7 posts tagged “chevrolet trailblazer”

A dud since day one.

What's new for the 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer: The EXT model is dropped.

Lately, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer's been getting singled out for being the oldest model in its class. That's true, but age is only one of several factors that add up to a wholly unsatisfying SUV.

Yes, it dates back to model year 2002, a time when truck-based sport-utilities were still the norm. The TrailBlazer is a truck all the way, right down to its mass-heavy ladder frame construction and live rear axle. Its positive attributes mainly come down to its smooth ride and strong, smooth engines (a 285-horsepower 6-cylinder and a 300-horsepower V8) -- and the good news ends there. Handling is ponderous, with lots of body lean in turns and slow, lifeless steering that needs constant corrections. Wind noise is a problem. Fuel economy is another (about 14-15 MPG), and the TrailBlazer's towing capacity is the wimpiest in its class.

The TrailBlazer's interior is also riddled with flaws. The controls are pleasing to the eye, but plastics are cheap, and ergonomics are disorganized and far less user-friendly than they could be. The front seatbelts tug down on shoulders, and on long journeys, the seats themselves cause sharp pains in the backside. For a time, the TrailBlazer was available in a super-elongated "EXT" bodystyle with seven seats, but those seats were cramped and clumsy to fold, and the EXT's eventual disappearance rendered the TrailBlazer the only SUV in its class without a third row. Finally, its front crash test scores are just about the most discouraging of any modern vehicle, with 3 stars for the driver and 4 for the passenger.

The TrailBlazer's competitors include the Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota 4Runner. Consider any of them a better option.

Find out more about the 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer.

A dud since day one.

What's new for the 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer: Cruise control, OnStar, and stability control are now standard. The normal-length model can now be ordered with the 5.3-liter V8, and a new TrailBlazer SS model features a 395-horsepower 6.0-liter V8, sport suspension, 20-inch wheels, and rear- or all-wheel-drive.

Lately, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer's been getting singled out for being the oldest model in its class. That's true, but age is only one of several factors that add up to a wholly unsatisfying SUV.

Yes, it dates back to model year 2002, a time when truck-based sport-utilities were still the norm. The TrailBlazer is a truck all the way, right down to its mass-heavy ladder frame construction and live rear axle. Its positive attributes mainly come down to its smooth ride and strong, smooth engines (a 285-horsepower 6-cylinder and a 300-horsepower V8) -- and the good news ends there. Handling is ponderous, with lots of body lean in turns and slow, lifeless steering that needs constant corrections. Wind noise is a problem. Fuel economy is another (about 14-15 MPG), and the TrailBlazer's towing capacity is the wimpiest in its class.

The TrailBlazer's interior is also riddled with flaws. The controls are pleasing to the eye, but plastics are cheap, and ergonomics are disorganized and far less user-friendly than they could be. The front seatbelts tug down on shoulders, and on long journeys, the seats themselves cause sharp pains in the backside. For a time, the TrailBlazer was available in a super-elongated "EXT" bodystyle with seven seats, but those seats were cramped and clumsy to fold, and the EXT's eventual disappearance rendered the TrailBlazer the only SUV in its class without a third row. Finally, its front crash test scores are just about the most discouraging of any modern vehicle, with 3 stars for the driver and 4 for the passenger.

The TrailBlazer's competitors include the Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota 4Runner. Consider any of them a better option.

Find out more about the 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer.

A dud since day one.

What's new for the 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer: The interior gets slight enhancements, and the side airbags are now joined with head-protecting curtain airbags in both rows. The V8 gets Displacement On Demand to save a little fuel.

Lately, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer's been getting singled out for being the oldest model in its class. That's true, but age is only one of several factors that add up to a wholly unsatisfying SUV.

Yes, it dates back to model year 2002, a time when truck-based sport-utilities were still the norm. The TrailBlazer is a truck all the way, right down to its mass-heavy ladder frame construction and live rear axle. Its positive attributes mainly come down to its smooth ride and strong, smooth engines (a 285-horsepower 6-cylinder and a 300-horsepower V8) -- and the good news ends there. Handling is ponderous, with lots of body lean in turns and slow, lifeless steering that needs constant corrections. Wind noise is a problem. Fuel economy is another (about 14-15 MPG), and the TrailBlazer's towing capacity is the wimpiest in its class.

