Three Chevy Vehicles That Will Make You a Tailgating Champion

Football season is still several months away, but we can’t blame Colts fans for being excited. If you’re planning on attending a game, you should recognize that your vehicle will play a crucial role in your enjoyment of the evening. A powerful engine means you can travel into Indianapolis in no time, and a number of features could improve your entire tailgating experience.

Now, we’re not necessarily saying that you should pursue a vehicle solely for its ability to accommodate a sports fan. However, there’s no denying that three of Chevy’s vehicles are an ideal choice for those looking for the ultimate Colts experience.

Before you head into a Chevy dealer in Indianapolis, see which of the brand’s vehicles are the best fits for tailgating and getting into the city.

2017 Chevy Traverse

While we all try to maintain some type of strict schedule as we anticipate a trip to the stadium, there’s still a good chance that you’ll be running a bit late. Well, thanks to the 3.6-liter V6 engine that’s included under the Traverse’s hood, you can drive with confidence that you’ll get to the game in no time. Thanks to the aluminum engine block and cylinder heads, the system is capable of pumping out an inspiring 288 horsepower, which should be more than enough power to allow you to rush into the city. Meanwhile, thanks to technological inclusions like Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing, the 22 mile per gallon highway fuel efficiency means you won’t have to constantly stop for gas during your journey.

If you’re planning on bringing your entire crew to the game, you shouldn’t have any second thoughts about assuming the seat as the driver. After all, the 2017 Chevy Traverse is capable of fitting up to eight occupants, and each of your passengers will be able to travel in optimal comfort. For those who are planning on tailgating, the 24.4-cubic-feet of space behind the third row should be more than enough room to fit your miniature grill and a cooler. However, if you require even more interior space, the 60/40 split folding rear seats will unlock a whole lot of room. With the rear seats hidden, drivers can take advantage of the best-in-class 116.3 cubic feet of cargo space. If you have bulkier equipment that can’t fit inside the SUV, the 5,200-pound towing capacity means the driver shouldn’t have any issues hauling any of their cargo.

Once you get to the parking lot, you can be the star of the tailgate thanks to the Traverse’s technological offerings. The built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi is able to accommodate up to seven different devices, so you and your friends will be able to stay up to date on all of the major storylines prior to the game. Plus, thanks to the inclusion of the Chevy MyLink system, you can listen to your favorite sports talk programs as you’re waiting for the game to begin.

2017 Chevy Tahoe

If you’ve ever been to a tailgating event, you’re probably aware that there’s some odd hierarchy of fans. If you’re looking to make an excellent first impression, you could modify your 2017 Chevy Tahoe with any of the striking special edition packages that are available.

For instance, the Z71 Midnight Edition of the SUV is the perfect option for those who are looking to intimidate any out-of-town fans. The 18-inch black painted wheels (with the hulking Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires) will allow you to overcome any type of terrain, so you won’t think twice if you’re required to park on a grassy area. Meanwhile, the black mesh grille, black bowties, and black roof rack cross rails will indicate that you’re one Indy fan who shouldn’t be messed with. Meanwhile, the LT Midnight Edition will have a similar effect, as the 20-inch black painted wheels, all-season tires, and black bowties will surely leave your fellow fans gawking at your ride.

The RST edition may be your best bet to impress the masses. Thanks to the following features, it won’t take long for you to become the star of the tailgate:

• 22-inch gloss black wheels with custom silver accents
• Gloss black sport grille
• Black bowties
• Body-color grille surround, door handles, and headlamp accents
• Black mirror caps, belt line moldings, and roof racks.

2017 Chevy Colorado

Lucas Oil Stadium provides an unmatched fan experience, but there’s no denying that it can be difficult leaving the facility. Thousands and thousands of fans will be hitting the road following the final whistle, meaning you’ll surely be caught in traffic. In these situations, the chance of an accident increases, although the 2017 Chevy Colorado will do everything in its power to keep you out of harm’s way.

