General Motors resurrected the Chevy Trailblazer nameplate as an all-new compact five-door crossover that slots in between the Chevy Trax and Chevy Equinox in the Bow Tie brand’s model lineup. So far, the new Trailblazer has shown strong sales strength, especially the sporty RS trim, which is so far exceeding all expectations.
Impressively, the Chevy Trailblazer RS doubled Chevrolet’s order and sales forecast at launch. Now, General Motors is in the process of re-arranging supplier orders in order to hit targeted demand.
“The RS trim on the 2021 Trailblazer has exceeded even our own expectations, helping raise our average transaction prices,” said senior marketing manager, Chevrolet SUVs, Brad Franz, in a recent interview with GM Authority executive editor, Alex Luft.
“Trailblazer RS orders have more than doubled our forecast,” Franz said, adding, “We don’t see it slowing down.”
The Chevy Trailblazer RS sits alongside the outdoorsy Activ trim at the top of the 2021 Trailblazer trim level lineup, and features LED tail lamps, a leather-wrapped shift knob, a flat-bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel, 18-inch Black machined wheels, a black bowtie with black badging, and a black mesh grille. Engine options are limited to the turbocharged 1.3L I3 L3T gas engine, while lower in the line, the turbocharged 1.2L I3 LIH gas engine is also offered.
In the U.S., Chevy Trailblazer deliveries totaled 10,322 units in Q3 of 2020, with the Trailblazer remaining the fastest-turning vehicle in the industry. U.S. sales year-to-date amounted to 17,024 units.
Sales Numbers - Mainstream Subcompact Crossovers - Q3 2020 - United States
| MODEL | Q3 20 / Q3 19 | Q3 20 | Q3 19 | Q3 20 SHARE | Q3 19 SHARE | YTD 20 / YTD 19 | YTD 20 | YTD 19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEEP COMPASS | -15.84% | 29,588 | 35,158 | 11% | 14% | -29.69% | 77,809 | 110,671 |
| CHEVROLET TRAX | -21.18% | 29,485 | 37,407 | 11% | 15% | -4.28% | 80,193 | 83,777 |
| HONDA HR-V | -0.92% | 24,904 | 25,135 | 9% | 10% | -12.11% | 61,799 | 70,314 |
| HYUNDAI KONA | +22.15% | 22,046 | 18,049 | 8% | 7% | -4.22% | 52,813 | 55,138 |
| KIA SOUL | -3.42% | 21,290 | 22,044 | 8% | 9% | -28.72% | 55,331 | 77,627 |
| NISSAN KICKS | +9.36% | 19,478 | 17,811 | 7% | 7% | -9.42% | 42,640 | 47,074 |
| JEEP RENEGADE | -10.70% | 18,961 | 21,234 | 7% | 9% | -19.99% | 45,820 | 57,270 |
| FORD ECOSPORT | +4.76% | 17,045 | 16,271 | 6% | 7% | -6.82% | 47,200 | 50,657 |
| BUICK ENCORE GX | * | 16,019 | * | 6% | 0% | * | 27,876 | 0 |
| KIA SELTOS | * | 15,431 | * | 6% | 0% | * | 29,509 | 0 |
| TOYOTA C-HR | -1.41% | 11,797 | 11,966 | 4% | 5% | -11.05% | 33,604 | 37,777 |
| BUICK ENCORE | -55.44% | 11,143 | 25,008 | 4% | 10% | -52.08% | 35,414 | 73,905 |
| MAZDA CX-30 | * | 10,837 | * | 4% | 0% | * | 27,793 | 0 |
| CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER | * | 10,322 | * | 4% | 0% | * | 17,024 | 0 |
| MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER SPORT | +4.57% | 7,719 | 7,382 | 3% | 3% | -6.29% | 24,504 | 26,150 |
| KIA NIRO | -17.28% | 4,980 | 6,020 | 2% | 2% | -26.33% | 13,232 | 17,962 |
| HYUNDAI VENUE | * | 4,793 | * | 2% | 0% | * | 11,964 | 0 |
| MAZDA CX-3 | -54.86% | 2,255 | 4,996 | 1% | 2% | -40.48% | 7,012 | 11,780 |
| FIAT 500X | -23.65% | 452 | 592 | 0% | 0% | -45.57% | 1,130 | 2,076 |
| TOTAL | +11.83% | 278,545 | 249,073 | -4.09% | 692,667 | 722,178 |
As GM Authority covered previously, the new Chevy Trailblazer is punching one weight class higher than intended, competing with C-segment rivals (traditionally the space where the Chevy Equinox plays) despite the Trailblazer’s position in the B-segment.
