Motor Trend Glimpse: 7 Tech Highlights of 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban

All of us here on staff at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse fully agree that the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator are the very stiff competition for the T1-generation 2021 Chevy Tahoe and Suburban. Motor Trend took a close look this week at a few of the highlights that will make these two new vehicles stand out, and ways in which the engineering team pulled out all the stops. There is less of the new model shared with the pickup truck it's based on then with many other years, but the forward part of the frame and a large amount of the body crush structure are shared.

The lower control arms feature a crossbar, that is not present on the Silverado. The Independent rear suspension plays a huge role in the achievement of improved ride comfort, sharper handling, and increased passenger and cargo packaging space. The load floor is now lowered by as much as 5.3 inches because what is known as the differential “pumpkin” now is mounted on the chassis. This makes the frame much more rigid, the driveshaft doesn't require as large of a plunge joint as the model before it.

Another very awesome and advanced feature is the small compressor attached using rubber mounts back near the spare tire. It fills a reservoir that is situated just below the middle-row pasengers feet next to the transfer case. Both the new Tahoe and Suburban have the ability to process 4.5 terabytes of information per hour – five times more than the outgoing model. Just to give you an idea of that sheer amount, its equal to 980 stored two-hour movies. In regards to gems from the big screen, there are now two 12.6-inch rear seat displays available, as well as a 10-inch diagonal central infotainment screen, and a 15-inch head-up display, the longest in existence for the category.

All of the cameras are upgraded to high-def 1-megapixel standards, and over-the-air updates can be accessed through the onboard 4G cellular connection. The previous-generation Tahoe-Suburban bodies were situated with the front structure bolted on, but the new T1 “body-in-white” includes the front crash structure already welded in. This greatly simplifies the assembly process and shows great improvements in crash performance.

The plant in Arlington, Texas that will build all Tahoes and Suburbans can crank out 240,000 annually, and the body shop that just received 1,450 new robots that now have the ability to stamp aluminum panels. This new body shop will play a part in easing the transition from K2 to T1 generation production. The paint shop now also gets a new thin-film metal prep process, boasting way more environmentally friendly traits than the acid etching system in place before it. These two vehicles are the perfect choice for anyone with an entourage, and we are excited to see the wide reception of the many new features these two heavy-haulers brandish for 2021!

Crushing The Christmas Cargo Space Challenge: Chevy Suburban and Tahoe Beat Out Ford Expedition

Part of the success of any brand stems from the ways it can outperform its rivals, and offer more as a vehicle in every single demand. Ford has long been on our radar as a head-to-head competitor, and age-old spats have been ongoing with the likes of the Mustang and the Camaro for quite some time. Connor Hoffman of Car and Driver took to the blog this week to talk about the incoming Suburban and Tahoe's interior space, an important selling point for many getting ready checking stats and standings of New Year's offerings.

The independent rear suspension is one of the main reasons why the interior space, as well as legroom of both the SUVs, are boosted. This now allows for a lower floor, which makes it so much easier to load in cargo, and adds an abundance of room in the cargo area as well as second and third-row seats. The Tahoe now boasts an increase of 28 cubic feet in total cargo volume, and the Suburban heftily brandishes 23.

Our two prized Chevy SUVs at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse have bragging rights to five extra cubic feet of cargo room when measured up to the Fords: 26 for the Tahoe compared with 21 for the Expedition, and 41 cubic  feet for the Suburban, which beats out the 36 cubic feet brandished by the Ford Expedition Max. These two new full-size Chevy SUVs are built on the same platform as the heavy-hitting and very durable Silverado 1500 truck. One of the best uses for the Tahoe and Suburban has to do with a facet of business that is doing very well: the computer repair or sales company. You can stack laptops, desktop towers, and accessories galore in any of these vehicles, and feel pretty safe and secure while doing so!

All cameras onboard are now upgraded to high-def 1-megapixel standards, and message authentication as well as numerous gateway isolating busses are in place to assure that networks are always maintaining a peak security potential. This makes great sense, since the Tahoe and Suburban are some of the best choices in the nation that equip the police and fire fleets out there every day in the trenches protecting our citizens.

The previous-generation Tahoe and Suburban bodies were constructed from the firewall back, with the front bolted on, and now the new T1 includes the front structure previously welded in. Many out there have been worried about processes being “Earth Friendly” as of late, and the new paint shop for these two SUVs will employ a thin-film metal prep process that has the best interest of the ground under us at constant front-running and well-paced stance!

