Off-Road Made Easy: Properly Ditching Civilization W/ The 2024 Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison

Off-roading can seem like a daunting task for anyone who doesn’t have a complete grasp on its dangerous potential but the Chevy Colorado ZR2 Bison can ease your fears. At Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis we've got plenty of Colorados to make your mountain trips as easy as possible with high-class protection and technology.

The Bison seamlessly blends cutting-edge off-roading technology with classic rugged elements, embodying the spirit of exploration that has driven adventurers since the dawn of dirt paths. This robust combination makes the Bison incredibly tough, ensuring even novice drivers feel confident behind the leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Our team, dedicated to reviewing the best new vehicles, was immediately impressed by the Bison’s massive wheels and tires, including the five spares integrated into the tailgate. These 17-inch American Expedition Vehicle beadlock-capable wheels, paired with 35-inch off-road tires, establish the Bison as a formidable off-roading machine. It also features Multimatic front and rear "Jounce Control" dampers, rock rails, and steel skid plates to protect the vehicle's underside. With a 38.2-degree approach angle, 26-degree departure angle, and 26.9-degree breakover angle, the Bison is designed for the most rugged terrains. Its 12.2-inch ground clearance leads the segment, allowing for smooth navigation over challenging obstacles.

At the heart of the Bison lies a turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-4 engine, delivering 310 horsepower and a robust 430 lb-ft of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Our reviewers noted the distinct and thrilling sound of its turbo whistle, a standout feature. This engine provides ample power for climbing steep hills and navigating rocky terrain without damaging the undercarriage.

Whether you're charging through sandy terrain or cruising wide-open dirt trails, the Bison offers the exhilarating experience off-road enthusiasts crave. Its dimensions—214 inches long, 80.2 inches wide, and 81.8 inches tall—are more compact than larger models like the Ram 1500 TRX, allowing for precise navigation down narrow paths. The four-door crew cab setup provides ample space for passengers and their gear.

The Bison's drive modes instantly adjust the powertrain, transmission, and 4-wheel-drive system for optimal off-road performance. The 4-wheel-drive selector system, with its convenient buttons, allows for easy switching between Two High, Four High, and Four Low. Our team also praised the Underbody Camera system, which proved invaluable for navigating large rocks.

Impressive, fun, and capable of conquering the rainy woods of Northern Pennsylvania, the ZR2 Bison is the perfect choice for anyone eager to explore the wild.

2025 Trailblazer: Chevy's Subcompact SUV Balances Style, Value, and Versatility

The 2025 Trailblazer is now headed into its second year since its mid-cycle refresh, emerging as the ride for busy families, recent graduates, and thriving professionals looking for a budget-minded crossover. The competition is evident here at Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis while peering sneakily across the fence at the Kia Seltos, VW Taos, and slightly pricier Ford Bronco Sport, along with our very own and quite attractive Chevy Trax. The Autoblog experts took a close look at the Trailblazer last week, and were impressed with its “practical, stylish, and decent value proposition.” 

Consumers are hungry for a comfortable, usable, and stylish SUV, which now arrives on the scene with its 1.2-liter turbo powertrain boasting E-85 compatible flex fuel. After it was improved for the 2024 model year with larger and more modern displays, the Trailblazer’s interior design and styling do an excellent job of not feeling or appearing like a dreary or unappealing option. The Activ trim’s yellow stitching and standard heated front seats add high-end touches to an already bright and modern persona, with the RS boasting similar comfort equipment such as a flat-bottom leather steering wheel. 

The available 8-way power driver seat is an excellent choice for taller drivers, and 11-inch central infotainment touchscreens are standard across the lineup. There’s a sleek and very user-friendly 8-inch digital instrument panel directly in front of the driver, which is quite similar to what is currently found in the Chevy Trax and Buick Encore. It uses a very simple version of GM’s Android-based infotainment system, which is very user-friendly and simple to navigate. Here the Autoblog staff added that they enjoy the simple layout with the menu icons solidly docked on the left side, along with the convenience of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. 

At first glance, the Trailblazer is one of the larger subcompact SUVs out there, offering a pleasant 39.4 inches of rear legroom. The trim and style up front adds a nice touch along with an intriguing ambiance, with the available panoramic sunroof providing a means of very cool atmospheric enjoyment. Cargo space officially measures 25.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 54.3 cubic feet when the seats are folded down. The Trailblazer’s fold-flat front passenger seat offers a versatile quality that the Buick Encore can’t quite match, which makes it a great choice for the extended journeys the warm days of summer offer. 

The Trailblazer’s standard powertrain is the turbocharged 1.2-liter 3-cylinder, which cranks out 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to a continuously variable transmission and boasts fuel economy ratings that are suitable for the varied economic demands of today. The step up in the engine department is another turbocharged 1.3-liter model, which cranks out 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. With front-wheel drive, this model nails down 29 miles per gallon city, 33 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. The fold-flat front passenger seat provided this testing crew with an excellent amount of utility, while the NHTSA awarded the 2024 Trailblazer with its best five-star overall crash rating.  

2025 Chevy Trax Is Stylish, Sporty, & Sun-Kissed Activity Ready

We are consistently impressed with our entire lineup's family-friendly and budget-minded appeal here at Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis! The 2025 Chevy Trax was the newest topic on Autoblog this week, which immediately declared it a “tech-rich and ultimately practical winner.” The sheer utility and torque response from the powertrain make for a driving experience that is tough to beat! The 3-cylinder engine may sound a bit unimpressive on paper, but as the crew put it to real-world practice during a test drive, it exceeded expectations pleasantly. 

