Are Chevrolet Good Cars? (Chevy mechanic telling it like it is)

Ever wondered what mechanics think of the cars they work on, well buckle-up. I’ve worked as a technician for a large Chevrolet dealer, and in this article, you’ll learn what I learned about the Chevy brand, the good and the bad.

Chevrolet vehicles are reliable, safe, efficient, and are fitted with the latest infotainment touch screens for effortless connectivity via Apple Carplay and Android auto. JD Power ranks Chevrolet ahead of the industry average and in the top ten reliable makers for the last five years.

This article will outline the models in the Chevrolet lineup, the pros and cons of each, together with my personal experience working on them. By the end of this article, you’ll have the inside track.

Are Chevrolet Cars Reliable?

Quality cars

I’ve worked as a technician on the Chevrolet brand, and when I started, I remember being surprised by the quality. That’s not to say I wasn’t busy fixing them. I was, and some models and engines more than others, but more on that later.

The General Motors group, as you know, owns many brands, Cadillac, Buick GMC, and Chevrolet, the Chevy brand being the largest. Technology, chassis, and engines are shared across the brands. While working at the dealership, I worked on all the GM brands, but the dealership sold more Chevy’s, so it is no surprise they accounted for the bulk of my work.

JD Power surveys customers with three-year-old cars and ranks manufacturers by the volume of complaints they receive. Chevrolet regularly scores in the top ten for dependability, and that doesn’t surprise me.

Marks like Toyota and Lexus, however, are more consistent winners in the JD Power surveys, with the Lexus taking the trophy for the last eight years, which is pretty impressive.

The Chevy workshop

There is more to a car brand than simply the car. The people, the professionalism, and the facilities can make a huge difference to the Chevrolet customer experience.

I’ve worked in a large GM dealership with twenty-plus technicians, most of which were comediennes, never a dull moment. I’m smiling right now, thinking about some of those characters.

But not every workshop was as pleasant. I’ve worked in a few shops. Some were for prestigious brands. The attitude and facilities behind the shiny facade of some were disappointing.

Our GM workshop was professional. You can tell a ton about an organization by how the out of sight spaces are maintained. It taught me the little things are essential.

Timing belt tools

When a job calls for a specialized tool, most techs recoil. Walking around the workshop aimlessly asking if anybody saw tool azv15 3cu is a common occurrence, but not at our shop. Our tool room was immaculate, as too were our coveralls and canteen, it really does make a difference. It set the tone for the whole dealership, our attitude towards our employer and Chevrolet.

Each technician had their own work bay, hoist, computer and was responsible for keeping their kit in good order. (Mechanics supply their own tools and tools boxes). We were supplied with GM login, password, and training schedule. Techs were expected to train constantly on existing and new technologies being rolled out. It was our job to stay sharp and up to speed.

Our dealership was truly customer-focused, and we were reminded of our role in the process of bringing the very best experience to our customers during our monthly pizza tailgate lunch meetings.

Working On Chevy’s

Ecotec

Chevrolet is good to work on. In most cases, there is a ton of room under the hood. Except for the 6.6 lt Duramax trucks, drop a wrench in there, and it’s gone. Although I found tools in the V of the engine under the turbochargers, it’s not all bad.

The 3.6 lt engines fitted to the traverse need to be removed from the vehicle to perform tasks such as leaking front cover or timing chain work. This might sound excessive, but it’s pretty common on modern cars.

Removing the engine isn’t as much work as you might imagine – remove the engine loom connectors from the chassis harness, fuel lines, exhaust, coolant lines, and you are well on the way. Unbolting the sub-frame allows the body to be lifted clear of the engine. The engine remains bolted to the sub-frame on the ground. It’s about 3 hours of work.

The common workload in our shop:

Engine oil leaks
Coolant leaks
A/c faults
EVAP faults
Suspension work
Electrical issues
Squeaks and rattles when cars getting close to warranty end date
Heater issues
Ignition switch recalls
Air-bag recalls
Coolant flushes
Brake jobs
Engine light on issues
Timing chain replacement
Transmission faults
Cooler lines leaks
Power steering leaks
Battery drain faults
Software updates

Chevrolet Common Issues

Timing chains

This paragraph lists common faults with Chevrolet cars, but don’t be put off, every chain has weak links, and I could write a similar list for any car manufacturer.

