Chevrolet is bringing back a familiar name for off-road enthusiasts, with the Desert Boss Special Edition set to return to the Colorado lineup for 2027. The rugged package originally appeared in 2023 before disappearing after just one model year.
According to GM Authority, the revived Desert Boss will once again be exclusive to the Colorado ZR2, offering additional equipment for those who want to venture off the beaten path. However, this version will take a slightly different approach from its predecessor.
Rather than arriving as a factory-equipped special edition, the 2027 Desert Boss will be offered as a dealer-installed package. It will combine visual upgrades with some serious off-road hardware borrowed from the more extreme ZR2 Bison.
The return also coincides with other updates to the 2027 Colorado, including a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Pricing for the Desert Boss package hasn’t been announced, and Chevrolet has yet to release official images of the updated model.
The Desert Boss Returns With A Different Formula
The original 2023 Colorado ZR2 Desert Boss was designed to stand out, featuring a unique front bumper, roof-mounted lighting, a bed-mounted sport bar, and 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels. It also included distinctive graphics and an underbody camera system.
For 2027, the package will include an off-road front bumper, auxiliary lighting, Tech Bronze recovery hooks, front fender decals, and special door sill plates. However, some of the original model’s more conspicuous accessories won’t be making a comeback.
The biggest addition is a set of Multimatic Jounce Control Dampers, the same hydraulic bump-stop technology used on the ZR2 Bison. These components help absorb heavy suspension impacts during aggressive off-road driving, reducing the likelihood of bottoming out.
That makes the revived Desert Boss an interesting option for buyers who want some of the Bison’s suspension capability without its full range of additional equipment. Chevrolet won’t allow the Desert Boss package to be combined with either the ZR2 Bison or Midnight Edition.
A Rare Nameplate Gets Another Chance
The original Desert Boss wasn’t exactly a common sight, with Chevrolet producing just over 600 examples for the 2023 model year. Its $9,295 price tag also made it a substantial upgrade over the regular ZR2.
Chevrolet dropped the package for 2024 as the more extreme ZR2 Bison joined the lineup. The 2027 revival gives the Desert Boss name another opportunity, although its dealer-installed format and revised equipment list make it a different proposition.
More Power For The 2027 Colorado
The returning Desert Boss isn’t the only news for Chevrolet’s midsize pickup. The 2027 Colorado is also receiving an updated 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, designated L4B, producing 350 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque.
That’s an increase of 40 horsepower and 20 lb-ft compared to the outgoing engine, and it’s sent to the wheels through the same eight-speed automatic transmission as before. Production of the updated Colorado is scheduled to begin on October 19, 2026, at GM’s Wentzville plant in Missouri.
With upgraded suspension hardware and a more powerful engine underneath, the 2027 version could prove an appealing alternative to the fully equipped ZR2 Bison.