Interestingly, the Chevy Trailblazer isn’t the only nameplate where where demand for the RS trim level is running high, as the latest Chevy Blazer RS is also mopping up in sales.
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Comments
Clears throat “it needs to hit 0-60 in 4 seconds, dct , the Kia is better”…..
No one ever said it needed to do 0-60 in 4 seconds, but it is markedly slower than most competitors. It’s really not a vast improvement over the nearly decade old Trax. You can keep denying it, but the Trailblazer is not a great value proposition in the segment… And yes, the Kia is better. The Kia also comes with an additional 40k miles on the standard warranty. It would be nice if GM offered a slightly better warranty on this unproven three pot engine designed in Shanghai by SAIC-GM. I bet the Kia 1.6t wasn’t engineered in China.
Let’s stop blaming other manufacturers for making competitive vehicles and demand more out of GM.
And here here is!!!!⬆️⬆️
why no Subaru data… Crosstrek?
The is no Subaru Crosstrek data included because this is a copy pasta table from a previous article. I guess “60k-80k a year” journalist just can’t be bothered to amend charts. Seems like they just randomly drop Trailblazer articles, with no new information, just to remind us of its unfortunate existence.
Your frickin nuts! That new Trailblazer is the worst vehicle ever built!!! My Dad and I drove one to Chicago fromMissouri to deliver to another dealership THE RIDE WAS AWFUL, THE SEAT BOTTOMS IN THE FRONT ARE SO SHORT, CAUSING SUCH DISCOMFORT ON MY HAMSTRINGS…I’m 6’ my Dad is 5’ 10” WE LITERALLY COULD NOT WAIT TO GET OUT OF THAT VEHICLE! Also 3 cylinder engines! No turbo! Pure junk! 31 mpg hwy My Dad owns
a 15’ Impala with the 3.6 v6 He has obtained 34 mpg hwy! Overpriced junk! If I ever I am in the market for a suv it will one with a v6 naturally aspirated. Then we had to drive back a new 4 cyl Camaro TYPICAL NEW CAR RIDE IT RODE LIKE CRAP BUT WAS ENTIRELY BETTER THEN THE TRAILBLAZER! Have fun getting in and out of that Camaro That windshield is in yr lap! BRING BACK THESE OLD SCHOOL DESIGNERS/ ENGINEERS CALL THEM OFF OF RETIREMENT! Most of these young people have no taste / no class / no character! and IRS on a frickin Tahoe?? Seriously ??? The straight axle has been around for years Much stronger than IRS! Besides that hv fun buying tires if yr towing the inside of ur rear wheels will be worn prematurely. Damn I really need to get laid!
Yes, they ARE turbo’s
Yikes Moe,
Not only do you need to take a pill to chill out, but you also need to get your (incorrect) facts right. Ok, we get it. You don’t like the newer vehicles and like the old-school cars. I’m not going to blame you there as I’m kind of that way and I have a 2020 Chevrolet Spark and a 2006 Buick Lucerne V8. Of the two, I prefer to drive the Buick for obvious reasons. But by no means are the new products junk like you say. In fact, I find my 2020 Spark to be of very high quality and a tremendous value!
Where’s the part where you get his incorrect facts (aka opinions) right?
So basically GM didn’t think it would sell either! And in their eyes it’s a keeper.
Great looking vehicle for the price.
RS appearance package. Around since the 67 Camaro and makes the vehicle stand out. Bought my son a new 17 RS Camaro, V6 A8 Garnet Red Tintcoat & he gets compliments everywhere he goes.
You should teach your son to earn things for himself.
Someone explain to me why GM offers two engines on the Trailblazer that are only six cubic inches different?
