Category Archives: Chevrolet

The Corvette C7 Z51 vs C8 Z51: The comparison is Night & Day

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The saying “newer is always better” rings true more than ever with the 2022 mid-engine Corvette (C8). Chevrolet broke decades of tradition by moving the engine from the front to the middle of the Corvette, but it made this evolutionary change for all the right reasons: performance, performance, performance. The Corvette, “America’s Sports Car,” has almost always relied on a big beefy V8 to win races: endurance, road course sprints, and drag races. They favored raw horsepower over modern engineering to dominate competitors such as Porsche and Ferrari. But now with the C8’s mid-engine layout plus a dual-clutch transmission, the standard Corvette has the horsepower plus the technology. In case you are unaware, the reason why the mid-engine design is so crucial is because moves the vehicles center of mass from the front of the car to the middle of the car. This allows for better rotation and more rear tractions, thus allowing you to go around a corner faster and accelerate faster.

During my most recent test of the C8 Corvette Z51, I had the pleasure of also re-testing the front-engine C7 Corvette Z51. The Z51 bit indicates that this is semi track-ready version, with bigger brakes, better engine cooling, and more aggressive suspension. Both of these vehicles also had optional magnetic ride.

Right away, I noticed that the C8 was quicker off the line than the C7. The C8 does have 40 more horsepower and delivers lighting quick gear changes via the dual-clutch transmission, but having the bulk of weight over the rear wheels also means better traction. The rear wheels will spin when you smash the gas pedal, but they lock much quicker.

Around corners, the C8 feels more planted than the C7. The perfectly balanced platform allows the car to turn-in better and instills enhanced driver confidence. Do I dare say that the C8 is the first Corvette that actually handles well? By contrast, the C7 was more of a point and shoot car: heavy braking coming into the corner, rotate the car, then heavy acceleration. Where as with the C8, you don’t have to brake as hard because it simply glides around a corner.

You can learn more about the interior quality of the C8 Corvette by reading one of my previous reviews, but the most important thing to note is that the fit and finish of a C8 1LT base model is better than a C7 3LT luxury model.

The base price of a C8 Corvette is only a few thousand more than the cost of when the C7 was new, however you can expect to pay a premium when buying a 2022 Corvette because it is in such high demand. With the C8 Corvette, it is not just Corvette enthusiasts who are clamoring to buy one, but also for the first time, Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Jaguar, and McLaren owners who want a super car they can daily drive.

The 2021 Chevy Trailblazer Lives Up To Its Name

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Designed with the doer in mind, the Chevy Trailblazer combines off-road features with a compact design perfect for on-road maneuverability. The little brother to the Chevy Blazer, this car carries on the legacy as a more portable version of its more substantial relative, without sacrificing much in terms of features – or storage space for that matter. In addition to a 60/40 split second row folding seat, the cargo space also features a complete fold-flat front seat on the passenger side perfect for transporting anything from a kayak to a Christmas tree. 

Typically front-wheel drive, this car comes equipped with selectable all-wheel drive for instances of uneven or slippery terrain when you need to activate the system to get enhanced traction, and a nine speed automatic transmission combined with a four cylinder turbo charged engine team up to ensure economic fuel usage, often getting up to 30 miles per gallon on the highway. 

From a safety standpoint, the car comes standard equipped with some excellent features including automatic emergency breaks and lane keep assist with lane departure warning. It is also outfitted with ten airbags and has a rear camera for easy reverse faced driving. 

Besides its notable storage space, compact size, off-road capabilities, and advanced safety features, this car is a stylish one, with the two-tone exterior adding a modern classic flair. All in all I would say this car lives up to its name in that it is suitable for the adventurer and the trailblazer in both its features and capacity, and at a price point starting around $21k, it won’t break the bank on its way out either. 

2021 Chevy Tahoe and 2021 GMC Yukon

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I was privileged to recently spend time with both the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2021 GMC Yukon. Most automotive journalists will point out that these vehicles are near identical, with the same platform, engine and transmission. While that is true, I think the nuances of each brand give both vehicles character.

