2018 Chevy Impala Revamped, Autoblog claims is “Among the Best on the Road”

Continuing to dominate as a recognizable and soaring presence in the auto world, the Chevy Impala has a very long history, dating back to 1958. There is now a V6 engine available in the base model, and the many different features it offers were revamped heavily four years ago for 2014's release. This is when the Impala LT was given the opportunity to have leather seats, and the premier and LT trim levels saw Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality. The refresh in 2014 was the time when the Impala was able to really resurrect itself, escaping confined lines that were a bit dreary, and gaining a more chiseled appearance overall. A new breed of confidence really shines through, even with its highly-ranked everyday practicality factor.

This year's model is able to tout the label of the best-equipped Impala ever, and there are 10 airbags installed to ensure optimum passenger protection. Optional safety features now include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, and lane-departure warning. One of the best traits of the new Impala that every owner can really get behind is the safety factor: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave it a five-star overall rating. This rating dropped slightly to four stars for rollover resistance, which happens to be a very specifically calculated figure.

The LT trim level is the second up the ladder, and is where you really get to check out the unique appeal and shiny luster that is the new Impala. While still clocking in as a 4-cylinder, it adds MyLink infotainment, cloth and leatherette upholstery, very comfortable power lumbar for the front passenger, Bluetooth audio and phone, dual-zone automatic climate control, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Come pay us a visit during March at Chuck Hutton for a test drive, and see how obtaining the Premium trim level really ups the ante: the powerful V6 becomes a part of the package, and you also snag up perforated leather-upholstered seats, heated front seats, a power front passenger seat, 19-inch wheels, pushbutton start, and rear parking sensors.

At first glance of the interior, the Autoblog test drive team immediately labeled it more spacious than competitors such as the Hyundai Azera, and Toyota Avalon. There is ample room for five and various luggage pieces, and the front seats were said to provide greater support than other competitors. The head and leg space can comfortably accommodate nearly any body size, and 18.8 cubic feet of trunk space is another great feature of this year's Impala.

When they got situated on the road, the Autoblog testing team claimed that the Impala is an “athletic-quality performer”, with an excellent balance of handling and ride comfort. Widely recognized for accuracy and quickness, the belt-driven electric power steering never seems sluggish, and has a characteristically light handling. In terms of balance, theAutoblog team rated the Impala as greater than the Toyota Avalon, Hyundai Azera, as well as the Ford Taurus.

Scorching through the 0-60 sprint in just 6.8 seconds, the V6 Impala delivers a robust power that is very smooth, without the distinct grunt and over-the-top muscle that others display. With spring right around the corner here in Memphis, heralding Autoblog's advice and adding the new Impala to your household is sure to be an inspiring addition. You can bet on many exciting drives in your future, whether the rear seats are occupied or not!

2018 Chevy Trax Consumer Reports Road Test Results: “Unforgettable, Economical”

As Spring is anxiously bearing down on the people of Memphis, there are many things for everyone here at Chuck Hutton and our customer base to look forward to! Be sure to make some time for the Memphis Zoo: rated as one of the top zoos by web portal Tripadvisor, you'll be put face-to-face with sea lions, grizzly and polar bears, and explore one of the only zoos in the country that houses pandas. When you are loading up the entire crew to go see a destination such as this, the subcompact SUV is one of the best options to get there in style, and with efficiency! If built in a superb caliber, a subcompact style SUV meets the need of a budget price, versatility within the interior, and all-wheel-drive for any abrupt weather changes.

The Trax is Chevy's answer to the very versatile slot for an SUV directly beneath the Equinox. Consumer Reports has for decades been a very valuable authority regarding telling the masses how cars handle, and listing out all of the pros and cons for any new purchase. During a test drive of the Trax, the well-read publication ranked it a success, and praised it for its wide appeal, while being an offering for the truly young at heart. Some may claim that the way in which the Trax is built to produce fuel efficiency meant that it underwent some sacrifice during the manufacturing process, but the agile and precise movements you'll feel during the drive rivals that of many other vehicles in the same category.

U.S. News and World Report ranked the Trax very highly for its spectacular turning radius, easy and precise maneuverability, and very supportive seats. Scores of Memphis metro-area residents who are on the hunt for a fitting new vehicle have one very item in the “necessary” category, and this is the presence of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay: firm competitors such as the Mazda CX – 3 do not have this high-tech amenity on the feature list. You'll be able to seat five very comfortably during any long day excursion in the Trax, which offers more than ample leg-and-headroom. When you pay us a visit here at Chuck Hutton, you have to see the cargo space for yourself: the Trax offers 19 cubic feet for you to work with.

There is ample space for chairs, a cooler, and any vacation luggage you need to haul, and if the rear seats are folded down, you could squeeze in skis, a bike, and small furniture items with a grand total of more than 48 cubic feet. Two USB ports for charging and a MyLink infotainment system with 7-inch touchscreen are also situated on board, to keep passengers connected, and fully entertained during the journey.

