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Blaze Up: A Call For The Chevrolet Trailblazer To Return To The U.S. Market

The Chevrolet Trailblazer has been sold throughout the world since 2012, if you were somehow unaware of that information. Australia, Thailand, India, Russia and more are graced with the SUV’s presence. General Motors and Chevrolet has since denied the U.S. market, the Trailblazer’s birthplace, a proper successor to the final iteration we saw in the mid-2000s.

Jalopnik’s Truck Yeah has penned a brief call to arms for the return of the Chevrolet Trailblazer, and we will kindly join them in the call of the SUV’s return. The SUV and crossover market is hot, and while Jeep scores nearly every buyer clamoring for some Trail Rated drivability, Chevrolet will happily sell you a Colorado or Silverado pickup.

But not all of us want a truck for usability purposes. The current global Trailblazer is a Colorado at heart, meaning it’s not a difficult prospect to imagine. Swap out the rear leaf-springs for a five-link setup with coil springs and bam, we have ourselves a Chevrolet Trailblazer.

We may not be far off, though. GM has already trademarked the Blazer name in the United States once again, and we know Chevy has a new midsize SUV or crossover on its way to slot between the full-size Traverse, and upcoming downsized 2017 Chevrolet Equinox. It most likely won’t be exactly like the global Trailblazer, but the Blazer name brings back fond memories of the Sport Utility Vehicle boom.

We’re ready for the Trailblazer, and we think the market will attest to it, too.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. The idea for a new Trailblazer in the U.S. is popular among the enthusiast crowd, so there is a base of support. But GM still moves slow. It has made some very good decisions lately, and wants to be not only competitive, but to win in all segments it competes in. Does that mean we will see a U.S. version? I hope so.

    I am in the market for a new vehicle, and have my sights set on the Colorado / Canyon models. They offer almost everything I would want, but in the back of my head I always come back to ” I wish the Trailblazer was available on the Colorado / Canyon platform”. I was hoping GMC would finally show a Jeep competitor, as in a (Hummer H4) covered 4×4 off road type vehicle. Even 2 doors wouldn’t be a problem like the H4, a small price to pay for a covered SUV type off roader.

    The Colorado is in my budget, and that is about as much as I can afford; the Tahoe is great, but equal trim level to a Colorado I would buy in a Tahoe is TOO expensive. Enter the theoretical Trailblazer. Or even more of an outside chance of a vehicle, the GMC Jeep fighter. I would love to see GM compete with the Wrangler with an H4 type vehicle, and keep the removable rear section, windows, fender flares, etc.

    So I guess the Trailblazer has the best chance among those, so c’mon GM, surprise us this Auto Show season with a Trailblazer, or show us the RUMORED GMC Jeep fighter.

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    1. I drove Blazers and Trail Blazers for over 25 years. Traded my 2003 Trail Blazer for an Equinox last year, worse decision of my life. I hate the Equinox, hate it. It in no way compares to the blazer. I will trade this vehicle in the next few months. If I knew for a fact that they were bringing the Blazer back I would wait until then but if not I may go for a Land Rover, did I mention I hate the Equinox, the LTZ is in no way a top of the line vehicle. I gave regretted the purchase almost from the very beginning. I have had it over a year and have 5000 miles on it, that is how much I enjoy driving it.

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  2. Dammit! Stop it right now! There’ enough damn SUV/CUVs already!

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    1. *There’s enough FWD-based CUVs. There’s a shrinking market for more capable 4x4s and compact to midsize truck-based SUVs. GMC may be rumored to get a Wrangler fighter, but what GM needs, specifically Chevy and GMC, is a Grand Cherokee fighter as well.

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  3. Now is the time to use the Voltec system in a new SUV. The Trailblazer can lead GM’s assault on the SUV market with the first plug-in hybrid. Then all the following models can become plug-in nybrids the next model year, probably by 2020.

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  4. I can’t part with my 2008 Trailblazer. It just turned 100,000 miles and looks and acts like a new vehicle! Because GM decided to ditch this particular vehicle I thought a Tahoe might be my next purchase. Nope…..sorry, I’m not paying that much for a Tahoe even though it gets better gas mileage than my t-blazer. This Trailbazer rides better than my wife’s Acura!
    I don’t want to ride on a Colorado frame converted into a new Trailblazer. GM! I refuse to drive a four door pickup truck, and my wife would never ever ride in a pickup! Bring back the Trailblazer here in the USA!

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    1. I have a 2003 Trailblazer that I bought new with 17 miles on it and share your feelings! I now have 126,000 miles on it (I live 10 miles from work ) and it drives like a dream. I have only had to do typical maintenance stuff and replace a bad cam shaft sensor. Seriously, that’s it! I have rented an equinox and a traverse for work trip just to try them out. I was not impressed at all! I will keep driving my Trailblazer holding on to hope that Chevy gets a brain and brings them back to the US within the next year or two, otherwise, Ill be looking elsewhere for my new ride.

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      1. Matt, I also have a 2003 Trailblazer. This is my 3rd trailblazer. Had an 85 and a 91, this is by far the best one yet…get the oil changed every 3-4K other than that, had my mechanic changed all belts and fluids,
        filters, etc at 100,000. Currently have 152,000K and “knock on wood”, runs like a charms. I love every
        thing about it. I can haul furniture, people, If I could replace is with something almost identical I would.
        Until that time, I’ll keep this one going for as long as possible. My son has the Equinox, but I was a bigger
        SUV, but not as big as the Tahoe. Just bidding my time until GMC decides to remake the blazer.
        Joy

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    2. I have a 2002 and she is the sweetest ride I’ve ever had! 219k and NOTHING is wrong with her! I LOVE her! Please bring back vehicles that are dependable and last a long time!!

