GM Officially Reveals 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer
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Just a few days ago, we exclusively reported that General Motors was planning to resurrect the Chevrolet Trailblazer name for one of the two upcoming replacements for the current, first-generation Chevrolet Trax. Well, we were right – as that very model has just been announced at Auto Shanghai 2019. Meet the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, in Redline trimmings, no less.
To say that the exterior design of the new Trailblazer was “inspired” by that of the all-new, 2019 Chevrolet Blazer would be an understatement. In fact, the new Chevrolet Trailblazer is pretty much a mini Blazer through and through.
In its presser, GM says that the new crossover “has a character all its own” while “bringing a bold and expressive look to the segment”. The vehicle has a single, bold body line that communicates strength. That body line, along with a smooth/flat roof design, enables very taught surface styling while delivering a very lean look.
The all-new Trailblazer looks like a mini Chevy Blazer (Blazer pictured)
The front end is defined by a relatively long hood that turns down only when it needs to. A set of thin LED daytime running lamps with Chevy’s accent lighting strip are separated by intricate surface styling of the front bumper cover from the primary forward lights. The latest interpretation of Chevy’s signature dual-port grille is present and accounted for.
That black A-pillar has a very purposeful, edgy (as opposed to rounded) design. Those things that look like red tow hooks on the lower facia aren’t tow hooks at all, but rather just a red accent (stripe). The side profile, meanwhile, reveals rather pronounced plastic wheel cladding wrapping a set of 17-inch black wheels with Redline hash marks. That red line is also present on the mirror caps. Since we only have this single photo of the new Chevrolet Trailblazer at the time of this writing, we’ll have to wait to see the rear end.
As we mentioned, the Chevrolet Trailblazer seen here is based on the new GM VSS-F platform. It will be a global model sold all over the world, and is expected to replace the current Chevy Trax in North America, thereby marking the end of the Trax nameplate. It will be joined by the all-new Chevy Tracker, which is based on the Global Emerging Markets architecture (GEM platform). This model, which we will show you in a few short hours, will be available exclusively in developing markets such as South America, China, and Southeast Asia.
Update: an earlier version of this article described the Trailblazer as a 2020 model, which was written based on the press release issued for the Chinese market. The Trailblazer for North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) will actually be a 2021 model year vehicle.
No further details are available at this time, so subscribe to GM Authority (it’s free) as we follow this developing story, as well as for more Chevrolet Trailblazer news, Chevy news, and 24/7 GM news coverage.
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Well there goes any hope of a “trail” ready Blazer down the drain. And the front with those ‘primary’ ugly frog lights reminds me more of a Nissan Juke than a Blazer.
What if the trail-ready product doesn’t carry the Blazer name whatsoever? 🙂
Could be. With GM logic these days they’ll probably make the Suburban an offroad ready SUV too. So the Trailblazer is made for the city and the Suburban for offroad. Sounds about right. ?♂️
Yes, once again GM takes a 4×4 nameplate and puts it on a SUV that will be hard pressed to go down a dirt road. Now the only 4×4 SUV are the Suburban and Tahoe which are too big and clumsy to really take off road. Meanwhile Ford is bringing back a 4×4 Bronco and Jeep is laughing all the way to the bank.
Trailblazer, the lat gen was hard pressed to be a 4×4 nameplate. It was instead put up for mall duties, it was just an SUV on a frame. Move on, very few names carry the meaning some of you are crying about…
The Trailblazer was a very capable off road vehicle if properly equipped. Just because 80% of buyers drove it to the mall does not mean it was not capable. Probably 80% of Jeep owner only drive their Jeeps to the mall but are still off road capable. I am not crying about GM not having an off road SUV out of the 17 they make but you would think they could make one that was not their biggest and most expensive. I will just continue driving my very capable 2001 Blazer and then when it is time I will look at Jeeps or the new Bronco.
I hate to tell you most people don’t take their vehicles off-road. These things are too expensive to potentially break an axle, puncture the fuel tank, etc… At this point, off-road means snow, malls, beach, and parks.
I think its a good looking rig. Will be nice to see additional photos when they become available.
If I wanted a Kia SUV, I’d buy a Kia SUV. No thanks Chevy.
Ahh! Common, be fair ….. the kia is made in Korea …. this one is made in China!!!
No it’s not
I don’t know where you’re getting China from. The current Trax is made in South Korea and Mexico. We have no idea where the trailblazer will be built.
