Climb-Ready Powerhouse: 2023 Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss Dominates Intense Incline Drill

 

Buyers here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis have many reasons to add a large truck to their lineup, as attacking any terrain, hauling goods, and looking wickedly cool while doing so are all on the list. But as we situate ourselves in conversation with our fellow coworkers and take a close look at towing, there are many different variables to evaluate. The 2023 Chevy Colorado has a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds when properly equipped, proudly residing at the top of the range for trucks in the mid-size segment.

Numerous experts have long known that showing numbers sometimes doesn’t offer a standing guarantee for a completely stress-free towing experience. Writer Matt Barnes wrote an article last week about the Chevy Colorado’s trail boss trim level, and how it performed while towing a camper trailer over challenging inclines. The Colorado trail boss starts as the basic WT trim level, and adds two inches of lift, 3.6 inches to the track with, and very capable 32-inch Goodyear Wrangler territory A/T tires to this heaping helping of rig. 

Matt appreciated that the WT tri-level served as an entry point because many off-roaders require a more expensive trim level to get things situated. The Colorado Trail Boss is for drivers who want a truck that adequately gets the job done without the need for items such as cosmetic upgrades and very high-end audio. The standard powertrain is a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder, which comes in three varieties. The Trail Boss gets the mid-level 2.7-liter Turbo Plus, which cranks out 310 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. 

The truck for this article’s test was equipped with the Advanced Trailering Package, which beefs up the hauling game with trailer brake controller, a trailering app for setting up various trailers and testing connections, and an extra trailering package with a 2-inch receiver hitch. This particular writer was a mechanical engineer and former product tester for Progress Mgt, which manufactures Fastway Flash ball mounts. The trailer for this test sported a total weight of 4,650 pounds, with the tongue weight of the trailer situated at 450 pounds. 

No true test could be complete without a notable elevation, and here the team set the tone with a 4,500 incline which peaked at 6,200 feet. There was a short freeway section, with the remainder consisting of four-lane roads, and grades of about 10%. The 4 and 7-pin outlets along with the built-in trailer brake controller made this all quite simple, with the trailer light check easily claiming its spot as the star of the show. Situating the rearview camera a bit offset from the center, this camera does a fantastic job of keeping with the program while offering a safety net and an awesome productivity tool.

As the crew merged onto the freeway to take on an uphill on-ramp, the 390 lb-ft of torque from the 2.7-liter four-cylinder made for ideal bravado and muster, and getting things done at cruising speed was never an issue. The high torque output is the ideal and souped-up recipe for towing, and there was just a very slight amount of natural trailer sway while driving at 70 mph. This was also on a road that had a hairpin curve and some extended weather damage, all the while maintaining excellent performance. 

As the crew prepared to climb a very steep grade, the 2023 Colorado Trail Boss was able to hold the engine RPM at or below 3000 RPM for just about the entire climb. Turbocharged engines are known for their excellent fuel mileage potential, and the truck’s on-board trip computer averaged about 11.9 mpg. The Motor Trend crew greatly appreciated the increased ground clearance courtesy of the two-inch lift, along with the improved breakover, departure, and approach angles. For the extra boost and boss-like handling of anything from Mojave-grade hazards to a quick run out of town, the terrain drive mode allows for one-pedal driving, offering excellent throttle and transmission response as well.

2024 Chevy Trax Activ: Reigning As “True Maverick” in Vast Sea of Ordinary

Crossover SUVs have absolutely been met with revved-up enthusiasm here at Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis, as many models have evolved into a very sought-after transportation solution. The 2024 Chevy Trax has already been praised for having the appeal of a used car price, along with sharp design and head-turning materials. The Trax hits the market with a front-drive only and lightweight composure, clocking in on scales at 300 pounds lighter than its larger Trailblazer sibling.

Nailing down the 0-60 mph sprint at just 8.5 seconds and a quarter-mile sprint at 16.5 seconds and 82 mph, the Trax stands out in front of the Trailblazer, as well as reigning supreme over the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Honda HRV AWD, and Kia Soul. The Motor Trend staff have seen (and heard!) their fair share of red-hot models during their years doling out fantastic reviews, and they immediately remarked that they enjoyed the “angry vacuum cleaner note at full throttle” that is reminiscent of many other odd-count cylinder engines. 