There are a number of ways that the Colorado will cut down on the chance of an accident. The Forward Collision Alert will be especially useful if you’re attempting to overcome your sleepiness, as audible and visual alerts will notify the driver when they’re approaching another vehicle at too great of a speed. Meanwhile, the Lane Departure Warning will be essential, especially if you risk entering a lane other than your own. The technology will alert the driver when it’s unsafe to switch lanes, preventing any inconvenient fender benders. Of course, the rear vision camera will also prove useful, especially when you’re looking to exit the parking lot. Drivers can monitor everything that’s happening behind their pickup, so they won’t accidentally run into another vehicle or a fellow fan.

If you do find yourself in an accident, the Colorado’s high-strength steel frame will keep all of the pickup’s occupants safe and secure. Plus, thanks to the inclusion of the dual-stage frontal, head-curtain side-impact, and seat-mounted side-impact air bags, occupants should be able to avoid any injuries if there is a collision. In the event of an emergency, the OnStar Automatic Crash Response system will connect the driver with emergency personnel as soon as possible.

2017 should be a big season for the Colts, and you can better prepare for your visit to Lucas Oil Stadium by pursuing any of the SUVs or trucks mentioned above. Whether you’re simply looking for a safe ride or the ultimate tailgating companion, you’re surely find it in this grouping of vehicles.

2021 Tahoe

The newest version of the Chevy Tahoe is bigger, bolder, and better than ever – as hopefully, your favorite team will be this season. The 2021 Tahoe’s more spacious cabin and expanded third row of seats mean that you’ll be able to carpool with your family and friends to the game in comfort and style. Plus, the cargo capacity of 123 cubic feet makes the Tahoe hands-down the ultimate tailgating companion.

Roll out your heavy-duty grill, coolers, canopy tent, and comfortable chairs – the new Tahoe can contain it all. For a sense of adventure, the Z71 trim package for the 2021 Chevy Tahoe is your off-road champion, with features that make the Tahoe surprisingly sporty without sacrificing comfort or style. Off-road perks of this trim include protective skid plates, all-terrain tires, and heavy-duty bright red tow hooks.

A fascinating new feature of the Z71 Tahoe is its supremely engineered adaptive air suspension, which you can use to raise or lower your Tahoe’s ride height at the touch of a button. Raise your Tahoe to take over the curb and find the perfect spot for tailgating, then lower it so you can easily load and unload the cargo area or take a seat inside.

Do you need to roar out of the tailgating area with excitement after the big win? The 2021 Tahoe’s available 6.2L V8 engine can power through with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. The satisfying engine roar sounds as powerful as it is, so you can really zoom past your competitors and rub their loss right in their faces.

Or do you prefer to intimidate with style and class? Try the Tahoe with the RST, Premier, or High Country trims, each of which has unique features inside and out. Options include an upgraded audio system, a sleek interior, metallic accents, and a unique grille that looks about as tough as the Indianapolis Colts are.

Overall, the new Tahoe offers excellent performance and a roomy interior, alongside spruced up safety and infotainment technology that make every ride in your Tahoe all the more enjoyable. There are more ways to customize your experience, too, and make your Tahoe more luxurious than any Chevrolet of the past. And with an amazingly low MSRP of $49,000, you’ll have plenty of cash left over for an ice chest of drinks and some quality food for the grill.

2021 Colorado

Chevy’s popular midsize pickup truck is also a favorite of tailgaters nationwide. A tough truck with major towing capacity that also happens to be compact enough to drive like a sporty sedan, the Colorado is a gamechanger in the truck world. It combines the best of larger trucks and smaller cars for one of the most versatile vehicles to hit markets for 2021.

The new Chevy Colorado has all the practical benefits you’d expect from a pickup truck, including huge storage capacity, tough performance with a heavy payload, and an impressive towing capacity of up to 7,700 lbs. An available EZ Lift & Lower tailgate that has springs and dampers for effortless loading and unloading. All of this comes in a more compact, easier to manage, midsize pickup that’s strong without all the bulk. You’ll be the superstar of the tailgate when you can haul in all your tailgate needs, like multiple grills, smokers, and coolers, without filling up the lot. The more fans on game day, the better, right?

