Turbocharged, Budget-Friendly, and Tech-Savvy: Unveiling the 2025 Trailblazer

Crossover SUVs make up a very large percentage of new vehicles driven happily off the lot here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse! Their capability, great looks, and constant upgrades to keep up with the competition have made for excellent additions to any family’s driving regimen. The deadline-minded and busy staff of the GM Authority blog had a great feature this week on the 2025 Trailblazer’s new EBS-compatible engine and other updates.

The Trailblazer offers the LS, LT RS, and Activ trims, with front-wheel drive as standard across the line, and 4-wheel drive available as an option. There’s an excellent selection of extra equipment to choose from, with features such as an available Panoramic Sunroof to fully enjoy the many fine elements of the coming spring season! The Cold Weather Package was new for the 2024 model year, bringing along a heated steering wheel, heated driver and front passenger seats, a wrapped steering wheel, and wrapped shift knob. 

There are now 8 exterior paint colors, with Pearl Tricoat, Marina Blue Metallic, and Nitro Yellow Metallic standing out as vibrant and diverse choices. Under the hood resides the turbocharged 1.2-liter I3 LBP engine, cranking out 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. The Driver Confidence Package still offers the watchful and protective high-tech eyes of Lane Change Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Park Assist.

A few other very appealing dealer options are the durable All-Weather Floor liners and mats, offering up the ability to weather a bit of sand-or-mud-inflicted wear and tear. The Truecar.com auto review staff eagerly praised the 2025 Trailblazer for “being one of the sharpest-dressed SUVS on the road”, with excellent fuel economy and abundant passenger space. Verified user reviews are some of the most genuine and real-world means of seeing just how a model’s performance attributes truly measure up.

In the Truecar.com digital review log, a driver who had lived with the 2024 Trailblazer for the past year enthusiastically claimed that she “loved the style, the seats are excellent, and (she) had received many compliments on the outside color and wheels.” The two-tone aesthetic of the exterior color scheme was received quite well last year, along with the placid simplicity of the digital instrumentation. 

Another satisfied Trailblazer owner remarked that the roomy interior and great features of the LT Model kept him constantly sold on his choice, along with zippy acceleration and an ideal amount of space. The look and feel of the dash and leather was also a very welcoming place for this satisfied buyer to spend time, as they were commuting about 40 miles each way to work instead of the half-as-much national average. Another driver in Detroit who was thrilled with her choice referred to the main screen display as the coolest and most efficient of any vehicle she had ever owned! 

The Kia Sorento, Ford Edge, and Honda Passport all encounter an amazingly hefty dose of competition from the Trailblazer, which is situated in a position to remain the most sought-after budget crossover out there. The rear legroom proved to be excellent during their hour-long drive, and they also loved the programmable hands-free power liftgate. With styling that’s very easy on the eyes and a large dose of athleticism, the 2025 Trailblazer will surely turn many budget-savvy and tech-loving heads. 

Pushing Boundaries In Time for Spring’s Bounty: Chevy Silverado 2500 HD First Drive

We love everything about how the Silverado 2500 HD performs and looks here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse! Its first-class towing capabilities, great looks, and undeniable charm have made it many lifelong friends, along with a few sworn enemies of the naturally jealous variety! The lead development engineer from the Motor City that helped make the Silverado so awesome recently took it down under to Australia’s Sunshine Coast this month, to show the AU media the higher points of this world-class machine. 

The first order of business was a demonstration of the Trailer App, which allows you to set specific profiles for each trailer. This helps with precise mileage tracking, reminders for scheduled maintenance, and all-important tire sensors. The 2500 HD series first gets down to business by swapping out a 6.2-liter gas V8 for the monstrous and menacing 6.6-liter turbodiesel V8, which cranks out 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque. The independent front suspension allows each wheel on the same axle to move independently from others, which helps to take on the challenges of the road and offer more traction, and stability.

It's a unique powerhouse that was designed to take the stress out of large haul scenarios, with the HD wearing a cutthroat and sought-after industry badge of a 20-ton hauling ability. Even the exterior is expertly configured for maximum practicality, with its extra split-level side mirrors, different door shapes, and slightly lower height. The LTZ premium trim line adds the river-fording goodness of the Z71 off-road suspension package, sprucing things up with two inches of extra ground clearance, a 13.5-inch infotainment display, and very attractive high-quality leather. 