Drive-Train

Oil consumption
Timing chains stretched
Timing chain tension failure
Oil monitor issues
Variable valve timing issues
Lifter faults
Camshaft issues
Oil leaks
Coolant leaks
PCV faults
Intake manifold issues
Encoder motor
Diff control module

Electrical

Ignition pass-lock
Passenger occupancy sensor connections
Fuel pumps
Parasitic battery drain
Battery failure

Interior

Air-con leaks
Airbag clock spring
Belt pretension sensor
Heater blend door motors
MMI touchscreen faults

Are Chevrolet Cars Safe?

Chevrolet cars, along with all cars, are vigorously tested by NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Association). It’s a government department, and they’ve been crash testing cars since 1978. In addition, the combined work of two independent nonprofit organizations, the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and the HLDI (Highway Loss Data Institute), run their crash tests which further adds to crash test data.

Cars are crashed from various angles and given a score for each test and an overall score for safety. I’ll link to the safety test for each Chevrolet vehicle where relevant later.

Chevrolet is a safe car. They score very well overall. They offer several safety features but not all as standard. As a father of two teens, I especially like Chevrolet’s Teen Driving Technology safety feature, and as far as I’m aware, it’s the only manufacturer that offers it.

Chevrolet safety features include:

Pedestrian braking system – Alerts the driver to pedestrian hazard and brakes to prevent collision.
Lane departure -Accidental lane departure warning and gently corrects the vehicle.
Adaptive cruse control – Adapts automatically to traffic speed.
Reversing Cameras – Display offers various camera angle shots including birds eye view for easy obstacle maneuvering.
Wider rear view mirror – For increased rear view vision.
Blind side zone alert – Alerts driver to vehicle in blind spot when lane changing.
Rear cross traffic alert – Alerts driver to rear traffic hazard.
Forward collision alert – Alerts the occupants to imminent collision and provides additional and or dynamic braking.
Auto lighting control.
Teen driving technology – Driver teaching tool with built in report card, nice!

Chevrolet Ownership Cost

The cost of car ownership is affected by four main components.

Price – The cost of the vehicle
MPG – How much gas it uses
Service & Repairs – How much it cost to keep it on the highway
Depreciation – Replacement cost of the vehicle

1 Vehicle cost

The price you pay for your vehicle will influence the cost of ownership the most. For most buyers, the goal is to buy the best car you can for the least amount of spendy.

Making cars is a complex business. Most don’t realize that until you look behind the curtain. In many cases spending more on a car doesn’t guarantee a more reliable ride. I genuinely believe Chevy offers excellent value. Their vehicles are not perfect, but guess what? … nobody is. Remember, a Cadillac uses the same components as a Chevrolet. Why pay Cadillac prices.

Your local Chevy dealer will likely have some fantastic deals on offer, but the time of year you choose to go shopping makes a difference. You’ll find the best deals are on request towards the end of the year. Dealers are trying to move older new stock to make room on the lot for new models due to arrive in the spring.

Conversely, the worst time to go shopping is in the spring, the latest new models are in high demand, so discounts are thin on the ground. You’ll get a great deal on the last of the old model, and the other great advantage – all the little and large production issues have been fixed, that’s never the case with the latest new model.

So you know what to do, wait for the snow and go shopping.

2 MPG

Many models use the efficient Ecotec four-cylinder turbocharged engines. Turbochargers were once only fitted to high-performance models. The turbo allows manufacturers to work smaller, more sufficient engines without sacrificing too much power.

The gas mileage of the four-banger units is in the 20 to 35 mpg range. GM now fits three-cylinder turbocharged units to the smaller models for increased fuel economy.

The larger full-size SUVs need the larger engines, they’re offered with V6 and V8 gas-powered engines, and the gas mileage isn’t great, like 18-25 MPG. However, more efficient diesel is on offer and is likely to be offered in even more SUVs. Engines like the new I-6 3.0 lt turbo diesel, known as the baby Duramax, is changing drivers’ perception of diesel engines.

