Load and Behold: The Ultimate 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Preview

Hefty and capable trucks have always held a special place in our hearts here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse, where we are pleased to deal with very hard-working and rugged individuals every day! The 2025 Chevy Silverado was the topic of discussion on the Cars Direct blog last week, where it was disclosed that it will likely receive a hefty handful of useful equipment upgrades. Adaptive Cruise Control will become standard on the luxurious High Country trim, and the off-road-ready ZR2 trim will receive very cool updated parking sensors. 

The Custom trim will gain a cool and stealthy new black exterior trim package, and the Midnight Edition will receive restyled wheels. The trim levels and configurations aren’t likely to change for 2025, as eager buyers will have the choice of Regular, Double, and Crew Cab body styles. The bed lengths up for grabs will be the 5.8-foot short bed, 6.6-foot standard bed, and larger 8-foot long bed. The incoming Silverado can seat up to 6 and will likely hold onto its current and potent engine lineup. 

Coming as standard on most trims is the turbocharged 2.7-liter 4-cylinder, cranking out 310 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque. This pint-sized powerhouse can lug up to 9,500 lbs, with the 5.3-liter V8 heartily adding another 2,000 lbs to that statistic. If you’re opting for the turbodiesel or 6.2-liter V8, the tow rating jumps to a class-leading 13,300 lbs. The new Chevy Silverado HD Trail Boss will debut for the 2025 model year and will continue to be offered as the more affordable off-roader entry. 

These models typically combine the cool and very capable extras of the Z71 Package, including off-road suspension and shocks, and all-terrain tires ready for the most challenging of inclines and jagged edges. The 2025 Silverado Trail Boss will likely have a suspension lift, while the Motor Trend team excitedly claimed that it will “fill the gap like a middle-manager boss” if you can wait just a little bit longer for this summer. We also can guarantee that you’ll love the Rancho twin shocks included with the package, which offer segment-leading performance and cross-tuned technology that will equip you for any challenging ride that ventures far from pavement. 

We can also guarantee that the current year’s model is still very rich, inspiring, and possesses well-polished chops! When the Hagerty.com review crew was able to get their hands on the 2024 ZR2 with the inline-six diesel, its distinct growl and potent performance won them over right away. The smoothness, rumble, and turbo sound all combine for a package that never lets you forget you’re driving a diesel, with effortless torque and constantly potent performance. Here the group also were quite impressed with the Silverado’s ability to exceed the highway EPA rating with the AC on while traversing Highway 100. 

The experienced crew then declared the 6.2-liter V8 as a very rowdy number with stellar throttle response and enough accessible power to act as a defiant devil on your shoulder. A “sure-footed crawling ability” was the spirited result of the extended test drive’s stellar results, along with the suspension’s ability to shrug off very intense impacts that would otherwise create a very jarring jolt. Instantly special, raw, and oozing with real-world practicality, the ZR2 along with the rest of the current Silverado lineup also snagged up the “excellent” rating from U.S. News and World Report for its cost of ownership and documented performance!

Action-Packed, Affordable, And Authentic: The 2025 Chevy Trax Shines For Everyday Adventures

There are vehicles within any brand’s lineup that shine brightly as the “gateway to the namesake”, with an attractive price usually at the core of appeal. The 2025 Trax is an amazing gateway to an inexpensive ride that still totally rocks. At Mid-Missouri Powerhouse, we know the Trax has a short list of competitors when it comes to offering any model this appealing on the pocketbook! It does an excellent job of proving that budget does not have to be boring, with the turbo 3-cylinder generating ample low-end punch to keep things moving while knocking all of your “to-dos” out in a snap.

Its' very light curb weight and smaller size make for some of the most responsive handling today while being simple to park in ever-crowded lots. A winning blend of utility, great features, and affordability render the Trax an excellent choice for any stage of life. The interior size is a pleasant surprise for anyone who has taken into account its size at first impression, along with its smart and clean design. These soft and very comfortable seats can fit the bill even on very long hauls, and the Trax offers an ideally commanding view of the road.

