Monday, January 13, 2025

Polish, Power, and Performance: 2025 Silverado’s Updates Sparkle



The Silverado has long been a heavyweight in the full-size pickup truck arena here at Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis, consistently competing with its sworn archrivals. Known for its versatility, the Silverado can transform from a rugged workhorse to a luxury-lined cruiser or even a hardcore off-road powerhouse. For 2025, Chevrolet keeps things relatively straightforward with minor updates, including new colors and equipment tweaks across the Silverado 1500 lineup.

What’s New for 2025?

The 2025 Silverado introduces two fresh paint options: Cypress Gray and Riptide Blue. Beyond that, updates focus on refining features. The Work Truck (WT) trim now comes with standard cruise control, while the LT trim and above get a trailer brake controller as standard equipment. The ZR2 off-road model gains premium audio and front and rear parking sensors as part of its standard setup. Additionally, new 20-inch high-gloss black wheels are available to enhance its bold aesthetic.

The 2025 Silverado lineup includes nine trims, each tailored to specific needs and preferences:

  • WT (Work Truck): A practical option designed for functionality and durability.

  • Custom: Adds a touch of style and additional features while maintaining practicality.

  • Custom Trail Boss: Built for off-road adventures, exclusively equipped with 4WD.

  • LT: Strikes a balance between comfort and capability, offering versatile options.

  • RST: Features a sportier design with enhanced aesthetics and equipment.

  • LT Trail Boss: An off-road-focused trim packed with advanced off-road capabilities and 4WD as standard.

  • LTZ: Offers a premium experience with added luxury features and refinement.

  • High Country: The top-tier trim for those seeking advanced tech, luxury, and performance.

  • ZR2: The ultimate off-road machine with rugged enhancements and 4WD exclusivity.

Each trim is available in configurations that cater to a variety of needs, including multiple cab styles and drivetrain options, ensuring there's a Silverado for every driver.

Powertrain and Performance

The Silverado 1500 carries over its four-engine lineup:

  1. 2.7L TurboMax I4: 310 horsepower, 430 lb-ft of torque (paired with an 8-speed automatic).

  2. 5.3L V8: 355 horsepower, 383 lb-ft of torque (10-speed automatic).

  3. 6.2L V8: 420 horsepower, 460 lb-ft of torque (10-speed automatic).

  4. 3.0L Turbo-Diesel I6: 305 horsepower, 495 lb-ft of torque (10-speed automatic).

Tow ratings range from 8,800 to 13,300 pounds, unchanged since the model’s 2022 redesign. Fuel efficiency varies by engine and configuration, with the turbo-diesel leading the pack at up to 26 mpg combined for RWD models. This impressive combination of towing capability and fuel efficiency ensures the 2025 Silverado remains a top contender for drivers seeking both power and practicality. 

Tech and Features

Tech-savvy drivers will appreciate the Silverado's infotainment and safety suite:

  • Base WT Trim: A 7-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, plus OnStar compatibility.

  • Higher Trims: A 13.4-inch touchscreen with Google Built-In, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and an optional 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster.

  • Trailering Tech: Includes trailer brake controllers, backup cameras with hitch guidance, and trailer blind spot monitoring.

  • Super Cruise: Available hands-free driving with automatic lane changes on mapped highways.

The Silverado’s safety features include Chevy Safety Assist, which bundles forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. Advanced options like a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise control are available on higher trims. These cutting-edge technologies work seamlessly to enhance driver confidence, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience whether you're navigating busy city streets or tackling rugged terrain.

Ready to Own the Road? The 2025 Silverado delivers bold power, rugged performance, and unstoppable capability. With incredible year-end savings and a truck built to impress, now’s the time to make it yours!

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Family-Sized Freedom: The 2025 Suburban Goes Big on Space and Comfort

2025 Chevy Suburban

It's hard to miss—the way many newer cars seem more at home on the Autobahn than handling the daily commute and road trips across American highways. With overly stiff suspensions and seats that feel better suited for a track day than a road trip, comfort often gets left in the dust. Thankfully, the
2025 Chevrolet Suburban takes a different path, embracing what truly matters for families: space, versatility, and comfort.

A Legacy of Comfort and Capability

The Suburban’s roots run deep here at Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis. This isn’t just any SUV—it’s America’s original. For its impressive 90th model year, the Suburban stays true to its mission: delivering unmatched utility and comfort. Built on a rugged body-on-frame platform, this full-size SUV offers room for up to nine passengers and their gear, plus serious towing power. It’s the kind of vehicle that turns mundane drives into stress-free journeys.

Powertrain Options for Every Need

Chevrolet offers the 2025 Suburban with three distinct engines, ensuring there’s a perfect match for every lifestyle:

  • 5.3-Liter V8: Standard on most trims, it delivers 355 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque.