Literally the most boring car, nothing special about it. I work at a Ford/Chevy dealership and I can tell you it’s a very boring car.
Lucas, what do you personally drive? Are you just a car guy? A truck guy? Old car guy? I certainly don’t think the sales of the new Buick Encore GX and this Trailblazer tell a story of boring.
Lucas – your comment shows a complete lack of understanding of this space, the segment, and the target customer. If I were a manager at the alleged dealership you work at, I would be greatly concerned about your ability to do your job effectively. You’re selling one of the most competitive products in the segment, if not THE most competitive one… and you’re complaining?!
I personally drive a trailblazer, and it’s a stupid gimpy piece of crap…. But i can tow a trailer with it and not look like a complete fool.
Unfortunately, the Trailblazer and the Encore GX are both good looking vehicles but the 3 cylinder engine is a total non-starter for me. Way, Way too many other vehicle options out there that actually have an engine
Sadly people most want small efficient safe and cheap boring cars.
Too often anymore fun is too expensive or too impractical for many customers. They need to buy what works to deal with family issues and budget.
Small SUV like and affordable sells today. No other way to say it and just the way it is.
Hyundai has rode this formula from the brink to where they are. They under priced Honda and Toyota and moved on up.
Today price is very important to many as even more can’t afford a new car and those who can many just fit it in the budget.
I agree with all of this. If it just wasn’t trying to cash in on the “BLAZER” name, i wouldn’t have anything to say about it. Take for instance the encore. I don’t like it… That’s the first time I’ve ever said that in my life because the encore is just being the encore. It’s not ONCE AGAIN crapping on one of the most iconic suvs ever made.
How much worse would the numbers have been with a more fitting name?!? My professional guess is the exact same. Except decisions like this have made me decide to buy elsewhere. Chrysler is cleaning up on gm’s mistakes
nothing to add
Recall on brake module fail, fortunately at 32 mph otherwise would not have been a positive outcome. 10 weeks waiting on a part, GM offered us 1 month payment. BS! Still fighting that ridiculousness. On the other hand we drove it to/from SLC to Monterey and back. I’m 6’5″, pretty comfortable actually. (If I want speed, I take the Challenger 😉)
Great looking vehicle. I wouldn’t touch one with less than a 4 cyl 2 liter engine.
I remember when the US manufacturers would all complain about the Japanese and the Chinese copying their designs. I truly hate that front grille design with the trapezoidal lights which I guess was copied first from Lexus or toyota? Can’t GM designers come up with anything on their own?
By the way I totally agree with the writer who complained about the stupid three cylinder engines and the encore versions of GM su mini SUVs. I don’t know the technical reason why supposedly three cylinders are free of vibration I definitely prefer four cylinders or six cylinder engines with just a little more. If GM really wanted to pull ahead from everybody else they would make a mild hybrid and stick it in the encore / encore GX SUVs and give me 40 or 50 MPG
Funny how people used to be upset with anything less than 8 cylinders now the beg for 4.
Of course that’s in general motors opinion, after looking at and driving one of these for a recommendation for a family member I told him to go with the Kia seltos, The trailblazer is overpriced and under equipped compared to the Kia sorry GM, I’ve been buying your car since 1970 however you just don’t have it anymore you should call it EM, Electric Motors, That’s all Barra cares about.
The real trouble with a Kia or Hyundai is they age poorly.
GM cars may not always look pretty with miles but the are still running and cheaper to keep on the road most times.
You see a lot of old GM cars here in the rust belt but not many old Asian cars.
Most Hyundai’s are one timing belt from the junk yard ad few replace them and many break
They save money in areas where the buyers can’t see or feel and it shows up over time.
Just look where Toyota saves money on the Taco. How many years of them broke in half while the GM trucks rusty are still on the road.
This vehicle is Junk. The numbers posted here don’t look very good. Not sure why the author is writing such a misleading article.
I for one, think it looks like crap. I wouldn’t hate it any less with a different name. But i hate gm for naming it that. Gm makes such terrible decisions these days. Happy to give chrysler my money instead.
The blazer is crap as well. Ford puts out an actual bronco and chevy goes and does that with the blazer reboot… Gtfo morons.