The Trax proved to be reasonably capable when a few challenging corners were thrown at it, while the cabin is current and “opposite of cringe” with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as standard. There's plenty of room for your friends and their carry-ons in the back, and the Trax returns stellar fuel economy during the day-to-day necessities. The Trax sets foot ready to conquer your challenging week minus the overbearing drone that CVT-equipped cars are known for, while truly allowing for a premium feel in the cost-friendly segment.

Marina Blue Metallic and Cypress Gray are two of the new colors added to the exterior choices, and the first visual cues noticed when you climb into the cabin share plenty of “visual twinning” with the Camaro. There's a very useful large phone-holding bin and numerous cupholders to keep everyone properly quenched during the trip. The onboard infotainment screen is available in either 8 or 11-inch sizes and is incredibly user-friendly. The Trax is a half-foot longer than a Kia Seltos, while it puts its seemingly large exterior footprint to good use with a back seat large enough for the larger members of your weekend adventure clan!

Each 2025 Trax model derives power from a 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, which cranks out 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a 6-speed automatic, with the incoming model adding Flex Fuel capability, allowing for E85 to be pumped conveniently during your next fuel-up. The Autoblog experts have had the privilege of driving everything from the world's most amazing supercars to the economic EVS of today and are familiar with every nuance alluring chrome on four wheels can dish out! 

They also adamantly claimed that you would never know that the powertrain is packing only a 3-cylinder punch, as it has been thoughtfully applied to assure segment-leading fuel economy and a price suitable for any recent grad or newly married couple's first vehicle. The six-speed automatic proved to be adequately quick to respond and performed on the highway with a stronger sense of engagement than the many DCTs on the market today.

The Trax's steering was notably responsive, and the suspension while the suspension was very sophisticated and composed. The Autoblog team enjoyed putting the Trax through a very challenging regimen of a jagged mountain test route. The 19-inch wheels gave the entire drive a satisfyingly firm characteristic, and the 1RS and 2RS trims provide the extras that borrow a few of the Camaro's sweet aesthetics. The Car and Driver staff gave the exciting 2025 Chevy Trax high marks for its “exceptional value equation, sharp looks, and very spacious interior.” During their 75-MPG highway fuel-economy testing, the Trax returned a very attractive 30 mpg. 

Revamped for 2025: Chevy Tahoe and Suburban Offer Exterior Updates, Suspension Supremacy, Superb Interior Tech

Well-rounded full-size SUVs are in high demand here at Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis, as growing families and businesses can both benefit from XXL class and capability! The 2025 Tahoe and Suburban were scorching hot off the digital presses for the week’s topic at Autoblog, where their massive space offerings and solid towing capability allowed them to shine brightly. Their optional magnetic and air suspension updates have given the ride a very easy-to-drive and comfortable quality.

The ready-for-duty Duramax diesel engine is also now updated and adds more power and torque to an engine that was already easy on the pocketbook and shockingly noise-free. The looks also underwent an update for 2025, and here the Autoblog staff noted that the Suburban’s cargo space behind the third row was incredibly handy among the best in its segment. Their skilled test-driving crew has not driven this pair yet but was very impressed with the changes to the interior feature components in the Blazer EV. 

Here they remarked that the infotainment system was “exceptional”, and that the all-digital instruments had a modern source of vibrancy. The electric column shifter is a major improvement over the outgoing models’ push & pull button variety, yet the overall number of physical climate controls has been reduced. A few of the climate control’s functions are migrating up to the touch screen to be rooted in permanent docking, while the touchscreen itself grows from a sufficient 10.2 inches to an XXL 17.7-inch unit. 

This able crew had used the same system inside the incoming Blazer EV and remarked that it was “refreshingly user-friendly” for a new and modern infotainment system. The addition of an independent rear suspension has finally brought about a fold-flat third row that adults can use comfortably, with plenty of practicality hinging on the Suburban’s cargo space behind the third row. The Suburban’s space measures 41.5 cubic feet, and here Autoblog praises it for being so well-equipped to carry three full rows of people and their belongings. 

The base engine for the 2025 Tahoe and Suburban is a naturally aspirated 5.3-liter V8 which makes 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque and is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. They are available with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, and fuel economy estimates are expected to be near the 2024 Tahoe/Suburban’s 16 or 17 mpg combined. The potent and naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 is available on the Z71, RST, and Premier trims, and comes as the standard powertrain on the High Country. It cranks out 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque and should yield right around 16 mpg combined.

The diesel 3.0-liter inline-six is the only engine of its type in the class, and it cranks out 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft of torque, while also being paired to the 10-speed automatic. Towing capacities are between 7,500 and 8,000 lbs depending on body style and engine, which is an excellent aid in getting the summertime toys out to the lake each week. The fixed steel spring and shock system this pair offers contribute to well-limited body roll, and these vehicles both offer a sense of control that effectively calms any rickety sensations in body-on-frame vehicles such as these.

This group remarked that the carryover 6.2-liter V8 is an excellent contender when it comes to taking the show out on the open road, as it livens things up off the line and for primo passing potential. Ultimately, the Duramax diesel fares as the best engine choice, as it’s the most powerful overall and even tops the 6.2-liter’s torque output. The Premier and High Country trims offer GM’s excellent Super Cruise hands-free driving system, which helps make long drives and commutes much more comfortable.