The 2021 GMC Yukon is more athletic. It is seemingly more rugged, as if it was design to work on a job site or farm. This was highlighted with the Yukon’s deep tread tires, higher ride height, and stiffer suspension.

The 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe on the other hand is more refined. The exterior body panels are more sculpted, and you get a prettier grill. The suspension appears to be a little softer, and the tires are quieter, with less road noise coming into the cabin.

The interior on both the 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and 2021 GMC Yukon deliver a premium feel, with leather on the seats, arm rests, and steering wheel. The dash is not leather, but its high quality material combined with contrast stitching on both vehicles offer a heightened sense of luxury.

Both vehicles are large, but they are easier to drive than they look. They offer great visibility from the windows and mirrors, plus there are cameras to help you navigate parking spots. You, along with the rest of your family will enjoy the SUVs’ size for road trips. Six large adults, plus the dog can easily spend hours on the road.

I would personally pick the GMC over the Chevy, because I like the GMC’s sport nature. However you can’t go wrong with either vehicle.

The 2020 Corvette Is The Only Super Car You Need

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It is weird to think of the Corvette as a super car, especially considering the $60,000 starting price tag. But every bit of it delivers a super car experience. The engine has been moved to the middle, with nearly 500 horsepower placed behind the seats. The engineers did this to improve weight distribution, which affects cornering abilities and traction when accelerating off the line. Chevrolet redesign the Corvette for the 2020 model year with a clean slate. The only part carried over was a simple latch for the coupe’s removable roof panel. With two turns of the wrist and a little muscle to remove a carbon fiber body panel, you can transform the coupe into a targa.

C8 vs C7 Corvette

During my one-week test with the new 2020 Corvette (C8 Generation), I also had the privilege of driving last year’s Corvette (C7 Generation) for a day. In terms of looks, you can tell that both cars came from the same family, but that is it. The driving dynamics are drastically different. The C7 Corvette felt raw, with a loud exhaust and a bumpy ride. You really have to work the C7 when going around a corner fast to keep it on the road. In contrast, the C8 Corvette felt elegant and refined. The exhaust on the C8 in its loudest setting is quieter than the C7 in its quietest setting. The ride quality is superb in comparison to the C7 at mitigating bumps in the road. And while smashing the accelerator at a stoplight in the C8 isn’t quite as dramatic as the C7, the C8 Corvette accelerates much faster (2.9 seconds vs 3.7 second) despite having only slightly more horsepower. This is primarily because the mid-engine design puts more weight on the rear, thus delivering more grip to those wheels. While going around a tight corner fast, the C8 Corvette delivers immersive grip with loads of driver confidence. This is in part due to better weight distribution, as well as improved aero to create more downforce. Do I dare say that the C8 Corvette is the first Corvette that actually handles well? Both of the vehicles used for this test comparison were similarly equipped with the Z51 performance package.

The interior of the C8 Corvette was also immensely more refined than the C7 Corvette. Gone are the cheap plastics. They have been replaced with high quality plastic, aluminum, carbon fiber, and leather components if you get the 2LT and 3LT trim levels. The seats in my test car were the upgraded GT2 seats. They were very comfortable, while also supportive for high speed driving. I took a day trip in the car, and I felt just as fresh stepping out of the vehicle as I was getting into it.

The New Corvette vs The Super Car World

For over 50 years, the Corvette was America’s sports car, competing against the Porsche 911 from Germany, the Jaguar E/F-Type from England, and the Toyota Supra from Japan. It was always considered one of the best performance bargains. But now that the engine has been moved to the middle like a super car, and it has around 500 horsepower, the 2020 Corvette arguably no longer competes in the Sports Car Market.

