2021 Chevy Silverado 1500 Hauls in Hefty Holiday Cheer With Gratifying Engines, Multi-Function Tailgate, Upgraded Tech

We know here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse that all of the major auto brands are proudly touting their truck models as they rev on in to the holidays, but we happen to think our prized Silverado 1500 is superior for many reasons! Engine choices range from the smaller-sized turbocharged 4-cylinder to the far-from-mediocre 6.2-Liter V8, with a 5.3-Liter V8 and V6 in the lineup as well. New for 2021 is the multi-function tailgate, greater towing capacity, upgrades in tech features, and Adaptive Ride Control on higher trim levels. 

The Silverado also finishes ahead of the competition with its advanced multi-camera trailering system that does an amazing job of making the hook-up process much easier. The testing team from the widely-trusted Kelley Blue Book claimed that it rides “well and in harmony”, from braking ability to its balanced and precise steering. The majority of buyers who are in need of a strong truck for work and play that still gives 110% for its duties will be just fine with the 5.3-liter V8, doling out 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque. 

The favored powertrain of many with extensive truck experience is the turbodiesel inline-6, providing a 33 mpg EPA rating and an excellent variety of raw force. The multi-camera towing system is an excellent example of the best ways to utilize modern technology to make everyday tasks that much easier. There are 15 separate angles to clearly show you what's behind you for efficiency and safety, and the “invisible trailer” is one of those features that is so groundbreaking it needs to be used in person to fully appreciate! 

Anyone wondering how to inject instant premium status into the interior needs to look no further than the High Country trim, which offers leather upholstery, heated and cooled seats, the Bose 7-speaker upgrade, and a heated steering wheel. You can opt for blacking everything out with the Midnight Edition, going for the full camo effect with the Realtree models, or boosting the suspension up with the Silverado Trail Boss. The beds come equipped with 12 cargo tie-downs and the rear bumpers have CornerSteps, and the move one notch up to a Custom trim includes the Custom Convenience and infotainment packages that brings along bed lighting, remote start, and the EZ lift power lock. 

Every Silverado now comes with Teen Driver Technology, allowing you to impose loving parental limits on stereo volume and speed alerts, while reporting back to you in detail about the particulars. You can drift to the street-inspired side of things with the RST package, while also enjoying the added remote start, automatic locking rear differential, bed lighting, and second-row USB ports it offers. The improvements every year for this model that can wear so many hats and keeps its durable stature need to be test-driven for you to make your decision, so we hope you “trot as a turkey would” to come and visit us soon! 

2021 Chevy Suburban's 6.2-Liter V8 Delivers Huge Power to an “Easy to Wield” Driving Experience

As we look towards the very near future here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse and the many  changes that are now taking place, the last few years have brought about many intense changes. After the engine in the All-American Corvette was moved to the middle, the ripples of different things around the corner were felt heavily, and customers looking for a new year's model have more outstanding choices than ever. The Suburban is one of those vehicles that remains the same in all the best and memorable ways, as a large and commanding utility vehicle with a distinguishable and specific breed of toughness.

The Suburban has seen a redesign for 2021, with yet more size and improved ride. At heart, it will always be the same body-on-frame truck boasting upper-level towing ability and space to get perfectly comfortable during long trips. The previous solid axle is now replaced by Chevy's independent rear suspension, and the Suburban sees an extra 4.5 inches of legroom in the second and third rows. Behind the third row, there is now 42 cubic feet, finishing at 6 more feet than the close competition in the form of the Ford Expedition Max.

Cloaked in the range-topping High Country trim is how the Car and Driver crew's testing enjoyed the model, and the 10.2-inch touchscreen is simple to use and very responsive. The selection of capable and burly engines range from the 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V8, the 420-horsepower 6.2-Liter V8 on the High Country, as well as the brand-new 277-horsepower 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six. When you take into consideration the Suburban's 6121-pounds of weight, it is quite admirable that the 6.2-Liter can shimmy its way up to 60 mph in a mere 6.1 seconds. 

On top of the new model's 4-inch wheelbase stretch, you can opt for air springs that result in a more comfortable ride as well as a two-inch lift, practical for safe clearance in any off-road setting. The longest-running nameplate in existence is the proud result of nearly 90 years of development, and once you set in and get a chance to feel what the ride is like for a long haul, you'll get the pleasure of experiencing what Automobile mag deemed during their drive as “gentle and floaty.” When it's time to find parking, the camera in nose view is a great feature, many times allowing for you to “land on first pass.” 

Holding a steady line in Sport mode is another one of the 2021 Suburban's fine traits: it does not feel clumsy in the least, and rapidly-approaching bumps won't damage or unsettle your ride. GM's world-class magnetic shocks and independent rear-suspension work wonders for boosting the comfort factor and adapting to every constant change in the road. To keep everyone fully entertained, one of the most frequently-praised items in the new Suburban is the comprehensive rearseat entertainment system, making old school versions of connect four and battleship for hours on end now tend to lean toward the duller side of ways to pass the time! 

