Monday, June 29, 2020

2020 Chevy Silverado Trail Boss Custom Praised for “Road Manners, Glorious 6.2-Liter V8”


Business2Community.com ran a great feature last week taking a close-up look at the Chevy Silverado Trail Boss, which is our favorite off-road-ready and trail-climbing item here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis. A few of the items that make it so capable for the task are skid plates, a mechanical locking rear differential, hill descent control, a two-inch factory suspension lift over the Z71, Rancho shocks, and high gloss black painted Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires. Outside you get to enjoy the black grille minus the Chevy bowtie, black bumpers, red tow hooks, and “Trail Boss” decals on the rear fenders.

There are 3 exciting and aggressively-stanced engine choices for the Trail Boss: a 4.3-liter V6 that cranks out 285 horsepower and 305 lb-ft of torque, a 5.3-liter V8 that makes 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft, and the optional 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The 6.2 – liter is what the testing team from Business2community.com deemed as “glorious” and is also the largest engine offered in a half-ton pickup, period. It is paired with the excellent 10-speed transmission and lets you lurch forward fantastically with a sixty-mph speed in 5.4 seconds!
 
When writer Nigel Atkinson took the truck out for normal everyday driving, he deemed it “well-mannered and easy to maneuver” and is able to move at a quick pace very easily if needed. The suspension on the stiffer side is a huge advantage since the Trail Boss doesn't tend to roll much in corners, and there does happen to be a limiter for the 98 mpg threshold in case you really start to “feel the thunder” of excitement when barreling down the highway, (which we can't officially recommend)! The steering was ranked as precise and responsive, and when the Trail Boss was taken off the beaten path, it's where it definitely excelled.

They headed to Sheep Mountain Road, which provided obstacles in the form of water bars, ruts, and roots, and the suspension offered great body control with no bottoming out or traction problems. The group negotiated a couple of tight hairpin turns with ease, and commended the truck on a standout job while in hill descent mode. They also made the valuable point that if you’re planning on getting super technical, Chevy’s own Colorado ZR2 could be the best choice to lean in and really seriously navigate the strewn boulders of your most dangerous dirt playground. We were not at all surprised to see another glowing review of this rugged and capable off-roading machine, and we hope to see you here this summer checking it out on a thorough test drive!

Monday, June 22, 2020

Autoblog Offers up 2021 Chevy Colorado Preview + Entry-Level Trim Talk

It was back in October when the 2021 Chevy Colorado off-road ZR2 model saw its reveal, and everyone who had waited patiently got a glimpse of its aggressive front end a bit reminiscent of the Camaro SS. At that time many of us here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis were left wondering about the rest of the lineup, and what form and features to expect. Last week the staff on duty at Autoblog ran a feature that provided more information about the LT and Z71 trim levels.

As you can see here, these versions of the Colorado have front fascias that are a bit more restrained, but still more aggressive than the outgoing 2020 model. The grille is now larger with the lower section flaring outward, a bit reminiscent of what you see on the Chevy Blazer. The crossbar has a very distinguishable split in the middle, and the grille insert sports more detailed mesh. The bumper has more creases and detailing, and evokes a bit more of an off-road vibe than before. The center part of the air dam under the bumper now rises upward for a better approach angle, and the entire air dam is easier to remove, which is a big help for off-road activity.
 
Most of the rest of the truck looks like the outgoing Colorado, as this was a mid-cycle refresh instead of complete revamping. The tailgate has the Chevy logo stamped in the back as it appears on the new Chevy Silverado. Proud production of the model will begin at the end of this month at the factory in Missouri, and the fine details on pricing still have not been officially announced. Along with red tow hooks, the ZR2 and Z71 now gain a Sand Dune metallic paint color, and we'd have to agree that the ZR2 trim is really where the action-packed thrills and add-ons become a reality!

It includes exotic spool-valve shocks, electronic locking diffs on both axles, and one of the wilder front ends ever spotted on a modern truck. The crew cab has a bigger back seat and cool look and practicality of the bed-mounted spare-tire carrier. With the Trailering Equipment package, the base Colorado with the 4-cylinder engine can lug 3500 pounds, and we are all excited about the fact that Trailer-sway control- which applies the truck and trailer brakes if the system senses sway – now comes standard on all Colorados.