Having a competent suspension is an item high on many drivers’ lists here at the Powerhouse, and the Trax’s very absorbent setup can adapt to very choppy and rough patches of asphalt. There are also many useful driver aids not usually seen at this price point, such as automatic high beams and lane-keeping assistance. Mid-level trims and higher come equipped with an 11-inch touchscreen and Wi-Fi hotspot. The optional Driver Confidence package is an excellent value to consider as it offers the convenience of Adaptive Cruise Control, along with the live-saving Blind Spot Warning.

The engine provides plenty of torque for around-town errands, making keeping up with traffic a simple task. The automatic provides very smooth shifts, and responsive downshifting when encountering any unintended surprises during bumper-to-bumper increments of road. The Trax feels very well-padded when navigating turns, with the Edmunds.com review team reporting back that they were comfortable even after a few hundred miles spent with it on the open road. The easy-to-use layout of the dashboard’s buttons was well-appreciated, and the touchscreen’s menus were set up very logically.

There’s more than enough space for tall passengers in both rows, boasting more passenger area than nearly every single crossover in its segment. Adaptive Cruise Control did an excellent job of keeping up with a busy Monday’s flow on the interstate without leaving a huge gap directly ahead. The Trax’s cargo area measures 25.6 cubic feet and can fit a few week’s worth of groceries or lovely plants to pot now during spring’s return. The 2025 Trax also boasts an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 30 mpg combined, which is very competitive when thrown up against the competition. 

Many drivers have loved the Trax for being sharp and so visually appealing, without digging its toes in and existing as disruptive. Consumers have a good deal of use for simple and straightforward transportation which still offers plenty of upgrades to step things up a luxurious notch. The LT trim reflects the Edmunds’ team's viable pick, as it brings more styling with 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, a digital instrument cluster, a six-speaker audio system, push-button start, and roof rails primed and ready for the slopes! 

Demystifying the Divide: Chevrolet Traverse RS vs. LT – Which Fits Your Style?

The vehicle line we love to provide and service so much here at the Mid-Missouri Powerhouse never shows up light-handed on options, as our variety of well-equipped family haulers come in so many shapes and sizes! The Chevy Traverse received an extended makeover for the 2024 year, officially marking the 3rd-generation variant of this capable 3-row crossover. It shows up for duty with a bit more rugged of a persona, and power coming from an incredibly gutsy and efficient new 4-cylinder. 

Even though the powertrain has fewer cylinders, it still cranks out 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. Decidedly all-in and punching the pistons for duty every day are two new dual overhead camshafts, variable valve timing, and spark ignition direct injection. This savvy and persistently strutting turbo engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive or an optional all-wheel drive setup. The 2024 model year also brings about another thrilling first, as the mud and sand-conquering Z71 trim adds some fine bits of off-road-ready extras.

The wilderness-ready Z71 has a twin-clutch all-wheel drivetrain, which executes torque vectoring between the left and right rear wheels to help conquer uneven and demanding terrain. This year’s Traverse will arrive right here at the Powerhouse in LS, LT, Z71, and RS trim grades. The RS resides at the top of the range, offering more aggressive looks and other bits of performance-enhancing equipment. The RS also features 22-inch wheels with all-season tires, a heavy-duty cooling system, and a 220-amp alternator. 

The very cool front grille has an entirely different blacked-out look in the front, and the RS also features active noise cancellation, power and ventilated front seats, a flat bottom steering wheel, and a crisp 10-speaker Bose sound system. The LT trim comes in front or all-wheel drive and offers 3-row seating for up to seven. It comes equipped with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires, and its major difference from the RS is the added brightwork and body-color moldings. The LT trim comes equipped with the standard 170-amp generator, with the more powerful 220-amp model available as an option. 

The LT model still comes with the 17.7-inch infotainment system, while offering a six-speaker sound system instead of ten. Coming as standard in the RS trim and optional for the LT, GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving technology incorporates GPS and very high-tech cameras to help automatically steer and maintain position. Real-time corrections and map data within the application closely determine your vehicle’s location, and then the Lane Sensing Camera detects marked lanes to assist with this “glimpse of the future” that takes over steering and staying on point. 

