Truck Review: 2023 Chevy Colorado Z71 Vs. Colorado Trail Boss

We were eager for the 2023 Chevy Colorado’s arrival here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse last July, which featured a revised exterior, an overhauled interior, a new powertrain, and a model line with numerous other updates. Drivers who love to spend their recreational hours traversing through off-road trails with supreme confidence were even more thrilled to see the Chevy Colorado Trail Boss, which was previously offered as a feature-rich upgrade for the LT and Z71 trim levels, but now exists as a trim on its own.

GM Authority executive editor Alex Luft was featured in a cool new video last week that drew an in-depth comparison of the two vehicles’ most notable exterior differences and began his journey at the front fascia. This is where both the Colorado and the Trail Boss have the most differences. The Chevy Colorado Z71 has a piano black grill surround and body-colored lower fascia section, and the Colorado Trail Boss shows off a matte black finish on the grille surround and lower fascia. 

Both pickups also incorporate different lighting setups, with the new Colorado Z71 equipped with LED headlights and an LED accent strip. The Trail Boss bears the different halogen incandescent lights and maintains its off-road-ready stance without the fog lights. Of note to the expert explorer is that the Trail Boss boasts a 2-inch suspension lift and features considerably wider fenders and running gear. The turbocharged 2.7-Liter inline 4 L3B gas engine pairs perfectly with the GM 31XX-2 platform.

When the Car and Driver crew put the Trail Boss to the test, they loved the way that its suspension absorbed rough terrain without passing any noise or vibration into the cabin. Another much-appreciated highlight was the limited-slip rear differential. The true shining star is the linear brakes, which incorporate an efficient electronic booster instead of a vacuum unit. 

As the Autoblog review team was inching towards a cliff with their Trail Boss, they used the new underbody camera for a low front view in addition to the normal front view ahead. Interior technology is state-of-the-art thanks to Google, and with all this tech, the Trail Boss is “trying to steal lunch money from the Tacoma.” Chevy powertrain engineer Kevin Luchansky told the Jalopnik team that the 2.7-liter 4-cylinder now had an excellent reputation for durability and that it blends the best traits of the outgoing V6 and turbo diesel smartly together. 

One significant design element that stands out on the Z71 is its red stitching throughout, along with leather-appointed seats, which give it a more upscale feel. The tires on the Trail Boss are a set that became one of our instant favorites, with standard 32-inch Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT numbers that will clear a path quickly!

8 Reasons why the Chevy Corvette Remains as America’s Favorite + Limit-Pushing Muscle Car

Here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse, we know that our cars are more than just a means of transportation; they are a way of life! With all of the thrilling muscle cars on the road, it can be difficult to outpace the competition and win the hearts of Americans across the country, but there is one model that consistently rises to the top. After disrupting the industry just a few short years ago with its mid-engined setup, the Chevy Corvette continues to flaunt these eight amazing traits that make it the best of the best.

1. The Corvette Z06 Faces off Furiously with Supercars

The C8 was the first muscle car boasting a mid-mounted motor next to the Ford GT, which drastically increased its performance potential. The Z06 model took the entire platform to an exhilarating next level, cranking out 670 horsepower from its revolutionary 5.5-liter LT6 V8. 

2. An Unparalleled 70-Year History: 

During the GM Motoramo concept show in New York in 1953, the amazing concept of this dream car caught the eye of many. It was less than a year later when the C1 rolled off the production line and became an overnight success. After 8 memorable and track-slaying generations, the Corvette is more appealing and sought-after than ever!

3. Even Pixar’s On-Screen Gem Drew Heavy Influence

One reason why so many people are diehard gearheads today is Pixar’s Cars movie that hit the screen in 2006. The Lightning McQueen character was supposed to be a Corvette, but instead hit the scene as a fictional model boasting the same visual cues. It’s easy to see the C6 lines on the side and top views, and audiences loved this film’s playful appeal.

4. The Legacy of Motorsports Domination

From the 24 Hours of Le Mans to the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Daytona, the Corvette has always been a race-dominating show stealer. It has been blasting through corners and keeping the asphalt ruling stance alive since the 1960s. Also serving as Pace Car for the Indy 500 last year, it has had a busy appearance schedule from day one.

5. Hands-Down Champion of a Visually Appealing Segment 

The angles of a Corvette are sharp and piercing; quite the visual treat for its admirers. Many inexperienced viewers are so bowled over by the new generation that they mistake it for a Ferrari, which is taken as quite a compliment! Always alluring and king within its own rite, the Corvette never falls short of spectacular. 

6. The Many Ways to Take Your Pick:

This is one car that does not offer any shortage of choices, boasting a large variety of colors and interior schemes. No matter what style you’re after, there will be a fitting option for you. You can choose the base model Stingray, or opt for the Supercar-chasing Z06. If the more eco-conscious side of things is your source of inspiration, Chevy also offers the hybrid E-Ray with a potent V8.

7. An Interior That Could Fly the Friendly Skies:

The C8’s interior drew heavy inspiration from stealth fighter jets and offers up a cockpit experience that is one of a kind. With the infotainment systems and buttons pointing directly at the driver and the unique flat-bottomed steering wheel, there are many elements that keep things driver-focused. Supersonic sensations are likely to overcome you, and there’s every inclination that you are wholeheartedly “flying with the best.”