As far as tire offerings, there are the brand-new 17-inch x 8-inch Ultra Silver Metallic steel wheels, as well as the 17-inch x 8-inch Bright machined aluminum wheels. For the new model, the addition of the Chrome Appearance Package on LT models includes a chrome grille, outside heated power-adjustable, manual-folding mirrors with chrome caps, chrome door handles, chrome rear bumper, and chrome beltline molding.

Monday, June 15, 2020

2021 Chevy Tahoe Post Edmunds Review: “Refined, Versatile, and Feature-Rich”

The Tahoe is one of the few truck-based SUV's that is still around, and the 2021 model addressed many of the issues that customers right here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis and nationwide had on their minds. The staff on duty at Edmunds.com picked the Tahoe for their review of the week and immediately were impressed with the additional 3 inches of legroom in the second row and more than 10 inches of added legroom in the third row.
Max cargo room sees a boost from 94.7 cubic feet last year to 122.9 cubic feet after both second and third rows are folded. One amazing trait about the incoming Tahoe is that it boasts even more space than the previous-generation Suburban, seeing aid from a lower load floor that makes loading large items easier. Engine options are a standard 5.3-liter V8 or an optional 6.2-liter V8, and you can also go with Chevy's new turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel inline-six, which is recommended if towing duties are stacking up on your to-do list. All three engines are mated to a ten-speed transmission, and this is the first year that the Tahoe sees the benefits of the amazing independent rear suspension.

When the Edmunds.com team took a close-up look at how the redesigned Tahoe stacks up against the competition, it has more interior space, greater cargo capacity, and a significantly improved ride as well as optional diesel engine that is not seen in the sworn rival in the form of the Ford Expedition. Our very own Chevy Traverse could be of interest if the 7-passenger SUV is what makes the most sense for the family, but the Edmunds staff thought the interior quality fares much better after first sitting down in the Tahoe.

The Edmunds Experts' favorite safety features on the 2021 Tahoe are Lane Keep Assist, Safety Alert Seat, and Forward Collision Alert. As the daytime hours fade into evening, the Safety Alert Seat can be very useful: it vibrates the driver's seat cushion when the crash avoidance tech detects a situation that may need immediate attention. For trim level selection, the Edmunds staff likes the LT for its lower starting price and a decent list of standard equipment but also for its various available option packages for increased personalization. It can be easy to feel a bit overwhelmed when trying to spec out a new Tahoe, with six trim levels to choose from, and that's why we were here to guide you through the process. The extra space, awesome interior, and sense of practicality are what we predict you'll love most!

Monday, June 8, 2020

GM Authority On 2021 Trailblazer Trim Levels: Each Trim Boasts its Own Set

Growing families and small business owners that come to see us frequently here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis while they are collecting their thoughts regarding a new vehicle purchase are drawn to Crossover SUVS. This category admittedly makes the most sense to many: it is practical, fuel-efficient, and still equipped for all-important outdoor duty when it comes to the lake for a weekend. The all-new 2021 Chevy Trailblazer was just featured on the GM Authority blog this week, and they put together a very comprehensive guide to the wheels, just as they did for the Corvette model last year.

Four of the five 2021 Trailblazer wheel choices are made of aluminum, while one set is comprised of durable steel. All the wheels range from 16 to 18 inches in diameter and vary in design and finish. The prime focus of the article was that every single trim level gets its own wheels, with the base L model getting 16-inch steel wheels with covers, the LS, LT, and ACTIV models getting various sets of 17-inch aluminum wheels, and RS models getting 18-inch aluminum wheels.

The gallery here shows plenty of detail, and our favorite is most definitely the 18-model that is seen on the RS trim. For the ultimate car geek embedded deep in all of us, there's a very detailed spec- layout of the RPO Code, Diameter, Material, Finish, and Trim Level that each wheel finds its home within. After a close look at all the available wheels for the all-new Trailblazer subcompact SUV, we'd say that there is an ample amount of variety and visual appeal to sway just about anyone!
 
