Once upon a time, the Chevrolet Trailblazer was a body-on-frame, midsize SUV. The old-school Trailblazer was a beefy factor, obtainable with a V8 engine and rear-wheel drive. But as consumers’ wants have advanced, so have the SUVs themselves. After greater than a decade, the Trailblazer is again within the type of a kinder, gentler, subcompact crossover.
LikeSnappy turbocharged engineExcellent stylingGreat infotainment tech
Don’t LikeBland interiorCan get costlier than most of its opponents
The 2021 Chevy Trailblazer is obtainable in LS, LT, Activ and RS trims. The Activ is the one pictured right here, which has a rugged-ish look, whereas the RS is slightly sportier. Like the Buick Encore GX with which it shares a platform, the Trailblazer is accessible with both a 1.2-liter turbo I3 and a repeatedly variable transmission, or a 1.3-liter turbo I3 with both a CVT or a nine-speed automated. For this overview, I’m specializing in the uplevel 1.3T and nine-speed combo.The Trailblazer is bigger than the Chevy Trax, however with its sub-$20,000 beginning value, is definitely the least costly SUV within the firm’s lineup. It shares numerous its design with its large brother, the Blazer, and to good impact. The dual-port grille and squinty headlights look nice, however do not be fooled by what Chevy calls the “simulated” skid plate down beneath. Still, I just like the sculpted hood and I’m at all times right here for a two-tone paint scheme. Personally, I feel the Trailblazer seems to be finest in RS guise.
The Trailblazer shares numerous its design cues with its midsize large brother, the Blazer.
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Chevy’s 1.3-liter I3 is surprisingly perky. Sure, it solely makes 155 horsepower, nevertheless it’s the 174 pound-feet of torque that actually helps with acceleration. It comes on early at 1,600 rpm and stays flat till 4,000 rpm, making freeway merging virtually easy. The nine-speed automated transmission is tuned extra for gas economic system than anything, upshifting early to maximise effectivity. During my time with the automotive, I averaged 29.1 miles per gallon, which is on the higher aspect of the EPA’s rankings of 26 mpg metropolis, 30 mpg freeway and 28 mpg mixed for this engine.That’s to not say the Trailblazer is enjoyable to drive, although. Get it on backroads and the delicate suspension and beneficiant physique roll will make you assume twice about making any fast directional modifications, and it is simple to upset the general smoothness on uneven stretches of pavement. Then once more, nothing on this small SUV class is all that rewarding to drive, save for the Mazda CX-3. I feel most folk will discover that the Trailblazer does an sufficient job everyday, with plenty of usable low-end energy and easy-to-drive dynamics.
There is a Sport mode within the Trailblazer, which Chevy says modifications the transmission’s shift logic, giving the steering a heavier really feel. This additionally prompts the all-wheel-drive setting — which is one thing the driving force can activate and off with a button — although the distinction right here is tough to really feel. The transmission holds revs a bit longer underneath aggressive acceleration, nevertheless it does not actually change the Trailblazer’s general demeanor. If you reside in a cold-weather local weather, a Snow mode makes the throttle much less aggressive, doubtlessly leading to much less wheelspin when setting off from a cease.
The Trailblazer comes customary with Chevy’s Safety Assist package deal, which incorporates forward-collision warning and braking, entrance pedestrian braking, lane-keeping help, a following distance indicator and automated excessive beams. Adaptive cruise management is a part of a $620 package deal and blind-spot monitoring is a part of a separate $345 package deal. That’s bizarre, contemplating each these choices are customary on the Toyota CH-R. If you need extra tech like a hands-on steering help characteristic, take a look at the Kia Seltos. Regardless of their value, the driving force help options work as marketed, preserving me at a set distance from a lead automotive, warning me of different autos in my blind spot and producing a ding whereas gently bringing me again into the lane if I begin to drift out.Inside the Trailblazer, a typical 7-inch touchscreen runs Chevy’s Infotainment 3 system, however my tester has the upgraded 8-inch display screen. It responds quickly to my inputs and I really like how simple and intuitive it’s to make use of. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are right here, and with wi-fi connectivity in higher trim ranges. Both the driving force and passenger can join their telephones to the system with a nifty dual-Bluetooth interface. Charging is taken care of by USB Type-A and Type-C ports, plus a 12-volt outlet up entrance. Wireless charging is accessible, as are further USB-A and USB-C ports for rear-seat passengers. The inside design is sort of meh, however the infotainment tech is nice.
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Parents will relaxation simple with Chevy’s customary Teen Driver characteristic, a black field of types that information driving conduct when a selected key fob is used, and may even set a velocity limiter and prohibit the audio quantity from going too excessive. It’s a characteristic that my rebellious highschool self would hate, however the grumpy grown lady I’ve change into takes gleeful pleasure in understanding youthful drivers cannot be hooligans.Much as I just like the onboard tech, I’m much less impressed by the remainder of the Trailblazer’s inside. Sure, the supplies are largely nice and I like how a lot cupboard space is accessible, however the design lacks the spunk of the Nissan Kicks, the sophistication of the Mazda CX-3 or the quirky particulars of the Kia Seltos. What’s extra, the backup digital camera high quality is middling, although drivers can go for a high-definition digital camera as a part of a $1,720 expertise package deal (Come on, simply make this customary!). Overall, perform positively takes precedence over type right here.The Trailblazer’s cargo house places it in the course of the category, at 25.3 cubic toes behind the second row of seats, increasing to 54.4 cubes when folded. Fold down the entrance passenger seat and you’ll accommodate objects as much as 8.5 toes lengthy, like kayaks or lumber. If you want more room, nonetheless, you must have a look at the Kia Seltos, with 26.6 and 63 cubic toes respectively, or the Honda HR-V, with 24.3/58.8.The Trailblazer is a nice little SUV, however lots of its opponents are extra well-rounded.
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The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer begins at $19,995 together with $995 for vacation spot. However, my LT tester ups the beginning value to $25,600, and as soon as the choices are tacked on, I’m $28,180 together with vacation spot. For that value I can get a properly geared up Kia Seltos or Honda HR-V, or I can get a loaded Nissan Kicks with almost $7,000 to spare.The Trailblazer is a pleasant addition to the subcompact SUV section with its energetic powertrain and daring exterior styling. But contemplating how well-rounded so lots of its opponents are, sadly for the Trailblazer, which may not be sufficient.