Autoblog Post Test Drive Notes on 2020 Chevy Blazer 3LT: “Stylish, Contemporary, and Chic”

The 2020 Chevy Blazer is now entering its second year of rebirth, and we can finally provide the answer to a question that many customers here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson have been asking: Will it have a new engine option? The answer is YES, and it comes in the form of a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, and it was the one under the hood for a test drive that the staff of Autoblog embarked on last week. This new variant produces 230 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, slotting below the 308-hp V6 and just above the naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder.

This turbo is now mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission and comes as the standard motor for those who opt for the 2LT and 3LT trims. When paired with all-wheel drive, it is the most fuel-efficient Blazer engine choice, finishing across the line at 23 mpg combined, as opposed to the V6's 21 mpg combined rating. There is also now the ability to turn off the start-stop system, all seats are covered in perforated leather, and the front seats are heated. Rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and rear park assist now are on board as included safety systems.

While making your decision for a new vehicle this year, make sure to closely check out the Sound and Technology package: this is where you get the rear camera mirror, a 4.2-inch digital screen in the instrument cluster, navigation and additional power/USB outlets. Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore thought that the Blazer is definitely one of the better-looking crossovers in its segment, and appreciated the design similarities that it shares with the Camaro. After a few long drives, he reflected that the Blazer is among the best handlers in its class and that Chevy is truly chiseling our way into a brand new identity of sorts with this release.

When Senior Editor John Snyder first tested the Blazer he wasn't as much a fan, but after seeing it in more colors out on the road, he gradually got used to its looks and was more impressed. He liked the power derived from the turbo motor and stated that the vehicle feels pleasantly wide in the way it delegates body roll during cornering.

Road Test Editor Zac Palmer has consistently been one of the auto reviewers that we have had our eyes on for concise information regarding auto performance the past few years. He concluded that the design stood out uniquely, and that it stoked much more interest than that of the sworn rival in the form of the Honda Passport. The ease-of-use as far as infotainment is concerned was a huge positive for Zac, who also had a great appreciation for the simple gauges and instrument cluster.

Kelley Blue Book Highlights 2021 Chevy Traverse's Added Safety Features, Exterior Update

Practical and always poised to heartily go the distance, the 2020 Traverse is one of those vehicles that everyone here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson admits is currently in its prime. When a busy family or small business owner lays out in grave detail what they need from a vehicle, this is many times the item that tops the list. Who said you have to go with tiny??! Many are raving about the commanding and solid drive they get every time they get the Traverse out on the road. The 2021 model goes on sale later this year, and the well-versed staff on duty at Kelley Blue Book took a close-up look at the exciting changes and additions this past week on their blog here.

The incoming model will boast new front and rear-end styling, revised interior seating, LED lighting, and the ultimate cloak of family security: six safety features standard on all models. There is also an expansion of models that offer adaptive cruise control and rear-seat safety alert. The front grille really is the heart and soul of an SUV's appearance when you notice it coming, and the new look for the Traverse features a redesigned front grille characterized by very thin LED lighting elements. The rear tail-lamps now also take form in LED unit fashion.

Once inside the cabin, the seating now provides options for the second and third-row positions, and there is a dual sky-scape 2-panel sunroof featuring a new rear power shade. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are both new features, and the instrument cluster now provides a slightly larger 8-inch drive information display. In this year's model, some of the driver-assist and life-saving safety features are only available on select models. On the 2021 Traverse, Adaptive Cruise Control will now be an option on 3LT, RS, and Premier models.

The Premier and High Country trim levels are two of the options we would love to have you explore during a test drive if you're on the hunt for absolutely the best we have to offer, and they both now see the addition of a rear-seat safety alert system. Automatic emergency braking and front pedestrian braking are introduced to all models, and included are lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, automatic high beams, and following distance indicator.

The all-important engine lineup continues what is current: it offers a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine and 9-speed transmission. The choices of trim level are LS, LT, RS, Premier, and High Country. When equipped with the second-row bench seat, the Traverse accommodates up to 8, and second-row captain's chairs are included on RS, Premier and High Country models to provide seating for 7. The staff at Motor1.com also claimed that the significant improvements in safety gear were enough to make any growing family or young professional choose the Traverse, and we agree wholeheartedly!

The Popular Science Crew Claims After Intense Track runs That the new C8 Corvette “Draws Waves Like None Other in Memory”

Excitedly poised on the track at Spring Mountain Motor Resort in Nevada, the team from Popular Science was ready to test the new mid-engined C8 Corvette Stingray. Now hailed for having the same configuration of supercars such as Lamborghini and Ferrari, the C8 has been dominating auto headlines since its unveiling in a large airline hangar in California late last summer. Writer Dan Carney is getting ready to take his very first test drive, and his first move was to tighten the belts on the seats, which helps to hold the driver in position to focus on steering.