It has moved up to the Super Car segment, alongside the Audi R8, Acura NSX, Lamborghini Huracan, McLaren 720S, and Ferrari F8. The biggest difference between these pedigree super cars and the 2020 Corvette is price. All but the Corvette have a purchase price north of $200,000 with options. I speak from experience when I say it is nerve wrecking to park a $300,000+ car at the grocery store. As the custodian of weekly press cars, or even with my personal car, I cringe at the thought of an aluminum door getting dented by a lazy parker. Whereas a well optioned Corvette can be had for less than $100,000. At that price, I can drive the Corvette without fear. I don’t have to coddle the car, worried that a single scratch could cost thousands to get repaired. Also, the Corvette’s body is primarily made from fiberglass. So the body won’t easily dent like it would on an aluminum car.

The Corvette’s driving experience feels very much akin to its super car brothers. Its nimble handling turns in razor sharp. However the steering feels a bit dull when compared to the Audi R8, Acura NSX, and Ferrari 488 GTB. The Corvette feels just as well balanced though. I speak from experience having driven all three of those cars in the past month. However, it is not nearly as thrilling as the Ferrari to drive. The Corvette lacks cinema in comparison to the Ferrari, from the monument you start the car to the second you park it. In comparison to the Audi R8 and Accura NSX, it feels different, but just as special behind the wheel for half of the price.

In terms of performance, the Corvette is on the lower end of the comparative spectrum: The Ferrari F8 has 710 horsepower. The Audi R8 has 611 horsepower. The McLaren 720S has 710 horsepower. The Acura NSX has 573 horsepower. The Lamborghini Huracan has 630 horsepower. The 2020 Corvette Stingray only has 495 horsepower. Technically it is way down on horsepower versus its super car competition, however it will still do 0 to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds. If you really NEED more power, stay tuned for Z06 and ZR1 versions of the Corvette. Both of these variants will surely still be less than the cost of any other modern super car.

Also, ff you like attention, you are going to love the 2020 Corvette Stingray. It is a new radical design, so the average person will think it is a Ferrari. I got that comment at a gas station more than once in a single week. And car enthusiasts will give you thumbs up, because you are among the first to spend your money wisely. I can’t think of a better way to spend $60,000 on a sports car, strike that… a super car.

The Bolt… It’s Electric!

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2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV

There is no doubt that electric cars are taking over. Tesla started the modern day electric war, but GM was the first to give us an everyday affordable EV – one that you could theoretically use as one an only car.

I want to stress affordable and only car in previous statement, because yes the Nissan Leaf is affordable, but its range is poor. The Leaf will go only go 124 miles per charge. BMW’s and Smart’s options are not any better. The Chevy Bolt on the other hand will go 238 miles per charge. Tesla’s model S will go 335 miles on a charge, but the Tesla costs over twice as much the Bolt: $82,000 versus $36,000.

The Bolt’s range is key to me for being a one car household. The 200+ mile range means that you can drive all over town or to the next town over without having to worry about mobile charging stations. With the Leaf and BMW electric vehicles I tested, I felt range anxiety. Versus with the Bolt, I was able to drive it all week on one charge – and I drive a lot!

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Some may argue the Bolt looks too sci-fi for their tastes, even more so than a Tesla, but shouldn’t a car from the future look high tech. I enjoyed the minimalist design and the use of recycled plastics – it made me feel as if I was doing my part to help the environment. It has that Silicon Valley California vibe, which is a good thing. I could get use to the look…

The only thing I couldn’t get use to was ultra power saving mode. In this mode, you use the accelerator pedal (the gas pedal) to speed up the car by pressing it down as well as slow down the car significantly by lifting off the pedal. In this mode, the regenerative brakes are applied to charge the battery whenever possible – ie when you are not adding accelerating. Luckily you can turn this feature off and drive the Bolt like a normal car with the use both an accelerator pedal and brake pedal.

Visit your local Chevrolet dealer to test a Bolt out yourself or learn more about this all electric vehicle on Chevy’s website.