  • 6.2-Liter V8: Exclusive to the High Country trim, it boasts 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque.

  • 3.0-Liter Duramax Diesel: This new inline-six engine offers impressive torque—495 lb-ft—and an efficient 305 horsepower.

All engines pair with a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission, and GM’s hands-free Super Cruise driving system is available for an effortless highway experience.

A Bold, Sophisticated Look

The 2025 Suburban’s redesign gives it a striking presence on the road. From its updated front fascia to revised rear lighting, the Suburban now has a cohesive, modern aesthetic. For those who want to make a bold statement, 24-inch wheels are an optional upgrade.

Inside, the updates are even more impressive. A new 17.7-inch infotainment screen, paired with an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, sets the stage for a high-tech experience. Standard features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless phone charging make staying connected effortless. The redesigned center console and touch-sensitive steering wheel controls add a layer of convenience to the already luxurious interior.

Luxury Meets Practicality

High Country models stand out with real wood trim, perforated leather seats, and a sophisticated black-and-mocha color scheme. Throughout the lineup, Chevrolet has upgraded materials, adding soft-touch surfaces and intricate stitching for an upscale vibe.

Next-Level Ride and Handling

The Suburban isn’t just about comfort—it’s also refined where it counts. The Air Ride Adaptive Suspension is now available on RST trims, joining the High Country and Z71. Premier and High Country models feature Magnetic Ride Control, a cutting-edge system that scans the road thousands of times per second to optimize ride quality. The result? A smooth, composed driving experience that’s rare for an SUV of this size.

Built for Towing and Adventure

For families who need capability, the Suburban delivers. With advanced trailering aids like trailer-based navigation, ramp assist, and a tire health monitor, it’s ready for any adventure. Towing capacity ranges from 7,400 pounds with the 6.2-liter engine to 8,200 pounds with the 5.3-liter.

Surprisingly Agile

Despite its massive proportions, the Suburban surprises with its nimbleness. Its responsive handling, quiet cabin, and well-controlled ride make it a pleasure to drive. Features like large mirrors, a comprehensive camera system, and an expansive screen simplify maneuvering, whether in a crowded parking lot or on the open highway.

The Verdict

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban proves that you don’t have to compromise between luxury, utility, and comfort. For families seeking a spacious, well-equipped SUV that’s ready for everything from carpools to cross-country trips, the Suburban remains a top-tier choice. This isn’t just a vehicle—it’s a lifestyle upgrade.

The 2025 Chevrolet Suburban is the quintessential full-size American SUV, so effortlessly good at what it does that it’s easy to take its excellence for granted. But let me tell you—this is one vehicle you don’t want to overlook. It excels at everything it’s built for, and it does it with a level of confidence and capability that’s hard to match.

With its powerful presence, roomy interior, and flexible design, the 2025 Suburban isn’t just a vehicle—it’s a statement. When it comes to fusing practicality, style, and an enjoyable driving experience, Chevy leads the way.

Monday, December 30, 2024

E85-Ready, Turbocharged, and Unstoppable: The 2025 Chevrolet Trax Reigns Supreme

2025 Chevy Trax 2RS

The
2025 Chevrolet Trax is stealing the spotlight in its class, earning rave reviews from auto experts and everyday drivers. Built for value and versatility, this stylish SUV is turning heads and racking up well-deserved recognition at Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis.

New and Improved for 2025

The 2025 Trax arrives with exciting updates that enhance its appeal, including E85 compatibility for added versatility in select regions. Two stunning new exterior colors—Marina Blue Metallic and Cypress Gray—join the lineup, offering more ways to express your style. Chevrolet’s website has also been refreshed, showcasing these updates and making it easier to explore all the features the Trax has to offer.

Why You’ll Love the 2025 Trax

1. Turbocharged Fun and Responsive Performance

Don’t let the 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine fool you—it’s a turbocharged powerhouse. With 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, this lightweight SUV is surprisingly peppy. While it’s not built for speed demons, the Trax offers plenty of zip for daily driving, making it a fun and efficient choice for urban explorers.

Turbo lag is minimal, and the ride feels lively around town. Thanks to its 106.3-inch wheelbase and well-tuned suspension, the Trax also handles highways with ease, delivering a smooth, confident ride.

2. Stylish Inside and Out

Kudos to Chevrolet’s design team, led by Phil Zak, for creating a vehicle that’s as stylish as it is practical. The Trax’s sporty exterior strikes the perfect balance between modern SUV aesthetics and Chevrolet’s iconic design language.

Inside, the Trax impresses with its roomy and upscale feel, especially given its affordable price. Even the base LS trim feels well-appointed, though some materials remind you of its budget-friendly roots. With 26 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats—expandable to 54 cubic feet—utility is another strong point.

