Adventure Perfected: How the 2025 Silverado HD Trail Boss Balances Power and Play

For 2025, Chevrolet has expanded its Silverado Heavy Duty lineup by adding the Trail Boss package to the 2500-class models. This rugged option, inspired by the 1500 Trail Boss, comes equipped with Z71 suspension upgrades, all-terrain tires wrapped around 20-inch wheels, and distinctive blacked-out bumpers paired with bold red recovery hooks.

Standard is a gas-powered V8 here at Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis, but opting for the Duramax diesel transforms the Trail Boss into a towing powerhouse. It’s a solid choice for those seeking off-road capability without venturing into the larger, heavier ZR2 or Bison territory.

The Duramax diesel shines when it comes to highway cruising or tackling tough terrain. Whether climbing steep grades with a payload in the bed or navigating the open road, the engine delivers seamless power with impressive torque. Inside, the spacious back seat offers plenty of room for gear, making it perfect for adventures with family or toys in tow.

While it doesn’t feature the Multimatic shocks of the ZR2, the Trail Boss’s Rancho dampers perform admirably on pavement and dirt alike, offering a comfortable and capable ride. This package strikes a sweet spot in the Silverado lineup—balancing utility, off-road readiness, and practicality for everyday use.

Need a truck that’s tough enough for the job site but still fun for the weekend? The 2500 Trail Boss has got you covered. 

With 975 pound-feet of torque, the Trail Boss is more than ready to haul dirt bikes, side-by-sides, or campers to your favorite trails or campsites. And for a truck with a 6.6L engine, it’s surprisingly fuel-efficient. Over 447 miles, it averaged 15.8 mpg—and that’s on a 36-gallon tank, which still had a quarter left when it was returned.

Smooth and Capable Ride

While the Duramax diesel is a powerhouse, the real focus here is the Trail Boss package. It’s designed as a rugged, practical alternative to the higher-end ZR2 and Bison models, offering plenty of off-road capability without going overboard.

What’s unique about Chevy’s 2500-series trucks is their independent front suspension with torsion bars, paired with a leaf-sprung rear axle. The Trail Boss swaps in Rancho shocks instead of the ZR2’s Multimatics. At first glance, they might not look as hefty, but they deliver where it counts.

Around town, the suspension performed great for the Gear Junkie.com testing crew. It absorbed speed bumps with ease and even smoothed out rough stretches of freeway. The steering felt a bit lighter than expected, which may have been thanks to the BFGoodrich K03 all-terrain tires, known for their stellar grip and durability.

The 2500 Trail Boss strikes a great balance, offering a comfortable ride, impressive hauling capability, and rugged features that shine on or off the road. If you’re after a truck that can tackle work and play without breaking a sweat, this one checks all the boxes.

The Trail Boss delivers a surprisingly quiet and smooth highway ride, thanks in part to its BFGoodrich K03 tires. These tires keep road noise to a minimum, while the V8 hums along effortlessly at low revs, helped by the smartly tuned 10-speed automatic transmission. Wind noise and tire hum barely make it into the cabin, creating a serene driving experience. 

It’s worth noting that the Trail Boss’s bumpers and underbody lack some of the heavier steel components found on the ZR2 or Bison models, which likely contributes to its lighter and more aerodynamic feel. For comparison, the ZR2 Bison can weigh up to 1,800 pounds more with all of its add-ons, which even the high-end Multimatic dampers struggle to manage.

Off-Road Comfort and Surprises

When the Trail Boss hits the dirt, its suspension offers a balanced and dependable ride. On washboard gravel roads, the Rancho shocks bring a unique character, allowing a touch more body movement that can create a cushy and comfortable feel. This design strikes a nice balance, showcasing the Trail Boss’s ability to handle a variety of terrains with ease.

The 2500 Trail Boss features a unique layout for its four-wheel-drive controls, positioned on both sides of the steering wheel. This design ensures easy access and quick adjustments as needed. While a rear locker isn’t included, the truck is equipped to handle a variety of towing and off-road challenges with confidence, making it a versatile choice for tackling rugged terrain or slippery conditions.

Overall, the Trail Boss offers a great mix of comfort and capability, especially for those who need a truck that can tackle daily drives and weekend adventures without the extra bulk of higher-end models.

The 2025 Silverado HD Trail Boss is designed to impress with its thoughtful practicality and versatile features. The spacious back seat is perfect for keeping gear clean and secure, while clever storage behind the rear seatbacks is ideal for essentials like tie-down straps. The 6.25-foot bed boasts three levels of tie-down hooks, making it a breeze to haul everything from tools to toys. And for added convenience, Chevy’s innovative Multi-Flex tailgate comes equipped with built-in speakers, adding an extra layer of fun to your adventures.

