What Is Z71? Chevy’s Off-Road Package Explained
Z71 is the GM factory option code (RPO) for Chevrolet's off-road package. It bundles off-road hardware such as skid plates, all-terrain tires, a two-speed transfer case and hill descent control on 4x4 Chevy trucks and SUVs. For 2027 it is standard on 4WD Silverado 1500 LTs and is a trim on the Colorado, Tahoe and Suburban.
By CarWhere Research · Updated
What Z71 includes by model (2027)
| Model | How Z71 is offered | Key Z71 content (per Chevrolet) | Starting MSRP (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silverado 1500 | Z71 Off-Road package, standard on 4WD LT | Off-road package on the LT 4WD (see window sticker for contents) | $47,900 (LT) |
| Colorado | Z71 trim | 350-hp TurboMax, 18-in wheels with 32-in all-terrain tires, drive modes, off-road display, LED lighting | $45,800 |
| Tahoe | Z71 trim | Hill Descent Control, Autotrac 2-speed transfer case, aluminum skid plate, red recovery hooks, 20-in all-terrain tires | $71,500 |
| Suburban | Z71 trim | Same Z71 hardware as Tahoe on the long-wheelbase body | $74,500 |
Chevrolet figures, read November 3, 2026.
Z71 vs Trail Boss vs ZR2
| Level | Silverado 1500 (USD) | Colorado (USD) | What it adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z71 | $47,900 (LT 4WD) | $45,800 | Entry off-road package |
| Trail Boss | $54,400 (Custom Trail Boss); $61,200 (Trail Boss) | $41,600 | Factory lift, monotube shocks, off-road tires, skid plates (Silverado) |
| ZR2 | $77,200 | $50,800 | Most capable: specialized dampers, locking differentials |
Chevrolet starting MSRPs, read November 3, 2026. On the Colorado, the Trail Boss trim is priced below the Z71, so the ladder there is ordered by equipment, not price.
GMC's versions of the same idea are AT4 and AT4X — see GMC Denali vs AT4.
Z71 and RPO codes
GM labels every factory option with a three-character RPO code, and Z71 is one of the few that became a badge. On a used truck, the reliable way to confirm it is the code itself:
- The Service Parts Identification label lists RPO codes — see GM SPID label explained.
- Or look up the factory-ordered codes for the VIN — see how to find GM options by VIN.
- Model-year problem patterns for Z71 favorites: Silverado 1500 years to avoid and Tahoe years to avoid.
Is that used truck really a Z71? Check its build
Check the exact factory options of the vehicle before you buy. Enter the VIN on the Chevrolet build sheet page: the availability check is free, and you pay $9.99 only if build data exists. If Z71 was ordered from the factory, it shows among the RPO codes on record for that VIN — dealer-installed badges and accessories do not.
Free availability check first · $9.99 one-time only if build data exists for the VIN · shows the factory-ordered option (RPO) codes on record, not every code on the glovebox label · no subscription
FAQ
What does Z71 mean?
Z71 is a GM Regular Production Option (RPO) code — the three-character codes GM uses for factory options — that identifies Chevrolet’s off-road package. Chevrolet says Z71 “has long stood for legendary off-road capability.” Today it appears both as an option package on trucks such as the Silverado and as a trim on the Colorado, Tahoe and Suburban.
What does the Z71 package include?
It varies by model and year. On the 2027 Tahoe and Suburban Z71, Chevrolet lists Hill Descent Control, an Autotrac two-speed transfer case, an aluminum skid plate, red recovery hooks and 20-inch all-terrain tires. The 2027 Colorado Z71 gets 18-inch wheels with 32-inch all-terrain tires, selectable drive modes and an off-road performance display.
Is Z71 the same as 4x4?
No. Z71 is an off-road package that is offered on four-wheel-drive models, but not every 4x4 Chevy is a Z71. On the 2027 Silverado 1500 LT, Chevrolet makes the Z71 Off-Road package standard on all 4WD models.
What is the difference between Z71, Trail Boss and ZR2?
They are three steps of Chevrolet’s off-road ladder. Z71 is the entry package; Trail Boss adds a factory 2-inch lift, monotube shocks and larger off-road tires; ZR2 is the most capable, with specialized dampers and locking differentials. On the 2027 Silverado 1500, Chevrolet lists the LT (Z71 on 4WD) from $47,900, Trail Boss from $61,200 and ZR2 from $77,200.
How can I tell if a used Chevy really has the Z71 package?
Badges can be added after the fact. Look for the RPO code Z71 on the vehicle’s Service Parts Identification (SPID) label — usually in the glovebox or on the driver’s door jamb — or check the factory-ordered option codes for that VIN with a GM build sheet.
Sources
- Chevrolet — 2027 Colorado FAQ (chevrolet.com) — “What does Z71 mean on Chevy Colorado?”; Z71, Trail Boss, ZR2 prices
- Chevrolet — 2027 Tahoe (chevrolet.com) — Tahoe Z71 hardware and price
- Chevrolet — 2027 Suburban (chevrolet.com) — Suburban Z71 price
- Chevrolet — 2027 Silverado 1500 (chevrolet.com) — Z71 standard on 4WD LT; Custom Trail Boss, Trail Boss, ZR2
Package contents and starting MSRPs are Chevrolet figures for the 2027 model year as shown on chevrolet.com on November 3, 2026; contents differ by model year, so confirm on the window sticker or build record of the vehicle you are shopping.
Related Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac resources
- Chevrolet build sheet by VIN
- GMC build sheet by VIN
- Cadillac build sheet by VIN
- How to find GM options by VIN
- GM SPID label explained
- Chevrolet reliability by model
- Depreciation by model