3 Service

12,000 Miles

A 2018-2020 Chevrolet includes the cost of the first service. It’s due at 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Service consists of an oil and filter change, vehicle health check, tire rotation (if applicable), control module DTC check, and software upgrade (if applicable).

Chevrolet has developed the “Owner center,” which keeps a digital record of your car’s warranty, maintenance, recalls pretty neat. A Chevy digital service record also helps your resale value.

Your Chevy maintenance is essential, four areas especially:

Oil
Brakes
Tires
Batteries

Oil

Since 2010 all Chevy’s have been fitted with an oil life system (OLS). It takes account of factors like miles driven, oil temperature, and rpm to determine when the oil needs changing.

Two types of services are common, the basic service – oil and filter (at 12,000 miles) and the full service. You already know oil changes are important, but fresh oil is particularly important to turbocharged engines. The turbo’s impeller turns at very high rpm and requires clean, free-flowing oil to cool and protect it.

A full service includes:

Multi point vehicle health check
Battery check
Synthetic engine oil change
Oil filter change
Air filter change
Cabin Filter change
Washer fluid fill up
Tire pressure check and rotation
DTC check and software updates

Brakes

Pads

A brake service is usually needed around 30,000 miles, but it does depend on your driving style, and city driving will cause greater brake component wear. Here’s a list of the more regular type brake services:

Replacement front pads
Replacement rotors front
Replacement rear pads
Replacement rear rotors
Brake fluid flush – Every three years

Tires

Tire care is important. It causes so many drive-ability issues. Customers often can’t believe the difference a new set of tires makes. Bad rubber can cause a ton of problems, and the symptoms vary – vibrations, growling noise, whining sound, banging, wandering steering, bad gas mileage, trembling steering wheel, rubbing noise, pulling under braking.

Tires need to be checked regularly. Kerbing, potholes, under-inflating, worn ball joints, wheels out of alignment can cause tire issues.

It’s worth noting. Many Chevrolet tires are Nitrogen filled. You can tell if the tires are Nitrogen filled, the valve dust caps are green. Nitrogen is more stable than air and doesn’t expand with heat. It also does a better job of sealing the tire. It’s better not to mix air and Nitrogen, but if you are in a tight spot, you can. It won’t hurt any.

Chevy’s are fitted with TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors), which will alert the driver to a low tire condition.

Chevy recommends rotating the tires every 7,500 miles. It increases tire life. Even tire wear equals a safer vehicle. Tire rotation won’t be possible on all cars as some tires are directional. It’s worth noting also when tires are rotated to a new location. The TPMS sensors need to be calibrated.

Batteries

A good battery is important.

Cars are packed with an ever-increasing number of components that require electrical power. A good battery is essential. A faulty battery can often be the root cause of some strange electrical gremlins.

Your battery is checked as part of the service, so any issues should be flagged. You can expect your battery to last about 3-4 years but don’t wait for it to go bad. I’d change it out before winter.

Basic battery care includes not allowing the battery to run low. If you’re packing up your car for months on end-use a battery maintainer to help keep it topped up, batteries hate to be discharged. Keep your battery terminals clean and avoid fitting power-consuming accessories to the battery.

Additional maintenance

Bear in mind other service components and procedures may be required, depending on the vehicle type, age, and mileage. You can check out the average cost of these repairs by contacting your local dealer or check the Kelly Blue Book repair guide.

Services that your Chevy will require include:

Transmission oil and filter change
Transmission flush
Transfer case oil change
Rear differential gear oil change
Power steering fluid change
Power steering flush
Intake system cleaning
Coolant change
Thermostat replacement
Coolant system flush
Water-pump replacement
Auxiliary belt replacement
Wiper blades replacement
Air con refrigerant service
Timing belt replacement (if applicable)

Chevy has developed mychevrolet mobile App. It’s a subscription service but has some neat features like vehicle health, maintenance, and diagnostic.

4 Depreciation

1 Careful owner

Depreciation is a major cost of ownership, and a Chevrolet dealer will likely always give you a better deal trading a Chevrolet. They use the Black book valuation and can be completed online. But you’ll need to supply your vehicle details, name, email address, and zip code. This works for all vehicles, not just Chevy’s. You can check it out here.

Expect your new Chevy to depreciate 40-50% of its value over five years.