Hauling a dirt bike for the weekend? The Duramax engine barely notices the load. One thing to note, though, is the digital rearview mirror. The camera’s placement on the cab instead of the tailgate gives a wider field of view, but tall items like a bike can still block it. Even so, this setup might still beat the view you’d get from a traditional mirror.

On the exterior, the glossy black grille and trim pick up dirt and bugs quickly, but that’s the trade-off for its sleek looks. The Trail Boss package fits neatly between a hardworking job site truck and the more rugged ZR2 models. Its lighter weight helps offset the Rancho shocks, which aren’t as advanced as Multimatic dampers but still handle a mix of city streets and off-road trails well.

The 2025 Silverado HD Trail Boss is built for adventure, perfectly balancing power and practicality for toy hauling, light off-roading, and weekend camping escapades. It’s a robust and capable choice, offering the right amount of grit without overcomplicating things. Need to tackle more extreme trails? Chevy’s got you covered with the hardcore ZR2 or the nimble 1500 ZR2 for ultimate off-road thrills. 

From Basic to Brilliant: 2025 Traverse Flaunts High Country Style

After a bold redesign in 2024 that brought the Traverse in line with Chevy’s truck-based family, the 2025 model continues to step up its game. A new High Country trim joins the Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis lineup, offering premium features previously seen on the Tahoe, Suburban, and Silverado SUVs.

Positioned between the off-road-ready Z71 and the sporty RS, the Traverse High Country boasts luxurious touches like leather seats, ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a premium 10-speaker Bose audio system. New for 2025, a Sun and Wheel Package is available, and the Trailering Package is now included as standard on the LT trim.

This year, Chevrolet has phased out the entry-level LS trim to streamline the Traverse lineup. This simplifies options while enhancing the remaining trims with thoughtful upgrades.

Under the hood, the Traverse is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering an impressive 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. This engine is paired with a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive comes standard, while all-wheel drive is available on most trims and standard on the Z71. Fuel economy is solid for its class, with front-wheel-drive models achieving 20/27/23 mpg city/highway/combined and all-wheel-drive versions rated at 19/24/21 mpg.

For 2025, the Chevrolet Traverse balances luxury, capability, and performance to keep it competitive and exciting for families and SUV enthusiasts alike.

Safety Features and Trim Levels

The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse takes safety seriously, equipping every model with a robust suite of advanced features. Standard safety technology includes forward collision warning with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, forward cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors. 

Unique additions like GM’s Safety Alert Seat, which vibrates to warn drivers of potential hazards, and the Teen Driver system, which restricts certain vehicle settings based on the key fob in use, add extra layers of protection.

The base LT trim delivers a strong foundation of comfort and convenience with 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, a hands-free power liftgate, keyless entry and start, and remote start. Inside, it features cloth upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, tri-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging, and a six-speaker audio system. An 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a massive 17.7-inch touchscreen with Google Built-In, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto anchor the tech lineup.

For those venturing off-road, the Z71 trim adds rugged flair and functionality. It features standard all-wheel drive, a lifted suspension for an extra inch of ground clearance, 18-inch black wheels with all-terrain tires, blacked-out exterior trim, red tow hooks, rain-sensing wipers, and durable synthetic leather upholstery.

The High Country trim elevates the Traverse with premium touches and top-tier tech. It adds 22-inch wheels, windshield wiper deicers, LED taillights, automated parking, a 360-degree camera, and road sign recognition. GM’s Super Cruise hands-free highway driving system comes standard here but is also available across the lineup. The High Country showcases perforated leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated second-row captain’s chairs, ambient lighting, and a high-end 10-speaker Bose audio system.

For buyers who want the full luxury experience without bold black exterior accents, the High Country provides an elegant option. On the other hand, the range-topping RS trim brings the same premium features as the High Country but pairs them with sporty black 22-inch wheels and exterior accents, appealing to those who love a sleek, modern look.

Ready to experience a versatile SUV that fits your busy lifestyle and budget? The 2025 Chevrolet Traverse combines comfort, safety, and performance into one sleek package, making it perfect for family road trips, school carpools, or weekend adventures. 

From the feature-packed LT to the luxurious High Country trim, there’s a Traverse for every need. Stop by Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis and see why this SUV stands out. Take it for a test drive today and discover how it can simplify your day-to-day life while adding a touch of style and sophistication to every journey!

Family-Sized & Always Adventure-Ready: How the 2025 Chevy Suburban Takes It to the Next Level

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban combines strength and spaciousness, making it ideal for families who need plenty of room, reliable power, and flexibility for everyday adventures. Minivans might suit some families with their compact size and fuel efficiency, but the 2025 Suburban is built for those who need more. Perfect for boat or camper owners or anyone ready for a road trip with a full crew, it seats up to nine people comfortably. 

