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Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Roomy, Modern, and Fun: The 2025 Chevrolet Trax Proves Small SUVs Can Shine

2025 Chevy Trax

In an era of rising inflation and increasing car prices, the Chevrolet Trax stands out as a reminder of what affordability in car buying should look like. The LS base model is incredibly affordable as the Trax continues Chevrolet's tradition of offering budget-friendly entry-level vehicles here at the Mid Missouri Powerhouse

This subcompact crossover provides competitive features, a smooth driving experience, and a price that positions it among the most affordable vehicles available in the U.S. Beyond its affordability, the Trax offers a host of compelling reasons to make it your next vehicle.

The Chevrolet Trax offers an exceptional driving experience from the moment you get behind the wheel. Its spacious cabin, commanding seating position, and expansive displays make it feel like driving a larger Chevrolet crossover. Once you hit the road, the Trax transforms into a lively, agile vehicle with a unique hatchback-like spirit—an exciting throwback to a style that embodies Chevrolet’s commitment to dynamic driving experiences. 

The Trax delivers agile handling and an enthusiastic driving experience powered by its turbocharged three-cylinder engine. With a 0 to 60 mph time of 8.8 seconds, it offers a balanced performance well-suited to its segment. 

The six-speed automatic transmission is designed for efficiency and provides the option for manual shifting via a plus/minus button on the gear selector. This setup offers quick response times and added control when needed, allowing drivers to easily tap into more energetic acceleration for tasks like overtaking or merging.

The Trax's turbocharged three-cylinder engine brings a distinctive character to the driving experience, with a spirited tone that complements its lively performance. On the highway, the engine settles into a smooth rhythm, showcasing its capability to maintain steady speeds with ease. With peak torque available at just 2500 rpm, it delivers confident performance while blending its energetic nature with a composed and comfortable ride, making it a standout choice in its class. 

Braking and Suspension Performance

The Chevrolet Trax's braking system may require a bit more effort at lower speeds, which is something to be aware of. The torsion-beam rear suspension provides a firm ride, especially when the vehicle is unladen. However, when loaded near its maximum capacity, such as with four passengers and gear, the ride quality improves significantly. With a curb weight of 3069 pounds, the Trax benefits from its relatively light design, enhancing its agility and maneuverability.

Everyday Usability and Interior Features

The Trax excels in interior design, offering a cabin that feels more premium than its price suggests. Base models feature a segment-competitive 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, while higher trims, such as the Activ, come equipped with an 11.0-inch display. This larger screen supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, delivering a modern, responsive interface that outshines many competitors.

Passenger space is another highlight. The Trax provides ample head, shoulder, and legroom, edging out many rivals in overall cabin volume. Cargo space is also impressive, offering 25.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expanding to 54 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded, rivaling some small vans.

Holiday Hustle Made Easy

With ample cargo space and comfort for passengers, the Trax simplifies your busy schedule.

The 2025 Chevrolet Trax delivers a strong package with its modern technology, roomy interior, and impressive cargo capacity. While it has some minor drawbacks in braking and ride comfort, its overall value and features make it a compelling choice in the subcompact crossover segment.

The Chevrolet Trax stands out as an exceptional offering within GM’s lineup, blending playful handling, a spacious cabin, and sharp design—all in a crossover priced under $30,000 across all trim levels. With its competitive package, the Trax delivers remarkable value, making it a strong contender in the subcompact SUV market.

Upgrading through the Trax lineup is surprisingly affordable. The top-tier Activ trim starts at just $25,395, offering features such as eight-way power-adjustable seats. Optional upgrades include a power sunroof ($895) and a comprehensive driver-assistance suite featuring adaptive cruise control, rear parking assist, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert ($795). These features add significant value without dramatically increasing the price.

The Chevrolet Trax is the perfect companion for the busy holiday season, seamlessly blending practicality, style, and comfort to make navigating gatherings and events effortless. Compared to rivals like the Mazda CX-30, Volkswagen Taos, and Nissan Kicks, the Trax shines with its spacious cabin and eye-catching design, delivering exceptional value at a competitive price.

Its versatility makes it ideal for everything from daily commutes to holiday shopping trips and family outings. In snowy regions, the Trax’s front-wheel-drive platform pairs beautifully with quality winter tires, offering dependable traction to keep you confidently on the move, no matter the weather. With its thoughtful features and adaptable performance, the Trax is ready to make your holiday season even more enjoyable.

For first-time buyers, the Trax includes thoughtful features like a following-distance graphic displayed on the driver information screen. This tool helps new and less-experienced drivers maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, adding peace of mind on the road.

With its accessible pricing, modern features, and well-rounded design, the 2025 Chevrolet Trax delivers an unbeatable combination of value and capability.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Breaking Down the Beasts: How the 2025 Corvette ZR1 Stacks Up Against Its Siblings

2025 Chevy Corvette

Since its debut in July 2019 here at the
Mid Missouri Powerhouse, the eighth-generation Corvette has captivated attention with its bold mid-engine design and thrilling performance. Boasting an exotic look, a commanding stance, and a blistering 0-to-60 mph time of just 2.9 seconds, the Chevy C8 has earned its reputation as America’s Supercar. It’s a machine that combines jaw-dropping aesthetics with the varieties of power and agility that leave an impression on any track or street.