It roughly breaks down like this:

15-20% depreciation by the end of year 1
About another 10% off the residual by the end of year 2
Another 10% off the residual by the end of year 3
Same for year 4 and 5

This type of depreciation isn’t particular to Chevy. It’s the average for most family cars. You can help minimize your depreciation by taking care to have all the maintenance up to date. The general condition needs to be excellent, paint and interior unmarked. High mileage will hurt the value.

Before buying any vehicle, it’s always worth investing few dollars to check the VIN number against a database. An audit with a company like VinAudit (links to VinAudit) will guard against Mileage fraud, Salvage rebuilds, Title washing, and Vin cloning.

Chevrolet Model Line-up

Chevrolet produces a wide range of vehicles, from mini cars to performance models, but the range is shrinking. That’s mostly because our tastes in cars are changing.

Generally, consumers prefer SUV-style vehicles, that trend is well in place, and manufacturers must respond or die. SUVs, crossovers, and truck models are more profitable for manufacturers, and so not surprisingly, they are doubling down.

Customers no longer want sedans, and so Chevrolet has had to make some decisions. The models cut in 2019 included the Cruze, Impala, and electric Volt.

Cutting the electric Volt, you might think counter-intuitive. However, sales have been flagging mostly because it’s out of step with EV customer needs. The clever Volt carries its own gas generator under the hood, which was once useful, but EV charging stations are now plentiful.

GM will make savings as a result of the cuts and say they plan to use the savings and profits to develop an all-electric lineup by 2023.

Chevy Sedan Models

You already know Chevy has trimmed the sedan range of vehicles as of 2019, and no doubt there will be more to follow. The Cruze is gone, and the Impala and GM recently announced they’re discontinuing the Sonic.

It’s time to look at the vehicles one by one. Here I’ll point out known problems, recalls, crash test ratings and let you know the best models and years to consider buying. Don’t be alarmed by the volume of problems. All manufacturers have issues. Most just don’t talk about them.

My best advice is to steer clear of models with major failing components like transmissions and engines.

Chevy Spark

Cheapest supermini

Mini compact four-door hatchback fitted with a four-cylinder 1.4-liter engine naturally aspirated engine (Non-turbo) mated to a CVT auto or manual transmission returning between 30-38 mpg. The Spark wins the award for being the cheapest new supermini for sale in North America.

It’s available in a few different trim levels and also available as a crossover, which is the same car with a few extra toys and nicer suspension.

Like:

Fun
Economical
Cheap
Versatile
Lots of storage space
Good head & leg room front
Nimble
Great selection of charger points
Cool touch screen, easy to navigate with Apple car play and Android auto
Reversing camera standard
Latch child seat safety anchors
Manual transmission

Don’t Like:

Some interior trim materials look and feel cheap
Rear legroom tight for adults
Lots of road noise
CVT transmission

Known Problems:

Various issues have been highlighted with the CVT transmission – CVT7 (RPOs M4M, MR8). 2014 to 2017 models.
Oil consumption concerns with the 1.4 liter engine.
Water pump housing leak.
PCV issues.

Recalls:

NHTSA campaign number 18V774000 relates to Airbag fault.

Crash Test:

Good overall as per IIHS/HLDI test results.

Best Spark to buy:

2018 onwards with driver confidence package.

Chevy Sonic

Comfort and economy

The sonic was available in 4 door hatchback (5 doors) or sedan body style. Early models were fitted with a 1.4 or 1.8-liter engine. The 1.4 liters turbocharged being the more common, but a non-turbo was available too. It returns between 26-34 mpg. Transmission is six-speed auto, five or six-speed manual depending on engine and model choice.

Customers voted, and Sonic took the top prize for the least number of problems in the first 90 days of ownership, as per the JD Power survey.

Like:

Price
Comfortable
Sure footed
Smooth
Economical
Hatchback versatile
Lots of storage space
Good head & leg room front
Great selection of charger points
Cool touch screen, easy to navigate with Apple carplay and Android auto
Reversing camera standard
Hill start assist
Latch child seat safety anchors
Remote start

Don’t Like:

Small gas tank
Plastic trim
Rear seat legroom is tight for adults

Known Problems:

1.4 lt engine – Oil consumption, Coolant leaks, PCV/valve cover faults.

