GM Authority Showcases Brand-New Mirror Light Accessory For 2021 Chevy Suburban and Tahoe

As spring has finally made its way to us here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis, we have had the opportunity to have plenty of great conversations here about various new features and new models that will make their way to us here by the end of the year! The vast amount of auto publications on the internet has always been a great way to get the scoop on new features coming soon, and the staff on duty at GM Authority recently featured the story on a cool new accessory making its way to the 2021 Suburban and Tahoe.

 

This cool new optional side-view mirror accessory projects the Chevy emblem in the form of a puddle light onto the pavement running next to the door. This is the first time a feature like this has been offered in the Chevy lineup, and while there have been puddle lamps in the past, they did not project the logo. Your model simply needs to already have up-level mirrors with puddle lamps, then you just opt for the $135 option to acquire through us here at the dealer. The feature will be available on LT, RST, and Z71 trim levels and standard on Premier and High Country trims.

For the 2021 Chevy Suburban LT, RST, and Z71 trims and the Chevy Tahoe, the option requires the Luxury Package, which offers all these exciting features:

·        HD Surround Vision

·        Driver Alert Package content

·        Memory settings

·        Rear Pedestrian Alert

·        Outside heated power-adjustable, power-folding, body-color mirrors with driver-side auto-dimming and integrated turn signal indicators

·        Power tilt and telescopic steering column

·        Automatic heated steering wheel

·        Second-row outboard heated seats

·        Second-row power 60/40 split-folding bench seats

·        Third-row power 60/40 split-folding bench seats

This very cool new mirror light accessory is the third branded illumination feature for the 2021 Tahoe and Suburban. The first two accessories include the Chevy logo and script in the tail lamps, and the illuminated Bow tie, or Glow Tie, emblem. In other news as we glean the web for various details about the models, the Car and Driver staff had high praise for the Tahoe for its roomy cabin, excellent independent rear suspension, and superior V8 offerings in the engine department. The new incoming model has undergone some stretching out to provide more cargo and passenger space and sees an array of new technology options as well as the addition of a diesel engine.

The incoming Suburban model is the Chevy brand's biggest SUV and a staunch competitor to rivals such as the Ford Expedition Max. The Suburban also now offers a diesel option with an abundance of torque and choices such as the RST model. This is a sporty appearance package that can be also equipped with the addition of the diesel engine. The head-up display and digital gauge-cluster are bigger than before, and there is a 10-inch touchscreen as well as two 12.6-inch screens mounted behind the front seats as well as the capability for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This dynamic pair of trusty and resilient vehicles will be on display for test drive likely late fall, and we'll keep you posted about their ETA and other incoming features!

AEV Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison Rated By Robb Report as “Adventure Truck That's Downright Civilized”

Robert Ross of the Robb Report began his article about our fantastic ZR2 Bison by remembering that when a youngster first gets their hands on their first toy truck, the stage is set for a fascination that never really goes away! As anyone like all of us here at Jim Butler Chevy of StLouis can agree, that fascination and love for trucks or high-performance supercars can quite easily stick with you for a lifetime.

The Colorado series pickups are the living definition of “midsize trucks with full-size capacity”, and the ZR2 boasts a high-riding heavy-duty off-road suspension, four-wheel drive, and optional 2.8-liter Duramax inline-4 Turbo-Diesel engine. Robb enjoyed driving it for the most part for its being a no-compromise adventure truck that is still maneuverable in civilian traffic and can complete daily errands with ease. AEV is no stranger to Detroit, as they have for some time supplied off-road components and bodywork to major OEMs like Jeep and Dodge, as well as being a major player in making off-road performance parts.

The work with on the ZR2 Bison is the first time AEV has had a partnership with Chevy, and the end result is a truck that has overland travel as its mission, and technical terrain as its “preferred diet”. This group's test truck was fully equipped with a Warn winch integrated behind the front bumper, which makes any off-road location a bit easier to navigate. Their truck carried additional skid plate protection, and had extra covers for the center section, transmission, and rear differential.

Also included were AEV HighMark fender flares, there to assure ample clearance for the 35-inch tall BF Goodrich All-Terrain KO2 tires. The added 4.10 axle gear ratio provides excellent acceleration, and while behind the wheel of the Bison one feels that you can tackle any surface or slope. Since so many off-road destinations were now off-limits the group was not able to go deep into the desert as they planned, but after a few dirt-road adventures they still found it apparent the Bison could take just about anything in stride while providing a surprisingly civilized and compliant ride on the freeway due to the outstanding GM performance suspension.