2021 Trailblazer AWD Rich With Standard Safety Features, Legendary Bowtie Heritage

Delivered with All-Wheel-Drive and the upper-level ACTIV trim, the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer was primed and ready for a lengthy test drive and a close-up look at all of its features in the sunny state of Florida last week. The experts at South Coast Today agreed with the Chevy marketing department's claim that Trailblazer owners will “live big in a small SUV” after experiencing what things were like with its dimensions and abilities. There is room on board for five passengers and every model comes equipped with 10 airbags, providing peace of mind for holiday travel and your family's overall safety. 

Here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse as we take an extended glance back at the Trailblazer's history, it saw its beginnings in 1999 as more of a truck that sported hefty V6 and V8 engines. The lineup for this year's offerings includes the L, LT, and ACTIV trim levels, with the L model seeing AWD availability. Under the hood is the amazingly impressive Ecotec 1.3-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder, cranking out 155 horsepower and 174 lb. ft. of torque. Two designs of this engine are available: one for front-drive models connected to a CVT transmission and one for the AWD trims connected to a 9-speed automatic. 

After a thorough test drive, the 3-cylinder engine was the most frequently brought up topic of conversation for most of the week! When the turbo kicks in, the low-end acceleration is immensely adequate for driving around town, and you'll accomplish the zero to 60 trot in about 8 seconds. Even seasoned drivers that get behind the wheel won't know that this is a 3-cylinder present under the hood. If you intend on fulfilling cargo-hauling duties and frequently driving with 4 passengers, a killer offering such as the brand-new Blazer may also be just right for you!

With the presence of skid plates to protect the underside, the AWD Trailblazer is adequately fit for off-roading, and with both seats folded down, there is ample room for gear to conquer a fitting outdoor expedition. Every trim level comes equipped with Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Front Pedestrian Braking, Following Distance Indicator, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, and IntelliBeam automatic high beam headlights. Each model also comes with Android and Apple capability, air conditioning, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. 

Make sure to closely look at the ACTIV trim level if you are looking for top-notch features and a luxurious daily drive: here you obtain leatherette stitched seating, power driver seat with lumbar and auto high beams, faux skid plate in the lower front chin, and a revised bumper section for better ground clearance. The Technology Package offers the added jolt of a Bose seven-speaker stereo, HD surround vision camera, adaptive smart cruise, driver info cameras, wireless Apple and Android, HD radio, and a 4.2-inch diagonal multi-color display. 

Already-Star-Studded Chevy Suburban Could Quite Likely See HD Model

The brand-new Chevy Suburban is based on GM's new T1 architecture and will no doubt have the ability to tow massive loads while displaying its usual allotment of power that has made it a legendary favorite. Rumors have been circulating here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse and via many online news outlets that a heavy-duty model may be in the works, stoked by hints originating directly from GM. VP of Global Product Programs Tim Herrick has made mention of the possibility himself, recognizing the existing demand for such an upgrade. 

Expanding the architecture would provide more opportunity for aftermarket companies to produce additives for specific flavor and customization, as well as military-grade models that can handle the added weight of crucial armor. A more powerful engine would most likely be under the hood, and those who have shown much love for the Z71 model would be immediately drawn to a Suburban with this level of improved capability. The most powerful model currently is the High Country, sporting its 6.2-liter V8 generating 420 horsepower. 

Extra-large sized V8s have always been the headlining component of past Suburban HD variants, and will enjoy prime placement if this rumor does actually come true. Anything could be quite possible regarding this proud and trusty vehicle that boasts the longest-running nameplate in automotive history. Also enjoying its presence as a distinguishable icon on American roads, we also smirk at the fact that some Europeans used to matchbox-car-sized models ask regarding the Suburban if you “need a permit for that?” 

The 2021 version boasts a new chassis, independent rear suspension, a 4.1-inch longer wheelbase, a top-notch 277-horsepower, 460 lb-ft 3.0-liter Duramax turbodiesel, and the small but effective 5.3-liter 335-hp, 383 lb-ft V8 10-speed automatic. With both rear seats folded you are able to work with more than 144 cubic-feet of cargo space, providing what quite possibly the best “faraway destination” vehicle choice out there. Motor Trend claimed that “the transmission is programmed better than any automatic we've driven”, as the gears seem to be situated just where you want it a striking 100% of the time. 

The Angeles Crest Highway was the location of one of the most demanding drive tests put on the 2021 Suburban, and the driver easily left a 1,000-pound lighter Durango in the dust as well as a motorcycle on the highway that was not used to being so quickly overtaken. As technology has been getting better every year, the Suburban's Performance Traction Management system has been billed as good as the high-performance drive modes found on brands such as Ferrari. Boasting a world-class suspension, powertrain, and chassis, the current version of the Suburban may soon add even more capability to its longstanding clout!