The TrailBlazer's interior is also riddled with flaws. The controls are pleasing to the eye, but plastics are cheap, and ergonomics are disorganized and far less user-friendly than they could be. The front seatbelts tug down on shoulders, and on long journeys, the seats themselves cause sharp pains in the backside. For a time, the TrailBlazer was available in a super-elongated "EXT" bodystyle with seven seats, but those seats were cramped and clumsy to fold, and the EXT's eventual disappearance rendered the TrailBlazer the only SUV in its class without a third row. Finally, its front crash test scores are just about the most discouraging of any modern vehicle, with 3 stars for the driver and 4 for the passenger.

The TrailBlazer's competitors include the Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota 4Runner. Consider any of them a better option.

Find out more about the 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

A dud since day one.

What's new for the 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer: Power adjustable pedals, a DVD-based navigation system, and satellite radio are new options. The LTZ trim level disappears.

Lately, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer's been getting singled out for being the oldest model in its class. That's true, but age is only one of several factors that add up to a wholly unsatisfying SUV.

Yes, it dates back to model year 2002, a time when truck-based sport-utilities were still the norm. The TrailBlazer is a truck all the way, right down to its mass-heavy ladder frame construction and live rear axle. Its positive attributes mainly come down to its smooth ride and strong, smooth engines (a 285-horsepower 6-cylinder and a 300-horsepower V8) -- and the good news ends there. Handling is ponderous, with lots of body lean in turns and slow, lifeless steering that needs constant corrections. Wind noise is a problem. Fuel economy is another (about 14-15 MPG), and the TrailBlazer's towing capacity is the wimpiest in its class.

The TrailBlazer's interior is also riddled with flaws. The controls are pleasing to the eye, but plastics are cheap, and ergonomics are disorganized and far less user-friendly than they could be. The front seatbelts tug down on shoulders, and on long journeys, the seats themselves cause sharp pains in the backside. For a time, the TrailBlazer was available in a super-elongated "EXT" bodystyle with seven seats, but those seats were cramped and clumsy to fold, and the EXT's eventual disappearance rendered the TrailBlazer the only SUV in its class without a third row. Finally, its front crash test scores are just about the most discouraging of any modern vehicle, with 3 stars for the driver and 4 for the passenger.

The TrailBlazer's competitors include the Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota 4Runner. Consider any of them a better option.

Find out more about the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

A dud since day one.

What's new for the 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer: Side airbags move from standard to optional, and the gas tank now holds 22 gallons. The big news is the TrailBlazer EXT, which features an extended-length body, seating for seven, and an optional V8.

Lately, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer's been getting singled out for being the oldest model in its class. That's true, but age is only one of several factors that add up to a wholly unsatisfying SUV.

Yes, it dates back to model year 2002, a time when truck-based sport-utilities were still the norm. The TrailBlazer is a truck all the way, right down to its mass-heavy ladder frame construction and live rear axle. Its positive attributes mainly come down to its smooth ride and strong, smooth engines (a 285-horsepower 6-cylinder and a 300-horsepower V8) -- and the good news ends there. Handling is ponderous, with lots of body lean in turns and slow, lifeless steering that needs constant corrections. Wind noise is a problem. Fuel economy is another (about 14-15 MPG), and the TrailBlazer's towing capacity is the wimpiest in its class.

The TrailBlazer's interior is also riddled with flaws. The controls are pleasing to the eye, but plastics are cheap, and ergonomics are disorganized and far less user-friendly than they could be. The front seatbelts tug down on shoulders, and on long journeys, the seats themselves cause sharp pains in the backside. For a time, the TrailBlazer was available in a super-elongated "EXT" bodystyle with seven seats, but those seats were cramped and clumsy to fold, and the EXT's eventual disappearance rendered the TrailBlazer the only SUV in its class without a third row. Finally, its front crash test scores are just about the most discouraging of any modern vehicle, with 3 stars for the driver and 4 for the passenger.

