Poll: Should GM Build A Chevy Trailblazer EV?
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General Motors is upping its all-electric vehicle game with a plethora of new models just over the horizon, all of which will help in the goal of reaching zero tailpipe emissions across its light-duty vehicle line by the 2035 calendar year. Naturally, those lofty ambitions will require an EV for every segment in which GM competes. Which leads us to ask – should GM build a Chevy Trailblazer EV?
ICE-powered 2024 Chevy Trailblazer
The prospect certainly makes sense, at least from one point of view. At present, GM has several Ultium-based EV models set to launch in the next few months, and even more scheduled over the next few years. Quite a few of them carry a Chevy Bow Tie badge, including the Chevy Equinox EV, the Chevy Blazer EV, and the Chevy Silverado EV.
Even so, all of these new all-electric GM models leave a space open for a smaller, more-affordable battery-driven crossover – the sort of space where a new Chevy Trailblazer EV would fit in quite nicely.
Chevy Blazer EV (left) and Chevy Equinox EV (right)
So then, what might this hypothetical Chevy Trailblazer EV look like? For starters, it would be dimensionally smaller than the Chevy Equinox EV, which presents a wheelbase of 116.3 inches, an overall length of 190.4 inches, an overall width of 75.4 inches, and an overall height of 63.5 inches. Additionally, this hypothetical Chevy Trailblazer EV should be more affordable than the Chevy Equinox EV, which starts around $30,000. Finally, the hypothetical Chevy Trailblazer EV should be a suitable replacement for the Chevy Bolt EV and Chevy Bolt EUV, both of which will no longer be produced as of this coming November.
Chevy Equinox EV
Put it all together, and what you get is an affordable all-electric crossover that slots in below the Chevy Equinox EV and helps GM fulfill its mission to offer “EVs for everyone.” For the sake of reference, the Chevy Equinox EV features GM Ultium batteries and GM Ultium Drive motor technologies, and rides on the GM BEV3 platform. Both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations will be offered, with upwards of 300 miles per charge. Output is measured between 210 horsepower and 290 horsepower, and 242 pound-feet of torque and 346 pound-feet of torque, depending on the configuration.
So, what do you think? Should GM build a Chevy Trailblazer EV? Let us know by voting in the poll below, and remember to subscribe to GM Authority for more GM electric vehicle news, Chevy Trailblazer news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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Yes! GM must build and sell small EVs because the imports will do it and take up that market. It might not be as profitable but it is a huge market for those buyers who cannot afford a larger size EV, especially city dwellers. GM-SAIC builds small EVs for the Asians, so just bring them to the Americas.
Chevy should be smart and build a universal EV frame that has an adjustable wheel base that they can mate any body to and just plug in a harness connector and go. Oh wait, that would be too smart.
They already did that 10 years ago, it’s called a skateboard.
Closer to 20 years ago when they were betting on hydrogen. But really it’s kind of what everyone is planning on doing now.
Either a Trailblazer or Trax EV needs to happen. I am leaning towards a Trax EV.
Yes, the Trax EV would make more sense than the Trailblazer based upon GM’s rational on the Trax v. Trailblazer being similar sized. They could also include a 2 motor model for All Wheel Drive that is currently missing from the Trax ICE lineup.
I think the Trailblazer name makes more sense if they plan to offer AWD.
I heard that GM Technical Center in Korea is currently developing a small electric car. It’s called G235 or C235 and so on. It’s not clear if the vehicle is a trailblazer EV, but GM won’t give up the compact EV market.
We have 5 people in the family , 4 trailblazers and 1 trax. By far the awd Trailblazer should be an EV. More space than the trax to start in the storage area. The rides are similar. The noise is bit less in trailblazer, but still could be better.
The 2024 Trax now has cargo capacity virtually identical to that of the Trailblazer. The space issue is moot.
No.
Yes
Not another EV… Chevy needs to offer a few Hybrids!
They’ve been there and dropped that idea as they simply weren’t selling as good as they hoped. The future is 100% EV, however, there are still many like myself that needed the Hybrid’s to bridge the gap as going all EV is too much of a concern for me at this time! Infrastructure is still not here in Canada to support an ALL EV World!
When the time eventually comes, I will still be using an I.C.E. powered vehicle for longer commutes while I will give the EV’s a try on local in town trips. This way I won’t need to charge up anywhere else except at my home while longer trips, I will still be able to gas up at any one of the 10’s of thousand’s of Gas stations already there.
No.
I suspect they will eventually have an EV in each of their current pricing/size segments. If we look at their (US) “crossover/suv” lineup:
In Chevy’s SUV lineup they have (starting MSRP):
Suburban: $57k
Tahoe: $54k
Traverse: $35k
Blazer: $35k (Blazer EV ~$45k, $37,00 after incentives)
Equinox: $26k (equinox EV ~$30k+, ~$25k maybe after incentives).
