2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer Review: Everything You Need To Know

With the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, the bowtie brand gets in the growing “little crossover” section with excellent feature content, terrific appearances motivated by its big sibling, the Blazer, and a low entry price. And along with its VSS-F platform twin, the Buick Encore GX, it will introduce the first three-cylinder engine GM has used in the United States and Canada because of the death of the unlamented Geo/Chevrolet Metro.

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer Engine

These two new turbocharged three-cylinder engines had better be terrific since, in this more-is-better market, there’s apt to be some confusion about the cheaper Trax getting a 1.4-liter I-4 turbo engine, and this fancier Trailblazer offering just a choice of smaller sized 1.2- or 1.3-liter turbo I-3s. True, both three-cylinder engines promise better performance than the Trax 1.4-liter turbo’s 138 hp at 4,900 rpm and 148 lb-ft of torque at 1,850 revs. The 1.2-liter is thought to produce 137 hp at 5,000 rpm and 166 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm, while the 1.3-liter must provide 155 hp at 5,600 rpm and 174 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 rpm. But triples suffer an inherent front-to-rear “rocking-couple” imbalance that is typically soothed by fitting heavy counterweights to the crankshaft. These can wind up acting like a huge flywheel, making the engines less eager to rev.

Chevy says the basic transmission with each engine is a CVT, and a nine-speed automated will be optional with the larger 1.3-liter and all-wheel drive. (Buick will make the nine-speed standard with the 1.3-liter in its Encore GX, which will be constructed on the same Bupyeong, South Korea, assembly line). All powertrains get selectable auto start/stop. The AWD system is also selectable, like those in the Blazer and Traverse. We have freely stressed that such systems could enable a chauffeur to get stuck, then engage AWD to discover the front wheels axle-deep in snow or filth, however defaulting to FWD at every ignition cycle lets the EPA test the vehicle in FWD mode, enhancing window-sticker numbers. Selectable drive modes on all cars consist of typical, snow, and sport, with AWD models getting distinct calibration.

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer Features

All Trailblazers include a comparable suite of security and driver assistance equipment to that presented on the Equinox, including forward accident alert, automated emergency situation braking, front pedestrian braking, IntelliBeam headlamps (auto high-beam assist), lane keep help with lane departure caution, rear vision camera, teen chauffeur security tech, rear seat suggestion, and OnStar. The options list includes lots of upper-segment features, including adaptive cruise control (camera-based), rear park help, lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and an HD rear vision camera.

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Putting its finest foot forward, the two models unveiled at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show were the stylish RS and off-road-oriented Activ trim levels. Outside, the RS telegraphs its sporty mission with a gloss-black grille like those on the Blazer and Camaro RS, contrast-color roofing, body-color extending down to the rockers, and 18-inch wheels covered in sport-tuned 225/55 rubber. Inside, there’s a flat-bottom steering wheel, RS branded cluster graphics, contrast piping, and red stitching, and accents galore. The Activ trim also gets an option of two-tone roof/body coloring, a matte gray grille, and a special front fascia that enhances method angle, standard roofing system rails, and gray rocker panels covering in between the gray wheel arches. More all-terrain-oriented 225/60 series tires on 17-inch rims promise much better grip and control on two-tracks, and the shocks are tuned to optimize for gravel roadway usage. Still, there are no other off-road-oriented features such as hill descent control, lower equipment ratios, or the like, so Jeep has absolutely nothing to fret about. Inside, the Activ gets two-tone charcoal and almond-butter dash and seat trim with contrast stitching.

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer Interior

The interior “sits” a little less tall than a Trax, but afforded adequate space for this 5-foot-10 scribe to sit behind himself. The front traveler seat folds flat and features hard plastic trim on the back to accommodate 8.5-foot long products with the 60/40 split-folding rear seat down. The cargo floor sits level with the rear hatch opening and folded seats, or it can be lowered for added cargo height (and 54.4 cubic feet of stowage) with the seats up. And the liftgate can be opened by waving your foot over a forecasted logo on the ground.

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer Release Date and Price

We’re guaranteed that a model will be available for “under $20,000,” but anticipate typical transaction costs to wind up numerous thousand above that. Inspect back for complete pricing and specs closer to the spring 2020 on-sale date.