Inside the cabin of the ZR2, one feels as though little comfort has been sacrificed to enjoy the capabilities of it to tackle anything rugged. The last bit of praise that Robb had for the Bison was the Bose sound system: he enjoyed the “military” symphony in G major loudly which seemed fitting to him as he claimed the look and feel of this amazing machine would do any military vehicle proud!

2021 Tahoe and Suburban's Mileage and Towing Improvements Highlighted in Motor Trend

As spring has made its gorgeous arrival here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis, many families are thinking about a new vehicle purchase that will provide plenty of cargo space, legroom, and great ride quality. The staff of Motor Trend offered up a great feature this week that lays out the improvements in store for the 2021 Tahoe and Suburban full-size SUVs. Both models will receive a new multilink independent rear suspension that improves ride quality, and the towing figures are suitable for anyone with a weekday OR weekend need to haul!

Sporting the standard 5.3-liter V8, the Tahoe is EPA-estimated to deliver 16 mpg in the city, 20 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. These figures do not change with drivetrain setup: they remain the same for rear-drive models as they are for the four-wheel versions. They improve greatly from the old Tahoe's which, with an earlier 5.3-liter V8 topped out at 15/22/18 mpg city/highway/combined, with rear-wheel drive and 15/21/17 mpg in 4-wheel-drive. With the 6.2-liter V8 engine, the 2021 Tahoe nails down 15/20/17 mpg city/highway/combined with rear-wheel drive and 14/19/16 mpg with 4WD.

 

The gas engines largely carry over from the previous model year but are now equipped with brand-new fuel management technology. The 5.3-liter V8 cranks out 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the 6.2-liter V8 produced 420 ponies and 460 lb-ft. Hauling is one thing that we get asked about all of the time, as many customers are more anxious than ever this year after being cooped up for so long to get some other engine-powered toys out to the lake. The addition of the 5.3-liter V8 gives the Tahoe's standard towing capacity an extra 1,400 pounds, and on the Tahoe max towing capacity reaches 8,400 pounds with the same engine and 8,300 pounds by means of the 6.2-liter.

The Suburban's towing numbers only show a slightly lower difference: 8.300 pounds with the 5.3-liter and 8,200 pounds with the 6.2-liter. Both SUVs will offer a fair share of the awesome towing technologies that were seen on the Silverado, such as trailer tire pressure and temp monitors, rear camera guidelines for easy hitching, and enhanced side blind zone alert for trailering duty.

This is the trusty-and-large-sized air that will compete with the likes of the Ford Expedition and the Cadillac Escalade, and they will no doubt always have the edge in performance, value, and longevity! We will help you walk through the process and decide which of five trim levels is right for you after you distinguish which of these two large-sized and lavish models is suitable for your daily drive.

Forbes Thoughts On the 2020 Chevy Silverado Post Test-Drive: “Suitably Rough, Comfortable, and Tow-Ready”

Christopher Teague of Forbes admitted last week that while testing trucks is fun business, it can be difficult because models from the “Big 3” automakers are all so good. He had the good luck of being assigned the duty of spending a week in the Chevy Silverado in LT Trailboss trim and found it to be a very comfortable, usable truck that would be ideal for daily-driver duty for most buyers. Even with that specific trim's two-inch factory lift kit and off-road tires, the ride remains comfortable and the cabin is low on noise, even with the large V8 under the hood not exactly being subtle.

The major overhaul for the truck was completed during the 2019 model year, but there have also been some noticeable updates for 2020. One thing we have to boast about regarding the Silverado 1500 here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis is just how customizable it is. With over half a dozen powertrains, several trims and three different cab configurations, you can be on the fast track to enjoying a basic work truck to a high-end luxury cruiser, and have complete control every step of the way.

A 13,400-lb towing capacity is more than its predecessor by 1,200 pounds, and the truck can haul over 2,000 pounds in its bed. Even the 4-cylinder engine is solid, boasting up to 7,000 pounds of towing capacity. You have the option of adding safety equipment such as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, and lane departure warnings. One thing that people keep telling us repeatedly about the quality of this truck is just how comfortable it is despite its massive capability. Even in lower trim levels, you get to enjoy a quiet interior and comfortable, stretched-out ride.

