. It should be all-capable, comfortable, and apparently able to haul vast quantities of toilet paper. As an Eagle Scout, I can dig a trench and wipe with leaves, but many seem to need a pickup for their aft-ward tidiness. No matter what comes, the 2020 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss is prepared.

Strong Warrior Face

It looks the part of a warrior with its big black grille, 18-inch black alloy wheels, off-road tires, black window trim, and dual exhaust outlets. Body color air blades on the front aid aerodynamics while connecting the Silverado to sportier Chevys like the Camaro. I was no fan of this truck’s design when it debuted a couple of years ago. Elegant, it is not. But, there’s a toughness in the big façade, sculpted fenders, and chiseled hood that I’ve come to appreciate. The longer cab looks good and provides ample rear passenger space.

Designers deleted step bars because they tend to bang on rocks and logs off-road, but they would certainly make for an easier climb inside. Once there, critics might say Chevrolet didn’t do enough to update the interior during the most recent redesign, but others will point out it works pretty well. The infotainment touchscreen plus auxiliary climate and audio controls are housed in a center cluster that looks like a Star Wars mask. It’s all easy to use, though. Proper volume and tuning knobs add convenience.

Tally the luxuries. Heated seats, automatic climate control, and navigation are appreciated – as are the crisp Bose audio, thick leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a dance floor’s legroom in the back. My daughter was enamored with the power sliding rear window. Despite all of the amenities, the truck still has the feeling it can be easily cleansed after a hard day at play…or to keep viruses from taking up residence.

Power To Move

Let’s keep moving. There’s an optional 6.2-liter V8 for the Trail Boss, but ours came with the smaller 5.3-liter V8 that delivers 355 horsepower, 383 lb.-ft. of torque, and 16/21-MPG city/highway. Fuel economy is not especially impressive, but is optimized by the smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission and auto stop/start that pauses the engine while at rest. I don’t love stop/start, but it can be defeated with a switch on the console.

And, it is ready for almost any adventure you care to pursue. Monotube shocks, skid plates for the sensitive bits, locking rear differential to balance power, and push-button four-wheel-drive are part of the deal. All of that gear may seem like overkill for the daily commute, but the thick off-road tires and shocks do a great job of soaking up potholes and rough pavement. You can drive it with near reckless abandon and know it is up to the challenge.

It’s reassuring to know you’re driving a vehicle that can do almost anything. From its enhanced all-terrain capability to its roomy bed, powerful engine, and comfortable interior, the Silverado Trail Boss is prepared for the worst while looking for the best. Silverados start at $28,300, but our big boy came to $55,040, making it competitive with the Ram Rebel, GMC Sierra AT4, and Ford F-150 Raptor.

Ford Ranger Lariat Is The More Affordable All-Capable Pickup

The Chevy Silverado Trail Boss is certainly capable, but it’s a very big truck with a hefty window sticker. Sometimes, it would be nice to have a pickup that can tackle trails, but is a little more urban friendly the rest of the time. Knocking about fifteen large off the price would also be appreciated. I’m thinking of a truck like the 2020 Ford Ranger FX4.

Sitting by the curb, the Ranger looks handsome– especially with its four-door SuperCrew body, FX4 off-road package, and blue paint. It’s especially fetching with its 18-inch painted aluminum wheels, carbon mesh black grille, exposed tow hooks, and spray in bedliner. LED headlamps glisten. It presents as a large truck…until you get next to it and realize it is much more city friendly than its larger bretheren. Rounded panels give the truck a European look ala the Escape and EcoSport crossovers.

Sliding inside passengers will notice wide swaths of plastic on the dash and doors, but silver inserts on the dash and padded parts on the doors keeps eyes and hands away from most of the hard stuff. Our truck loaded up with skipped heated leather seats, premium B&O audio, leather-wrapped steering wheel, navigation, and adaptive cruise. Connect with 4G Wi-Fi. Further safety gear included blind spot warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning with auto brake, and rear cross traffic alert systems. Seat monitors alert drivers to children in the rear.

Efficient Four-cylinder Turbo

Compared to the Ford Raptor’s twin-turbo V6, the Ranger’s powertrain may seem anemic, but for the rest of us, it’s plenty peppy. Rangers come with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 270 horsepower and 310 lb.-ft. of torque – all routed through a 10-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel-drive is optional. Throw in auto stop/start and fuel economy is rated 21/26-MPG city/highway with all wheels powered.

One of the biggest gripes I read concerned the Ranger’s soft ride and handling. Well, it’s not a sports car – never promised one. It’s a capable off-road machine, which means fat tires and monotube shocks to absorb rough trails. Beyond that, the FX4 Off-Road Package comes with an electronic-locking rear differential, heavy-duty front skid plate, and additional plates for the power steering motor, transfer case, and fuel tank. The terrain management system configures the powertrain for rocks, mud, snow, or pavement. One driver’s “sloppy handling” is another’s “comfortable ride”. I embrace the latter.

One thing is for sure about the Ranger: You buy it for convenience, not for a big price discount over the F-150. Base price for the Ranger is $24,410, but luxury-grade Lariats rise from $32,500. Clicking boxes for the SuperCrew with four-wheel drive raises the sticker by over $6,000. All-in with the FX4 off-road package, black trim, and safety gear, expect to pay $44,460. Competitors include the Chevy Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, GMC Canyon, and Honda Ridgeline.

Storm Forward!

Send comments to Casey at AutoCasey@aol.com; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.