Autoweek Praises 2018 Chevy Colorado For Possessing “Heart Pounding Performance” in its DNA

The Chevy Colorado Crew Cab is a midsize pickup that flaunts the ability to carry four passengers, tow 7,600 pounds, and nail down 28 mpg on an interstate trip. The LT trim is situated right in the middle of the road, and the good folks at Autoweek took it upon themselves to highlight some of the coolest things about the model last week in an article. First stating simply that every last bit of equipment needed is offered up in the finished package: heated seats for cold Knoxville mornings, Bluetooth connection, and a very smooth ride.

Towing ability is ranked at 7,600 pounds, which deems the truck about as useful as it could ever be, with the ability to get just about any more-than-demanding job done imaginable. We agree wholeheartedly with the Autoweek staff that this is one smaller-size truck that is tough in all ways to beat. Fuel economy is satisfactory, yet the pickup bed is there for help in any number of tougher tasks on the day's itinerary. Definitely recognizing that this truck is not impossible to parallel park in the city while still having an ample amount of suspension for the rougher of roads traveled. Editor, Robin Warner was quick to give the Colorado props for providing just what is needed from today's trucks, “to the T.”

This is the truck that the seasoned review staff of Cars.com lamented is “quite possibly the most distinctive vehicle that's come along in years.” Noting the top-notch suspension lift, upgraded approach and departure angles, bigger wheels and tires, front and rear locking differentials, and very high tech racing shocks, they were absolutely right when they said that it is the kind of vehicle that die-hard off-road enthusiasts would build in their own garages. The 2018 Colorado truly is a living, breathing, combination of technical wizardry and pure passion, and is one amazingly fun vehicle to take with you if you are taking on everything from heavy work duty to weekend trail exploration.

Two cab styles, two bed lengths, five trim levels to choose from, and 4WD or RWD selection are some of the variants you'll enjoy with the current Colorado. Chevy's incredible MyLink infotainment system with 7.0-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, a USB port, a six-speaker audio system, a 3.5-inch cluster display as well as the very tough and able 16-inch steel wheels are components of the Colorado that will seal the deal for any new truck buyer on the fence.

 

Upgrading to the Z71 trim provides the addition of off-road suspension, transfer case shield for 4-wheel drive models, fully automatic climate control, leather upholstery, hill descent control, heated seats, and remote start. Ask us about how you can get hooked up with the super-stealth Midnight package: it adds 17-inch black-painted wheels, a spray-on bedliner, a body-colored grille, black bowtie badges, and seriously off-road capable Goodyear all-terrain tires.

Motor Trend Calls 2019 Chevy Malibu “Well-Rounded and Content-Packed” after First Drive

Sedans are still a vital part of the new car offering selection, and crossovers, SUV's, and trucks easily swaying many new buyers. We have made it a priority to completely refresh the Cruze, Spark, Camaro, and Malibu models for the coming 2019 model year, and this past week Motor Trend had an article focusing on the visual and tech updates, as well as the sporty new RS trim the Malibu eagerly gets its hands on this fall. Restyled front and rear ends with updated grille, taillights, headlights, and fascias, as well as 8.0-inch instrument panel screen and the very latest version of our infotainment system are all included with the new version.

The Malibu is competing in a very tough segment, and the brand new CVT that replaces the outgoing six-speed automatic on the standard 1.5-liter turbo-four model is one of the main ingredients keeping it at the head of the pack. The RS trim has a heaping dose of additives that will make your daily drive all the better: a rear spoiler, unique black grille, super cool black bow tie emblems, dual-outlet exhaust, unique 18-inch machined aluminum wheels with gray pockets, and the very uniquely-stamped rear RS badge all are traits that help provide a much sportier vibe, and over-the-top confidence for the new Malibu.

Chevy invited the Motor Trend staff to test drive the Malibu around the outskirts of Seattle, a beautiful Pacific Northwest location that is filled with abundant trees, scenic inlets of the Puget Sound, and numerous lakes. The team embarked on a 120-mile route that had highways, streets, and back roads all as part of the plan, and quickly learned that the sedan can soak up rough patches without much effort, while also offering up power that is easily enough to pass anyone situated in the slower lanes of traffic. Once the testing team got off the highway, they really were able to get a better feel for the 163-hp, 184-lb-ft of torque 1.5-liter turbo-four engine. After a complete stop, the Malibu provided excellent initial acceleration of the line, and a linear and suitably spongy feel on the brakes.

