Chevrolet Trax Arrives Stateside 2015

Chevrolet introduced a new, small SUV to its U.S. portfolio in the form of the 2015 Trax at the New York Auto Show. Originally launched in both Mexico and Canada back in 2012 and then Europe last year, the 2015 Chevrolet Trax joins division's SUV lineup bringing features like available OnStar 4G LTE, Siri Eyes Free, and a built in Wi-Fi hot spot

Available in three trim levels - LS, LT, and LTZ - the 2015 Chevrolet Trax sports divisional styling cues like the signature dual-port grille, a prominent bowtie emblem, and swept headlights. Other available exterior details include fog lights and simulated front and rear skid plates. Out back, vertical taillights flank the tailgate which help accent bodylines and give the wheel arches a more pronounced look. In all, 10 exterior colors will be available including Orange Rock metallic, Blaze Red, and White Pearl Tricoat

High Line Interior

Inside, a dual-cockpit instrument panel shares styling with that found in the subcompact Sonic and features a large, performance-oriented analog tachometer. The speedometer as well as other vital readouts is displayed digitally. A 7-inch color touchscreen display sits in the middle of the center console. Chevy's MyLink system and all of its apps come standard with the display screen and can accommodate an available GPS-enabled app navigation system that can be downloaded. A rearview camera is also standard. A small-diameter, thick-rimmed steering wheel is wrapped in leather on LTZ and some LT models. LS models get a cloth interior while LT trims get deluxe cloth or you can opt for the available cloth/leatherette. LTZ models get the full leatherette treatment. The 60/40 split rear seat folds down flat giving way to 48.4 cubic feet of space. With the seats in place, the Trax offers 18.7 cubic feet of cargo space

Under the hood, a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is the only option and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Chevy estimates that the 2015 Trax will rated at 138 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque. The drivetrain configuration allows the Trax to keep its weight down, boost interior space, and enhance safety crush zones

Pricing will be announced closer to its on sale date, which is expected to be sometime early next year

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Chevrolet Suburban LTZ Quick Take 2015

Texas has a well-deserved reputation for big things, from the size of the state to portions of barbequed brisket. So, it was fitting on a recent trip to Dallas for a family wedding that we had an opportunity to drive around in a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ

This 7-passenger SUV is outsized, riding on a 130-inch wheelbase and measuring 224.3 inches overall. It was great at hauling a lot of people, and on the open road was fairly easy to maneuver. However, in tighter parking garages, it is truly a handful- that's where the rear-view camera and parking sensors with built-in vibrating seat warnings helped tremendously in avoiding contact with other vehicles or stationary objects

SUV usefulness, Corvette pricing

The 2015 model year marks the 80th anniversary of the Suburban nameplate but the latest edition is a far cry from its forebear. There is plenty of the utility part of being an SUV, particularly the load space behind the third row. But there is also a huge luxury component that was never dreamed about when these rather Spartan vehicles first came on the scene. Our test vehicle was richly appointed with stitched leather seating and dash surfaces, beautifully turned out wood trim and classy chrome accents

The Suburban LTZ model we drove had a base price of $64,600 base price and when equipped with the Sun, Entertainment, Destination package that added a power sunroof and navigation, as well as retractable running  boards , adaptive cruise control, and a trailering package, the all-in price came to an eye-popping $72,835

Dressed to impress

Despite, or maybe in Texas, because of the sticker, the Chevrolet Suburban LTZ, clad in black, looks the part of being the preferred ride of a Texas oilman or former U.S. president. It has an impressive size and aggressive good looks thanks to the huge chrome grille and projector beam headlamps. The new design of GM's full-size SUVs have a linear, tailored look that comes off as being more formal than the previous generation that had softer contours

The 355-horsepower 5.3-liter V-8 engine, with 383 lb-ft of torque, provided plenty of power through the smooth-shifting 6-speed transmission.  We never felt that powertrain was ever overwhelmed by the size and weight of the vehicle