8. Roaring to a Neighborhood Near You w/ Relative Affordability:

We’re not going to claim outright that the Corvette is as affordable as a base-level economy daily driver, but when you stack it up against the heaviest hitters in the industry, it is a stellar bargain. Many long hours were logged during the development of this motorized masterpiece, and the result is a thing to behold that comes in at a very reasonable price point.

2023 Chevy Blazer “Redefines Sporty Crossover Segment” W/ Muscle-Car Dynamics, Striking RS Trim

Here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse, we think the 2023 Chevy Blazer is the perfect balance between a practical daily driver and an envy-inspiring ride, with its attractive looks, engaging drive, and top-notch features. The Blazer is poised for competition, doing battle against the likes of the Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Honda Passport.

Even though the Blazer has strayed a bit from its roots, it is still one of our most popular nameplates. The 2023 model enjoys a few minor visual updates along with several enhancements to its comfortable cabin. There is now a 10-inch infotainment display, along with the convenient addition of adaptive cruise control. 

The Blazer’s Camaro-inspire looks always resonate well with anyone who likes a little muscle in their vehicle, and the Autoblog staff claimed after a test drive that the Blazer’s infotainment offerings are superior for the segment. The inclusion of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G LTE in-car WiFi along with Onstar and 4 USB ports sweeten the deal for any driver or passenger who is healthily tech-obsessed. The touchscreen is simple to use and boasts very clear icons along with the “from business conference to the campsite” friendly bonus of wireless device charging. 

The back seat slides enough to easily bring little ones closer for those up front, or quickly free enough space for a home improvement or after-school sports practice haul. The base engine is the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that cranks out 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with front-wheel drive as standard. Eagerly on standby next in line is the 2.6-liter V6 that cranks out 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, rendering the Blazer as one of the quickest crossovers on the market with a 6-second 0-60 mph time. The RS trim is available with the highly advanced all-wheel-drive system that offers a torque-vectoring rear differential to improve traction. 

Even the four-cylinder model provides excellent power for everything from commuting to celebratory end-of-week cruises with great handling, and not too much roll. The RS trim offers the benefit of the sport-tuned suspension, which will assure that you enjoy even the impromptu grocery run with a corner-hugging and satisfying grin! The Chevy Safety Assist package is included on all trims, adding the protective benefits of forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, a forward distance warning, and automatic headlights.

Perfect five-star crash ratings are quite a bragging right, and the Blazer scored them in all five categories, offering more incentive to let this killer example of the bowtie brand be your next choice! The Edmunds.com team praised the Blazer for being “more playful in turns than its competitors”, and for being rich with styling that consistently counts as the leader of its exciting class.

Galaxy-Grade Silverado ZR2 “Meteor” Reportedly in the Works

This year’s CES show was where the Motor Trend team heard a rumor that they passed on to excited auto fans on their blog about the Silverado line, a tight-knit bunch of hefty haulers we love here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse! It is now officially underway that the bowtie brand is looking to make a more extreme version of the Silverado pickup beyond the ZR2 to offer up firm competition for the Ram 1500 TRX and Ford F-150 Raptor. 

Even though many people disagree about what ultimately killed off the dinosaurs, the possibility of it being a “meteor” is quite likely, hence the choice of name for this new vehicle is now officially on the drawing board. The Motor Trend crew quite obviously were very excited about the concept of a Raptor-challenging ZR2, which is already quite a bit more capable for off-roading than its slick and urban appearance may suggest. A ZR2 with much more might and muscle would need some upgrades in the suspension department, with about 13 inches and front and 14 in the rear for appropriate clearance. 

Designer Abimelec Arellano came up with a render that tied together the vision with a wider body and smooth bulges in the fenders. For the rear suspension leaf springs and shackles could have been a strategic answer, but this vision saw something a bit more like the Raptor with a four-link rear suspension. Since constantly demanding hauling is what a truck is meant for, it could safely be imagined that there would be a crew cab and abbreviated bed, with sheet metal alterations to provide ample room for the wider rear track. 

What is affectionately known as the “secret sauce” in ZR2 models to pave the way for skillful rock crawling and high-speed Baja runs are the Multimatic DSSV spool-valve shocks. The front and rear locking differentials are not needed 24/7, but their presence can be called upon much like the buddy with a spare tire to assist with situations where you don’t have much traction at all to work with. The rendering also features a single-bulge hood to provide space for what would mostly be a supercharger and other necessary hardware for this beast-in-training.

The existing ZR2 is blessed with an awesome front fascia, bright red tow hooks, a very cool silver skid plate, and LED driving lights, which we wouldn’t want to see change. Out back the landscape is left alone for the most part, and Bead-lock-capable wheels along with 37-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires have a unique way of tying the concept together well. Another awesome way to make this model a supreme tribute of sorts could be to add a plaque in honor of Rod Hall, whose son Chad races ZR2s with a longstanding passion.

Many curious car fans are dying to know if this is really going to happen, and if there will be a formidable suitor that can do show-stopping battle with the likes of the TRZ and Raptor R. We’ll keep you posted here on the blog about any upcoming tidbits of information, and can’t wait to see you this month here at the Powerhouse. Test drive the current-model Silverado or anything else spectacular on our lot soon and experience the thrilling and thoroughly durable Chevy experience!