Click the links above for GEM platform , then the link for VSS-F platform, realize that both vehicles were initially launched at the SHANGHAI auto show and that the Buick Envision IS made in China and look at the all-new Chevy Trailblazer and the all-new Chevy Tracker (and if you can’t see that those are pretty much the same vehicle you need to look harder) and then you can “do the math” …. but Joseph Surenko is right, the Trailblazer is going to be “MADE IN THE USA…. from imported parts” so that the VIN number can start with a 1 and GM can avoid paying all the duties and taxes on importing … just like the Japanese automakers did in the early 80’s.
The trailblazer and tracker have nothing in common. I believe the trailblazer and encore gx that we get will be imported from South Korea.
I believe the trailblazer and encore gx that we get will be imported from South Korea.
Lol, my first impression was the Kona
Honestly, I like the new “Blazer” design on this small boy more than the bigger one. I’m very interested to see the engines they’ll drop in it. Hoping they put in the new 2.0t
They’ll give it the crappy 2.5 so folks need to spend more for the engine it should have come with…
Why exactly is the 2.5 crappy? If anything the 1.5T that makes 37 less hp and 7 less torque is the crappy engine and the Malibu and Equinox/Terrain would be much better off with the 2.5 that the under powered 1.5T
Ugh….style could be okay but why is their now rearmost quarter window? I can’t imagine good visibility in this heap. The nonsense of moving the Trailblazer name from moving all the way down from a mid-size, truck-based SUV all the way down to a subcompact car-based, crossover SUV is a nail in the coffin.
That pic is actually not bad. Problem is it won’t be a strong value, the interior will suck, and will likely be noisy. GM continues to fail by arrogantly producing 80% while the competition does 100% or more. At least this doesn’t look all that bad.
Note to GM: you can’t cheap your way to prosperity.
It’s a picture , we know nothing yet of the car
Just like the 2020 Bronco is going to be an overpriced joke. Ford will RUIN it. They’ll put that weak unreliable IWE hub lock system on it, creating hours of hilarious youtube vids of broken Broncos stranded on the trails. They’ll put a strung out ecoboost in it that can’t run right in summer heat on anything other than 91 octane. And they will top it off with their trademark recycled interior plastics that melt and distort within months of buying it.
Maybe they can keep the Blazer naming theme and pull from Chevrolet’s heritage for another model dedicated to off-road enthusiast? Hope they resurrect the K-5 Blazer complete with removable roof like the original…make it to compete with the Wrangler and upcoming Bronco.
It looks 1005 times better than the Trax. Thank goodness for that.
What a terrible Trailblazer.
They continue to push me away.
I kind of like the looks but what concerns me is it will be just another 4cyl vehicle. Remember the Trailblazer SS? Why no Blazer or Trailblazer SS’s with a 6.2l NA or maybe a V6 TT?? If chrysler can build the Trackhawk, why can’t GM build a similar model?? If suv’s/cuv’s are the wave of the future, then it’s time to grab market share and not with just trim/badging packages. All show with no go.
Could they sell a V6 – sure. But with CAFE standards they would be crazy to do so given the number of large SUVs and trucks they sell.
Maybe I’m missing something but I don’t see how CAFE standards or what large SUV’s and trucks have to do with anything about this vehicle. Again, if chrysler can do it, why not GM?? If ford can put higher HP ecoboost drivetrains in any of it’s vehicles, why can’t GM?? It seems GM pigeon holes it’s vehicles/buyers for some reason. Why limited performance and not at least give people the CHOICE? Don’t want it? Fine, don’t buy it but at least give people a choice instead of the same old cookie cutter 4 cyl. drivetrains that runs across the entire GM lineup.
Yes I know the Blazer has the 3.6l option but why is it only 308hp when it’s 335hp in the ATS and Camaro?? And the Blazer is going to wear an RS badge??? THAT is a joke and not a good one, IMHO. No Typhoon/Cyclone? Those vehicles are now considered Iconic as was the Buick Gran National/GNX with it’s turbo V6. Why is the current LV3 V6 being overlooked/disregarded?? It’s based on the LT1 Gen 5 with tons of potential and could easily provide a performance platform over the 4 cyl and not even require premium fuel as the 2.0T does. Lots of options with what appears to be no vision by GM. Sad…
@C4ce:
Instead of taking up a full page attempting to explain CAFE to you, I’ll instead refer you to GOOGLE it. Read it. Once you do, it will make sense. This smaller SUV with a 4 cyl has everything to do with the big trucks/SUV’s they sell. Chrysler can do it because they pay Tesla millions for credits. Again, look it up and you will see.
Not only that, but not everyone wants (majority of people on the road) a car/truck/suv that will run the 1/4 with the big guns. Most of us want comfort, visibility, safety without stopping at the fuel station every other day.