While the basic seating and control layout was well-laid out and in most cases easy to use, the touch screen and nav system took a little patience in mastering. There are other easier and more intuitive touch screens out there-the Chevy's took more steps to enter even basic addresses and wasn't very good at offering up lists and alternatives when inputting addresses or points of interest

These minor nits aside, the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ has the looks, features and performance that would give many luxury full-size SUVs from European manufacturers a run for their money

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Chevrolet reinvents Colorado midsize pickup truck for 2015

Absent from the North American midsize pickup market since the 2012 model year, Chevrolet made its much-anticipated return official today with the unveiling of the 2015 Colorado at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. Billed as the third element in a three-truck strategy-Silverado Heavy Duty, Silverado half-ton, and midsize Colorado-the new pickup was characterized as a "scaled down Silverado" by Jeff Luke, chief engineer for pickup trucks at General Motors. Luke added that this doesn't mean the Colorado revival will be based on the Silverado chassis, nor will it be a version of the Colorado that continued to enjoy strong sales in Thailand after GM pulled the plug on North American sales. Like the Silverado, the new Colorado will ride on a fully boxed frame, but the chassis will be unique to the mid-size truck, according to Chevrolet.Although dimensional specifics weren't announced, Luke noted that the Colorado will be 5 inches narrower, 3 inches lower, and some 900 pounds lighter than the Silverado, thanks in large part to a chassis that's about 40 percent lighter than that of the full-size truck

Three engines

When the truck goes on sale in the fall of 2014, Colorado buyers will have two engine options: a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder rated for 193 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 good for 300 horsepower and 270 lb-ft. Both engines already exist in the General Motors North American powertrain inventory. Engine choices will expand to three in 2016, when a 2.5-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder becomes available, a first in the midsize pickup category. Chevrolet did not release output figures for the diesel. All engines will be mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission, and buyers will have a choice of rear- or 4-wheel drive. Chevrolet sources also hint that another transmission choice may become available shortly after launch, but declined to furnish specifics other than to say that a manual gearbox is unlikely. Towing capabilities will range up to 6700 pounds, which Chevrolet anticipates will be best in class

The company also expects Colorado fuel economy ratings to be tops among midsize pickups. While the truck's EPA ratings are yet to come, that would mean maximums of at least 22 mpg city/26 highway for a rear-drive 4-cylinder model. Toyota's Tacoma, the segment's current bestseller, maxes at 21 mpg/25 highway for a standard cab rear-drive model with a 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission. The revivalist Colorado will be offered in extended and crew cab body styles -- no standard cab. Extended cab models will come with a 6-foot cargo bed, Crew Cabs with a 5-foot bed, the longest bed in the midsize segment for a four-door pickup according to Chevrolet. Suspension elements consist of coil-over front springs and 2-stage semi-elliptic leaf springs at the rear. The brake system comprises discs front and rear, Like the Silverado, the Colorado will offer an EZ-Lift tailgate and a standard Step Assist pad at each end of the rear bumper to make it easier to climb in and out of the cargo bed. The bed rails and cargo floor will include 13 tie-down points, and a standard two-tiered storage system will expand cargo bed versatility. Chevy also plans to offer a variety of cargo accessories. There will be three trim levels-the basic WT (for Work Truck), mid-grade LT, and top-of-the-line Z71, designed to tackle off-road work. All three versions will be available in extended and crew cab body styles, and all offer the option of 4-wheel drive

The Inner Colorado

Inside, the Colorado's instrumentation and center stack echoes that of the new Silverado, and shares much of the full-size truck's features, including Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment and connectivity system. An 8-inch color touch screen dominates the center dash in LT and Z71 models, which also include USB drives. A 4.2-inch driver information screen enhances the instrument cluster, and a navigation system with voice recognition will be an available. Key instruments will include halo backlighting, making them easier to find and operate at night, and the standard center console is big enough to swallow a tablet computer. All trim levels will be furnished with cloth upholstery, and Z71 models will have unique color and trim details, including embossing on the seatbacks and contrasting stitching. Unlike the Silverado, the Colorado's shifter will be in the traditional center position, between the front seats. Standard safety features include front and side curtain airbags; rear view camera; Stabilitrak stability control with rollover mitigation; trailer sway control; and hill descent control. The Colorado will also offer the option of forward collision alert and lane departure warning, both firsts in the mid-size pickup segment according to Chevrolet