While earlier models kept things straightforward with fewer frills, the C8 still struck the perfect balance for sports car enthusiasts. Its clever design, including a front and rear trunk, offered just enough practicality to stow a golf bag or weekend luggage, making it ideal for road trips or weekend escapes. For those who could live without backseat space for a car seat, the C8 Coupe became a stylish daily driver option.

Fast forward to 2025, and the Corvette lineup has grown more exciting. The Stingray Coupe remains the entry point, still keeping its price impressively accessible for what it offers. But for those looking to turn up the heat, Chevrolet has packed the C8 family with even more thrilling options. The electrified E-Ray hybrid impresses with its innovative performance, the Z06 delivers heart-racing track capabilities, and the latest showstopper, the ZR1, cranks out a jaw-dropping 1,024 horsepower—truly unprecedented.

With these developments, the 2025 Corvette lineup offers something for everyone—from daily drivers to track-day warriors—all while staying true to its legacy of performance, innovation, and value.

2025 Corvette Stingray: A Powerhouse with Style

The Stingray Coupe has been a fan favorite since the C8's groundbreaking debut in 2020. As the foundation of the eighth-generation Corvette, the 1LT remains the go-to choice for anyone looking to experience this iconic sports car. For 2025, the Stingray stays true to its roots while adding a fresh touch—a newly designed rear spoiler included in the Z51 Package for an extra dash of flair and performance.

At the heart of this beauty is a naturally aspirated mid-engine V-8 delivering a robust 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. Opt for the Performance Exhaust or the Z51 Performance Package, which climbs to an exhilarating 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. Along with Magnetic Selective Ride Control and performance suspension, the Z51 package doesn’t just boost power; it slashes the 0-to-60 mph time to a lightning-quick 2.9 seconds and lets it conquer the quarter-mile in just 11.2 seconds.

Whether for its unbeatable performance or head-turning design, the 2025 Corvette Stingray continues to set the bar high for modern sports cars.

2025 Corvette E-Ray Hybrid: 655 Horses with a High-Tech Twist

The 2025 Corvette E-Ray takes the iconic sports car to the next level by blending the Stingray’s power with cutting-edge hybrid technology. This electrified beauty pairs the Stingray’s 495-horsepower LT2 6.2-liter V8 with a 160-horsepower front-mounted electric motor, delivering a jaw-dropping 655 combined horsepower. Not only does this setup make the E-Ray the first Corvette with all-wheel drive, but it also makes it faster than the Stingray, boasting a blazing 0-to-60 mph time of just 2.5 seconds and a quarter-mile sprint in 10.5 seconds.

What really sets the E-Ray apart is its unique Stealth Mode. With this feature, it can glide quietly on electric power alone for up to four miles at speeds of up to 45 mph—perfect for making a subtle entrance. Adding to its distinctive character, the E-Ray sports a wider body than the Stingray, with an extra 3.6 inches of width for a bolder, more aggressive stance.

With its innovative technology and thrilling performance, the E-Ray doesn’t just stand out—it redefines what a Corvette can be.

2025 Corvette Z06: 670 Horses of Pure Thrill

The 2025 Corvette Z06 is all about turning heads and quickening pulses. Sharing the bold, wide-body design of the E-Ray, this track-focused yet street-ready marvel is powered by a naturally aspirated 5.5-liter LT6 V8. Its flat-plane crank design, high-revving 8,600 RPM redline, and dry sump oil system delivers a thrilling 670 horsepower. Opt for the Z07 Performance Package, and you’ll experience jaw-dropping acceleration—0 to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds and a quarter-mile in a lightning-fast 10.6 seconds.

What makes the Z06 even more exciting is the built-in Performance Data and Video Recorder included with the 2LZ and 3LZ trims. This handy feature tracks everything from speed and RPM to g-forces and lap times. Drivers can analyze their performance on the Corvette’s vibrant color display or save the data to an SD card to review and refine later.

For those who crave power, precision, and a car designed to dominate both the streets and the track, the Z06 stands out as a true masterpiece.

2025 Corvette ZR1: A Jaw-Dropping 1,064 Horsepower

The 2025 Corvette ZR1 has smashed through the horsepower ceiling, marking its place as Chevy’s most powerful production vehicle to date. With an astounding 1,064 horsepower and 828 pound-feet of torque, this beast is in a league of its own. Under the hood, the ZR1 houses the LT7 twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter DOHC V8, a flat-plane crank engine that stands as the mightiest V8 ever built by an American automaker. Capable of hitting 215 MPH, it sprints from 0 to 60 in just 2.5 seconds and tears through the quarter-mile in under 10 seconds, rivaling even the electrified E-Ray in pure speed.

This isn’t just about power—it’s about style and legacy too. For 2025, the ZR1 pays homage to the iconic C2 Corvette with a split-window design, blending nostalgia with the sleek modernity of the C8. Adding to the excitement are fresh exterior colors like Competition Yellow, Hysteria Purple, and the returning favorite Sebring Orange from the C7. Inside, the ZR1 amps up the luxury with new options, including Habanero accents, blue stitching on black leather, exclusive blue calipers, and matching seat belts.

With its unparalleled performance and head-turning looks, the 2025 ZR1 is poised to be an instant classic. This Corvette is more than a car—it’s an exceptional moment in automotive history.