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2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer: Five Things We Like, And Five Things We Don’t

General Motors introduced the new 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer to the North American market at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show, unveiling two trim levels – the outdoor-oriented Activ, and the sporty RS. There’s a lot we like about the new Trailblazer, but there’s also a few things we don’t like. Here are our top five in both categories.

5 Things We Like About The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer

1. Two-Tone Roofs Are Cool

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offers a standard two-tone roof on both the RS and Activ trim levels, and we’re loving it. It’s a cool detail you don’t see very often, so kudos there.

2. Styling In General Looks Great

It’s also not very easy to find a decent-looking piece of design in the subcompact-plus crossover segment, but luckily, the new Trailblazer is an exception to that. With a front end inspired by the new Chevrolet Blazer and a boxy rear end, this one sweet-looking vehicle.

3. Huge Value

The new Trailblazer is simply packed with value. Starting at under $20,000, the Trailblazer still offers oodles of features – for example, all trims come with a long list of standard safety and driver assists, including Forward Collision Alert, Automatic Emergency Braking, IntelliBeam Headlamps, Rear Vision Camera, and a whole lot more.

4. The Trims Actually Matter

Sometimes, trim levels don’t really mean too much. That isn’t the case with the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, which comes with some real differentiation in the model cadence. For example, the outdoorsy Activ stands apart for its off-road-flavored suspension tuning, upgraded tires, and improved ground clearance.

5. Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission

Buyers can equip their new 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer with the GM nine-speed automatic transmission when paired with the 1.3L engine option and AWD. Impressive stuff for the segment.

5 Things We Don’t Like About The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer

1. Dilution Of The Nameplate

Granted, their are more egregious examples of this (the Ford Mustang Mach-E comes to mind), but fans of the old-school body-on-frame Trailblazer SUV might be irked that the new model is a tiny crossover.

2. Underwhelming Engine And Transmission Options

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer is offered with two engine options, both of which are turbocharged three-cylinders – the base-level 1.2L LIH, and the available 1.3L L3T. The former makes 137 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque, while the latter makes 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque. Both engines pair with a CVT on FWD models.

While most buyers in this segment probably don’t care about cylinder counts or transmission types, three-cylinders and CVTs fail to elicit any sort of excitement on our end.

3. Interior Needs More Differentiation From Buick Encore GX

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX are very closely related, with both offering the same engine lineup, and both built on the same GM VSS-F vehicle platform set. And while the new Trailblazer does a great job in setting itself apart in terms of exterior styling, the interior design is way too close to that of the Buick.

4. The RS Is Still A Trim Level

We wrote about the weirdness going on with the RS sub-brand back in October, but it’s worth bringing up again. The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer offers a range-topping RS trim with loads of sporty aesthetic upgrades. Unfortunately, that means any buyer looking to add some extra visual spice to the new Trailblazer will need to dole out big bucks in order to do so. A better option would be an RS Package that adds the same aesthetic, but without the extra equipment of the RS trim.

5. Made In Korea

Again, most buyers don’t really care where their car is produced, but for those that do, the fact the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer is produced in South Korea could be a dealbreaker.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Reminds me of a Blazer crossed with a Mini.

    The Two Two if done right could be a new era of styling again.

    Others have tried it but only with white with mixed results. If they match several colors it could catch on.

    The Buick interior is a plus in the Chevy and a negative for Buick.

    Reply
  2. “.. the fact the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer is produced in South Korea could be a dealbreaker.” GM Korea makes good small vehicles. Here I see many Chevy Captivas that compete with the Equinox because they sell at a lower price. And we know that the Chevy Spark still is being made and sold worldwide.

    Reply
  3. so the encore gx and the trailblazer are basically the same car with a different exterior but the same interior. except the trailblazer costs a lot less.

    the gm bean counters must think the buick badge is worth a 20% premium over a chevy.

    Reply
    1. Steve,

      Did your puppy get run over by a Buick? What’s your beef with them?