Pricing With the Colorado's on-sale date almost a year away, Chevrolet refrained from furnishing any pricing specifics, other than to say that the new truck would have the "best value proposition" in its class. However, it's likely that Chevy's new truck will be priced against the Tacoma and Nissan Frontier, the two trucks that currently dominate the hitherto shrinking midsize pickup class. Current Tacoma pricing ranges from about $18,000 up to about $30,000. Chevrolet's L.A. presentation made it clear that the company is bullish on its new truck, and the future of the midsize category. Chief engineer Luke flatly expects the Colorado to be "the most capable, fuel efficient, versatile midsize truck." Mark Reuss, president of General Motors North America, goes further, stating that the Colorado "reinvents the midsize truck, while reinvigorating the segment at the same time." How much room does that leave for the GMC Canyon, the Colorado's upscale clone? We'll have to wait for January's Detroit auto show to learn the answer to that question

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Chevrolet City Express rolls into Chicago 2015

Making its first public appearance, the 2015 Chevrolet City Express will add a new dimension to the automaker's fleet and commercial lineup when it arrives in showrooms this fall. As we reported last May, the new City Express is based on the highly regarded Nissan NV200 van and offers buyers a smaller and more affordable but still extremely capable alternative to the full-size Chevy Express. Although built under contract by Nissan, Chevrolet will provide all service for this versatile light-duty hauler through its own dealer network

Save for mild cosmetic tweaks - highlighted by the use of a signature Bowtie grille badge --  the front-drive City Express is an NV200 to its rugged core. As for vital stats, this Chevy alter-ego will be available in LS and LT trims, both fitted with a 131-horsepower/2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine backed by a continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission. Built on a 115.2-inch wheelbase and measuring 186.3 inches nose-to-tail, the 2-passenger City Express also boasts 122.7 cu ft of readily configurable cargo space that can be easily accessed through its dual sliding side doors and 60/40 split rear doors that can swing out to 90- and 180-degree positions. Six floor-mounted D-rings and 20 integrated mounting points further enhance utility

Standard features on both City Express trim grades include power windows, a driver information center, fold-flat passenger seat, 12V powerpoint and a large covered center storage bin. The LT adds remote keyless entry and heated power mirrors along with cruise control and backup sensors -- the latter two items also available as LS options. Buyers opting for LT trim also will be able to add the Technology Package that includes navigation, XM Radio, Bluetooth, USB input, steering-wheel audio controls and a rear view camera. Pricing for the 2015 Chevrolet City Express will be announced closer to its on-sale date

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Cadillac Escalade First Review 2015

Think about this for a second: It's been 15 years now since Cadillac took a chance on the Escalade. It was a radical move for a traditional domestic luxury car brand, but it's a gamble which continues to pay off. The Escalade's path to success hasn't been easy, it faces increasingly stiff competition from import and domestic rivals. And a dated interior didn't help its case. For 2015, though, Cadillac has upped its game with an all-new design featuring a cabin fit for a class-leading full-size luxury SUV. Cadillac was aiming for "world class quietness" through new additions like inlaid and triple-sealed doors, redesigned mirrors, and acoustic laminate glass for both the windshield and front row