Get It While You Still Can: the 2019 C7 Corvette Grand Sport

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The 2020 Corvette is ushering in a new generation for America’s sports car. The C8’s mid-engine design means better handling around corners and improved grip off the line. The Corvette will finally and truly be able to keep up with the best from Porsche and Ferrari thanks to its new architecture.

Those in favor of the latest and greatest will love the mid-engine C8, but let’s not forget the C7. It represents the pinnacle of front-engine sports cars with a 60+ year heritage. And since this is the last generation of front engine cars using the Corvette name plate, it will surely become a collectible.

Upon first approach, the long sweeping hood paired with hood scoops and side scoops scream race car. They are a visual tease to the 6.2L naturally aspirated V8 lying under the long hood, just behind the front axel. The pushrod engine pumps out 460 horsepower and 465 pounds-of-torque, which can be paired with either an 8-speed automatic or 7-speed manual transmission. This will be your last chance to get a new Corvette with a manual transmission, so get it while you still can. Dual clutch transmissions, like on the 2020 C8 Corvette produce better lap times due to quicker shifts and reduced power loss, but they lack the emotion connection of manually sliding through the gears one by one. Click Here To Continue Reading

Chevrolet Traverse RS: From “Mom Car” To “Dad Car”

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The RS badges on the front and rear of the Chevrolet Traverse RS is little deceiving. The RS stands for “Rally Sport,” which will make most people think that the Traverse RS is a sportier version of the regular Traverse. While the options package doesn’t add any additional horsepower or performance, it will transform your seven passenger family hauler from a “mom car” to a “dad car.”

With the RS package on the Chevrolet Traverse, you get a noticeably different look and feel – My four year old self would call it a cool SUV now. All of the polished chromed accents are blacked out to give this mid-size SUV a stealth look. This includes the exterior trim, the grill, and the Chevrolet bowtie. You also get upgraded 20″ wheels painted black to complete the package. You also get black plastic lower moldings to protect the body of the vehicle should you take the Traverse RS off-roading.

So while the Traverse RS doesn’t necessarily live up to the Rally Sport name, it is a worthy upgrade for those who want to feel sporty. I know that is I how I would order one!

If you want to learn more about Traverse, check out my full review here.

First Drive: The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado Delivers More Of Everything

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When I received an invitation from Chevy to travel to Wyoming and test the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado last week, I was excited for more than one reason. I knew that there was going to be a new and improved truck along with amazing scenery, but I didn’t realize that Chevy would actually let us put the vehicle through its paces in the real world. We got to test the various trim levels of the Chevrolet Silverado off-road, on the highway, in the city, towing things, and on the job site. It is essentially the same the truck, but different personalities.

The LT Trail Boss trim level on the Chevrolet Silverado was designed for customers who consider themselves off-road adventurers. New for 2019, it comes from the factory with a 2-inch suspension lift in order to give you more ground clearance. It also comes with a locking rear differential and skid plates should you decide to go rock crawling. To help out with the mud, 18-inch wheels with Goodyear Duratrac off-road tires comes standard. During my real-world tests, the truck offered a high-level of driver confidence while venturing on rocky trails with steep elevation. The Trail Boss comes with a high and low speed transfer case standard, but the 5.3L V8 motor with an eight-speed automatic transmission (LT Trail Boss) delivered so much torque at low RPMs that the low range gears were not necessary. I will admit, I was a little nervous driving the Chevrolet Silverado off-road because I didn’t want to break this beautiful truck. But after seeing a Chevrolet engineer jump a Trail Boss with no damage, I can attest that the Silverado truly is “built like a rock.”