One of the most ingenious additions to a truck is the 14 HD camera views that cover a 360-degree area around the Silverado and are a huge help with preparing loads and difficult parking jobs. This is quite an enormous hunk of steel to be at the helm of on narrow and muddy trails, even with the very competent AWD system that handles power delivery duty. After hunkering down and getting used to everything, all these hard-working and efficient components made the testing crew immediately remark: “Oh, what a machine it is!” 

Adaptive cruise control is now standard on the HD and it shows up with its sleeves rolled up and ready for work with its' trailer load sensor. The entire HD line also saw a few other updates for 2024 with C-shaped running lights on the upper trim levels. You can also opt for the All-Star Edition, which takes the coolest of the premium cabin elements and stuffs them into a 100% rig-approved package. It includes dual-zone climate control as well as three extra 3-prong 120 Volt outlets throughout the truck to help power all the big stuff for the troupe.

The much beefier 12.0-inch rear axle helps with handling the mammoth payloads, and the Motor1.com staff claimed that all the new goodies “make it even more appealing as an everyday HD truck.” With the gooseneck option, you’ll be towing up to 22,500 lbs, and the U.S. News team loved the HD’s flexible tailgate that could be used as load stops, steps, or even a way-above-par makeshift work surface. With Ford rolling out the new Super Duty at the same time, we know that the Silverado HD has a few lofty aspirations to make good on. Even though this is excellent and incredibly hard-working machinery, it now caters to the segment that puts as high a priority on comfort as anything else!

Cargo Kingdom: The 2024 Chevy Trax 2RS Review - Where Space Meets Adventurous Affordability!

Compact SUVs have enjoyed their well-deserved time in the spotlight over the past few years here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse! As drivers of all types are on the hunt for an economical and modern vehicle, the 2024 Chevy Trax has been completely redesigned for the current model year. This redesign resulted in a refreshed compact SUV that is easier on the pocketbook to boot. The review staff on duty at the CarPro blog took a close look at the new Trax this week, first loving its sharp lines, front views like a Blazer, boomerang-style rear taillights, roof rails, and rear spoiler.

The 19” machined wheels add a distinct urban flair that is ideal for setting your driver’s sights on the coming of spring, and under the hood is a 1.2-liter inline 3-cylinder turbocharged engine that cranks out 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. The head auto editor claimed that with the Trax’s lightweight frame, this engine still does well at powering the entire party and remaining very efficient! Once inside the 2RS package, there’s a well laid-out interior waiting, with this one sporting a black interior and red accents all around, and rich black gloss trim on the center console.

After reviewing numerous sedans and crossovers over the past few years, this writer appreciated how thoroughly attractive the interior was at this appealing price point. It features Evotex seating materials, which look like leather and are very simple to keep clean. There is an 8” color driver information screen that is very easy to read, with an 11” touchscreen situated directly on the center dash. This shows the rear camera, controls the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, the 6-speaker sound system, Wi-Fi hotspot, and Sirius XM.

As you prepare to hit the interstate or plan to quickly meet your favorite work buddies for frisbee golf, you’ll enjoy the abundant back seat leg and headroom, where you could easily seat 3 adults if needed! There are also two USB-C ports in the backseat to keep everything properly charged. The Trax boasts 26 cubic feet of cargo that is amply covered, with the cover raising up when you decide to lift the tailgate. Everyone will love the safety features of the Driver Confidence Package, which provides rear cross-traffic alert, lane change alert with blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise.

Fuel economy is rated at 28 mpg city, 32 mpg highway,
and 30 mpg overall, which pairs nicely with the 6-speed transmission and overall quality of daily drive manners. The 2024 Trax is an incredible value by today’s standards, with a top-of-the-line price point at under $30,000. The 2RS trim adds 245/45R19 all-season tires, along with the 19-inch black alloy wheels and keyless open feature. The JDPower.com review team praised the Trax for its electric-boosted rack-and-pinion steering, along with a lower center of gravity that is a bit like a hatchback car.

