Chevrolet TrailBlazer

The Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS

The Chevrolet TrailBlazer is a mid-size SUV from the Chevrolet division of General Motors. Introduced in 2002, the TrailBlazer won the North American Truck of the Year award. The TrailBlazer replaced the Blazer as the company's mid-size SUV, though production of the 2-door Blazer overlapped with the new 4-door TrailBlazer for some years (the 4-door Blazer was only produced for fleet orders).

See Wikicars' comprehensive Chevrolet TrailBlazer Review.

Recent Changes

• The 2007 TrailBlazer remains cosmetically unchanged from the previous year, with the exception of three new exterior color options. On the inside, some options have been made standard, including GM's OnStar system.

• GM has recently decided to extend the current Trailblazer until at least the '09MY. The next generation 361 platform has been officially cancelled. It is felt that the next mid-sized GM SUV will be based off of the new Lamda platform being build at the new GM Delta Township Assy plant.

Styles and Major Options

The 2007 TrailBlazer comes available in three trims: the LS, LT, and SS. In addition, the LS and LT trims are available in either the standard size or an extended EXT body style with a longer wheelbase and 7-passenger third row seating. The LS and LT trims come equipped with a 4.2L 291hp I-6 engine, and the SS is powered by a 6.0L 395hp V8. All models work with a 4-speed automatic transmission w/OD. Some of the standout features include:

LS

• EXT version available
• Available in 2WD or 4WD
• Bilstein shocks
• 17" silver alloy wheels

• Premium cloth seating and leatherette door trim
• Dual zone manual front air conditioning
• 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system
• Cruise control
• OnStar

LT

Adds to or replaces LS features with:

• EXT version available
• 8-way power driver's seat
• Roof rack
• Dual zone front automatic climate control
• Separate rear air controls
• HomeLink Wireless Control System
• Exterior temperature, systems monitor, trip computer
• Rear defroster
• Security system

SS

Adds to or replaces LT features with:

• Limited slip differential
• Sport suspension
• 20" polished alloy wheels
• 8-way power heated front bucket seats
• Leather seating and leatherette door trim
• Power adjustable pedals

Pricing

Today's actual prices for the Chevrolet TrailBlazer can be found at CarsDirect.

TrailBlazer Trims
LS 2WD	LT 2WD	LTZ Package SS w/1SS 2WD	SS w/3SS 2WD	LS 4WD	LT 4WD	SS w/1SS 4WD	SS w/3SS 4WD
MSRP
$24,845	$27,770	$31,120	$34,685	$27,140	$30,010	$33,420	$36,925
Invoice
$23,230	$25,964	$29,097	$32,430	$25,375	$28,059	$31,247	$34,524

Gas Mileage

As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Trim
4.2L I-6 2WD auto	5.3L V8 2WD auto	6.0L V8 2WD auto	4.2L I-6 4WD auto	5.3L V8 4WD auto	6.0L V8 AWD auto	5.3L V8 4WD auto
MPG
16/22	16/22	15/19	15/21	15/21	14/17	16/20

Reliability

In terms of long-term reliability, the 2004 TrailBlazer, which shares the same platform as the current model, received an overall Green rating from Automotive Information Systems. This rating is somewhat marred, however, by the fact that the Engine category in particular for this vehicle received a Yellow rating, indicating moderate problems in that area. In addition, Consumer Reports states that "Reliability has improved to average" for the 2007 model.

Safety

The TrailBlazer did fairly well in safety assessments made by the NHTSA. For driver front-impact and 2WD rollover tests, it received 3-Star ratings, and for passenger front-impact and 4WD rollover, it received 4-Star ratings. It achieved the best results in side-impact safety, for which it received the highest 5-Star rating. Some of the standard equipment found on all models of the TrailBlazer include:

• ABS and driveline traction control
• StabiliTrak electronic stability control
• Front and rear anti-roll bars
• Four wheel anti-lock brakes
• Driver/passenger front-impact airbags
• Side impact bars

Photos

• 

Colors

Availability of colors will depend on trim, and a full list is viewable at CarsDirect.com. Some of the possible combinations include:

Exterior

• Black
• Doeskin Tan
• Graystone Metallic
• Red Jewel Tintcoat
• Silverstone Metallic
• Summit White
• Tangier Orange
• Woodland Green

Interior

• Ebony
• Light Cashmere/Ebony
• Light Gray

Main Competitors

• Honda Pilot
• Volkswagen Touareg
• Nissan Murano
• Ford Explorer
• Toyota Highlander
• Jeep Commander
• Mercury Mountaineer
• Kia Sorento

Hybrid Models

There are currently no hybrid models of the TrailBlazer in production.