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  5. My 2008 Trailblazer is ready to be replaced. Right now the only possibility is a Jeep Grand Cherokee. Why does GM no longer offer a midsize true off road vehicle with a high-low transfer case?

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  6. We Need It Bad!!!!

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  7. I am waiting too I have a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer, (original owner) with 219,300 miles. I don’t want to part with it, and can’t justify the price of a Tahoe. I like the 4wd capability the Trailblazer offers and its overall ride. There is nothing really in that price point that comparies

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  8. I purchased a brand new Blazer 4WD (4X4) in 1997. That was by far my most favorite (SUV) I have had so far. Since I sold it, I purchased two other used Blazers just to have one again. I truly miss the Blazer with the 4WD (4×4). I have had a Lexus, Toyota Camry and a brand new Equinox. The Equinox does not compare to the Blazer. It is ok, but its a car, not really an SUV. Please bring back the Blazer 4WD (4×4) to the US. Don’t make it All wheel Drive, only 4WD (4×4). Please stop denying the US of the Best SUV EVER!!!! Thank you!

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  9. I’m a long time chevy owner and always had a 4wd. From the old blazer the s 10 trailblazer and now the Tahoe witch I love.but it was more than I wanted to spend.
    Waiting on New trailblazer to be available and will make a move
    I hope they put the right transfer case in it
    I read a article that the morons at GM may put it out as a all wheel drive. Hope not.

    Reply
  10. I have a 2004 Buick Rainier with 150K miles on it. It’s an outstanding vehicle, Buick should have never stopped making it. I’ve had no major problems with my Rainier, but I know that one of these days she’ll give up the ghost and it’ll be time for a new vehicle. I’d love to stick with GM, and Buick, but the Enclave is ugly and it’s “little brother” even uglier. The GMC SUVs are OK, but our 20′ garage won’t accommodate any vehicle over 190″. Since Buick has no plans to bring back the Rainier, I’m hoping Chevy will bring back the Trailblazer. I’m tired of SUVs looking like aerodynamic bullets. I want an SUV that looks like one!

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  11. I’ve owned GM cars for nearly 50 years. I sold my 2005 Trailblazer to a family member when I bought a 2009 Traverse. That means that I made two mistakes. The Traverse is no replacement for the Trailblazer, but I thought it may be a good compromise. Wrong. I could give a long list of reasons the Traverse is not a good alternative, but will only mention that it has what I consider a weak transmission. I now want to tow a trailer that ways about 6000 pounds, so the Traverse is not going to do the job.
    Would I buy a Tahoe? No. It is priced way too high for what I think it is worth. I considered a 4X4 Colorado, but the seats were made for the smaller 50% of people in the world and every bump in the road rattled my teeth. Also, prices of the Colorado were too close to what a Silverado goes for. GM could fix that by increasing the price for the Silverado (sarcasm). I considered a Silverado because the incentives make it affordable, its nice pickup, but it is just too big for my needs. So, for now it appears that GM marketing research has decided that people with my needs, expectations, financial status, and perceived value of GM vehicles are going to be left out of their plans. They seem to be more focused on the people that always drive on paved roads or need a pickup truck. Like others, I am looking at other manufacturers’ products. If the Trailblazer is announced soon, I may end up waiting for it. Only time will tell.

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  12. I own two trailblazers a 2002 that we bought new and 2006 we bought with 45k miles. Love them both……just waiting for GM to wake-up and realize that there is middle class that wants a body on frame suv that doesn’t break the bank. 208,000 miles on the 2002 and 140,000 miles on the 2006. Both run all day. I agree need a new trailblazer with 4×4 hi/lo transfer case. I’ll keep driving our trailblazers for now, I can wait…..

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  13. I drove a Trailblazer for 6 years and in 2008 I decided to step up to a Tahoe. There is no comparison, the Tahoe is a much better vehicle. They may cost more, but you get what you pay for. I put 30,000 miles a year on my vehicle and I’m on my 3rd Tahoe right now. They hold their value so much better than the Trailblazer did, so it gives me the piece of mind that I won’t be upside down every 3 years when I get a new one. With all that said, I would definitely take a look at a new Trailblazer if they come to the U.S.
    It has a nice look and style to it.

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  14. I had a 2002 Trailblazer, I loved that SUV. I wanted smaller to save on gas, when gas prices went up. I traded for a new jeep patriot. Big mistake. Was looking to buy a new Trailblazer but wanted the new one, found out they are not selling it in the US. What a bummer. I don’t understand why, They should have tried here first, if it didn’t sell well they could always try another country!

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  15. I have a 2006 trailblazer with 135,000 miles on it so far nothing really major problem on it the only pain in the butt i have to deal with it is the engine light keeps coming in due to evap thing (knock on wood,,,hope its not going to come back again)..id say spent some $$$ to fix the prob at least by chasing it!!! Im ready to trade it in. Body is perfectly fine just the underneath where its all rusted. When you live in WINTER land you have to deal with all these so IM READY bring back the TRAILBLAZER!!!

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