What Do You Want To Know About The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer?
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We’re spending the week with the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer – the all-new small crossover SUV that slots between the Trax and Equinox in the revamped Chevrolet crossover portfolio.
The model we’re driving is the range-topping RS trim level coated in an attractive silver-gray hue officially called Satin Steel Gray Metallic. Our unit also has the Mosaic Black Metallic roof, giving the small CUV a two-tone configuration. The cabin in our tester is adorned in Jet Black with Red Accents – the one and only choice on the RS trim of the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Our tester is powered by the turbocharged 1.3L I-3 L3T engine rated at 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, mated to the new GM nine-speed automatic transmission with AWD. Other 2021 Trailblazer models feature the less potent, turbocharged 1.2L I-3 LIH engine rated at 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. These models are available exclusively with a Continuously Variable Transmission driving the front wheels.
It’s worth noting that the 1.2L LIH engine is available exclusively with the CVT and FWD, while the 1.3L L3T is mated exclusively with the nine-speed transmission and AWD. The one and only exception to that is the LT trim level, which can be had with the 1.3L engine and the CVT in FWD when the Performance Package is ordered.
We will have this 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer RS for a week. So if you have questions beyond the spec sheet, we invite you to ask them in the comments section below, and we’ll reply to them as part of the GM Authority interactive review.
Please note that we won’t be able to answer any questions until July 13th, as per Chevy’s rules. We’re polling for your questions now so that we can note the answers while we have the car, and then post those already-written answers to your comments on July 13th.
With that being said, ready…. set… go!
Also, be sure to check out some of our other 2021 Trailblazer coverage, including:
- 2021 Trailblazer comparison by trim
- 2021 Trailblazer trim level structure
- What sets the Trailblazer RS apart from other Trailblazer models
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Trailblazer news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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Understanding it’s not going to win any stop light races, is the power from the 1.3L adequate, if not slightly engaging?
Thanks all for the questions. I will reply as soon as I’m allowed to by Chevrolet, which is on July 13th.
In the meantime, keep the questions coming!
Jason, my wife’s vehicle is an Encore GX with the 1.3L along with AWD. Performance of this vehicle is more than adequate. The only downside that I have found is that when I have driven it aggressively, it gets a little noisy.
It’s amazing! Got mine up to 105mph on a freeway that will not be mentioned. I stopped pushing, but the car was by no means showing strain. Could easily have hit 125, I am sure. Averaging 28.2mpg city. 9-speed is outstanding.
easily 125, eh? I bet 125 is just about the absolute top speed with the amount of drag it produces. Pretty sure top speed is just a calculation involving drag and horsepower. Obviously, with a 9spd it is going to cruise well at highway speed. In the real world, the only measure of speed that matters is 0-60 times and I’m pretty sure this tootles it’s way to 60 in 9 seconds. Just bamboozles me why GM elected to under power this nice little platform.
I’m glad people are liking their new Trailblazers, but for 25k there are much more competitive options out there.
Your comments show that you just do not get it.
The Trailblazer is not a sports car. It’s also not a performance vehicle. Most people who buy these mainstream subcompact and compact crossovers don’t even know what’s under the hood. They just do not care. What they do care about is how the car feels to drive, and the trailblazer delivers in this department. It drives very well. It also accelerates well.
Bottom line: for the target market, the engines in the new trailblazer are just fine. No, they’re not not underpowered, but rather they’re spot on.
If you fail to understand that or don’t agree, then it’s clear you simply don’t get the product offering nor the target market. Go spend some time in a dealership interacting with customers and you might get it then. But to judge these vehicles on power ratings is just silly.
I own 1.3 gx. I am not a motorhead. I like the pep on the car. It is better than my 1.5 fwd equinox. Hope this helps…
When I drove an Active trim I felt that it was quite peppy. Just curious to see what you all think about the acceleration. Also, I can’t imagine anyone buying the Trax now that this out.
Also, how does it compare to the Encore GX?
