Chevrolet’s New Trailblazer Leads the Way

I know, I know I promised no more off-road vehicles for quite some time, but how could I say no to a Chevy Trailblazer? It’s Chevrolet’s newest entry into the ‘off-the-beaten-track’ option slipping in above the already great Captiva. We’ve briefly covered its performance in a head to head against the Toyota Fortuner where it came out tops, but we reckon it deserves a bit more attention.

Chevrolet’s new styling perhaps looks best on the Trailblazer. The aggressive multi-piece grille and tall hood-line make for an imposing presence, and the rising beltline and muscular haunches lend the vehicle a handsome dynamism. Out back, the lines of the sculpted tailgate draw the eyes down to the grab-handle. Nice touch, that. The new face might not be as memorable as the split-level headlamps and grille on the old USA Trailblazer, but the overall design has a more modern, global appeal. The thick-spoked rims, on the other hand, present a uniquely American truck aesthetic, and suit the truck well.

At a glance, the interior looks fantastic, with chunky shapes and curves everywhere. We particularly liked the Camaro-inspired instrument cluster and the circular-themed climate control, with its easy-to-read digital screen. Unfortunately some plastic surfaces leave something to be desired. The door panels and glovebox lid are of hard and dull plastics. Even so, it has an air of luxury to it.

Luscious leathery ambience gives the Trailblazer a sense of upmarket appeal. Seating space and comfort easily trump the Toyota Fortuner, although the narrow rear doors make ingress and egress to the rear seats clumsy. The third row is spacious, but doesn’t fold into the floor completely, making the otherwise large cargo bay a little less useful for carrying large items. Strange, this as the Captiva rear seats fold completely flat.

While the 2.5l turbo diesels in most of the competition is merely average, the 2.8 lump in the Trailblazer is the new king of the hill. It’s got more punch than the Pajero Sport, with a smoother, more balanced power delivery. You won’t mistake it for anything but a diesel, however. The coarse gurgling drowns out easy-listening music under acceleration. The slick six-speed automatic is responsive in both auto and manual modes, and the long sixth gear makes for a relaxing 1700rpm at 100kph.

While noticeably wider than Japanese SUVs, the Trailblazer is narrow enough to feel handy in traffic, with surprisingly good forward visibility. It has a well-controlled primary ride, but things can get a bit choppy in the back seat as single-wheel bumps tend to cause some axle shimmy.

The big Chevy is better sorted than most competitors, with balanced handling, modest body roll and strong brakes. While handling is competent, the heavy electric steering, the thick insulation and the view over that wide hood make it feel very big and very American.

The Trailblazer is arguably the best 4×4 midsize SUV by far – for now. What’s more, it maintains that quintessentially American spirit, something the other ‘American’ SUV, the Ford Everest, has always lacked.

The Trailblazer is a worthy heir to the name; Ford will have to work overtime on the new T6-based Everest to beat this. If only Chevrolet would put more effort and thought into the plastics used in the interior.