2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer Road Test and Review

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer ACTIV ・ Photo by General Motors

The all-new 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer adds a fresh new model to a crowded subcompact crossover segment. The Trailblazer sets its sights on a younger buyer with the styling and features those shoppers crave. This includes a comprehensive infotainment system with the latest in connectivity, a rugged exterior design, and a comfortable and durable interior. It also has ample room for cargo and the flexibility to quickly reconfigure for passengers depending on your needs of the moment.

There’s a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive for those who live in snowier climes and a range of drive modes to tailor the drive to current conditions. There’s also a choice of two engines for those who crave more performance from their ride. Let’s take a closer look at the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer and see if it’s the right crossover for you.

Five Distinct Trim Levels

There are five available Chevrolet TrailBlazer trims, which makes it easy to find a choice that works for your needs and your budget. The base L comes in at only $19,000. This front-wheel-drive-only trim includes a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and automatic emergency braking. The LS at $21,500 adds six-speaker audio, and a fold-flat front passenger seat, while the LT includes LED foglamps, heated side mirrors, and remote start for $23,600.

The RS is priced from $25,400 and includes a more powerful engine along with blacked-out design elements that give it a more rugged look. The Activ keeps the same pricing and sees the addition of off-road upgrades including improved ground clearance, underbody shielding, Sport Terrain 17-inch all-season tires, and off-road-tuned suspension. Five unique trims with affordable pricing make the Trailblazer a good fit for a wide range of needs.

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Choice of Two Turbo Powertrains

There’s a choice of two powertrains, starting with a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque, which is your only choice on base trims. This is paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission. A more powerful 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder that has 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque is a standard feature on higher trims. It’s paired to either the CVT or a nine-speed automatic transmission.

We spent our drive time with the 1.3-liter engine, which offered plenty of power. It accelerated easily up to highway speeds and made short work of passing slower-moving vehicles. Merging into rush hour traffic was a breeze with a smooth and well-mannered transmission that made good use of the engine’s power. Though not outright sporty, overall, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer delivers strong performance.

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A Quiet and Relaxed Drive

The ride in the 2021 Chevrolet TrailBlazer is smooth and composed. This isn’t a luxury car. In fact, it’s quite an affordable option. Often that means a harsh ride that reveals every bump in the road. Despite its affordable price point, the Trailblazer does a great job of evening out rougher road surfaces. Road and wind noise are also kept at bay, helping create a cabin where passengers can relax and enjoy the trip.

A choice of drive modes includes normal, sport, snow, and all-wheel drive. You choose the mode based on road conditions and your preference. Normal provides relaxed, easy handling that’s just engaging enough without requiring too much input from the drive. Choose sport mode and things tighten up a bit, though it’s not sports-car sporty. In all guises, the Trailblazer handles well and provides an enjoyable driving experience.

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A Minimalist Yet Attractive Interior

The interior of the 2021 Chevrolet TrailBlazer has room for five passengers. Front seats are supportive with minimal bolstering, making them ideal for those with large frames. The available 10-way power driver’s seat provides a good range of positions to suit any driver, while the leather-wrapped steering wheel and leatherette seats on top trims add visual appeal. The rear seats have space for three adults with a surprising amount of legroom. Even taller rear passengers won't have to worry about their knees pressing into the backs of the front seats.

While not fancy, the Trailblazer still has an attractive interior. It’s well-designed and uncluttered with a somewhat minimalist approach. There are lots of hard plastics rather than the multitude of soft-touch surfaces found in pricier cars, but it works. This is an affordable crossover and rather than overdo things, it keeps the interior clean and simple.

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Infotainment Options Include Wireless Connectivity

Infotainment includes a standard 7-inch touchscreen with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with Bluetooth audio streaming for two active devices and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability. Those with kids will appreciate standard Teen Driver technology. It lets parents set controls to help kids establish good driving habits and minimize distraction. It also allows for parental review of their teen’s driving to help coach them toward responsible choices.

Available upgrades include a premium seven-speaker audio system, wireless charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also a larger 8-inch touchscreen and additional charging ports. If you’re tired of dealing with a tangle of power cords, especially on road trips, the wireless features hold lots of appeal. This isn’t something yet available on most vehicles, and yet you can get it on the Trailblazer even though this is a more affordable crossover.

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Exceptional Cargo Versatility

Crossovers provide a balance between passenger room and cargo capacity. They’re also easy to reconfigure so you can carry a full load of passengers one moment and make way for cargo the next. With the rear seats up, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer has room for 25.3 cubic feet of stuff, which makes easy work of your day-to-day needs. Fold those seats down and cargo capacity expands to 54.4 cubic feet, so it’s easy to haul home supplies.

Where the Trailblazer outdoes competitors is in its ability to carry longer items, thanks to a nifty trick you won’t find in most vehicles. If you have longer items, select trim levels offer a flat-folding front passenger seat with a hard plastic seatback for protection. This lets you slide longer items right up to the dashboard. It makes the Trailblazer ideal for those who put a priority on cargo.

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Lots of Standard Safety Features

There’s no shortage of safety features on the Chevrolet Trailblazer. It includes standard Chevy Safety Assist with automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist with a lane-departure warning, a forward-collision alert, following distance indicator, and automatic high beams. Also standard is a rearview camera, Teen Driver, and a rear seat reminder, which encourages you to check the back seat if the rear doors were opened.

All the above is standard, but there are also plenty of available safety features. These include adaptive cruise control, rear park assist, blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert, a high-definition rearview camera, and OnStar safety and security. Even without the available features, it’s a comprehensive offering. The 2021 Chevrolet TrailBlazer also did well in crash tests, with an overall four out of five stars awarded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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Good Fuel Economy

Long commutes and summer road trips make good fuel economy a priority. The 2021 Chevrolet TrailBlazer does quite well with an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined for all-wheel drive models. Every AWD Trailblazer is equipped with the 1.3-liter engine option.

When it comes to front-wheel drive, fuel economy varies slightly between the two available engines. Equipped with the 1.3-liter, it achieves an EPA-estimated 29 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 31 mpg combined. Those numbers take a slight drop with the 1.2-liter to 28 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 29 mpg combined. Regardless of which version of the Trailblazer you choose, it’s good on fuel economy, so your budget won’t suffer when gas prices rise.

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Final Thoughts

The 2021 Chevrolet TrailBlazer is a compelling proposition in a crowded segment. Crossovers run the gamut from bare-bones and utilitarian to true luxury cars. The Trailblazer stands out for offering a value proposition without feeling like it compromised. There’s a wide range of unique trims to fit a variety of tastes, a fully featured infotainment system with the latest in smartphone connectivity, and a solid range of standard and available safety features.

It has the versatility to carry lots of cargo, even longer items that other crossovers can’t manage, and it has fuel economy that will help you stay on budget. Finally, it’s offered at a price point that makes it easily attainable for many buyers. If you’re shopping for a new crossover, the Trailblazer is worth a test drive.

Photo by General Motors