I test drove the LT both the base 1.2 and upgrade 1.3 two weeks ago. The 1.2 was noticeably loud. The 1.3 was peppy, nice acceleration. The interior was a letdown with a fair amount of hard plastic throughout the cabin. I sat in an Encore GX the interior was much nicer. Why GM opted for two 3-cylinder engines vs a small 4 cylinder for the upgrade. Both the Mazda CX30 and Jeep Compass have a 2.5/2.4 as a base engine.
Honestly, during my test drive of the 1.3t peppy was not the word that came to mind, but it was adequate. The 9spd was making some noises that didn’t exactly inspire confidence. I thought the interior of the LT I was in was actually a strong point, the seat had nice piping and bolsters. I wish the Media Screen sat up higher, closer to the windshield, so your eyes could stay closer to the road. The suspension and chassis handled great, sporty, but not too stiff. However, the 170+ ft lbs of torque reported from GM did not translate well in my test drive. The lack of an engaging powertrain is disappointing especially considering half a dozen manufacturers in this class offer more powerful options, as you pointed out.
I am actually looking forward to leasing one to downsize from my Terrain. Going to be either an LT or RS trim.
1. How is the steering feel and ride characteristics? Any noticeable harshness, body roll, etc.
2. What does the sport mode change?
3. Average gas mileage around town?
4. Quality/fit and finish?
28.2 in town across 1500 miles. 88% in town.
I’d like to know what you think about the engine’s vibration, as it has been reported as annoying at low rpm. But mostly, I’d like you to measure (or at least evaluate) the noise, especially the road noise of that Trailblazer : on the highway, on bad pavement, how better the Encore GX would be in the same situation, stuff like that.
The tow hitch option seems like its available from the factory, but I have found very little information about it. Upon inspecting them at my local dealers I didn’t see any with a hitch. It also seems like the only available mounting points for the GM factory option would require cutting and modifications of the rear bumper. Is that trim in the middle of the bumper in the photos above removable to expose the hitch? I wouldn’t expect to tow much, but a hitch is great for transporting bicycles. Configuring a Trailblazer with a hitch on Chevy’s site doesn’t seem to list how much the actual hitch is installed from the factory, just lists the price of hitch accessories.
The thing with that, and this came from our GM product trainer is that the vehicle is only rated to tow 1000 pounds, and the towing provisions option is only the wire harness. An aftermarket hitch may not support the full towing capacity of the vehicle. We were advised to recommend not towing with the Trailblazer, but to limit a hitch to just bike rack duty.
That didn’t really answer any of my questions about it. How much $ is the towing provisions option? Does GM have to modify the bumper? It’s probably installed at the dealer, not the factory? could I install it at home to save money? Should someone just wait until a third party makes one? Meanwhile, the CX-30 already has third party hitches ready to bolt right on rated to tow 500 more lbs. STEP IT UP GM.
Does the Trailblazer come with a spare tire?
yes
Compact.
No it does not . It comes with a air patch kit . Never have used one but have heard unless in sidewalk of tire it will inflate and seal tire to allow you to travel to a repair shop .
I am not sure where you got your information from but it does appear to come with a compact spare tire. Take a look at the trailblazer specifications under exteriot at chevrolet.com. Listed is “Tire, compact spare 16″ (40.3 cm)” standard.
My info is owner based . I have a 2021 Trailblazer (Activ) and while I agree the manual says it has a compact spare , it does in fact have the air patch kit .
I have found a few other issues with the manual not being accurate ( no keyed ignition) for example .
It may have something to do with the trim style as the Activ trim has the 17” wheels .
( manual does not specify )
Mark T: My wife drives an Encore GX Select and in the owners manual the reference is to the Compact Spare Tire. It’s very easy to take out the ‘cargo tray’ and you can see the compact spare tire. I would think the Trailblazer is the same as far as this feature.
Yes
Chevy missed the mark on that vehicle they have too many vehicles on the same platform the Trax Equinox Traverse and now the Trailblazer should have put it on the Colorado platform to make it more truck like and competitive with Durango and Explorer
The Trax, Trailblazer, Equinox, and Traverse are built on different platforms. Just because they are front wheel drive based does not mean they are the same platform. With that logic, the Corvette and Colorado are built alongside each other as they are both rear wheel drive based.