2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 Motor Trend Test Results: Quicker Than Some From the V-6 Club

When one thinks about a tried-and-true work truck, all of us on staff here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse fully understand that a 6 or 8 cylinder engine is usually perceived as able to get towing and hauling jobs done.  A full-size 5,000 – pound truck is not the most likely place that some would expect to find a thriving 4-cylinder engine, and some may shrug it off as seeming as if it is on the weaker side of the powertrain spectrum. Even after all of the engine downsizing seen during recent years, the staff on duty at Motor Trend were leery about the premise of a 4-cylinder truck, but were immediately very impressed with its responsive and powerful qualities.

Chevy's  2.7-liter turbo four's specs make it look like the V-6 competitor that it is, but there is one key advantage: the 310-hp 2.7-liter engine has 348 of torque that is generated from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm, so quick response comes easy. This results in a much quieter cabin as well, and the team's 2020 Silverado 1500 RST tester hit 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. This is quicker than the Ford F-150 XL with a 3.3-liter V-6 and the Ram 1500 Tradesman with  the 3.6-liter V6. Also within the Silverado family, a 5.3-liter LT Trail Boss with the 8-speed automatic reached 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, and the 4.3-liter-equipped work truck got to 60 in 7.2 seconds.

Understandably, one may miss the sound of the naturally aspirated V-8, but at the 2020 Truck of the Year testing, this new 2.7 powertrain met a high level of praise. Features editor Scott Evans said after testing the truck with a 4,000-pound trailer that “This thing pulls like there's nothing there”, and that anyone who says this engine doesn't belong in a truck should just “drive it for themselves”. It remains quiet even with large crosswinds, and the steering is well-weighted and precise.

You'll be able to find this 2.7-liter engine as an option on the WT, Custom, LT, and RST trims, and nail down a towing capacity of 6-7,000 pounds. It may be a bit surprising to not have the consistently heavy rumble underneath you as you complete the daily drive as well as hauling and towing, but the miracles of modern engineering has changed the way how 4-cylinders are perceived. It was just a decade or so ago that any truck with a 4-cylinder engine was going to be thought of immediately as a tiny number that could potentially go anywhere, but not have the ability to pull its weight.

Driving like a pickup yet better, it heaves over bumps as a unit, with the ability to settle well. As the temperatures drop and the festive season is upon us in full force, its a great time to check out this and all of the other trucks here on the lot, and figure out which friend or family member would be the best recipient of the greatest gift one can give AND receive!

2019 Colorado ZR2 Bison's Off-Road Domination Proclaimed by Portland Tribune

The midsized pickup truck segment is one that offers a lot of competition: The quality of add-ons such as skid plates are of dire importance, as they are shielding such sensitive areas of the truck. As you are preparing to dash across boulders and plow through streams, you need to select an off-road model that has above average capability, and truly possesses the protection level to make it a trail contender. Here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse we steer many customers in the direction of the Colorado ZR2 Bison and were proud to see a great review of it this past week in the Portland Tribune.

The basic Colorado is designed for both work and being a daily driver, and comes with a 4-cylinder, 3.6-liter V6 rated at 308 horsepower or 2.8-liter Duramax turbo-diesel with 369 lb-ft of torque. These are all paired to an automatic transmission, with choice of rear-wheel or four-wheel-drive. Within the 4X4 system is an automatic mode that simulates all-wheel-drive, ideal for getting through the powder and slush that winter brings. It was two years ago that the ZR2 was offered for the first time, brandishing a strengthened suspension with upgraded control arms, steering gear, and hubs.

It's a full two inches taller than the standard Colorado 4 X 4, with front and rear locking differentials for when the road ahead presents difficult passing potential. There are also Multimatic shock absorbers on all four wheels, using variable valving that offers up the toughness required for serious off-road navigation and still giving a smooth asphalt ride. For the 2019 model, the Bison package was added, and capabilities drastically altered. There are now five new skidplates underneath, heavy steel front and rear bumpers with a winch and recovery points, and wheels designed for off-road punishment.

There's even an optional snorkel air intake if the agenda leads to incredibly deep water, and we assure you, it's real and functional! All of these features including waterproof floor liners helped elevate the Bison above its competition to declare the Off-Road Truck of the Year award from Popular Mechanics. Once inside, the Bison bears a heavy dose of similarity to the ZR2. There are the necessary controls for the locking differentials, but the rest of the interior has not strayed much from the standard Chevy feel. In writer Jeff Zurschmeide's opinion here, the Bison is the ultimate off-road truck, leading the pack by leaps and bounds with its ability, go-anywhere prowess, and potential!