As the days of spring are here and many new truck owners are ready to rid themselves of cabin fever, off-road options for trucks are more popular than ever. Available for the LT and Custom trims, the Trailboss  trim adds a two-inch factory suspension lift, locking rear differential, skid plates, Rancho monotube shocks, hill descent control, and 18-inch wheels with Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires.

There are very impressive technology upgrades this year such as the HD's new trailering apps and 15-view trailering camera system seeing their way into the 1500. This year's model also has the available adaptive cruise control system that is enhanced with a new camera-based sensor. Every trim level offers a 7-inch touchscreen as standard, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a six-speaker sound system. When making your decision don't skip over the upgraded V8 when it comes down to the test drive: this beefy and compelling option is the final choice for many!

10 Killer Attributes of the 2020 Silverado HD Courtesy of Hotcars.com

The craze over big trucks is gaining more momentum every year, and everyone here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis is providing customers information about the best available on the market daily. Available for the first model year were a standard cabin and an extended cabin, and this was the issue that was known as the classic body style.

The current generation of the trucks was introduced in 2014 and saw multiple improvements while maintaining the same traits that originally had boosted its popularity. The staff on duty at Hotcars.com published a super awesome blog this week about some key traits about the truck, and 10 reasons why it should top your wish list!

It's More Capable Than Ever: Under the hood, the new 6.6-liter V8 is what's offered as standard, and it now delivers more power (401 hp) and torque (464 lb-ft), ultimately increasing towing capacity. The optional Duramax turbodiesel is the same as last year, but not is paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission, boosting capability even more robustly. 

It is Bigger Than Ever: With increased capability, the size was next on the list to see a boost. On top of the 158.9-inch wheelbase resides the body that is 250 inches long, 81.9 inches wide, and 79.8 inches tall. The Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss Z71 actually seems compact compared to the Silverado HD, and you're gonna need some storage space.

Many Interior Configurations Available: The cabin within the Silverado has the ability to look like a stripped-down work truck or even a dressed-up crew cab. Every model features a huge dashboard packed with switchgear. The short-box setup now has a longer wheelbase than the previous generation, providing the space to add more passengers as you ring in spring!

Equipped With the Latest Technology: The latest in smart systems are all offered up here, strongly reinforcing the vast capability of the Silverado HD. The truck can now show 15 different useful camera angles on the screen, and among them is the “Invisible trailer mode”. This mode pieces together various feeds to create a visual for the driver to see what is happening directly behind the trailer, helping immensely with loading and hauling.

Improved Visibility: The side mirrors have been altered for better visibility on the new model, and new mirror housings are on deck to block less of the view without making the sacrifice of the driver seeing behind the truck. Engineers working with decades of experience and precision lowered the rear bed wall to improve visibility even more, and it will benefit those who put a fifth-wheel hitch to use to complete towing duties.

Wider bed With Greater Capacity: The bedside, frame-mounted step that's reminiscent of steps on traditional step-side beds will be greatly appreciated by those who have a day of hauling or towing ahead of them. The 2020 Silverado HD does not have to sacrifice any of its precious width to offer more convenience when reaching into the bed. It is now wider and offers greater capacity than it ever has.

5 Trim Levels: Selection of trim is the way to get exactly what you want out of a truck without making any compromises. The Silverado HD comes in 5 trim levels: Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country. A 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is now basic equipment, and the Custom trim adds bigger wheels as well as the convenience of cruise control. Selecting the LT adds the benefit of heated mirrors and unique cloth upholstery. 

Not for the Confines of Urban Areas: This is a beast that is, fortunately, happiest while roaming in the wild. Given its large size, driving in traffic is a bit of a task, and it proudly exceeds some height limits in regard to covered parking. Wide angles should be plotted to task even simple maneuvers, and you'll have a massive sense of freedom while on the open road.

Best in Class Towing Capacity: Now equipped with a standard 11.5-inch ring gear of hefty 12-inch gear, new prop shaft, and strong U-joints, the new model now offers a staggering 35,500-pound towing capacity. This is a massive selling point for those who are moving Bobcats and the like around on the daily and need every ounce of grunt and grit on deck.

Stand-Alone Packages and Options: If you see a feature that you are interested in on an upper-level trim, they can now be bought as stand-alone options. There is the 4WD-only Z71 Off-Road package, a head-up display, advanced driver assists safety features and tow mirrors. The LTZ trim offers leather upholstery and power-adjustable front seats. The High Country offers the addition of a properly booming Bose audio system and very useful side-assist steps.