Recalls:

NHTSA campaign number 18V342000 relates to the seatback frame.

Crash Test:

Good overall as per IIHS/HLDI.

Best Sonic to buy:

The Sonic is a pretty good car. My choice – 2018 onwards hatchback model with turbo and driver confidence package.

Chevy Cruze

Discontinued

The Cruze began life in 2010 and was redesigned in 2016, and as of 2019, it’s discontinued. The new model was available with the 1.4 turbocharged gas or 1.6-liter diesel engine mated to a six-speed auto or manual transmission. Gas engines return between 35-45 mpg.

In addition, the new model Cruze was offered as a sedan or five-door hatchback body style.

Like:

Styling
Comfortable
Smooth
Economy
Interior materials
Head and leg room front
Sedan folding rear seats
Touch screen clear and equipped with Apple carplay and Android auto
Hatchback versatility

Don’t Like:

Stop start irritating and not controllable
No folding seat release in trunk
Rear seat head room a touch tight

Known Problems:

The generation 1 Cruze suffered from transmission issues, Engine PCV valve faults, Oil leaks, Coolant leaks. The latest Cruze – Trunk water leaks, Stop-start faults.

Recalls:

NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V576000 relates to faulty rear brake caliper pistons.

Crash Test:

Good overall as per IIHS/HLDI.

Cruze I’d buy:

The latest generation 2017 onwards in the LT trim hatchback.

Chevy Malibu

Redesigned in 2016, the Malibu is currently available in two engine choices 1.5 lt and 2.0 lt turbo. The 1.5 lt is mated to a CVT transmission and the 2.0 lt to a nine-speed auto box. Returns between 32-36 mpg.

A Hybrid 1.8 lt model was also available, but many models have since been discontinued.

Like:

Looks
Interior and materials
Quiet
Smooth
Visibility great
8″ touchscreen interface with Apple carplay and Android auto
Heated rear seats
Pano roof
Trunk seat release
Key-less entry
Wireless phone charger
Lots of leg and head room front and back

Don’t Like

Sloping rear hampers access
CVT transmission
Nine speed transmissions indecision
1.5 lt engine under-powered for this body size

Known Problems:

Earlier Malibu models had more than their share of transmission problems. The latest models have a number of live recalls.

Recalls:

NHTSA listing four recalls currently, ECM fault, Caliper piston fault, Airbag fault, and fuel line fault.

Crash Test:

Good overall as per IIHS/HLDI.

Malibu I’d Buy:

The latest model in Premier trim with 2.0 lt engine, and 9-speed auto comes with all the toys.

Chevy Impala

The Impala has had a good run, but this year marks the end. The top of the range sedan is offered with one engine. The 3.6 V6 mated to a six-speed auto transmission. Previous models were offered with a 2.5 lt four-cylinder. The Impala returns 18 to 28 mpg.

Like:

Magic carpet smooth
Whisper quiet
Effortless performance
Style
Interior fit and finish
Interior LED lighting
8″ touch screen with Apple carplay and Android auto
Sound system
Power points
Folding rear seats
Trunk lighting
Large trunk
Secret storage area
Wireless phone charging

Don’t Like:

GM aren’t making it anymore.
Crash test didn’t achieve the top “Good” rating.

Know Problems:

2.5 lt engine – Flex-plate fault, Oil pressure issues, some transmissions leaks, and a battery drain condition.

Recalls:

NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V576000 relates to the rear brake caliper piston.

Crash Test:

Acceptable overall as per IIHS/HLDI.

Impala I’d Buy

The latest model in Premier trim – 3.6 V6 with 6-speed auto box.

Chevy SUV Models

Chevrolet has increased their SUV/Crossover models because that’s what we want. The lineup is powered by gas models currently, but you can expect a ton of electric models to be released by 2023.

The term crossover has made its way into the industry vocab, but really, they’re all SUVs. Crossover is a term associated with sedan and hatchback chassis that are reconfigured to an SUV. Typically adding taller suspension, fender trims, larger bumpers, roof rails, etc., transforms the car, including an AWD system.

Many SUVs are two-wheel drive only, and that’s a good thing. Two-wheel drive SUVs are cheaper to buy and maintain, simpler, better on gas and the environment. Since most drivers don’t go off-road, all-wheel drive isn’t necessary.