Pushing minivans out of favor with most of the driving public, well-equipped SUVs such as the Traverse have now become even more trucklike and solid. This year’s Traverse can still tow 5,000 lbs, which is yet another win for the smaller and quite remarkable 4-cylinder! The Motor Trend crew claimed after their test drive this winter that “GM continues to have one of the smoothest, most seamless auto start-stop systems in the business- you don’t even notice it!” Second-row passengers enjoy cubbies in the front-seat backs, USB outlets, power for a laptop, HVAC controls, and a very useful tray for a wallet, glasses, or phone. 

Many excellent safety features come as standard on the new Traverse, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, and automatic braking when pedestrians and cyclists are detected. When the Autoblog team set out on a mission to see how the 2024 Chevy Traverse ranked up against the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride, they claimed that they were “excited to get more time behind the wheel with a teeming load of passengers and cargo- especially in that Z71!”

Gravel Guru: The Capable 2024 Chevy Traverse- Where Every Path is Your Playground!

Since the very first Chevy Traverse was launched in 2009, the 3-row crossover market has changed drastically. We’ve watched intently here at Mid-Missouri Powerhouse as this segment has wholeheartedly pulled ahead of the family-toting minivan category to become a replacement of sorts for the nearly Winnebago-esque family truckster! Crossovers have enjoyed a good deal of success with a form of very squared-off styling while going all-in to emulate body-on-frame characteristics. 

The big story for this year’s Traverse is the turbocharged 4-cylinder, which dusts its cleats off and steps eagerly up to the plate with more power and better fuel economy than the outgoing V6. If that’s all not quite exciting enough to make you seriously consider a test drive, there’s also the inclusion of the hands-free Super Cruise system. The amazing 2.5-liter 4-cylinder cranks out 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque through an 8-speed transmission, with the choice of all-wheel or front-wheel drive. The EPA fuel rating is 23 mpg for the front-wheel drive trim.

That’s a notable improvement of 2 mpg city over the outgoing model, with the Autoweek staff claiming that the new 4-cylinder offers an exciting sense of power that is more than adequate. Anyone paying close attention to the way things behave directly off the line will agree that things feel quicker than the old model in all ways. Every Traverse will have driver tech such as rear automatic braking, blind-zone steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. 

One of the coolest new features that modern technology has offered busy commuters is stop sign recognition, which uses advanced forward-facing cameras to detect and then classify signs. The addition of Super Cruise has also beefed up its automatic lane changing feature, which offers excellent performance and a very smooth transition after the job is done back to hands-on driving. This year’s model offers the Z71 package for the first time, with the whole trail-ready assembly coming with 18-inch wheels wrapped in 265/65 R18 Goodyear Wranglers. 

There’s a set of very capable protective skid plates added to the mix, on duty to protect the many valuables underneath during frequent grass, brush, and incline assaults. There’s also a dedicated “Terrain” drive mode, which takes over brake-holding duty and allows you to fully control the throttle to help conquer hills. While the toughest and most jagged inclines of locations such as Moab may not be quite etched onto the itinerary, the Traverse’s new Z71 trim is perfect for the spur-of-the-moment flex on hillside gravel, or gleefully ripping through a previously occupied and half-treacherous quarry! 

The 2024 model is now 79.5 inches wide, which has grown almost an entire inch from 2023. This will ultimately mean that longer road trips will become more comfortable, as it has now created more room in the cabin. During expeditions that aspire to see much further than “the next town over”, the third row offers easy access thanks to the flipping second-row captain’s seats. There’s a 17.7-inch touchscreen greeting you during the first glance of the interior, which is paired nicely with a standard 11-inch digital driver display handling monitoring duty for the performance necessities.

This effort is an amazing example of putting an aggressively best foot forward in a very competitive segment. With the added new tech features, XXL display, and the addition of the adventurous Z71 trim to the mix, this year’s Traverse should sway any demographic rightfully towards the “mid-large” category!