Resale Values

According to Kelley Blue Book, "when it comes to resale, the TrailBlazer does not hold its value as well as rivals from Toyota and Nissan but holds up better in projected 24-, 36-, 48 and 60- month residual than the Ford Explorer."

Criticisms

• "The rear end of the TrailBlazer still skips around on choppy pavement, and brake dive is pronounced." - Car and Driver
• "You may not like the TrailBlazer if you're looking for advanced airbag protection for the third-row passengers or if you tow heavy boats or trailers." - Kelley Blue Book
• "...two rubber-tipped tailgate stops... stick several inches into the tailgate opening." - USA Today

Current Generation: (2002–2009)

A Chevrolet TrailBlazer off road at Kaena Point in Oahu, Hawaii

This SUV is built on a truck platform, with all models having four-wheel drive as an option with both automatic engagement and the more traditional "4 High" and "4 Low" gearings. Four-wheel drive models have a unique front axle arrangement, as the front axle passes through a hole in the oil pan of the engine. This design allowed Chevrolet to build the Trailblazer and related vehicles with a lower ground clearance for improved on-road handling, although this contributes to limited off-road ability. The vehicle does, however, have enough ground clearance to allow certain off-road usage. Its main disadvantage is its increased width (as compared to a Suzuki Samurai or a Jeep Wrangler) and lack of suspension travel, causing it to high side when it encounters high-camber-variance terrain or large rocks. Additionally, it lacks either locking hubs or a limited slip differential, though the latter is available as an option. The TrailBlazer was later discontinued in 2009.

Engines

• 2002-present LL8 4.2 L (256 in³) I6
• 2003-present 5300 5.3 L (323 in³) V8
• 2006-present 6000 6.0 L (364 in³) V8

EXT

One unique element of the TrailBlazer line was the availability of a 3-row 7-passenger EXT version. This vehicle is 16 in (406 mm) longer and has a higher roofline to allow easier access to the third row of seats. This roof is disguised by standard roof racks.

Production of the EXT model was handled by the Oklahoma City Assembly plant in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The last TrailBlazer EXT rolled off the assembly line on February 20, 2006, because GM had reportedly closed that plant, making 2006 the final year for the TrailBlazer EXT.

SS

2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS

An SS model was introduced for 2006 with the Chevrolet Corvette's LS2 V8. This new Trailblazer is equipped with a 6.0 L LS2 V8 with 395 hp and 400 ft·lb of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.8 sec (est), and can do the quarter mile in about 13.9 sec. at 100.0 mph (est).

Future

The next-generation TrailBlazer was to be built on an upgraded version of the current GMT360 platform called the GMT361. It was scheduled to be launched in Spring 2007, but in January 2006 GM decided to just refresh the current platform and call the vehicle a GMT360ng. In June 2006 GM announced that the GMT360ng program was also cancelled due to the large investment. The current Trailblazer/Envoy is slated to continue with only minor changes until at least the 2010MY.

Responding to criticism of rebadging, GM will only build the TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy SUVs off of this upgraded platform. Buick will instead get a GM Lambda platform-based crossover SUV, while Saab will replace the 9-7X with the Theta-based 9-4X.

However, the TrailBlazer, only with the Envoy, discontinued following the 2009 model year.

Worldwide

The Trailblazer is available in Russia and The Middle East.

External links

• TBSSowners.com Trailblazer SS Owners site/Forums
• TrailBlazerSS.com TrailBlazer SS Forums
• TrailVoy.com
• DFW-TBSS.com Trailblazers SS Owners of Dallas / Ft. Worth
• Trailblazer, Envoy, 9-7X Death Date Accelerated To December 23 2008

This page uses content from Wikipedia; see Chevrolet TrailBlazer, which includes these contributors.