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Dakota Reyes
Written & researched by Dakota Reyes Recovery & Trail Systems Editor
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General Motors sells most of its trucks and SUVs twice, once as a Chevrolet and once as a GMC. The twins share frames, engines and transfer cases, and NHTSA recall filings usually list both badges in the same campaign, so each guide here covers a pair: the Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500, the Colorado and Canyon, and the Tahoe and Yukon. What differs is styling, trim names and some off-road equipment.

Full-size pickup and full-size SUV on a gravel mountain road

At a Glance

PairCurrent design sinceTop off-road trimsMax towing (latest ratings)
Colorado / Canyon (midsize pickup)2023 model yearColorado ZR2 and ZR2 Bison; Canyon AT4X7,700 lb
Silverado 1500 / Sierra 1500 (full-size pickup)2019 model year; next generation shown for 2027Silverado ZR2; Sierra AT4X13,300 lb (Silverado)
Tahoe / Yukon (full-size SUV)2021 model yearTahoe Z71; Yukon AT48,400 lb

Matching Chevrolet and GMC Trim Names

The off-road trims line up across the badges. On the Colorado and Canyon, the Chevrolet ZR2 and GMC AT4X share the 3-inch lift, Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers, front and rear electronic locking differentials and 33-inch mud-terrain tires. Chevrolet's lighter off-road models are the Trail Boss and Z71; every Canyon rides on a 2-inch lift and wide track. On the full-size pickups, the Silverado Trail Boss adds a 2-inch lift, the AutoTrac two-speed transfer case and an automatic locking rear differential, while the Silverado ZR2 and Sierra AT4X add front and rear electronic lockers and DSSV dampers. GMC first used the AT4X name on the 2022 Sierra.

The ZR2 is older than many buyers assume. Chevrolet announced the 2017 Colorado ZR2 in November 2016 with front and rear electronic lockers and the first off-road application of DSSV dampers, so a 2017–2022 ZR2 already has both lockers.

How GM's 4WD and Lockers Work

GM's AutoTrac two-speed transfer case, fitted to many 4WD Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe and Yukon models, has 2WD, Auto, 4 Hi and 4 Lo positions and on some trucks a Neutral. Auto engages the front axle as needed and is the only 4WD setting Chevrolet says can be used on any surface. 4 Hi and 4 Lo are for loose or slippery ground, 4 Lo shouldn't be used above 45 mph, and the truck must be below 3 mph to shift into or out of it.

A locking differential forces both wheels on an axle to turn at the same speed, so torque reaches the tire that has grip. On GM trucks with front and rear eLockers, both axles can be locked only in Terrain mode or 4 Lo, the front locker releases above about 15 mph, and the rear locker can stay engaged up to about 50 mph in Terrain or Off-Road mode.

Full-size SUV with roof basket at a forest campsite

Recalls That Cross Models

Because the pickups and SUVs share parts, one campaign often covers several of these models. These are the largest shared campaigns found in NHTSA's database:

NHTSA campaignModels and yearsProblemUnits
19V6452014–2018 Silverado and Sierra; 2015–2018 Tahoe, Suburban and YukonBrake vacuum pump output drops over time, reducing brake assist3,456,719
25V2742021–2024 Silverado 1500, Sierra 1500, Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon with the 6.2L V8Connecting rod or crankshaft defects can cause engine failure597,571
14V3742014–2015 Silverado and Sierra; 2015 Tahoe, Suburban and YukonElectrical short can shift the transfer case to neutral392,459
24V1332023 Colorado and CanyonFront camera can trigger automatic emergency braking for a false obstacle55,755

Each model guide lists its own campaigns with model-year ranges. NHTSA's VIN lookup is the way to confirm whether a specific truck has an open recall.

Accessories

Category-level accessory buying across the Chevrolet and GMC lineup, such as which tonneau cover style fits which bed length, is covered on the Chevy/GMC accessory fitment hub. Each model guide also links to fitment roundups sized to that truck.

Toyota, Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, Jeep and Ram are trademarks of their respective owners. 4x4 & Overlanding is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by any vehicle manufacturer.

Sources

  1. Chevrolet — The All-New 2023 Chevrolet Colorado — 2023 Colorado redesign, Trail Boss and ZR2 chassis setups, ZR2 front and rear electronic lockers and 33-inch MT tires.
  2. GMC — Introducing the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X — Canyon AT4X 3-inch lift, DSSV, front and rear e-lockers, 33-inch MT tires; 2-inch lift and wide track on every Canyon; AT4X first introduced on the 2022 Sierra.
  3. Multimatic — Chevrolet Colorado ZR2: First Off-Road Application of Multimatic DSSV Dampers — 2017 Colorado ZR2 announced November 2016 with front and rear electronic lockers and DSSV dampers.
  4. Chevrolet — 2026 Colorado — Colorado 7,700 lb max towing; Trail Boss, Z71, ZR2 and ZR2 Bison.
  5. Chevrolet — 2026 Silverado 1500 — 13,300 lb max towing; Trail Boss 2-inch lift, AutoTrac and automatic locking rear differential; ZR2 DSSV and front and rear e-lockers.
  6. GMC — Sierra 1500 — Sierra AT4X front and rear e-locking differentials and DSSV dampers.
  7. GM — The Next-Generation 2027 Silverado 1500 ZR2 — Next-generation 2027 Silverado 1500 shown in September 2026.
  8. Chevrolet — Tahoe — Tahoe Z71 and 8,400 lb max towing.
  9. GMC — Yukon — Yukon AT4 trim and 8,400 lb max towing.
  10. IIHS — 2026 Chevrolet Colorado crew cab ratings — Colorado and Canyon redesigned for the 2023 model year.
  11. IIHS — 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab ratings — Silverado 1500 and Sierra 1500 redesigned for the 2019 model year.
  12. IIHS — 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe 4-door SUV ratings — Tahoe redesigned for the 2021 model year.
  13. Chevrolet — How to Use AutoTrac — AutoTrac two-speed transfer case modes (2WD, Auto, 4 Hi, 4 Lo, Neutral); Auto usable on any surface; do not use 4 Hi or 4 Lo on dry surfaces; 4 Lo not above 45 mph; shifting into or out of 4 Lo below 3 mph.
  14. GMC — How to Use AutoTrac — AutoTrac two-speed transfer case on GMC 4WD models.
  15. Chevrolet — How to Use Locking Differentials — What front and rear eLockers do; both axles lock only in Terrain Mode or 4Lo; front locker disengages above about 15 mph; rear locker usable up to 50 mph in Terrain or Off-Road mode.
  16. NHTSA — Recall 19V645 — 2014–2018 Silverado and Sierra and 2015–2018 Tahoe, Suburban and Yukon brake vacuum pump, 3,456,719 units.
  17. NHTSA — Recall 25V274 — 2021–2024 6.2L V8 GM full-size pickups and SUVs engine failure, 597,571 units.
  18. NHTSA — Recall 14V374 — 2014–2015 Silverado and Sierra and 2015 Tahoe, Suburban and Yukon transfer case neutral shift, 392,459 units.
  19. NHTSA — Recall 24V133 — 2023 Colorado and Canyon false automatic emergency braking, 55,755 units.
  20. NHTSA — Recalls lookup by VIN — VIN lookup for open recall campaigns on a specific vehicle.