The LTZ and High Country trim levels were designed for owners who want the capability of a truck, but the driving dynamics and comfort of a premium sedan. Most of my testing with these two trucks were on the highway or around town. The High Country is the nicest of the two vehicles with the most standard features, as well as, a few exclusive features. But both trim levels deliver a polished exterior look; one that would make you proud to drive it to a fancy dinner party or equally suited to arrive at an executive board meeting. The interior of these two vehicles are dressed in leather – standard. Faux wood trim was tastefully placed throughout the cabin of High Country Silverado that I tested. Just by looking at it, you wouldn’t think that it was fake, but I would like to have seen real wood trim on a truck that costs $65,000 to buy. The driving dynamics of the LTZ and the High Country are significantly improved over the previous generation and the ride is noticeably smoother over the lower tier trim levels. Both vehicles drove more like a luxury sedan than a truck. They felt well planted at highway speeds with no vibrations and road noise was minimized. I credit the Silverado’s latest suspension tuning, dramatically improved aerodynamics (the drag coefficient was reduced by 6), and the use of advanced construction materials to lower the truck’s weight (by 450 pounds) as the main contributor. The LTZ and the High Country come standard with a 5.3L V8 and 8-speed automatic transmission, but the crème de la crème is the 6.2L V8 with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It is a modified version of the same engine that powers the Corvette. It also gives you up to 12,200 pounds of towing capacity. If you are going to haul a trailer, I strongly recommend checking the “Surround Vision” option on the order form. Multiple cameras are placed around the vehicle in order to make hitching a trailer and maneuvering easier.

The “Work Truck” trim level is your bare bones option for the job site. While there are no thrills with this Silverado model, it is a great value – priced at around $30,000. It offers up to 63 cubic feet of cargo volume in the bed, which is reportedly 20% more than the competition. Additionally, the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado model uses a higher-grade steel for the truck bed in order to increase durability by 47%. There is also 12 fixed tie-downs in the bed to secure what you are hauling – this up from 8 tie-downs on the 2018 model. If you are working with power tools on the job site, a 120-volt power outlet and storage bins are handy options.

I was told that truck buyers are very loyal customers and often never switch brands – I can respect that. So, for current Chevrolet owners, the 2019 model is a worthy upgrade over the 2018 model. The truck delivers more in every way. For new truck buyers, my advice is to ask your friends why they love their trucks. Then take a test drive in the all-new 2019 Chevy Silverado.

The 2018 Chevy Camaro SS Is A Toy For BIG Kids

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The Chevrolet Camaro holds a special place in my heart, mainly because the 1992 Camaro Z28 was my first car. Under the hood was a 5.0L V8, which was good for a little over 200 horsepower – not bad for the time. My car had a 4-speed automatic transmission but was available with a 5-speed manual. I was the coolest guy at Saint John Vianney High School (in my mind) with that car… It was fast, looked cool, and I could fit all three of my best friends in it!

Fast forward to 2018 and you have the Chevy Camaro SS with a 6.2L engine. The Corvette derived pushrod V8 is good for 455 horsepower and 455 pounds of torque. Off the line you can do 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds flat with the 8-speed automatic transmission and 4.3 seconds with the manual. That is Porsche territory for a vehicle that starts at $38,000. The vehicle is obviously no slouch when it comes to raw power, but the new Camaro also makes a decent road course track car. Powerful Brembo brakes are standard on the SS model, as well as, a drive selection mode to tailor the car’s driving dynamics based upon on-road or track use. The noticeable differentiators with each drive mode are throttle response, shift points (automatic), body roll (with optional magnetic ride), the exhaust note, and how much or little the stability computer will let you slide the rear end before it catches you. When going around tight corners, the Camaro SS felt heavy in the front, which lead to significant understeer. But thanks to the immensely powerful V8, you can gently create rotation by carefully applying throttle to the rear wheels.  Click Here To Continue Reading

The All-New Traverse Is Perfect For Family Road Trips!

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When going on a cross-country road trip with the family for the holidays, what is most important to you? Comfort, cargo room, safety, fuel economy, or entertainment for the kids? Chevrolet conducted a survey to find out what mattered most and to further their quest to make the perfect road trip vehicle. Click Here To Continue Reading