For nearly $20,000 less than what many other mainstream crossovers are selling for, you get an excellent daily driver or weekend contender that is loaded with the latest features and exhilarating to drive. Braking is completed in 116 feet from 60 mph, and other auto review blogs are saying that the Trax is perfectly competitive in objective measures, providing drivers a modern and memorable experience for the money. Opting for the 2RS trim level improves things even more with its 254/45R19 Continental ProContact TX tires, with it also being confirmed that the auto stop/start operates even smoother than some exorbitantly expensive systems.

The fully digital instrumentation and infotainment screens provide sharp contrast that exceeds current expectations, along with automatic climate control and steering wheel audio controls. When the trips that tend to be a little bit longer than just around town or the annual holiday drives come up, there are two USB ports in the back to keep everyone's devices up to par. The Car and Driver review staff were immediately impressed with the fact that the 2024 Trax is even less expensive than the model it replaces. 

Measured by the current yardstick of prioritizing interior space and feature content over elements such as rugged styling, the Trax is billed by Car and Driver as a monumental success. The LT, RS, and Activ trim levels beef up the style points with nice wheels, interestingly shaped headlights and taillights, and unique grille trim up front. This would be a great choice for Uber drivers who are ready to just get their feet on the ground and start working without worrying about the extra frills some models are known for. 

Analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen are standard, with an optional 11-inch screen providing a good amount of display space for a vehicle in this segment. The handling balance is softly sprung enough to be perfectly comfortable on bumpy roads while still providing strong damping to ensure that body roll is in check when pushed hard. As the economy ebbs and flows, considering gas mileage will always be a relevant concern, and the 2024 Trax is rated at 30 mpg combined. In a world where many consumers feel that car pricing has gone simply out of control, the Trax is anticipated to become the third best-selling Chevy model behind the Silverado and Equinox.

Segment-Leading Absorption Tech for the Wild: Inside the Chevrolet Silverado ZR2 Bison's Suspension

We are fully aware of the current and very ferocious high output war raging within the truck market here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis! Our prized Silverado ZR2 Bison may be just a notch lacking when it comes to the power bragging rights of the competition such as the Ford F-150 Raptor or the Ram TRX. This is no reason to be dismayed here, as it is a model that was built for meticulous navigation. The Multimatic DSSV spool valve dampers and locking front differential offer up their own distinct “flavor of flex” for challenging scenarios. 

The Car and Driver crew had their resident suspension expert Dan Edmonds take over as star of the show on a video to explain how the ZR2 suspension works and show truck lovers nationwide how much flex it boasts compared to the competing rigs across the fence. The Silverado ZR2 featured in this sweet video is equipped with the Bison package, which provides extra capability in the form of high-clearance bumpers and underbody protection. The process begins at the front, where the Multimatic DSSV dampers are immediately noticeable.

Inside the shocks are where the spool valves earn their keep, by offering up a heightened sense of control. As Dan turns the wheels to one side, it can be seen how the 3-chamber design does take up a noticeable amount of space. After weighing a mounted wheel and tire, the focus is switched to the rear suspension, which features expertly inverted Multimatic dampers and blocks to offer up the diehard punch behind the obstacle-clearing lift. These inverted rear shocks sit surprisingly a little more inboard than some would expect, acting as superb secret weapons for the task of straddling rocks.

Emmie Hall of Motor Authority has loved the midsize Colorado 02 since it was introduced in 2017, and was thrilled to see the full-size Silverado graduating to such excellent off-road preparedness. Earlier this summer she had the pleasure of testing the strong 6.2-liter V8 engine, which cranks out 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. She remarked on the blog that it is the Multimatic shocks that truly set the 02 apart from the crowd, boasting variable rate spring valves for the most precise tuning in existence.