Trailblazer: $22k
Trax: $20k
They currently have the Bolt EV $26K (~$20k or less after federal and state incentives).
And Bolt EUV $28K ($22K after incentives).
ICE Trailblazer and Trax I think just did a major model refresh for 2024, but I totally expect them to introduce Ultium based Trax or Trailblazer EVs before mid-decade.
I would also expect them to go up market/up size for EVs in the Tahoe and Suburban sizes/prices.
What’s going to be interesting is what they do in markets like Brazil, where they still seem to be producing the Cruze and other small vehicles. When do we announcements that they are going to start transitioning those factories to EV production? And what will they build there?
Yes! Like how Stellantis Europe (old PSA) offers models as ICE, Hybrid, EV. GM would be wise to do ICE & EV variants until 2035.
Obviously GM doesn’t use a flexible architecture but this, nonetheless, shouldn’t be a problem provided only successful models are offered thus way.
I suspect Jeep will start offering these options & GM must remain competitive. GM & Hyandai-Kid dominate sub compact & this is a way to ensure GM market share doesn’t dip.
“I suspect Jeep will start offering these options”
Jeep has been selling a hybrid (first mild and then PHEV) version of the Wrangler for years now. They’ve already announced a full EV version is coming as well.
@SteveInvictaInsignia
ICE based BEV’s are inefficient and if Legacy thinks they can take on Tesla and Chinese BEV makers (unfortunately) with old tech they will be in such a disadvantage.
GM is doing the correct thing and building BEV’s from the ground up. Well if they can ever figure out how to scale up manufacturing because it is at embarrassing levels right now.
For me this comes down to mileage. Will it offer the same 250-300+ miles per charge available in the Blazer/Equinox EVs? If they drop that to 200-250 then I’m not interested. I’m already addicted to the 350-400+ that the TB ICE offers.
Affordable EVs lose money. Affordable gas cars don’t.
Yes even an plug-in or hybrid would make more sense since they don’t offer one yet
I think the consumer should have a right to make their own decisions in what they purchase fuel or EV vehicles. You can’t make one kind of product, and expect someone to purchase it or force it upon consumers . If you make a mistake like you are doing now, you could be at a loss 📉 in your business.
No
They will need a vehicle smaller than equinox, but I just wouldn’t call it a trailblazer. It’s due time for GM to start coming up with some new nameplates. A fresh start could be a good thing in regards to naming, less likelihood of any negative weight potentially holding it back at all. They can market it as something all new and fresh. I am still rooting for something like the FNX-R concept, in size, with a name like Miray.
GM should just keep the Bolt EUV and keep building Trailblazer and Trax ICE vehicles until this country has a dependable electric grid and charging system in place
WOW !!!! Sounds like way too many folks have drunk the Kool-Aid of Mary Barra ..
What a shame. Why not Hydrogen ???? Seems to make sense and the infrastructure is still in need of Major development.. Just like EV crap … When I can stop and get refueled / recharged with a “pit stop” in 15 to 20 minutes — Then drive another 400 miles Electric cars might make sense !!!!
AND — By the way — Corvette is a MODEL of Chevrolet – NOT a brand ..
If they want a “Hot Rod” station wagon … The name is obvious .. NOMAD !!!!!
Biden won’t allow hydrogen.
FJB…
No. Not until GM can step up and accomplish at least two things:
1. Be able to actually produce and deliver what EV’s they offer now and
2. Give buyers a car EV like the Malibu and maybe a smaller sedan EV.
no kidding, how ’bout GM start building the EV’s they been talking about and advertising for past 2 years before they start planning more!!!
Why not keep the Bolt EV as a smaller EV? I have the Bolt EUV 2022 new battery. It’s popular and has an electric car name. Update it’s battery and charging. Give it a duel motor option.
Chuck: I have a 2023 Bolt EV and although not a fan of the styling, I purchased it because it was an affordable EV that filled my needs. Mine has the range stated on the sticker of 259 miles, but I’ve never seen that low yet. When the weather here in southern California was cooler, it would still be around 275 miles. Now that it’s gotten warmer, it’s consistently over 300 miles. Just last night I fully charged it and when driving away it said 316 miles. Those numbers seem to be fairly accurate because the miles driven seem to be accurate to the level of charge.
GM absolutely should have kept the Bolt instead of killing it. Just one more stupid decision GM made like so many. But updating the battery and giving it a dual motor option would only drive the price up, thus taking the lower price advantage away. Keep it, keep it simple and keep it affordable.
Well if GM is going to be pure BEV’s then yes they need to manufacture a Trailblazer BEV and the sooner they do it the sooner they will own the lower end market.
Toyota and Honda seem to be completely lost in this new Automotive World of BEV’s so NOW is the time for GM to strike and finally take back their Throne as the Worlds number One Automaker!!!