What many new owners are finding out they love so much about the Equinox is its styling: the very bold proportions and sculpted design make it look modern and the grille sports more height than the tinier front ends of some of the competition. Passengers stay in optimum comfort with best-in-class rear seat legroom, and plenty of different spots to store what the need most on board. You'll get plenty of time to enjoy the Chevy Infotainment 3 System with 7-inch diagonal color touchscreen, AM/FM stereo, and Bluetooth audio streaming for two active devices, and voice command pass-through to compatible phone.

You’ll find the ultimate traction to meet your needs with included Normal, All-Wheel Drive, and Sport drive modes, and this SUV comes standard with Chevy Safety Assist as well as a long additional safety and driver assistance features that can help keep you safe while navigating where life calls you on the road. Now more than ever, having “report cards” generated on more than just your teen’s school performance hails safety as well. It’s great to know via Teen Driver Technology if those dearest to you have overstepped their boundaries, speed limit, or tailgating within the last day!

Monday, June 1, 2020

2021 Chevy Colorado Billed By Kelley Blue Book as “Best in its Class for Towing, Accounts for Every Budget”

The staff on duty at Kelly Blue Book have always been known for clear, competent, and concise reviews on the latest of everything auto related. This past week they took on the test-drive duty for our prized 2021 Chevy Colorado and loved right off the bat how it is the most customizable of the midsize truck segment. They also gave it an exceedingly high level of praise for the refreshed exterior styling, and very comfortable ride and handling.

New features for this model year are a refreshed front fascia, revised badging, paint colors, and wheel options, and the availability of the Chrome Appearance package now on the LT trim. Here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis you can choose from the smaller 5-foot 2-inch bed, or the larger 6-ft 2-inch version. It comes in 2- and 4-wheel drive, and the KBB staff claims that the Colorado checks off more boxes than most when it comes to overall form and function. They were so impressed by the Colorado's overall capability that Kelley Blue Book named it the midsize Pickup Truck Best Buy of 2020.
 
It was a mix of being the visually most impressive and having the most options when it boils right down to the all-important engine choice. The diesel engine offers up the absolute best-in-class towing capacity for the Chevy brand, and you can configure the truck in more ways than any other in the genre, including stiff competitors such as the Jeep Gladiator, Toyota Tacoma, and Ford Ranger. While on the highway, the Kelley Blue Book test drive staff said that the steering feels surprisingly snug, and not like a typical truck. They simply did not experience the bounce and vibration that you usually can't avoid on the interstate with a vehicle capable of hauling and towing so much.

The 2.8-liter Duramax diesel is an exceptionally good choice for hauling a trailer and for buyers on the hunt for great mileage stats. The 2021 Chevy Colorado also continues to offer truck buyers the cream of the crop with serious off-road equipment, additional skid plates under the most valuable components, and very high-tech Multimatic shocks. The 2021 LT sees an upgraded Infotainment 3 system, and 8-inch touchscreen display. The ZR2 gets a new front fascia that looks more aggressive than ever while retaining the traditional frame and trademark rugged exterior.

We can relate to the sentiment the testing crew has here that rings true: “The ZR2 looks ready to go rock-crawling over the weekend and then get your properly to the office on Monday”. The team also praised the fact that every budget feels accounted for when it comes to this model: the base Work Truck trim is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine brandishing a 5,500-pound towing capacity on the rear-drive model. There is the option to add features such as a spray-in bedliner, fog lights, and cargo-bed storage rails, as well as a low-speed transfer case. Very helpful for long truck beds, Chevy offers rear-parking assist along with the rear-view camera, providing alerts for any foreign objects at the rear of the truck.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Carbuzz.com Delivers the Goods on Three Brand-New Camaro Appearance Packages

There is nothing more stirring and exciting than a well-honed sports car performing well on a side road during the months when temperatures warm up! As the Chevy Camaro enters the 2021 model year, there will now be three new exterior appearance packages to appropriately sweeten the pot. They consist of the Black Accent Exterior Package, The Red Accent Exterior Package, and the Satin Black Front Splitter/Side Rockers Package. The Carbuzz.com staff on duty doling out the news scoop were particularly excited about the Satin Black Front Splitter/Side Rockers Package, available on all new models besides the ZL1.