The KBB.com review staff posted a consumer rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, heralding it as an industry-leading value for its roomy seating and cargo area for an extra-small SUV, available 11-inch touchscreen, and numerous driver assistance features. We hope to see you here before Easter to check out the 2024 Chevy Trax here at the Mid-MO Powerhouse. It is sharp and striking, and always entertaining to drive. Simple and straightforward yet still hitting the sweet spot in many ways, the Trax has improved its game significantly while remaining fresh and favorable! 

C6 Corvette Chronicles: Racing Through History at 200 MPH – The Birth of a Sensational Icon

Since 2005, one unique and special Corvette model has consistently caught our eye here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse! This was the year that the legendary C6 was released with the new Gen III 6.0-liter LS2 engine, raising the high-octane output level to 400 horsepower, along with 400 lb-ft of torque. The C6 was also the first Corvette model to feature the convenient push button ignition. The C5 Z06 was a complete scorcher on the track, with the arrival of the C6 boosting this capability even further. 

The C6 featured altered and ferocious components in the form of a hydroformed aluminum structure, magnesium suspension cradles, and featherweight carbon body panels. The Z06’s powertrain was GM’s explosive and hand-built 7.0-liter LS7 engine, which was loaded up with race-friendly technology that had never been present in a ‘Vette before. Agile titanium rods and a dry sump oiling system designed for hard track use were new additions to this Z06 that could be acquired with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

These cars were so proficient on the track that early production “Captured Test Fleet” Z06s had been shipped to Europe to strut their stuff at the Callaway Competition in Germany. This fantastic array of Z06-R GT3 race cars was able to dominate multiple championships, even replacing the winning C5-R expertly constructed by Pratt & Miller. During its very first “12 Hours of Sebring” race, this model had an amazing second and third-place finish, coming up hot and unwavering on the heels of the Aston Martin DBR9 Supercar. 

The American LE Mans GT1 Championships was the scene of another victory in 2006, where the C6-R claimed first-place victory in both events. The following year, the ‘Vette stormed the gates and swooped up top honors in the fiercely competitive GT1 class at Sebring. An esteemed panel of 50 race engine engineers also named the LS7-R powertrain the Global Motorsports Engine of the Year in 2007, in prompt preparation for its victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the ZR1-inspired C6-R in 2011. Just one year later, the winner’s board at the GTE-Am category was claimed by the ‘Vette as well.

2007 was also when GM offered the fantastic limited-edition Indy pace car tributes, with a boisterous batch of 500 painted in Atomic Orange headed for diehard fans’ driveways. These sweet models were all drop tops and were identical to the actual pilot cars driven by Patrick Dempsey. In 2009, GM determined that the best way to generate the thundering power needed for a very intensified effect was by adding an Eaton supercharger! This resulted in the first Corvette to proudly hit 200 mph, as the ZR1 was constructed around a beefy 6.2-liter LS3-derived block. 

GM knew that a brand-new generation of ‘Vette prowess was in the works for 2014, so they came up with more special editions to employ every item from the diverse parts bin left over from the ZR1. This C6 offered numerous special and authentic runs such as the Z06 Carbon Limited Edition, along with more trim options than any previous generation. The 2011 Z07 Performance Package boasted unique extras such as ZR1-spec ceramic brakes, spectacular magnetic ride control, and Zero-Pressure Michelin PS2 tires planted on ZR1-themed wheels. 

Corvette’s 50th anniversary at LeMans was also properly hailed with the commemorative ULZ package, which brought a unique interior, bulged carbon hood, and special badging along as honorable guests for the ride. Much like our beloved nation itself during the bicentennial year, Corvette’s 100th anniversary would not be the same without the Centennial Edition Z06. This added highlights such as Carbon Flash black metallic paint, and an Ebony leather interior with suede accents. 

The C6’s final production year was 2013, with five different models to finish things out on a celebratory high note. Over nine action-packed years, 215,223 C6 Corvettes were produced, with an astounding 40,561 of them rolling off the line in 2007. Every model has a unique story, timeline, and trusty build: the spirit of winning was engrained with a sense of longstanding vigor and robust champion reign!