With 42 cubic feet of cargo space and a towing capacity of 8,200 pounds, the Suburban brings room and power. At Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis, we’re excited because it gets even better with some exciting updates.

From the base LS to the higher trims like the LT, RST, Premier, Z71, and High Country, the Suburban is designed to handle everything from people and gear to towing heavy loads. Higher trims offer added features that enhance space, comfort, and power, providing seating for eight or seven in the luxury options. These trims deliver ample interior room and robust capability, perfect for those who prioritize a premium experience. 

With the strenuous holiday hustle in full swing, having a spacious hauler is perfect for everything from picking up a fresh-cut tree to tackling all those seasonal sales with ease! For families needing more space, the Suburban offers exceptional rear-seat room and ample cargo capacity, making it a standout choice. While the Tahoe excels in towing and payload, the Suburban provides even greater versatility for those looking to accommodate more passengers and gear. 

What’s New for 2025?

The 2025 Suburban builds on the 2021 redesign with several key updates. The biggest upgrade is the new second-gen turbodiesel inline-six engine, now producing 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque, up from 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. This makes the diesel option the torque leader in the lineup, surpassing the 6.2-liter V8 (460 lb-ft). For the first time, the diesel engine is available on the off-road-ready Z71 trim, which joins the RST and Premier trims in offering this powertrain.

Other updates for 2025 include a refreshed suspension with new 24-inch wheels available on the RST and High Country trims. These wheels required adjustments to the Suburban’s adaptive dampers and air suspension to handle the additional weight. Chevy made changes based on owner feedback to enhance the ride across all air-suspension-equipped models. There’s also a new steering calibration for better feedback, making the driving experience smoother.

Outside, the Suburban’s new dynamic LED lighting brings style with sweeping turn signals and eye-catching approach animations. Step inside, and you’ll find a huge 17.7-inch touchscreen and a sleek digital gauge cluster, now upgraded with Google Built-In features like Google Maps, an app store, and voice control—all set for your busy life. The redesigned dashboard adds a modern touch, with easy-to-reach climate controls just below, making every drive more intuitive and connected. 

The Ride

Starting with the entry-level Suburban LS, this trim comes with passive shocks and springs and seats up to nine people. With 18-inch wheels and standard tires, the ride is surprisingly smooth, absorbing bumps with ease thanks to the long wheelbase. The ride feels stable, even though it may feel a touch firm at times.

Moving up to the adaptive dampers, as seen on the Suburban RST, the ride gets even better. These dampers make the ride smoother, soaking up impacts effortlessly. With the 22-inch wheels, the suspension adjustments make the Suburban even more comfortable. Adding the air suspension takes it a step further, providing height adjustments for everything from easy loading to off-road capabilities.

Opting for the bold 24-inch wheels gives the Suburban a striking look and a smooth, balanced ride on well-maintained roads. On rougher terrain, the suspension adapts beautifully to keep things comfortable, while the larger wheels add a stylish edge that enhances the vehicle’s presence wherever you drive. 

The Diesel Engine: A Game Changer

The new diesel engine is a serious upgrade, especially when paired with the Suburban’s full air suspension. The diesel engine makes the Suburban accelerate smoothly with no sluggishness, thanks to its impressive low-end torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, shifts are precise, and the Suburban can smoothly accelerate. With an estimated range of over 700 miles per tank, this diesel engine is ready for long road trips.

The diesel-powered Suburban Z71 truly stands out, blending 20-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and specialized chassis tuning for a smooth and capable ride across both road and off-road terrain. This Z71 diesel combines power with comfort, making it an ideal choice for adventure enthusiasts. The previous diesel model achieved an impressive 27 mpg on the highway, and the new version is set to build on that efficiency. 

Performance vs. Comfort: Tahoe vs. Suburban

For those looking for a more performance-driven SUV, the Tahoe RST Performance Edition offers sportier handling with its 6.2-liter V8, Brembo front brakes, and sportier suspension. However, the Suburban doesn’t offer a Performance Edition. For most, the Suburban’s smoother ride and better space will outweigh the need for sportiness, especially since the Suburban’s brake pedal is firmer, requiring more leg strength compared to some of Chevy’s other SUVs.

Tech and Features

The 2025 Suburban takes tech to the next level with a giant 17.7-inch touchscreen that’s as functional as it is stylish. The screen is large and easy to read, displaying everything from your playlist to navigation in bold, clear fonts. The inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a nice touch, even though GM is planning to phase them out eventually. Designed for easy access and added convenience, you can control everything with the buttons on the back of the steering wheel—no need to lean forward. 