The Black Accent Exterior Package will also be available on all 2021 Camaro models, which adds a set of 20-inch satin black wheels and 5 split spokes. The Red Accent Exterior Package saw its official preview by a Camaro LT1 Convertible Concept put on display during the 2019 SEMA show, sporting red lower grille inserts, and a black hood stripe with red hash marks to boot. The 2021 Official Chevy Camaro Order Guide still has not seen finalization, so we could see more optional packages added to the roster and the new year's pony car approaches closer to launch.
 
The Car and Driver staff exclaimed themselves just last month that they love hearing the thrilling timbre of a throbbing exhaust note or feeling the gratifying feedback from a superbly tuned steering system while flying down a twisty road in the likes of a Camaro. For the incoming models, the 650-hp ZL1 is the most raucous version and is simply geared towards those who love to drive and feel the connection to the pavement. The track-oriented 1LE package is now available with the 10-speed automatic transmission on V-8 powered SS models and is the best way to experience the thrill and heart-racing experience of driving a new Camaro.

Every single 1LE boasts a dual-mode exhaust system, enhanced powertrain-cooling components, more powerful brakes, a limited-slip differential, and very honed-in tuning to the suspension. The LT1 and SS brandish a very special weapon in the form of a small-block V8, cranking out 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. Known worldwide for a well- balanced ride that is compliant on rough surfaces, all Camaro models can compete with cars that cost much, much more. One of the items we aspire to keep you updated on here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis the most is that a battery-powered Camaro for the seventh generation has been rumored before, but it may be a few years before we find out if that’s coming along in the specified time frame.

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Silverado Trail Boss Caught in Intense Drag Race Against the LTZ L71 Via Motor1.com

The new Chevy Silverado 1500 is now available in a large assortment of configurations, ranging from a simple work truck to the very luxurious High-Country model. The staff at Motor1.com has steered all of us here at Chuck Hutton Chevy of Memphis towards a scorching-hot new video from the folks at The Fast Lane Truck that compares and contrasts in the form of a good ole fashion drag race two versions of the same truck that both serve very opposite purposes.

The LT Trail Boss exists for the thrill of off-roading, brandishing features like a lifted suspension. The LTZ offers up amenities to make those on board a bit more comfortable, and with both sporting about the same price tag, the choice always comes down to the usual matter of personal preference. Each member of this dynamic duo comes with a 5.3-liter V8 that cranks out 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. The Trail Boss boasts a 10-speed automatic, and the LTZ has an 8-speed auto. The question at hand that this video put to the test is whether or not the truck with more gears possesses the necessary power to win an all-out showdown!

The two drag races that take place here dictate that the LTZ is the quicker of the pair. In the first race, the Trail boss driver is slower off the line, but the second time things look much more equal. The truck built for off-road duty ends up slightly behind its more luxurious rival from the same badge. The Fast Lane Truck also completed the task of doing a proper fuel economy check, with the route mostly traversing urban city streets.

As the staff at US News reported in their car section, one very healthy boast of the Silverado 1500 is that it has best-in-class towing capacity, as well as top-notch fuel economy with this year's new turbodiesel engine. It is also known for being one of the best handling and balanced rides to exist in the truck realm. New for 2020, the Maximum towing capacity was upgraded to 13,400 pounds, and you can make the choice from three large bed sized that provide plenty of space for hauling cargo.

One of the most useful options within the LTZ package is the Snow Plow Prep Package: for those of us that frequently see inclement weather, it brings to the table heavy-duty front springs, skid plates, a 220-amp alternator, high-capacity air filter, and auxiliary transmission oil cooler. The Max Trailering Package for the LTZ is one of the most ingenious additives for anyone who has a day of hauling ahead of them: here you get the added benefits of an automatic locking rear differential, an enhanced cooling radiator, revised shock tuning, heavy- duty rear springs, and a trailer brake controller.