3. Exceptional Efficiency

When it comes to efficiency, the 2025 Trax keeps things practical. It’s rated at 28 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway with regular gas. If you’re running on E85, the numbers drop to 21 city and 24 highway, but the lower fuel cost can make up for it. In real-world driving, most folks are seeing around 29 mpg—even when they’re not exactly taking it easy on the gas pedal. 

4. A Traditional Transmission That Delivers

Chevrolet opted for a six-speed automatic transmission in the Trax, and it’s a full-on win. Unlike many CVTs that drone and feel disconnected, this automatic shifts smoothly and feels engaging. It’s a refreshing choice for drivers who appreciate the simplicity and reliability of a traditional gearbox.

5. Tech Features That Wow

The Trax comes loaded with impressive tech, even at its base level. Standard features include emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims upgrade you to an 11-inch infotainment screen and an 8-inch digital instrument cluster for a more premium experience.

6. Incredible Value Across the Lineup

The Trax truly stands out for its exceptional value across all trims. The base LS trim delivers impressive features at an accessible price point, while the 1RS adds sporty enhancements like larger wheels and heated front seats. The LT trim builds on this with additional upgrades and customization options. 

For those seeking a bolder look, the 2RS emphasizes sporty styling, while the ACTIV trim brings rugged design elements and enhanced features. No matter which trim you choose, the Trax offers a winning combination of performance, style, and technology without stretching your budget.

Final Thoughts


The 2025 Chevrolet Trax is more than just a compact SUV—it’s a statement of style, performance, and versatility. Beneath its sleek exterior lies a turbocharged engine ready to inject excitement into every drive, while its tech-savvy interior keeps you connected and in control. 


Whether carving through urban traffic or cruising the open highway, the Trax delivers a spirited, smooth ride that turns everyday drives into adventures. For diehard car fans who love compact vehicles with a big personality, the Trax proves you can have it all—style, substance, and plenty of fun.

Monday, December 23, 2024

Dashing Through the 0-60: 2025 Corvette ZR1 Delivers a Record-Breaking Gift

2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Unleashing unparalleled power, the
2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 sets a benchmark that leaves its competition in the dust. It achieves an astonishing 0-60 mph time of just 2.3 seconds and completes the quarter mile in 9.6 seconds, both when equipped with the ZTK Performance Package. Chevrolet confirmed these figures, noting the tests were conducted on 93-octane fuel and a non-prepped dragstrip, with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires included in the ZTK package.

The ZTK Performance Package isn't just about the tires here at Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis—it also adds a large carbon-fiber rear wing, front dive planes, and an aggressive hood Gurney lip. While these aerodynamic upgrades boost downforce to over 1,200 pounds at the ZR1's jaw-dropping top speed of 233 mph, they do come with a trade-off in drag. As a result, the standard-aero ZR1 achieves a higher quarter-mile trap speed of 152 mph, compared to the ZTK-equipped version.

Even without the ZTK package, the standard ZR1 impresses with a 2.5-second sprint to 60 mph and a 9.7-second quarter mile. This places it in elite company alongside the Corvette E-Ray hybrid and just ahead of the Corvette Z06 with its Z07 package. The performance underscores how far the current-generation C8 Corvette has pushed the envelope, as even the base Stingray clocks a 0-60 mph time of 2.9 seconds when outfitted with the Z51 package.

On the famed Nürburgring, the ZR1 continues to demonstrate its prowess. Former Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter shared that the car has managed seven-minute laps in traffic, with a standing start, indicating its potential for even faster times under optimal conditions. Notably, four ZR1 prototypes have exceeded 200 mph on the 'Ring’s longest straight, although official times will depend on favorable track and weather conditions.

At the heart of this performance beast is the LT7 engine, a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8 delivering a staggering 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 828 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm. While it retains the C8's mandatory 8-speed automatic transmission, the gearbox has been upgraded with wider gear profiles, stronger shafts, and enhanced lubrication to handle the ZR1's immense power.

Despite a 200-pound weight increase over the Z06 due to these upgrades, the ZR1 maintains a dry weight of 3,670 pounds for the coupe and 3,758 pounds for the convertible. This carefully engineered balance of power and performance ensures the ZR1 remains a dominant force in the supercar arena. Even with the added muscle, the ZR1 retains its razor-sharp agility, cementing its reputation as a masterclass in performance engineering. 

The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is more than just a car—it’s a masterpiece of engineering excellence and driving exhilaration. From the moment the engine roars to life, it’s clear this machine was built for those who crave the ultimate driving experience. Its precise handling, razor-sharp responsiveness, and relentless acceleration make every corner a masterpiece and every straightaway an adrenaline-fueled thrill. 

The ZR1 doesn't just compete with world-class supercars—it joins its ranks as a benchmark for speed, sophistication, and control. Whether tearing up a racetrack or commanding attention on the open road, it delivers a visceral connection to the road few cars can match, reaffirming its place as a true icon of automotive performance.