In terms of safety, every 2025 Suburban comes with a full suite of advanced features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking (forward and reverse). For the ultimate convenience, GM’s Super Cruise driver assist system is available, making long drives easier and safer with hands-free lane changes on mapped highways—even while towing.

Conclusion

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban offers the perfect blend of space, power, and cutting-edge technology, making it an ideal choice for road trips, heavy-duty towing, or family adventures. Whether you choose the new diesel engine, the bold 24-inch wheels, or the rugged Z71 trim, the Suburban ensures an exceptional driving experience with unmatched comfort and convenience. Ready to elevate your journey? Visit us and experience the Suburban for yourself!

The 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer: Versatile Design, Turbo Power, and Safety-Forward Tech

The Chevrolet Trailblazer returns in 2025 with a fresh Marina Blue Metallic exterior option, continuing to deliver the smart, compact SUV design that drivers love for city streets and weekend adventures. With two turbocharged engine choices and a suite of driver-assist features, this versatile SUV is designed to handle the demands of modern life here at Jim Butler Chevrolet of St. Louis.

What's New for 2025?

Following its design update last year, the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer sees only a few minor but meaningful refinements. Marina Blue Metallic joins the exterior color palette, refreshing the Trailblazer’s style with an eye-catching new shade. Mechanically, the 1.2-liter turbocharged engine has been optimized with harder cylinder head valve seat materials, enhancing durability and ensuring compatibility with E-85 fuel. 

These changes keep the Trailblazer current without compromising its well-loved design and features. The 2025 Trailblazer becomes available in the fall of 2024, ready to serve as a capable companion for diverse adventures.

Powertrain Options and Impressive Fuel Efficiency

For 2025, the Trailblazer’s two engine choices provide options for both power and efficiency. The 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder produces 137 horsepower and pairs with a smooth continuously variable transmission (CVT) on front-wheel-drive models. Drivers seeking more power can choose the 155-hp, 1.3-liter turbocharged engine, available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The AWD models feature a nine-speed automatic transmission, optimizing performance across diverse road conditions.

Fuel efficiency is a standout feature, with the 1.2-liter engine achieving an estimated 30/31/30 mpg (city/highway/combined). For the 1.3-liter engine, the front-wheel-drive model is rated at 29/33/31 mpg, while the AWD configuration delivers 26/29/27 mpg.

Tailored Trims and Enhanced Safety Features

The Trailblazer lineup offers four distinct trims: LS, LT, ACTIV, and RS, each loaded with features tailored to diverse needs and styles.

The LS base trim is well-equipped with 17-inch aluminum wheels, comfortable cloth seats, a four-speaker audio system, and Chevy’s comprehensive Safety Assist suite, including forward collision alert, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The infotainment setup features an 11-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Moving up, the LT trim introduces convenience upgrades like keyless entry, remote start, and a six-speaker audio system, with options for automatic climate control, an eight-way power driver seat, and 18-inch wheels.

The off-road-inspired ACTIV trim is designed for adventure, adding 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires, a rugged off-road suspension, and a skid plate for extra durability. Inside, it offers synthetic leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated front seats.

For a sportier edge, the RS trim brings a unique aesthetic, with bold 19-inch wheels and sleek black exterior accents, while sharing the ACTIV’s interior features.

Chevrolet also offers additional safety options on higher trims, such as adaptive cruise control and the Driver Confidence Package, which includes rear parking sensors, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind-spot monitoring.

Interior Comfort and Cargo Capacity

Step inside the 2025 Trailblazer, and you’ll find a spacious, practical interior with high seating positions and ample legroom for front and rear passengers. It’s accented with chrome details and colored trim on higher trims to lend a refined feel. The Trailblazer’s cabin also maximizes utility; in addition to folding the rear seats, the front passenger seat can fold flat, allowing long items to fit seamlessly. In tests, it fit six carry-on bags behind the rear seats and 19 with the seats folded down, making it one of the most flexible cargo spaces in its class.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The Trailblazer boasts a tech-savvy interior with an 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster for the driver and a prominent 11.0-inch touchscreen in the center stack. A six-speaker audio system comes standard, while a premium Bose seven-speaker setup is available as part of the Adaptive Cruise and Sound Package on ACTIV and RS models. The SUV also offers comprehensive connectivity, including a Wi-Fi hotspot, standard wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. One USB-A and one USB-C port come standard, supporting the full spectrum of devices.

With a thoughtfully designed interior, robust engine options, and a wide selection of safety and tech features, the 2025 Chevy Trailblazer is a compact SUV built to cater to a variety of lifestyles. Whether you're navigating the morning commute, heading out for a cross-country adventure, or seeking a bit of off-road fun, this SUV has the versatility and style to make each mile enjoyable.