Chevy Trailblazer: Fully loaded SUV

The Trailblazer’s 3-ton towing capacity and 800-millimeter flood wading capacity make it the runaway leader in its segment.

A seven-seat configuration that makes all passengers comfortable

The seven-seat diesel SUV segment is perhaps the most hotly contested segment in the industry. It’s a fact that lower-priced cars sell more, but the truth is they offer far lower profits for car manufacturers.

The higher the class, size and specifications of a vehicle targeted at a more upscale market, the greater the profits are. While the B-segment cars are now the largest vehicle segment, the seven-seat diesel SUV segment is surprisingly very close to the B-segment. And what this means are great volume sales and far larger profits.

Thus we’re swamped with a myriad of choices: Toyota’s Fortuner, Mitsubishi’s Montero Sport, Isuzu’s older Alterra and all-new MU-X, Hyundai’s Santa Fe, Kia’s Sorento, Ford’s old but venerable Everest (with a new one coming soon, if rumors are to be believed) and now this, Chevrolet’s Trailblazer.

The Trailblazer is truly an impressive SUV. Recently revamped, it has a very mighty heart: the Duramax 2.8-liter CRDi four-cylinder engine with VGT that delivers a class-leading 200 horsepower and, crucially, 500 Newton-meters of torque mated to an impressive six-speed automatic transmission with manual “tiptronic-style” mode and Electronic Drive Mode Select system rotary dial for the 4×4 system. No other SUV/pickup diesel engine matches these figures; it even bests late-model gasoline V8s for tractability and effortlessness, not to mention unbeatable fuel economy and overall running costs since it is, after all, a diesel.

There is not much to ask for from a complete package.

For the everyday driver, this means more control over the vehicle and, for aggressive, sporty driving, towing or ascending/descending a steep incline with full capacity, an easy to modulate speed thanks to precise throttle control and engine/transmission braking ability. You also get a far wider spread of power, which promotes more control again (particularly for engine braking or staying in-gear, anticipating braking followed by rapid acceleration after a corner’s apex) and smoother acceleration.

Departure from tradition

The Chevrolet’s five-link rear suspension sees a departure from traditional live-axle designs. The sophisticated rear suspension ensures better stability, traction and comfort during on-road driving without sacrificing too much light-to-moderate off-road ability. Indeed, if you wanted more off-road performance from your Trailblazer, a change in tires and a lift kit are needed next because it is very capable out of the box. On the road, however, where more people will see driving the Trailblazer, the rear suspension, similar in layout to a traditional sedan and even sports cars, provides impressive rear end grip, control and stability over an older, inferior rear live-axle design. As a bonus, comfort is vastly improved as well.

18-inch alloy wheels shod with all-terrain tires

The Trailblazer is the only SUV in its segment that has a massive myriad of electronic driving aids normally found in ultraluxury European vehicles, which not only increase safety but also improve driving performance and reliability under extreme operating conditions: ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD); traction control (for straight-line acceleration); stability control (for dynamic cornering situations); panic brake assist and hydraulic brake assist which automatically puts in full braking power if the brake system detects accident situations; hill descent control which automatically limits speed when going down a steep, slippery slope and hill-start assist which prevents the Trailblazer from rolling backwards by clamping on the brakes automatically for a few seconds, when it detects an incline; and hydraulic brake fade assist which compensates braking power applied when the system detects brake fade from towing, sporty driving or continuous downhill driving, which relies heavily on brakes.

Pushing it hard

With a 3-ton towing capacity (almost 1.5 times the Trailblazer’s weight!), plus 800-millimeter flood wading capacity, you will really be pushing your Trailblazer hard every time you get behind the wheel. An eight-crossmember ladder frame chassis ensures that the entire vehicle will cope with any road, terrain or load you will throw at it for years to come.

Behind the wheel, seating position is really good, with a tall, commanding view of the road, easy entry and exit and loads of legroom. The steering is light but offers decent feel with good straight-line stability even at very high speeds—with the Trailblazer’s engine, you really should be mindful of the speed limit! The engine is responsive, willing to rev to redline with brakes that are well-modulated. The leather seats really add class to the interior, and the dual A/C system even has separate vents for the third row seats. You also get Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system which links seamlessly with your mobile device, Bluetooth, Telephony and audio. The second row seats also offer impressive save and the tall headroom gives a feeling of comfort and elegance, uncommon in vehicles in this segment.

Backup camera and sensor for worry-free and safe maneuvers

On the road, few SUVs can compare with the Trailblazer’s presence: the trademark Chevrolet dual grill, the large bow tie and the wide stance makes for an imposing view on any car’s rearview mirror. It looks confident, feels confident to drive with and can tackle most terrains you can imagine. It also wears 18-inch alloy wheels shod with all-terrain tires, an inch bigger than its key competitors. Swap the tires out for H/T tires for better highway performance, or use the more aggressive A/T or even M/T tires for vastly improved off-road driving dynamics.

Projector headlights illuminate the road, while LED tail lamps cast an eerie glow which adds to the sophistication of the Trailblazer.

My usual driving route involves heading down south and up the mountains to Tagaytay every week for a project I’m building there. And the Trailblazer just swallows up mile after mile of highway and highway B-roads. There’s noticeable body roll which reminds you of the laws of physics, of course, but damping is impressive that it keeps the roll at a still-comfortable level, allowing you to corner harder, power out sooner out of corners and overtake slow-moving vehicles.

Room for improvement

There’s still room for improvement, as always: The plastics used inside still leave me wanting and the engine can be a tad noisy—which you’ll really notice when you’re tired and idling in traffic after a long day at work.

Buying cars should appeal to both our hearts and minds. The impressive features (safety, entertainment and engineering side) satisfy the intellectual aspect, while driving feel, looks and versatility fulfill our emotional desires in a car. Thankfully, the Trailblazer answers both sets of needs very well.

Both from a technical point of view and driving feel, there is only a word that comes to mind with the Trailblazer:

Class-leading.