Motor Trend Ranks 2023 Chevy Tahoe Z71 as Dually Capable for “Trail Tackling or the Valet Line”

We can all agree here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis that customers are absolutely crazy for SUVs these days! The Chevy Tahoe could be considered a jack of all trades, as it is excellent for towing weekend toys, work halls, and tackling off-road trails that can be tricky to maneuver.  Many drivers who just took on more domestic responsibility aren’t quite ready for the “minivan life” yet, and the Z71 trim is perfect for anyone who loves off-roading.

The skid plate up front will provide the best in security for the parts underneath, and we also love the added touch of a high-clearance fascia with cool red recovery hooks. When dealing with multiple obstacles in your way and challenging inclines, the approach angle is one of your best weapons for off-road mastery. These prevent valances from being entirely ripped off and running the front end dangerously into obstacles. The available air suspension provides an approach angle of 34.5 degrees along with a 2-inch boost over normal ride height, displaying massive improvement over models that are more road-focused. 

The Z71 also features machined aluminum 20-inch wheels nicely wrapped in 275/60 Goodyear Wrangler TrailRunner AT tires, black assist steps, and black roof-mounted side rails. On top of the Z71’s standard abilities, there’s the option to beef things up even further with the Off-Road Package. This bundles the Max Trailering, Driver Alert, Luxury, and Off-Road Capability packages. Boulder and Baja-style assaults are also going to be that much better with the electronically controlled limited-slip differential, Magnetic Ride Control dampers, and adaptive air springs. 

The adaptive air suspension is one of the most exemplary steps forward in technology for off-roading ever! It is intelligent enough to periodically adjust for road conditions, lowering to improve aerodynamic effect and efficiency. Fans of “historic relics” such as the manual transmission will love the fact that this adaptive air setup is also adjustable manually for easier egress and crawling over hazards. It is a quiet system, lacking the noisy hassle of air compressors and possessing a seamless quality during the drive.

The Motor Trend team’s testing model was a Radiant Red four-wheel-drive 2023 Chevy Tahoe Z71 with the 5.3-liter V8 making 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. This setup pilots the big SUV up to speed, working through the 10-speed automatic and leaving you fully enjoying the audio treats that V8s are known for. Their Z71 sped from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.3 seconds, with the 6.2-liter offering the strongest foot-to-the-floor acceleration. 

Quick tip on an awesome benefit for long trips? The rear entertainment system with dual 12.6-inch screens now comes with built-in apps, rendering it even more useful! You’ll be confidently working with a payload of about 1,700 pounds, with a fully equipped model able to crank out about 8,200 pounds. The crew also faced an unexpected surprise in the form of the strongest winds they had ever had to deal with at Bonneville Flats, and the well-equipped rig handled the impromptu job with A-grade confidence.

2023 Chevy Colorado Remains “Perfectly Gutsy” as a Midsize Segment Staple Post Autoblog Test Drive

Everyone here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis has a lot of love for the current-generation Silverado, which was the very first model to get GM’s 2.7-liter turbo engine. After the dust settled, it was evident that this would be the ideal engine for the next-generation Colorado, the mid-sized marvel that is perfect for any truck lover on the search for something smaller than the Silverado, but still hefty!

The Autoblog staff immediately declared their preference for the new Colorado over the Toyota Tacoma, calling it a “better truck”. The driving position is just a bit higher, the backseat legroom is more than sufficient, the interior technology has the best-added tech from Google sprinkled within, and the engine is much quieter. Another feature the off-roading crew will love is that the hill-descent control did not emit nearly as much noise as the Tacoma’s on the way down.

The 2.7-liter turbocharged inline-four is now the only engine offered on the Colorado. Once out on the road, the 2.7 responds amazingly well to throttle inputs, and has a balanced level of guts for this size truck. We recognize that many truck owners who simply adore every bit of the sound they get from their engines tend to be choosy, and this direct-injected four offers up a pretty choice little growl! 

Since off-roading has become so much more popular over recent years, four of the six trims for the new Colorado are of the trail-ready variety. The Trail Boss builds nicely from the Work Truck’s feature list, adding a 2-inch factory lift, a 3-inch wider track, 4WD as standard, off-road drive modes, recovery hooks, hill-descent control, and several other very cool styling elements. While kicking up dust and clearing boulders, the extra touches of 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain rubber, bigger fender flares, and added gloss black trim provide plenty of added inspiration. 

This body-on-frame construction with rear leaf springs results in a finished product that offers great things as far as handling and the ride. Navigating down incredibly rutted trails and through other various obstacles is most definitely a bit simpler with a mid-sized pickup, making for avoidance of the big stuff in the way a cinch. Every Colorado features the same 11.3-inch touchscreen that is found in upper trim level Silverados, and navigation is handled with the impressive and on-point Google Maps interface.

The Colorado Z71 also adds one of the items that any diehard wheeler would be daydreaming of 24-7 just a decade ago: the under-body camera. There’s also a low-mounted forward camera to partner up on duty with the regular forward and rear cameras, along with the ability to split the feeds or opt for side-by-side views of the wheels. In the name of full-on utility and accessibility, there’s also the very cool highlight of a dampened tailgate with an available storage compartment, which can be propped in place halfway up to make room for hauled necessities such as plywood.

2024 Chevy Trailblazer Ups Budget-Friendly Appeal with Larger Touchscreens, Captivating Color Choices

Here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis, we get a ton of requests for a practical daily driver that doesn’t break the bank. The 2024 Chevy Trailblazer was just featured in Car and Driver, as the crew of auto experts took a look at its updates. Everything mechanical remains the same, but the surface adds a dose of appeal with new colors, a larger screen inside, and other updated styling. 

You can choose from Copper Harbor and Cacti Green as new exterior hues to spice things up a bit, and the RS trim now adds the option of 19-inch wheels to complement its sporty design elements. The front and rear-end designs are refreshed as well, after adding brand-new bumpers, grilles, headlights, and taillights. The Activ trim boasts a much more rugged appeal, with its own unique grill design and trim bits that stand out as more prone to move things formidably a ways off the pavement. 

Inside, there’s an 8.0-inch digital gauge cluster, and a larger 11.0-inch touchscreen to greet you in the center of the dash. Listening to customer demand, the screen is now standard, and a sizable upgrade from the old 7.0-inch model. The base engine on the 2024 Trailblazer is a 1.2-liter inline-three with 137 horsepower, which comes with a continuously variable automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The trim lineup includes the LS, LT, Activ, and RS, which each include exterior lighting, grille design, and unique front fascias.

One sweet addition that we love for a practical and well-priced crossover like this? The super cool dual exhaust outlets with chrome tips! Activ and RS trims offer a two-tone roof option, and the Trailblazer offers more than 54.4 cubic feet of very useful cargo room. There’s also a two-tier storage system, adding flexibility to anyone’s already loaded drive schedule. Production of the 2024 Trailblazer will begin in July, with the first units to arrive at dealers like us here at Jim Butler in the Fall. Standard safety equipment remains a strong point of the Trailblazer, with Chevrolet’s class-leading Safety Assist offering industry-leading features to assure you and your passengers are protected during every drive. 

Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Following Distance Indicator, Forward Collision Alert, and IntelliBeam auto high-beam control are all included. We have been consistently impressed with just how many great features are packed into this attractive model, and some previously optional equipment will also be included on all models. You’ll be able to enjoy the modern convenience and confidence on the road every day that so many have been raving about with a high-def backup camera, cruise control, and push-button start.