Trailblazer

The Trailblazer is a new SUV aimed at the younger audience. It’s fitted with a three-cylinder turbocharged 1.2 or 1.3 lt engine. The 1.2 is mated to a CVT auto transmission, and the 1.3 is available as an AWD with nine-speed auto transmission.

The little SUV is laden with safety features and is designed around a mobile phone.

Like:

Teen driver technology
Economical
Style
Range of charge points
Wireless charger
110 volt charge point
7″ touch screen with Apple carplay and Android auto
Comfortable seating
Good leg room front and back
Pano roof
Range of safety tech as standard
Adjustable driving settings

Don’t Like:

Lack of power
CVT transmission
Noisy
Steering feel

Known Problems:

Cam position actuator fault, Engine oil pump fault.

Recalls:

N/A

Crash Test:

N/A

Trailblazer I’d Buy:

The AWD 1.3 turbocharged with the nine-speed auto transmission is the model I’d buy.

Chevy Trax

The Trax, first introduced in 2015, is a bigger SUV but still small enough to be called nimble. It’s fitted with an Ecotec four-cylinder 1.4 lt turbocharged engine mated to a six-speed auto transmission. It’s available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. It returns between 26-31 mpg.

Like:

Stable on road
Nimble
Economy
7″ touch screen with Apple carplay and Android auto
Good legroom
Auto lights
Key-less entry
Backup camera
Great storage
110 volt out let
Drivers seat lumber support

Don’t Like:

Cabin noise
Interior plastic

Known Problems:

Earlier Trax models were affected by PCV system faults and Turbocharger faults.

Recalls:

Lower front control arm fault and Airbag setting as per NHTSA.

Crash Tests:

Good overall as per IIHS/HLDI.

The Trax I’d Buy:

I’d buy the base model. It’s the best value as it’s fitted with the same power-train as the Premier model.

Chevy Equinox

The five-seat Equinox was first introduced in 2004. It’s Trax’s older brother. The standard Equinox is fitted with a similar size engine, though, a 1.5 turbocharged unit mated to a six-speed auto transmission. A 2.0 lt turbocharged unit with a nine-speed transmission is an option.

The latest Equinox is larger yet lighter and has better handling than its predecessor—the 1.5 returns between 26-31mpg.

Like:

Smooth
Quiet
Stability
Visibility
Push button start
Key-less entry
Interior finish
Privacy glass
Rear vents
Leg & headroom front and back
Rear seat adjustment
EPB
Trunk seat release
Auto lights
Heated mirrors
7″ Touchscreen with Apple carplay and Android auto
Selection of phone charge points
Wireless phone charger
Reversing camera view selection
Safety kit like Forward collision alert, Forward pedestrian braking and Emergency braking

Don’t Like

Ride on the firm side
Steering light
Rear hatch slow to open.. come on already!
WiFi chime when starting engine irritating

Known Problems:

The previous model had oil consumption and timing chain issues. The current model has the following issues – Faulty batteries and battery drain, Faulty BCM’s, Faulty fuel valves, Faulty Flexplate, Various electrical issues caused by a chafing wiring loom.

Recalls:

Recalls for the previous model include Electronic park lock lever fault, Seat height adjuster, and TPS fault per NHTSA.

Crash Test:

Good overall as per IIHS/HLDI.

Equinox I’d Buy:

I’d buy the 2.0 lt model with nine-speed automatic transmission and pano roof. It comes with all the toys.

Chevy Traverse

Traverse is a very well-appointed 7/8 seat AWD or FWD midsize SUV. It’s fitted with a 3.6 V6 normally aspirated engine and nine-speed auto transmission or 2.0 lt turbo. V6 returns between 18-27 mpg.

Like:

Smooth
Quiet
Powerful
Storage space
Comfortable Seating
Head and leg space front and rear
Phone charging and power outlets
Reversing rear camera and sensors
Key-less entry and push button start
Standard features like Blind spot, Rear cross traffic, Teen driver monitoring
7″ Touch screen and Apple carplay and Android auto
EPB

Don’t Like:

Third row leg space
Visibility limited through rear side windows
8th seat not available on top trim level
Steering light

Known Problems:

Previous models – Timing chains, Suspension rattle, Leaks. The current model – Transmission issues, Battery drain, Faulty cylinder heads.

