The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer is Chevy’s latest entry in a constantly growing legion of tiny crossovers. Despite its name previously being used for a midsize SUV, the new Trailblazer is substantially smaller and bridges a gap between the subcompact Trax and compact Equinox. It accomplishes that task with a lot more style than either of those rather drab people movers. It’s cute, distinctive and we like it.
Unlike the bigger and mechanically unrelated Chevy Blazer, the Trailblazer doesn’t stand out for its driving dynamics. Instead, Chevy makes up ground with its relatively large back seat and versatile cargo area. Also of note are its two unique trim levels: the outdoorsy Activ and sporty RS. From the curb, either of these will stand out from the crowd of other boring small crossovers. That's a good thing, and in general, the Trailblazer is perfectly competitive for this growing segment of small crossovers that slots in between subcompacts and compacts. That said, its driving experience leaves much to be desired, and it's pretty expensive when compared to its very strong competition. That includes the Mazda CX-30 or Kia Seltos, while align with the Trailblazer RS, as well as the more rugged Ford Bronco Sport and Subaru Crosstrek, which are stronger choices looking to take their little SUV on outdoor adventures.
What’s new for 2021?The Chevy Trailblazer is a totally new model for 2021.
The Trailblazer’s interior design and styling resembles other Chevy crossovers. That means it's rather uninspiring to look at with plenty of black plastic switchgear, but it doesn’t feel cheap or especially low-rent for the money. The Activ may lack an 'e' in its name, but at least it has some nice touches like a neat cloth pattern on the front doors and brown-painted dash trim (pictured above right). The RS gets a flat-bottom leather steering wheel and red interior accents (picture above middle). The available eight-way power driver seat allows for a long range of movement and would be suitable for taller drivers.
The Trailblazer can be loaded up with tech competitive for its segment. A 7-inch infotainment touchscreen comes standard, and an 8-inch is optional. Both feature wireless Apple CarPlay (that works quickly and easily) and wireless Android Auto, but can also accept a traditional wired connection. Those who use the wireless functionality will find the wireless phone charging pad handy, letting them store the phone in a cubby ahead of the shifter. The instrument panel isn’t fully digital, but a small screen between the tach and speedo can cycle through a number of informational readouts. GM also makes its handy rearview camera mirror available as an option.
The Trailblazer slots neatly into the growing subset of "in-betweener" crossovers between subcompacts and compacts that includes the Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30 and Ford Bronco Sport. That means it's bigger than than Chevy's subcompact crossover, the aging Trax, but not significantly so. Sitting in the back is pleasant from a pure space perspective, with 39.4 inches of rear legroom (0.5 inch less than the compact Equinox), but it’s a step back in ambiance, as most of the intriguing trim and style is abandoned for the back seat. You should also think twice about the available panoramic sunroof since it significantly reduced headroom.
Cargo space is officially measured at 25.3 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.4 cubic feet with the seats down. That’s well ahead of the Trax and just behind the Equinox in maximum utility. We found that it's not quite as spacious with the seats up as that official figure would indicate, but its distinctive fold-flat front passenger seat grants it a degree of versatility that its competitors cannot match.
Comments
Post a Comment