      Reply
  4. Time will tell, but the interior room in this vehicle is gonna be a huge hit no doubt.

    Reply
  5. The Chevrolet Trailblazer appears to be something designed by the design team in China and not the US as styling cues is different from current US vehicles.

    Reply
  6. Wish it had a shark fin antenna.

    Reply
    1. You can buy one made for other GM vehicles and put it on.

      Reply
  7. Use of the Trailblazer name. No harm, no foul – in my opinion.

    The Trailblazer was never legendary, save for the SS. GM didn’t even bother making a Z71 version at any point. Being BOF doesn’t really give the name an automatic gold status.

    Reply
  8. Yes other than the Trailblazer SS it was not anything anyone collects with fondness.

    If anything I think a new name here would have been a benefit.

    Reply
  9. If you put the Encore GX and TB interior side by side they are quite different. When I first saw them both I thought it was the same but its not. Its different enough that most won’t notice. Its not as bad as the cars in the 80’s when all they did was change color and add the model’s name to the dash.

    Reply
    1. @Joe:

      I totally agree. I wasn’t going to say anything, but I do feel they differ quite a bit.

      Reply
  10. made in korea should be a deal breaker. Thats the problem with americans and canadians .if it was a deal breaker we would have more jobs here!

    Reply
  11. GM could have built this small crossover at Lordstown , knowing full well that plant was going to close and the development of the Trailblazer was short as it shares so much with the Buick . But then again Corporate greed took over and paying the S.Korean workers two bucks an hour means bigger profits for shareholders .
    Regular Americans are not stupid when it comes to the assembly point of cars anymore . Just more outsourcing of much needed work for the plants closing by the General .

    Reply
  12. Three cylinders?? At least offer one of the turbo 4’s. A true 4X4 system would be nice as well. In addition to the moped size engine, not being built in the states will be the deal breaker for me.

    Reply
  13. GM Korea is GM. The assembly quality is tops with Korean assembly and the plants are run efficiently. This helps keep costs lower and allows the Mother Corp of GM to make money . If the unions weren’t so greedy, then things might be different.

    Reply
    1. I understand that GM Korea is GM, and am sure that the quality is good,
      but it is still a huge bonus when an AMERICAN company builds their automobiles, or products in AMERICA! In addition, let’s not forget the millions of dollars GM saved in taxes under the current administration, then started closing plants in the USA, moving operations/assembly overseas. A nicely equipped Blazer that is made in Mexico is still $50,000. As far as greed from unions, I agree.

      Reply
  14. 3 cylinder and cvt kills it for me, especially the cvt :/

    Reply
  15. A modern vehicle needs a modern engine / transmission. This Trailblazer has both. Good work GM.

    Reply
  16. I just recently bought a 2021 Trailblazer RS and the only complaint I have is the weird little triangular images you see from your headlights during the night.. What’s that all about? Only on the drivers side. GM says that they are supposed to be that way and there isn’t any adjustments?

    Reply
  17. I read this everyday and I was very disappointed that Chevrolet has NOT selected to produce the Trailblazer as an EV.

    The most important segment (I live in Chattanooga and VW just announced the Passat will no longer be produced in Chattanooga. Instead, production is being changed to SUVs and EVs (small EV) missing is a Trailblazer size EV.

    I have had two Trailblazers and both are excellent and would be an excellent EV. The Trailblazer size is perfect and can be a great SUV for the average family with one or two kids or can easily handle 4 adults (teenagers). It is a perfect car for a young driver in high school or college.

    Reply
  18. Consumers Reports recently rated a slew of cars, across many segments, for reliability. The Trailblazer was one of two (the other was a Lexus) that had a 100% rating. 41% to 60% is considered “average”. I have a 2021 trailblazer and I love it. It has AWD so it does not have the CVT (the dealership thought it did, but it obviously has shift points). The small engine is quite spunky, and I like the engine induction sound. The RS trim also enhances the experience.

    Reply

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