Would you recommend the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer to be someone’s first car.. the high school graduate heading off for college; would you buy this car for your son or daughter.
I drive the encore gx. Right now get more off of msrp in my area with buick version
We are in cold weather. I think the car has great power. Get it with safety features like lane assist front crash warning etc and you will be mom off the year. My guess if you can wait the pricing will come down..p
Buy your kid a mid 2000s Buick (that some old lady drove with super low miles) for about 3,000 dollars, and save a ton of cash. Better yet, make them pay for it like the real world.
@JRoc- I could not agree with you more!!! I paid for my first vehicle with my own money- wasn’t much (under $1K for an ’86 Ford Escort), but it was mine.
Just re-checked my cargo area. Definitely has a compact spare.
Way too nice for a kid.
I hope u do a more in depth review of the trailblazer and do the encore gx soon Tocompare. u had the Silverado Duramax recently and didn’t say much .
Will they be offering performance parts for it, like they did with the Cruze and Sonic?
I’ve seen a couple in-person and they actually seem different and far improved over the outgoing Trax. I like what I see (mostly), but….
Rear visibility without a rearmost quarter window.how is it?
Is it as quiet as the Encore GX?
Buick offer “QuietTuning” when I test drove the LT the dealer couldn’t tell me if the Trailblazer has the same noise cancellation.
It does not. Buick is quieter. Trailblazer looks more macho.
The AWD TrailBlazer does have active noise cancellation.
How are the materials inside? Reviewers haven’t been too kind, but that’s typical with their bias against GM.
Believe it or not, I have gotten numerous compliments on the jet black cloth interior of my 2016 Malibu LT!
LS models still feel pretty cheap, LT has some nice spots. RS and Activ do a nice job with having a more premium feel, but you still will see harder plastic surfaces throughout.
Soft feel is the holy grail of the auto press. TB is only soft on the face of the dash. But the hard plastics are very nicely textured. Dash design draws heavily from the Germans, with nice touches of bling in just the right place.
How about some specifics on performance? 0-60 time, revs in high gear at 70 mph, real world MPGs, etc.
What kind of fuel does GM recommend? The engine description on GM Authority doesn’t say, but I assume they require higher octane than regular since they’re turbo charged?
GrandAmGT: On page 289 of my Encore GX owners manual, 87 octane is the requirement for all engine/transmission combinations. However, GM also recommends using a top tier detergent gasoline and you should look for the Top Tier logo when purchasing your fuel.
87 should be fine. That’s why they reduced the compression ratio. That said, maybe GM will include a high octane tune that would allow for a more aggressive boost
Used standard 87 octane / 10% ethanol .
I have not noticed any issues (1.3) and currently avg 30.2 mpg .
We use 91 and get better gas mileage and a smoother running engine vs using 87. Our Trailblazer RS AWD now has 4200 miles with an average gas mileage at 31.3 mpg.
Wireless Apple Car Play?! How is it?
I’ve set it up for a couple of customers that have taken delivery, works very well. There is a small amount of lag compared to a wired set up but hardly noticeable.
28.2 in town across 1500 miles. 88% in town.
Now up to 5,500 miles, and averaging 32 mpg. 70% in-town driving. Excellent from a standing start up to 45mph or so. Cruises great at 80mph, but not much punch for passing.
my question, how does it do on dirt roads. for pavement id prefer a Malibu. I live in a rural area and am tired of bottoming out. I rent Malibu’s for work and drive an old beater that i can tear up. Whats it ground clearance? does it pull well through a washed out incline? i know you wont be able to test it this time of year, but traction in an unplowed road is important as well.
1. Will the trailblazer receive the option for power passenger seat adjustments within the 2021 model year?
2. Will surround vision be available on the trailblazer, as it is on the Encore GX?
3. What is the trailblazer’s 0-60?
Is the 1.3, AWD powertrain really good enough to move it along at a speed that feels safe in day-to-day use, or is it a dog? And does it actually get anywhere close to its estimated MPG, since it’s a turbo?
I have an AWD RS and it has plenty of power. After 4200 miles we are averaging 31.3 mpg.