When the seat is ratcheted down, the HANS device is more secure, which (yes, a slight reality check) is more effective in the event of a crash. The Popular Science team's 'Vette was equipped with the 3LT premium equipment package, Z51 performance package, and magnetic ride adjustable sock absorbers. The 495-horsepower, 470 lb-ft, LT2 6.2-liter small black V8 to comes to life after you push the Start button, and Dan felt that the rumble of the engine was akin to a “ferocious blast of Nascar thunder” as his revs approached the 6,500 rpm mark.

Off of the track, the V8's fuel consumption is EPA-rated at 15 mpg during city driving and 27 mpg on the highway, which is way above average for a supercar. The rear-view mirror actually doubles as a display for a rearview camera that is mounted on top of the engine cover to provide an expansive view behind the car, that can't be achieved from anywhere inside the cockpit. The anchor of the center console is a rotary selector wheel that is mostly covered by a wrist rest that helps keep your hand stable while adjusting.

Once underway, the computer-controlled dual-clutch transmission can shift itself, or the driver can manually adjust upshifts and downshifts by using the steering column-mounted shift paddles. The Z51-equipped Stingray can launch to 60 mph from a complete standstill in 2.9 seconds, and by using automatic launch control, can accomplish it repeatedly. During a few very exciting laps, Dan noticed that one of the benefits of having its mass at a central point due to the mid-engine layout gives the driver many chances to balance the car once its slides at its limit.

The paddle shifters are as nice as what you would see on very high-priced European competitors, and their location on the steering column makes them easy to find every single time you look for them. Corvettes from years past endured a bit of criticism for the slight delay that occurred between a tug on the shift paddle to an actual transmission response. In this edition, engineers have wired the buttons directly to the transmission's shift controller, bypassing the car's Controller Area Network, and now sending shift requests as directly to the transmission as physically possible.

Many who passed by the track that day were in awe at this brand new addition to the All-American car landscape, and once inside, this is the most snug and “sheltered” feel in any Corvette, past or present. It is currently one of the hottest items on the planet, but we hope to see you soon at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson to talk about 'Vette or any other models' ownership, and make 2020 your most exciting year of cornering and pavement pounding yet!

GM Authority Delivers the Scoop on 2020 Chevy Spark Special Edition Model

The Chevy Spark is getting a sheer jolt of energy this year thanks to the unveiling of a new Special Edition model. Initially shows at the 2020 Chicago Auto Show earlier this month, it has also been making the rounds on various blogs such as GM Authority and social media sites like Instagram. It is now equipped with visual changes that help this hatch distinguish itself a bit from its various relatives. This is the car that has been praised for its energy, spunk, and attitude, and perfect for urban areas with streets on the narrow side.

The new Special Edition has a focus on adding to the appeal of the exterior, and now comes with Black Bow Tie emblems, a Black painted grille, Black daytime running lamp bezels, and 15-inch black-painted machined-finish alloy wheels. The new Special Edition version is only available on LT trim levels for the 2020 Chevy Spark. The 1LT trim is offered in two configurations, including the 1LT Manual, and the 1LT Automatic. They are both also equipped with the 1.4L LV7 inline four-cylinder engine. It is tuned to crank out 98 horsepower and 94 lb-ft of torque, sent directly to the front wheels.

The new spark will be available right here at O'Rielly Chevy of Tucson in the spring, ready to provide an incredibly economic and savvy choice for any Eco-conscious daily commuter. The Spark also received an update for the 2019 model year, when it was the recipient of a restyled front end, new wheel designs, fresh exterior paint and interior color options, Chevy Infotainment 3, new safety features, and two new USB ports. This is one of the last remaining cars in our lineup that is not an SUV, truck, or crossover, and many new graduates and young professionals out there have told us that they want to think small when it comes to size and big when it comes to EPA fuel rating!

In the city, you'll get 30 miles per gallon, and 38 on the highway. You can choose from funky and vibrant shades like Orange Burst, Caribbean Blue, Raspberry, and Passion Fruit. The ACTIV look features 15-inch aluminum wheels, roof rails, Rocker panel, fender trim, unique front and rear bumpers, Jet Black leatherette heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Whenever you hit the road in the Spark, you can be confident with the knowledge that 10 standard airbags, a high-strength steel safety cage, and other features such as Available Lane Departure Warning are always working double-time to keep you safe!