Recalls:

Airbag and frame rail issue as per NHTSA.

Crash Test:

Good overall as per IIHS/HLDI.

Traverse I’d Buy:

Buy the AWD with the silky 3.6 V6.

Chevy Tahoe

The Tahoe is a man-size eight-seat SUV, two gas engine choices 5.3 lt V8 mated to a six-speed transmission or a 6.2 V8 mated to 10-speed auto transmission, and available in three trim levels. A six-cylinder diesel is also an option. The Tahoe is big and returns between 16-23 mpg, and by the way, this is the all-new 2021 Tahoe.

The previous model is still available while stocks last, but the latest model is a huge improvement.

Like:

Handling
High vantage point
Visibility
Styling
Interior materials and finish
Rear trunk space
3rd row leg and head room
Hook up points USBC and 110 outlet incl wireless charger
Towing ability
Seat vibration alert
Tail gate glass trunk access
Touchscreen with Apple carplay and Android auto

Don’t Like:

MPG poor
Shifter controls
Rear visibility poor

Known Problems:

Lift-glass hinge noisy

Recalls:

N/A

Crash Test:

Acceptable overall for the previous model Tahoe as per IIHS/HLDI.

Tahoe I’d Buy:

The 6.2 lt is likely the better option. However, the diesel, with its superior fuel economy, may be worth consideration.

Chevy Trucks

If you need to haul, you need a truck, and trucks are what Chevy does best. With a hundred years of experience, they have learned a few tricks. The Chevy truck options are endless, from engine size, body length, trim options…..I have a favorite – Big 6.6 Duramax diesel Silverado with all the toys unbreakable!

Chevy Colorado

Launched in 2017, Colorado is Chevy’s midsize truck. Three engines are available – 2.5 lt, 3.6 lt gas mated to the six-speed auto box, and a 2.8 lt turbo diesel mated to an eight-speed transmission.

The 2.5 lt has a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs and returns 20-26 mpg. The 3.6 V6 engine has a 7,000 towing capacity and 18-25 mpg. The diesel 2.8 lt has the max towing capacity of 7,700 lbs and returns 20-30 mpg.

Like:

Style
Stability
Off-road ability
Rugged build
Comfort
Touch screen with Apple carplay and Android auto
Charger points
Storage
Turning circle

Don’t Like

Interior plastics
MPG
Lack of extra safety features as standard

Known Problems:

TCC shudder, Axle vibration, Lifter issues, Truck is leaning to left.

Recalls:

NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V358000 relates to fuel pump flange

Crash Test:

Acceptable as per IIHS/HLDI.

Colorado I’d Buy:

My pick is the 2.8 lt turbo with a six-speed auto.

Chevy Silverdao

The Silverado is a popular workhorse and comes with mind-boggling engine choice – 6.2 v8, 5.3 v8, 4.3 v6, 2.7 turbos, 3 lt diesel, and transmissions – 6, 8, or 10-speed auto.

2020 brought the new Silverado HD (Heavy Duty). It’s the daddy and is available in five trim levels. Power train options include 6.6 lt v8 gas mated to a 6-speed auto transmission or the 6.6 v8 diesel mated to a 10-speed auto.

Like:

Rugged
Towing ability
Design
Sun visors
Great head and leg room front and back
Rear windows
Rear door opening width
Charging points USBC, USB, 12 v, 110 volt and AUX
7″ touch screen with Apple carplay and Android auto
Power outlet and load light in the bed
DIM with oil, brake pad and air filter monitoring
Interior Storage

Don’t Like:

Poor crash test result
Gas MPG
Rear seat back
Some interior materials poor

Known Problems:

Gas engines – Oil leaks, Lifter issues, TCC shudder, Axle vibration, Battery drain, Diesel – DPF issues, Turbo issues, Sensor issues,

Recalls:

Stability, Airbags, Electrical, Brake assist issues.

Crash Test:

Marginal as per IIHS/HLDI.

Silverado I’d Buy:

I’d buy the 6.6 Duramax diesel. You’ll never wear it out.