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New Chevy Trailblazer fills small SUV size gap

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer ACTIV trim ($26,395 as shown).

 

 

If Goldilocks was looking for a small SUV, the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer would probably fit the bill. Wedged right between the brand's Trax and Equinox models in size, the sporty all-new Trailblazer has space for five and rugged, over-the-river-and-through-the-woods good looks, not to mention a decent amount of room to bring all those goodies to grandma. The price is right too, starting at under $20,000.

The Trailblazer (nope, it's not the big-brother Blazer model) features a bold front fascia and sports car-inspired rear design. The ACTIV trim package amplifies this sporty style with a two-tone roof, unique front and rear fascia, and dual exhaust, along with sport terrain tires and suspension tuning enhancements.

It's longer and lower than the current Trax model, sporting dimensions of 173.5 in. long, 71.2 in. wide, and 64.8 in. tall. It's also 10 in. shorter than the Equinox but just as tall and wide.

The Trailblazer's exterior styling features Chevy's signature dual-port grille, which gives its face a multilayered, dimensional appearance. The accent bar is integrated with the headlamps, helping to widen its stance visually, while a simulated front skidplate adds a sense of strength.

ACTIV trim Trailblazers feature a new interpretation of the signature dual-port grille, with a larger opening for a more rugged look. The RS trim features a performance-inspired mesh grille with black Chevy bowtie and unique front splitter elements to define its sporty demeanor (see TS trim photos below).

The side profile includes taut bodyside lines, a sleek roofline, and a bold hood shape to accentuate the Trailblazer's youthful character. RS and ACTIV trim models boost the visual appeal with standard two-tone roofs. Large, wraparound taillamps seamlessly span the liftgate and bodyside, which adds to the visual width of the Trailblazer, providing a more planted look.

Inside, the Trailblazer features a driver-focused, dual-cockpit interior design with an integrated center stack. High-quality finishes and stitching are customized to allow for different appearances at each trim level. The center console provides several storage options with up to 3.5 liters of open storage and 4.4 liters of storage under the armrest, as well as dual cupholders. The 40/60 rear seats fold down to help accommodate cargo, while the available fold-flat front passenger seat offers room for objects up to 8.5 ft long.

Trailblazer ACTIV is equipped with unique tires and shock tuning. The ACTIV dampers are tuned to enhance vehicle performance and ride comfort when traveling on gravel roads. The Hankook Sport Terrain 17-in. tires feature an aggressive shoulder design and an all-season tread pattern.

The front fascia on Trailblazer ACTIV has been revised with the lower section designed for improved ground clearance. Additional exterior differentiation includes two-tone roof, standard roof rails,and trapezoid-shaped exhaust tips.

Powered by either a 1.2L turbo or 1.3L turbo engine, the Trailblazer will deliver up to 155 hp. Both engines are mated with a standard Continuously Variable Transmission with selectable stop/start capability. A nine-speed automatic transmission is also available on Trailblazers equipped with the 1.3L engine and all-wheel drive.

The Trailblazer is available with Chevy's selectable AWD, also found in the Blazer and Traverse. Selectable AWD allows drivers to decide whether to activate their AWD system in off-road or inclement weather situations, or to deactivate when AWD performance is not required to achieve improved fuel economy.

Drive modes on front-wheel drive models include: Normal, Snow, and Sport. AWD models add unique calibrations for more rear-wheel torque at lower speeds to improve the driving experience on moderately steep and unpaved surfaces.

All Trailblazer trims come with a comprehensive list of standard active safety and driver assistance features, including: Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, IntelliBeam Headlamps (Auto High Beam Assist), Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Rear Vision Camera, OnStar, and a Rear Seat Reminder feature. Solid offerings for the price.

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer RS trim.

 

 

Optional active safety and driver assistance features include: Adaptive Cruise Control with Camera, Rear Park Assist, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and an HD Rear Vision Camera.

The Trailblazer is expected to arrive in U.S. showrooms in spring 2020. Specific trim and option pricing details will be announced closer to launch. Interested? See the Chevy Trailblazer updates site for more info as it is released.

Source: Chevrolet

Published January 2020

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