You'll notice right away how the 138-horsepower turbo-four engine provides more-than-ample acceleration, while having the capability to produce 25 mpg in the city, and 33 mpg on the highway. Minimal body roll on turns will have you winding down even the most narrow of roads with ease, and the Chevy Trax's sense of spot-on maneuverability is the “icing element” that really allows it to shine!

2018 Chevy Traverse RS Delivers Front-running Performance, Spirited Driving Experience

As the winter months progress here at Chuck Hutton in Memphis, many of our customers may have a certain vision of our daily regimen. We may be pictured huddling around the office table trying to keep warm, sometimes having a bit of snow to shovel, and having a bit more time on our hands than usual. While this is a humorous way to think of things, it is actually quite far from the truth! The New Year is a time when we will offer new financing options, admire new models as they pull on the lot, and are standing by to offer test drives for those of you deciding which vehicle is best for you.

One of the most feature-rich and exciting options for the New Year is the brand new Traverse RS. Loaded with goodies such as turbocharged performance and aggressive new styling, it adds a definite dose of thrilling-to-drive charm into the existing midsize SUV market share. With a concept based on the redesigned 2018 Traverse, the RS has a sprawling cargo room of 98.2 cubic feet, more in the way of tech options than the previous model, and an enhanced list of safety features to offer the optimum in protection for your passengers. Some Chevy fans noticed during years past that the Traverse line could benefit from a version that evoked a bit more of a street-inspired look, and this comfortable and astute vehicle has easily accessible and integrated options for every lifestyle.

The RS really stands apart from the everyday options out there due to the essence of the black grille, accompanied by black window trim, roof nails, and bowtie emblems, as well as a 20-inch aluminum wheel set accented perfectly by a dark Android hue. Firsts in production always do a fantastic job of helping a car stand out, and creating an image that is immediately appealing and cutting-edge. The RS is the very first in the Traverse family that offers turbocharged performance, which is the key to it's high-spirited and responsive-of-the-line driving experience. The direct-injected Ecotec 2.0-liter turbo engine properly completes the task of horsepower and torque generation, resulting in 257 and 295 lb-ft numbers respectively.

The designers has ingeniously wrapped the 2018 Traverse in sheet metal that adopts a more squared-off look, and the new front end has a larger hexagonal grille that is flanked by narrow headlights. There is a shedding of weight on the new Traverse that is 351 pounds, bringing it down a bit to the level of competitors such as the Pilot, and the Toyota Highlander. Come pay us a visit to see if the 7 or 8 passenger configuration is best for your needs, and check out the other awesome features included such as Remote Keyless Entry, a real lifesaver if you are running late or warming up the engine. Many are also raving about the added safety feature of a 360-degree camera on board: it can really provide peace of mind for anyone to give the area around you a thorough check before backing out, and assuring that everyone around you is out of harm's way!

2019 Chevy Corvette ZR1 Destroys Ford GT's Record at Virginia International Speedway

The winter months here are not as snow-packed as they are for some of our counterparts up north, but our customers get time to play out many different automotive fantasies in their head. Road conditions may change, temperatures tend to be cooler, and many are eagerly waiting for the time of year when the engines roar plentifully, and precious driving time on the track is doled out! The Virginia International Speedway has long been a proving grounds for many models, and a heavy anchor on the East Coast for the best in racing action.

The home of events such as the Pirelli World Challenge, MotoAmerica Championship of Virginia, and Grassroots Motorsports Magazine's Hyperfest Tire Rack Car Challenge, this is a great spot to check out some high-octane action, and get to see how involved these skilled drivers get while navigating through the demanding concrete twists and turns. Last year, the Ford GT Supercar set a record for a production car lap, and this year, our champion-in-waiting 2019 Corvette ZR1 aced the task of one-upping that record! Chevy was recently out on the track doing what we do best via company test driver Jim Mero, and the 755-hp 6.2-liter supercharged V8 was able to blaze a time of 2:37.25 for the 4.1-mile circuit. This was a 1.37-second advancement of the GT's previous time, and an achievement that everyone here at Chuck Hutton was rooting for all along.

Both the Ford and Chevy were cars of showroom spec grade, with no ultra-unique enhancements in the performance department. The ZR1 had the extra addition of the $2,995 ZTK Performance Package, adding the boost of summer-only tires, a track-focused tune of the suspension, and a downforce-producing aero kit. Rumors that we have heard flying around the office and on the web claim that GM could be working on a mid-engine supercar to replace the Corvette next year, due to some opinions of those who wonder if it may have reached the limits of performance for a design with the use of a front engine.

Road and Track claimed excitedly last year that this is the “fastest street car GM has ever made”, and the well-proven “True King of the Hill”. The two very noticeable gaping openings in front of the cover work overtime to complete the task of extruding hot air seeping out of the engine bay, and the ZR1's new pushrod V8 proudly sports a 52-percent larger supercharger than the Z06's LT4. The currently claimed top speed of the ZR1 is around 201 miles per hour, and anyone with hefty track experience will notice the difference in handling via the 355 section rear tires.

You'll be amazed to see the specs and pure road prowess of this car that even has an available Performance Data Recorder: you can closely monitor every inch of your performance, allowing you to perhaps someday be as agile and dominating as the driver who nailed down this lightening run in the 2019 'Vette!