Fiat-Chrysler gives away hundreds of millions in penalties because they never meet CAFE and Euro fuel economy and emissions requirements. They just paid nearly $100 million in fines for their 2016MY vehicles missing the FE targets. GM sells double the number of V8 trucks and SUV’s. As long as they do that, they are limited on the rest of the lineup. Plus the auto industry is going through a big slowdown right now. I don’t know how Ford games the system the fuel economy estimates for the Ranger are so high they’re fantasyland numbers.
Making 4-cylinders vehicles also helps GM if gas prices go up. In 2008 GM had a bunch of V8 cars, trucks and SUVs that they couldn’t sell due to gas prices. Now if the same thing happened they have a lot of 4 cylinder and V6 options for vehicles.
RS has always been an appearance package. Check the history of RS. It has never been a performance package.
Uhhh …. RS use to mean Rally Sport in the 60’s and 70’s which meant you got the smaller V8 (not the larger V8 like an SS Super Sport but not the inline 6 like a base model) and an RS usually meant an automatic transmission with more creature comforts like A/C and the better radio ….. historically speaking. ….. “Red line” however used to mean “meanest turbo’ed or supercharged engine available” not “Oh yes, there’s a red line painted across the side and red fake tow-hooks in the front!!!”
There were plenty of red line vehicles that didn’t have a turbo or supercharger. RS was always an appearance package. You could upgrade to bigger engines if u wanted. I remember because I was there.
Chrysler sells very little. People don’t buy midsize body on frame
Looks like a mini Explorer from a distance. Certainly the most attractive CUV they put together. Love the C panel treatment for sure.
I really wish GM would stop taking one vehicle and duplicating them in different sizes. I truly think the auto industry has gotten extremely lazy with design and a lot of part sharing. Trailblazer, Blazer and Traverse all look alike now. They might as well just kept one name and did Model X, XL & XLT. I know it’s different branding and marketing but GM is getting boring and I seen it when certain Cadillac Sedans starting having the Malibu/LaCrosse Premium Model looks inside.
How on Earth does the Traverse look anything like the Trailblazer or Blazer?
Kalvin just needs to make a point. Granted, Blazer and Trailblazer look similar, but the industry has done that for decades…
I am really disappointed. I drive a 2004 Trailblazer that needs to be replaced, but I will drive it as long as I can (currently 185,000 miles). It is the 3rd Trailblazer my family has owned — the others made it to 200,000 miles. It IS the BEST Auto GM ever made.
Can’t help they screwed up with initial pricing. We would have paid more for such a great product. But to eliminate a mid-size SUV with a truck base for a smaller, less functional vehicle with it’s name is disgraceful.
I used to have a 2008 Trailblazer and liked it too. I waited for a new more capable GM off-road Trailblazer replacement, but it never and will never come from GM. I leased a Jeep Grand Cherokee and it was a great mid-sized off-road capable SUV. Although the GC does not have a truck frame, it rides much better than the older Trailblazers. It also has higher ground clearance and a better 4WD system. And it tows more weight than the older Trailblazers. I would recommend you take a look at the GC to replace your Trailblazer assuming you don’t need the extra cargo space of the Trailblazer Extended Length model.
Looks like Chevy has revived the Pontiac Aztek!
On seeing the new Trailblazer I kinda like it now, its not bad looking. However I wished it kept the Trax name, which has built up a good following with sales that beats the Honda HRV and Toyota CHR at times.
Where will the new Trailblazer be built? The Sonic will be going soon, the Cruze is already dead which in itself is a tragedy. Will China build both the Tracker and Trailblazer?
In a word … 是 (that’s yes in chinese!!)
How does this new Trailblazer compare in size to the Toyota RAV4?
The design looks great and should sell well.
Yuk! I drive an 07 trailblazer and it’s great! Lots of muscle behind it. Still gets 22 mpg – no, that’s not great gas mileage but it’s not supposed to be! Quit screwing with great products!
It has a nice look. Will be interested in seeing more pics and the interior.
On another note, GM once again goes down the path of confusion. The Trax (although I’m not fond of that name) had been selling well. It’s a nice looking basic crossover. So GM decides it’s once again time to change a name. I just hope it works for them and I feel bad for the people out there who have a Trax now and wanted a new one. Let’s hope the dealership personal can do a good job of explaining that this will be the new one to keep the customers from going to Honda or Toyota!
I don’t think people will have difficulty finding the Chevy dealership they bought the Trax at… The Trailblazer will be there waiting for them. I doubt the name will stop them from buying it…lol.
It looks like the muscled’ brother to the Nissan Kicks. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
So incredibly boring! What a shame! guess Chevy are all about butchering their brand awareness now. pity.