Chevy Trailblazer A Good Thing in a Small Package

The Chevrolet Trailblazer is the brand’s smallest SUV, and you may find it to have all you need. It can seat four comfortably and still have a generous amount of cargo space. It also contains up-to-date tech, is available with all-wheel drive (AWD), and is quite stylish to boot. This McFarland Chevrolet blog post takes you on an exploration of the Trailblazer.

The Trailblazer is available with two engines. Both are quite small, but their ability will surprise you. Standard on the FWD versions of the base LS and LT trim levels is an ECOTEC 1.2-liter turbocharged inline-3 engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Those aren’t large power figures, but this isn’t a large vehicle, starting at a little over 3,000 pounds. All FWD models are paired with a continuously variable transmission, while AWD models are equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission. EPA estimates for this engine are 29 / 31 / 30 (city/highway/combined) on FWD models and 26 / 29 / 27 with AWD.

The RS and ACTIV trims and all AWD models are equipped with the ECOTEC 1.3-liter turbo inline-3. That may not sound like much of a change, but the power jumps to 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque, which can make the Trailblazer feel quite spritely. In addition, models with this engine actually get a little better highway fuel economy with 29 / 33 / 31.

Both engines send power to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT), but when it is sent to all four wheels, it uses a 9-speed automatic. One unique aspect of the all-wheel drive system is that it is on-demand. The car will run as FWD until you push a dash button to engage AWD. 

Inside, the Trailblazer has a surprisingly upscale dashboard. The 11-inch center touchscreen is standard on all models, well-integrated into the dash, and is wirelessly compatible with Apple CarPlay® and Android AutoTM. Also standard is an 8-inch driver’s information center and a tilt and telescoping steering column. Quite impressive is the rear legroom. At 39 inches, it exceeds that of the Malibu and several other larger vehicles. 

On all models, you will find standard Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Following Distance Indicator, and Automatic Emergency Braking. Moving above the base model, you’ll find available features like wireless charging, automatic climate control, an 8-way power driver seat, power liftgate, and even a Bose® premium 7-speaker audio system, among other comfort and convenience features. 

The model hierarchy includes the base LS, followed by the LT. From there, things branch off to the street-sport RS and the more off-road-focused ACTIV. The latter includes off-road suspension tuning, 17-inch sport terrain tires, a functional skid plate, and trim and details for a more robust SUV appearance. The RS, by contrast, sports 19-inch wheels, black front and rear lower fascias, and more sport-themed details. 

The Trailblazer starts at $24,395 for the LS FWD and tops out at $28,395 for either the RS or ACTIV. The all-wheel-drive system with the 9-speed transmission adds $2,000 on lower trims and $1,600 on the higher trims. 

The Trailblazer and Trax are very similar in size, base power, and accommodations. The Trax is a little longer with a longer wheelbase, but the passenger space is effectively equal. Some standard features on the Trailblazer are upgrades on the Trax, which is also only available with FWD and the smaller engine.

If you want AWD, the Trailblazer is your choice. If you are fine with FWD, it is worth looking at both the Trax and Trailblazer, which, of course, is what we invite you to do at McFarland Chevrolet in Maysville, KY. They are two excellent choices.