For mannequin 12 months 2025, Chevrolet added the Path Boss package deal as an choice for the 2500-class Silverado Heavy Responsibility. Just like the 1500 Silverado, the 2500 Path Boss consists of Z71 suspension upgrades, blacked-out bumpers with purple restoration hooks, and 20-inch wheels shod in all-terrain tires.
A gasoline V8 comes customary, however the torque-monster Duramax diesel provides towing capability. This helps the Path Boss slot in as a considerably rugged pickup that doesn’t price or weigh fairly as a lot because the top-spec ZR2 or Bison.
I lately spent per week with the diesel Path Boss, logging loads of miles in Los Angeles and the encompassing desert. Although the sheer dimension of the HD Path Boss introduced challenges on the town, out on the freeway this truck likes to cruise.
The beefy engine barely observed lengthy uphill grades with a dust bike within the mattress. And, the huge again seat let me pack in moto gear with out feeling cramped in any respect. Certain, I missed the Multimatics of the ZR2, however the Path Boss’s Rancho shock dampers shocked me, each on street and off.
In brief: If the Silverado HD ZR2 and Bison merely look too large, heavy, and costly for actual life, then the Path Boss is likely to be for you. Including this package deal to the 2500-class truck offers a extra sensible choice for hauling the household, toys, and kit off the crushed path. Then again, optioning the Duramax diesel V8 nonetheless ramps up the value tag fairly shortly. However general, the newest Path Boss fills a neat void within the Silverado lineup.
Significantly beefy diesel powertrain
Spacious and tech-friendly inside
Simply sufficient off-road prowess to get off the crushed path
Nonetheless a really large, very heavy truck
Pricing hurts, particularly with the diesel
Not fairly as off-road-ready as a ZR2
Michael Van Runkle
2025 Chevrolet Silverado HD Path Boss Evaluate
(Picture/Michael Teo Van Runkle)
Diesel Torque
The primary time I fired up a Silverado HD’s Duramax engine, the great mixture of a V8 and turbodiesel grumble introduced a right away smile to my face. I’m extra accustomed to Cummins straight-sixes in Rams, in addition to the aluminum inline-six within the 1500 Silverado. However this engine merely delivers unbelievable torque, seemingly endlessly.
(Picture/Michael Teo Van Runkle)
These 975 pound-feet make the Path Boss a legit choice for towing filth bikes, side-by-sides, and campers out to campsites and OHV areas. And in some way, regardless of the 6.6L displacement, my loaner truck reported a median of 15.8 mpg over 447 miles of driving — and I imagine that determine, since I by no means wanted to refill the 36-gallon tank and returned the truck with the gasoline gauge at just below the quarter mark.
(Picture/Michael Teo Van Runkle)
Spectacular Journey for Mid-Tier Suspension
However the Duramax diesel isn’t actually the purpose right here, since we’ve recognized that engine for the previous few years. As a substitute, I wished to check the brand new Path Boss package deal as a extra reasonably priced different to the top-spec ZR2 and Bison Silverados. I questioned beforehand whether or not the dearth of Multimatic DSSV dampers would possibly render the truck too uncomfortable for off-roading.
Remember the fact that Chevy’s 2500-class vans are considerably distinctive. As a substitute of a stable entrance axle, the Silverado HD makes use of unbiased entrance suspension with torsion bars. The rear axle stays leaf-sprung, although, relatively than switching to coil springs. On the Path Boss, Rancho shock dampers change the ZR2’s Multimatics, wanting a lot much less substantial at first look.
(Picture/Michael Teo Van Runkle)
However on the town, the Ranchos labored fairly nicely. Velocity bumps by no means precipitated too many jolts to realign my backbone, and even the uneven 405 freeway appeared to boring down a bit. The Path Boss’s steering additionally feels barely lighter than I bear in mind for the ZR2, presumably due to the BFGoodrich K03 tires on my loaner — the undisputed new champ of all-terrains.
(Picture/Michael Teo Van Runkle)
The K03s contributed to a surprisingly calm cabin whereas driving the Path Boss at freeway speeds, too. The V8 purrs alongside at low revs fortunately because of the 10-speed auto, with minimal tire hum or wind rush coming into the cabin in any other case.
(Picture/Michael Teo Van Runkle)
Possibly the Path Boss bumpers present barely higher aerodynamics, however definitely, missing the metal ZR2 items and underbody safety additionally helps this truck experience far more fortunately more often than not. For context, a ZR2 Bison with all of AEV’s add-ons can weigh as a lot as 1,800 kilos extra. Even Multimatic’s superior dampers clearly wrestle with a lot heft.
Off-Street
(Picture/Michael Teo Van Runkle)
The restricted refinement of the Path Boss suspension confirmed up as soon as I turned off the asphalt, although. At first, a washboardy graded street precipitated extra shuddering than on a ZR2 or Bison, although to not an disagreeable or regarding quantity.
And in some conditions, the place the Multimatics maintain even the huge Silverado HD ZR2 Bison squared-up always, the Rancho shocks truly permit for a bit extra physique roll and cushion.
On the 2500, a Silverado’s four-wheel-drive controls sit on each the left and proper sides of the steering wheel. So I spent a good period of time double-checking myself, sure the Path Boss should certainly include a rear locker. And but, it doesn’t — which is a little bit of a bummer given the prospect of towing a toy hauler out into any slippery conditions.
(Picture/Michael Teo Van Runkle)
The complete-size spare additionally doesn’t match the BFGs, and even with out the ZR2 and Bison off-roading bumpers, the Path Boss doesn’t get Tremendous Cruise.
Journey Truck
(Picture/Michael Teo Van Runkle)
The again seat gave me loads of room to pack up moto gear with out worrying about filth getting throughout something I left within the truck mattress. And intelligent storage behind the rear seatbacks regarded good for stowing my tie-down straps.
(Picture/Michael Teo Van Runkle)
It’s additionally nice that Chevy consists of three ranges of tie-down hooks within the 6.25-foot mattress, the shorty versus an non-obligatory 8-foot mattress. As traditional, the Multi-Flex tailgate appeared a bit pointless, with audio system inbuilt that I anxious about kicking.
With the Kawasaki loaded up, the engine may not have observed any further weight, however I undoubtedly noticed the bike each time I glanced up on the digital rearview mirror. The digital camera is mounted on the again of the cab, not the tailgate, for an improved subject of view — however doing so signifies that something tall blocks the viewing angle, which could have been misplaced in a standard glass rearview mirror anyhow.
Up entrance, in the meantime, the Path Boss entrance grille and trim being made out of piano black plastic reveals filth and bug guts nearly instantly.
2025 Silverado HD Path Boss Evaluate: Conclusions
(Picture/Michael Teo Van Runkle)
The brand new Chevy 2500-class Path Boss package deal splits the hole between a jobsite work truck and the extra hardcore ZR2 off-roaders. It weighs an excellent quantity much less, which helps to compensate for the Rancho shocks much less superior stage of refinement.
However optioning the Duramax turbodiesel provides round $10,000 to the price, so a completely loaded Path Boss nonetheless represents a reasonably severe dedication at nicely over $80,000 as examined.
The inside nonetheless offers loads of house, with a clear design and the correct quantity of tech for a contemporary truck. And all issues thought of, the lower-spec suspension handles metropolis and off-road driving surprisingly nicely.
As a toy hauler, gentle off-roader, or perhaps a weekend household camper, the 2025 Silverado HD Path Boss offers a stable stage of functionality. However for any trails that get severe, I’d nonetheless go for a HD ZR2 — or perhaps step all the way down to the 1500 ZR2 with the inline-six Duramax.