The all-new interior is a major leap forward but other refinements further Cadillac's assertion of being best in class. A more powerful and fuel efficient 6.2-liter V8 engine is now rated at 420 horsepower and an impressive 460 lb-ft of torque (up from 403 hp and 417 lb-ft, respectively). The EPA has rated the 2015 Cadillac Escalade with standard rear-wheel drive at 15 city, 21 highway, and 17 mpg combined while the optional four-wheel drive model checks in at 14 city, 21 highway, and 16 mpg combined. The Escalade ESV with two-wheel drive is on par with the shorter wheelbase model while the ESV with four-wheel drive sees its highway fuel figure dip slightly to 20 mpg, still an improvement over the previous generation. Our time with the 2015 Cadillac Escalade demonstrated that General Motors' luxury brand fixed everything necessary to once again be considered a proper full-size luxury SUV

Buttoned Up

There's the obvious exterior styling tweaks including redesigned front and rear treatments, and fully-function LED lighting fore and aft, but the real star is the all-new interior.  Now with cut and sewn materials and real wood accents, the 2015 Escalade's interior is luxurious and comfortable. Climb into the driver's seat and it's easy to see that the interior has been harmonized with the rest of Cadillac's portfolio. Once a sore spot for Cadillac's largest offering, now the interior is one of the Escalade's strongest attributes thanks to the new materials, the restyled dashboard lay-out, and the addition of CUE giving it a distinct personality apart from its Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban and GMC Yukon/Denali siblings. Cadillac's on-board navigation and infotainment system, paired with the ability to customize the instrument cluster, now gives the Escalade a more technologically advanced feel

On the road 

After picking out a 2015 Cadillac Escalade Premium with four-wheel drive (and a staggering sticker price of $83,790, including a $995 destination charge), we were on the road in no time. This model came with available options such as 22-inch wheels ($600), power assist steps with LED lighting ($1,695), Majestic Plum Metallic paint ($495), and a second-row bench seat. Normally, the 2015 Escalade rolls on standard 20-inch wheels. The Escalade's 6.2-liter V8 engine provided spirited performance. On more than one occasion, our rural back road route had us caught behind farm tractors but a quick tip in of the throttle hustled the Escalade around slower traffic with ease. Moving 5,840 lbs is never an easy task but the Escalade's new V8 had little trouble doing so sounding great in the process

Controlling nearly three tons of mass isn't easy, so Cadillac unleashed its latest form of magnetic ride control on the 2015 Escalade with different modes available on the lower left-hand side of the CUE infotainment system screen. Our drive route snaked through a small, two-lane road that ran through a park and we battled our fair share of traffic along the way as well but we were able to handle the Escalade in a confident and controlled fashion. Improved brakes allow the 2015 Escalade to stop 9-feet shorter from 60 mph than the previous model. Other steering and suspension improvements include selectable, electric power steering and retuned, hydraulic engine mounts

Ready to Rumble

Cadillac faces an increasingly competitive set that includes the Lincoln Navigator and Infiniti QX80, but its most formidable challenger is the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, which bowed in 2006. However, unlike the Escalade, which only offers the 6.2-liter V8 engine, the Mercedes offers up three different engine choices - one of which is a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. There's also a high performance option in the GL63 AMG powered by a 5.5-liter biturbo V8 engine. We asked Cadillac's engineers about an AMG-fighting Escalade V-sport, and while it was considered, the idea never really progressed beyond the talking stage

We can't blame Cadillac for deciding to stay away from a V-sport variant of the Escalade. The way back to the top for Caddy's full-size SUV runs through higher quality interiors, a pleasant driving experience, and tons of cabin space. There are three different trims for the 2015 Escalade including the Standard ($72,690), Luxury ($76,690), and Premium ($81,190), all of which include a $995 destination charge. The long-wheelbase Escalade models will go for about $3,000 more than its regular wheelbase counterparts

The Verdict

The full-size luxury SUV segment has a lot to offer but with an all-out redesign for the 2015 model year, the Cadillac Escalade has climbed back to the top. With bold styling, seating for up to eight, a ton of storage space, and a towing capacity of up to 8,300 lbs, the 2015 Cadillac Escalade speaks volumes. We recommend you listen

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