Opting for the LT trim provides heated front seats, dual-zone automatic temperature control, remote engine start, rear seat air-conditioning vents, as well as LED daytime running lights. Driver-assist technology is simply amazing: it is on board to help you within any split-second occurrence, ultimately keeping you safe on the road, and paving the way to eventual autonomous driving. Competing against the likes of the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima was a fully-recognized challenge from the start, and delivering a well-rounded package on a budget was our main objective regarding next year's Malibu. Well-controlled body roll, a solid chassis, and the ability to not become over-buzzy with a heavy load are other reasons to mandate next year's Malibu as your sedan selection: you don't need an SUV or truck to have the commanding sense on the road and convenience you desire!

2019 Chevy Volt Sports Lightening-Fast Charge, Improved Accessibility

As all of the 2019 car models line up with their various qualities to convince buyers they are the top choice, electrification has been a major selling point. The Chevy Volt is slated to add a new 7.2kW charging system on next year's model, which cuts recharging time nearly in half, and adds twice the all-electric driving range per hour of charge. Many Volt owners have told us how convenient it has been for them to take advantage of “opportunity charging” around town, to top off the battery charge when they find idle time. With about twice the range added during 240 V level 2 charging sessions, the 2019 Volt's 7.2 kW system is able to take better advantage of opportunity charging, and effectively extends the vehicle's all-electric driving range.

It actually provides about twice the range for the money, when plugging in at facilities in the public that charge by the hour. Every year, more and more advancements have been made in the charging elements and mechanics, and a complete recharge can now be achieved in as little as 2.3 hours, with a 240-volt outlet, and the necessary supporting hardware. The new system is standard on the 2018 Volt Premier model, and comes available on the LT trim. On the Volt LT, a 3.6 kW charger is standard. This new charging system is right on hand to complement the Volt's extended-range electric propulsion system, which with a full tank of gas and a full charge provides around 53 miles of pure EV range.

When the Volt's battery runs low, a gas-powered generator kicks in, generously extending the driving range on a full tank to 420 miles. If the battery happens to run low, the gas-powered generator kicks in to extend the driving range to a total of 420 miles on a full tank, solidifying the value of electric to anyone who is on the fence. There are a number of enhancements that the new Volt offers that are designed to improve overall convenience, while helping new owners to get the most out of their new all-electric driving experience. When the cold weather hits, the 2019 Volt goes above and beyond by allowing activation of the automatic engine-assisted heating system to hold off full duty, until the most extreme of temps descend: even at minus 13F to minus 25 degrees Celsius.

Other great new features include a brand-new digital rearview camera to replace the previous analog system, as well as new driver-switchable Adaptive Cruise Control to discern between the choice of adaptive or conventional cruise control. The new tire fill alert sounds a horn when full tire pressure is achieved, and the Power Convenience Package now available on the LT trim adds a power driver seat as a new feature in addition to all of the other elements covered in the Comfort Package.

Volt owners have driven more than 2.8 billion EV miles, having actively saved more than 108 million gallons of gas collectively! Knoxville residents have absolutely been ahead of the curve regarding issues that concern keeping our planet healthy: test driving a new Volt this fall will allow you to see just how fantastic this energy-saving and newly updated car is! 

2019 Chevy Silverado Praised by Car and Driver as “Great on Fuel Efficiency, Very Refined”

Hearing about what some of the biggest and best publications in the nation have to say about their favorite vehicles is a key factor when it finally comes time to buy. So many of those on the hunt for a new addition car or truck-wise this year at West Chevy ask us what the most seasoned drive testers and writers are saying about a vehicle, and brand new trucks happen to come up in discussion quite often. The brand new Silverado is now sporting a bold new grille design, and the body panels have lost some of the aggressive qualities that past models were known for. In the current market, truck wars are waging strong as ever, and the brand we have always loved to stand behind has invested a lot in order to keep up with the foreboding competition.