And if you need a little break from all the action or just a quiet place to seethe after a bad play, head for the new Colorado’s quiet cabin with comfortable, spacious seating. Or, celebrate with booming audio from the available Bose sound system. A few commands on the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system can get any smartphone connected and raring to go.

Want to turn heads in a sports-performance pickup? Upgrade to the ZR2 package for off-road performance Multimatic shocks, electronic front and rear locking differentials, rear recovery points, more adventurous styling, and a factory-installed lift. You can tear into the tailgate lot in style.

Optional upgrades make tailgating outside Lucas Oil Stadium so much easier, like an HD rear vision camera that can help you slide right into your tailgating spot without incident. You can even employ this camera to help monitor your trailer, line up hitches, and maintain your alignment so you can get into the middle of the action. You’ll love how compact and easy to handle the new Chevy Colorado is when you’re maneuvering through the game day shuffle.

After the big win, a celebratory drive around Lucas Oil Stadium is in order. Let your 2021 Chevy Colorado growl in victory with the available 3.6-liter, 308 hp engine. Or select the Duramax Turbo-Diesel engine with a massive 369 lb-ft of torque for impressive acceleration, even when you’re towing all your tailgating essentials.

2021 Traverse

A powerful midsize SUV, the 2021 Traverse is roomy enough for your entire family and all your tailgating supplies while also handling like a dream. The sportier, more aerodynamic cousin to the Tahoe, the Traverse is like the quick and powerful running back to the Tahoe’s linebacker. The 3.6-liter V6 engine churns out 310 hp and makes the Traverse one of the quickest SUVs in its class.

What makes the Traverse look like an SUV but drive like a sporty sedan for the perfect blend of defensive and offensive skill? Look to its fluid nine-speed automatic transmission, outstanding all-wheel drive handling, low-effort steering, and agile suspension. And despite all this, it has a competitive fuel economy at 27 MPG on the highway – no more lining up to fill up when you’re running late on game day.

Even with all the above performance perks, the 2021 Traverse has one of the most spacious, flexible, and liveable interiors in the SUV game. Smart slide second-row seats make accessing the third row quick and easy – no jukes and sweeps required – and split-folding seats with an available power-folding third-row help you expand interior storage. Optional hidden compartments and an expansive first-row cubby are perfect for hiding your valuables while you’re out touring your neighbors’ offerings. Best of all, the 98.2 cubic feet of cargo space makes the 2021 Traverse the roomiest SUV in its class.

But this isn’t your ordinary family vehicle. A refined, sleek silhouette and striking chrome accents show the entire tailgate lot that your family takes play very seriously. How do you want to customize your Traverse? A seven-tier lineup gives you plenty of choices for the exterior and interior elements, including flashy 20-inch, silver-painted wheels, as well as heated and ventilated leather seating.

Advanced infotainment technology is built into the base model so that you can stream your favorite broadcast and sports commentary during the game with a few touch commands. Other handy technology includes a 120-volt outlet just like the ones you’d find in your home, in-dash navigation features, and a myriad of available safety features like pedestrian detection and lane-keeping assist. The available HD Surround Vision camera gives you an instant birds-eye view of your Traverse and its surroundings, which is amazingly helpful for navigating crowded areas like a tailgate lot.

And did we forget to mention that the all-new Traverse can tow up to 5,000 lbs? Tow your game day trailer, all your barbecuing goods, and some comfortable furniture so you can enjoy getting outdoors for the big game. You just might become the MVP of the tailgating party.

Anyone of these new Chevrolet vehicles is sure to give you the performance, strength, and comfortable features that you need to make the best of any tailgate party this season. When it comes to navigating the tough traffic and rowdy crowds while still enjoying gameday, only a Chevy can cut it. If you want to cheer on the Colts in style, visit McCluskey Chevrolet to explore the newest lineup of quality trucks and SUVs.