The keyhole is the opening that allows the shock oil to pass freely into the valve, and here Emmie takes a moment to exclaim that these multimatic shocks are far superior to anything Fox or Bilstein offers up. As she merged onto the pavement just outside Barstow, California, the rear camera mirror video feed was very useful for producing its wider angle of view. As the gang she met up with proceeded to the Ericksen Dry Lakebed, the Hill Descent Control did an excellent job quietly in the background to assist her in making it to the bottom without any lurching or sliding.

Here she clarifies enthusiastically that the Bison’s suspension is far superior to what you’ll be taking on inclines within the Ram 1500 or Ford F-150 Raptor, along with the ability to haul 1,250 pounds of payload and tow 8,800 pounds. Another great feature that wasn’t at all taken for granted on this journey was the in-cabin towing checklist, offering up everything needed to take off with full confidence while responsible for a huge load. We wholeheartedly admire the desire to roam far away from pavement and experience the wild here at Jim Butler, and the ZR2 Bison makes conquering this realm reasonably and thrillingly within reach! 

Point and Click Your Way to Asphalt Domination: 2024 Chevy Camaro Configurator Unleashed

The colors on the trees are soon popping, fantasy football leagues are once again formed, and the ghouls of Halloween are on the prowl… we always look forward to Fall here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis! Cars with unbeatable muscle and grit are high on drivers’ wish lists as the winds of change blow within the auto industry, and the 2024 Camaro will be released as the 9th and final model year of the legendary sports car’s sixth generation.

Things are guaranteed to go off with a bang, as there will be several special Collector’s Editions along with the pavement-pounding Camaro ZL1 Garage 56 Edition. The savvy bloggers on staff at GM Authority wanted everyone to know this past week that the official configurator tool at the Chevy website is live, and eager owners can begin spec’ing out their future on-point pony. The lineup includes 7 trims for the coming year, and this time the turbocharged 2.0-liter I4 LTG gas engine is deleted from the available list. All the remaining trim levels are poised and ready for action and available in both convertible and coupe styles.

The Collector Edition commemorates so many exhilarating years of high-speed memories by making the Panther black metallic tint paint available when it is ordered alongside the LT/RS, LT1, and SS trim levels. Panther Matte Black is now available when selecting the collector edition package for the ZL1 trim level and is the Camaro’s first factory matte paint option. A car this fantastic stood upon downright amazing engines to chisel such a notable place in automotive history, and the three different powertrains available for this model absolutely do not disappoint. 

The first contender on the list is the naturally aspirated 3.6-liter V6 LGX gas engine, which still packs a mighty wallop as it prevails over the entry-level position. Stepping up the ladder to eight boisterous and burly cylinders offers you the first heavy hitter in the form of a 6.2-liter V8 LT1 gas engine. The crowned king of them all is the supercharged 6.2-liter V8 LT4 gas engine, which originally debuted in the Corvette C7 Z06. While crosstown competitors such as the Dodge Challenger certainly are beefy and intimidating, the Camaro has gained an epic following by being superbly sleek and light on its feet.

The top-of-the-line V8 engine can send the Camaro directly 60 mph from a complete standstill in 3.5 seconds. The SS 1LE Track Performance Package spices things up in the name of all-out thrills with summer tires, a very sweet black hood wrap, a rear spoiler, Brembo four-piston front brakes, a massively heavy-duty cooling system, performance-tuned suspension, and dual-mode exhaust. Another sought-after Camaro favorite is the Redline Edition, which ties up the room with blacked-out 20-inch alloy wheels with red accents, red seat belts and knee pads, unique Redline Edition design elements, and a black Camaro fender badge.

The Camaro never fails to impress with its very sure-footed stance and has always been an outright blast to navigate around corners. The astute rivals offered up by Dodge and Ford do show some notable capability around fierce turns, but Chevy was deemed by U.S. News as the most athletic of the bunch. Some of our favorite stand-alone options include Recaro sports seats, a sunroof, and the Technology package, which adds an 8-inch touchscreen along with the crisp Bose audio system. The Edmunds.com review team excitedly claimed after a test drive that “Regardless of engine, the Camaro is the best-driving muscle car of its segment, edging out more expensive sports cars when it comes to behind-the-wheel thrills.”