Just this past week Car and Driver spotlighted the new truck, and first took the time to speak highly of the Dynamic Fuel Management System, which is available on both of the V-8's. This builds on the idea of Active Fuel Management, which allows V-8 engines to operate with just 4 cylinders whenever loads are light in the name of preserving fuel. It functions by allowing any one of the new truck's 8-pots to operate using as few as two cylinders, depending on the driver's specific demand in place for torque. GM claims that this will absolutely improve fuel economy by about 5 percent, and during a test drive, the writing staff claimed that there was no drastic change at all in driving character, or with vibrations situated inside.

Nearly 450 pounds have been shaved from the Silverado, and depending on the model, 88 pounds were removed from the frame, with 88 more successfully shed from the body. Using the best in high-strength steel and aluminum helped with this feat, and the bouncing around that happens frequently in larger pickups is alleviated. Even on the most winding of mountain roads, the drive testers claimed it was very easy to forget how large the truck is, whether inside or outside. 2.5 inches more rear-seat legroom is now available in the outgoing model, and the hard-working individuals in the factory have made concessions to have a 2-inch suspension lift available.

Here in Knoxville, when the heat is not quite as sweltering and the highly-awaited football broadcasts sweep back on air, Chevy is poised to step up in a major way. Providing peace of mind and security for haulers by offering a tow package that uses cameras to produce extreme close-ups of the trailer and hitch. The infotainment screen can display these feeds, for up to 8 seconds during vehicle motion, and the system is able to store information on drive for several trailers. Car and Driver were impressed enough with the new Silverado's release that they thought it will all-around “have enough firepower to unseat the F-150,” as well as retain its longstanding edge over the new Dodge Ram 1500. When you visit us for a test drive here at West Chevy this fall, don't forget to check out the Silverado's Sport Mode: the most responsive and smoothest steering while at the wheel is experienced while utilizing this awesome performance setting!

2019 Silverado 1500 Trailering Features Greatly Ease Stress Level During Towing Duties

When residents of the Knoxville area set their sights on a new truck purchase, it is undeniable that towing features are at the top of their list. The all-new for 2019 Silverado 1500 will introduce several levels of towing features to improve customers' trailering experiences – all light-duty Silverado models have the myChevrolet trailering phone app capability, and customers can add the Advanced Trailering System, which allows full access to the system in-vehicle.

A very exciting industry-first trailering label is helping to take the guesswork out of calculating the combined weight of customers truck and trailer combinations, being put together after Chevy spoke with 7,000 customers over a period of 18,000 hours. Sixty percent of those surveyed named towing as a key purchase consideration. All four trailering levels on the 2019 Silverdao 1500 will provide greater confidence, easier trailer hitching, and a greatly improved sense of connectivity between the trailer and truck itself.

With the purchase of all 2019 Silvverado 1500s, the myChevrolet app provides the ability to offer features such as pre-departure step-by-step towing checklists, and a glossary of towing terms for all compatible data plans and devices. You can even access your device, and conduct a detailed light trailer test that uses an automatic exterior light sequence to help confirm that the trailer is properly connected. In the days of the past, this was a two-person job, and it is a revolutionary and exciting prospect that now a single individual can properly connect a trailer and, do a full check on the lights.

For customers that have an even higher priority level for towing, the Advanced Trailering System provides features to make towing an easier process. It is available on LTZ and High Country trim levels, as well as LT, RST, and Trail Boss. The system included Auto Parking Brake Assist, which is perfect for customers who've dealt with the frustration of trying to get their truck perfectly aligned. It sets itself automatically when the vehicle is put into Hitch View, and works overtime to help avoid vehicle movement after the customer lines the truck up with the trailer, then shifts to park.

The Trailer Tire Pressure Monitoring System is a feature that can help monitor the tire pressure by use of the truck's infotainment system. This system also allows customers to monitor the temperature of their tires, to help prevent blowouts and massive overheating. The infotainment app that comes with this Advanced Trailering System allows customers t track the mileage, fuel economy, and transmission temperature of their truck during a tow, and you can even create up to five in-depth profiles for different trailer types. When you arrive for a test drive here at West Chevy, ask us about the Trailer Theft Alert Feature, it can activate the truck's lights and horn if the harness of the trailer is disconnected for any reason!