The TrailBlazer's competitors include the Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota 4Runner. Consider any of them a better option.

Find out more about the 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

A dud since day one.

What's new for the 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer: New model.

Lately, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer's been getting singled out for being the oldest model in its class. That's true, but age is only one of several factors that add up to a wholly unsatisfying SUV.

Yes, it dates back to model year 2002, a time when truck-based sport-utilities were still the norm. The TrailBlazer is a truck all the way, right down to its mass-heavy ladder frame construction and live rear axle. Its positive attributes mainly come down to its smooth ride and strong, smooth engines (a 285-horsepower 6-cylinder and a 300-horsepower V8) -- and the good news ends there. Handling is ponderous, with lots of body lean in turns and slow, lifeless steering that needs constant corrections. Wind noise is a problem. Fuel economy is another (about 14-15 MPG), and the TrailBlazer's towing capacity is the wimpiest in its class.

The TrailBlazer's interior is also riddled with flaws. The controls are pleasing to the eye, but plastics are cheap, and ergonomics are disorganized and far less user-friendly than they could be. The front seatbelts tug down on shoulders, and on long journeys, the seats themselves cause sharp pains in the backside. For a time, the TrailBlazer was available in a super-elongated "EXT" bodystyle with seven seats, but those seats were cramped and clumsy to fold, and the EXT's eventual disappearance rendered the TrailBlazer the only SUV in its class without a third row. Finally, its front crash test scores are just about the most discouraging of any modern vehicle, with 3 stars for the driver and 4 for the passenger.

The TrailBlazer's competitors include the Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota 4Runner. Consider any of them a better option.

Find out more about the 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

A dud since day one.

What's new for the 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer: New model.

What's new for the 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer: Side airbags move from standard to optional, and the gas tank now holds 22 gallons.  The big news is the TrailBlazer EXT, which features an extended-length body, seating for seven, and an optional V8.

What's new for the 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer: Power adjustable pedals, a DVD-based navigation system, and satellite radio are new options.  The LTZ trim level disappears.

What's new for the 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer: The interior gets slight enhancements, and the side airbags are now joined with head-protecting curtain airbags in both rows.  The V8 gets Displacement On Demand to save a little fuel.

What's new for the 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer: Cruise control, OnStar, and stability control are now standard.  The normal-length model can now be ordered with the 5.3-liter V8, and a new TrailBlazer SS model features a 395-horsepower 6.0-liter V8, sport suspension, 20-inch wheels, and rear- or all-wheel-drive.

What's new for the 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer: The EXT model is dropped.

What's new for the 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer: Side curtain airbags and satellite radio are now standard.

Lately, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer's been getting singled out for being the oldest model in its class.  That's true, but age is only one of several factors that add up to a wholly unsatisfying SUV.

Yes, it dates back to model year 2002, a time when truck-based sport-utilities were still the norm.  The TrailBlazer is a truck all the way, right down to its mass-heavy ladder frame construction and live rear axle.  Its positive attributes mainly come down to its smooth ride and strong, smooth engines (a 285-horsepower 6-cylinder and a 300-horsepower V8) -- and the good news ends there.  Handling is ponderous, with lots of body lean in turns and slow, lifeless steering that needs constant corrections.  Wind noise is a problem.  Fuel economy is another (about 14-15 MPG), and the TrailBlazer's towing capacity is the wimpiest in its class.

The TrailBlazer's interior is also riddled with flaws.  The controls are pleasing to the eye, but plastics are cheap, and ergonomics are disorganized and far less user-friendly than they could be.  The front seatbelts tug down on shoulders, and on long journeys, the seats themselves cause sharp pains in the backside.  For a time, the TrailBlazer was available in a super-elongated "EXT" bodystyle with seven seats, but those seats were cramped and clumsy to fold, and the EXT's eventual disappearance rendered the TrailBlazer the only SUV in its class without a third row.  Finally, its front crash test scores are just about the most discouraging of any modern vehicle, with 3 stars for the driver and 4 for the passenger.

The TrailBlazer's competitors include the Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota 4Runner.  Consider any of them a better option.

Find out more about the 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer