Good, But Good Enough? | 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer
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- Опубліковано 20 лип 2024
- The 2021 Trailblazer isn't the Trailblazer you remember, and it doesn't really blaze any new trails, but that doesn't mean it's not worth a look. With a seriously low starting price of just $19,000 before destination, and one of the largest interiors in the sub-compact segment, this Chevy is the very definition of "bang for the buck". But does that mean you should get it or the close Buick cousin: the Encore GX?
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Ive owned a base model 1.2L Trailblazer for 3 months now and it is far more capable than the EPA claims. EPA claims 31hwy 29 combined. Im sitting at a very happy 37mpg.
How is acceleration out of the 1.2T ?
@@trent7080 The best way I can describe it is acceptable. Ive driven both engines and the 1.2 definitely takes a small hit in the engine pep but is pretty close and gets you up to speed on those on ramps just fine.
Hallelujah! Alex reviewed a mid-level trim on a budget sub-compact crossover rather than a top-of-the line trim. That's really important, especially when reviewing a GM product, because there is such a gulf between the volume sellers and the premium trim levels on GM products.
Old Trailblazer: Bigger version of the Blazer
New Trailblazer: Smaller version of the Blazer
It shows GM doesn't have any clue
Actually the trailblazer has always been smaller than the full size blazer.
Andrew M : I would disagree, place my 05 Trailblazer next to an 05 Blazer and the blazer looks like it’s kid brother. The Trailblazer was the mid sized SUV for Chevy, Taho and suburban being the larger brothers and Blazer the kid. The Tax was the baby of the bunch and stayed it of the tall grass because it couldn’t handle it. The new Trailblazer is smaller than the new blazer and I my opinion a bad reincarnation.
A divorced headlamp arrangement... love it!!
My fav: Highlander doesn't get upset over broken pavement...
What a way with words
The comparison segment at the end is really well done
I'd love to know more about how the CVT vs 9-speed drives though. It can be hard to tell on a five minute test drive compared to reviewers that get vehicles for a week.
Alex I watch a lot of car review channels and you go into very good depth. I appreciate your effort. I consider most review channels to not know what they are talking about at all when describing a vehicle but after watching your video hesitating for months about buying a Trailblazer your video made scheduling my appointment very easy. Thank you.
GM literally cut the old trail blazer in half. Including the engine. Great review, as always, but I don't see the sense in this vehicle.
Every auto manufacturer has a subcompact crossover. You're not very logical.
They will likely be discontinuing the Trax soon, because its based on the Sonic which is going away.
@@andybub45 9
@Richard Favreau when I talk to SUV owners the two things they love to say is that "its safer because, its higher up" it's like they don't know nothing.
Its definitely not what we wanted, but considering how cheap this is u can modify it to fit ur off-road needs
Lol that herringbone pattern from the seat is from the Cavalier. I remember seeing that as a kid. 🤣🤣 Some things don’t change.
Great review, I like that you fairly review with no preconceived notions or biases. Subscribed!
Love the new into music! Long overdue Alex!
I had a 2004 Trailblazer until last year. It was 'ok'...but I constantly battled electrical problems and while I never had any major engine or transmission problems, I was "hundred dollar'd' to death. It was always something: several thermostats, leaky power steering pump, leaky trans coolant lines...THREE front wheel bearings. cabin fan resistor, several ignition switches, new starter, new dashboard instrument panel...the list goes on and on. And it was a TOTAL gas hog. Had I known, I wouldn't have kept it as long as I did. I will say this, that inline 6 had tons of torque at less than 2000 rpm.
@Joe Doe
They are junk, and always were.
Now, instead of torque this Trailblazer has noise. noise. and too much noise at every RPM
A general motors design CVT; what could possibly go wrong. Besides that small turbo charged engine of course.
You can get the 9 speed, but you're right about the turbo 3
1.3L I3 engine.... That sure should last a long time...
Especially being a Chevy with in house 9 speed transmission.
hiroshima thompson good one. Very accurate 😂
@hiroshima thompson More likely being driven by the Amazon dude delivering their Whole Foods order.
@@James-il3tq Yeah, the transmission is much more likely to be the weak point. By a spare one - you'll eventually need it.
Small engines have been used all over the world for a long time. It’s really only the USA that uses huge engines.
I drove a 2004/2005 Saab 9-7X a couple weeks ago in Dallas. It belongs to my sister and her husband. It had the 5.3L GM V8. I liked it.
Great review! I have a 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS FWD with the 1.3 turbo loving it so far very sharp looking it’s peppy LOTS OF SPACE!! Personal favorite is folding the front seat completely flat lol and no complaints about the CVT
I don't understand why there has never been a noticable fuel mileage improvement over the years . I recall when the famous fuel injected 3.8 V6 came out in 1986 that was a huge improvement overall . Seems since then nothing really ground breaking.
How can we tell if these turbo 3 cylinders will be reliable out to 250k like the 4 cylinder in the HRV? We can't.
I've seen 4 videos of this car because it's on my short list and this was the most detailed review👍
Great review as usual but I wish you had addresses the poor view out of the rear quarters for those backing out of parking spaces. I think that's the reason I won't even go look at a Trailblazer. I like a heck of a lot of things with the LT model. I'd certainly have to add the rear cross traffic alert optional package. Maybe it'll be standard on the 22's.
This Trailblazer reminds me of on older Honda is some ways. Affordably priced, lots of room on the inside, fuel efficient and with many useful features such as the fold flat front seat and all the safety tech that is available. Now, will it be as reliable? Probably not. But with the attractive styling I'm predicting this will be a win for General Motors.
What all cars have the forward-folding front passenger seat for carrying long cargo? That's an extremely useful feature for me.
Also, my 2007 HHR had the same fold flat front passenger seat.
I don't mind the CVT, if it's a good one with regular maintenance. But a N/A 4 cylinder could have been used instead of a turbocharged 3 for the base model. 1.5 or 1.6. Then turbocharge the same 4 cylinder for the other models.
The opening music is much better Alex
I don't get why they made this so small when they already have small SUVs. This is pointless imo
@Richard Favreau Nah, it's the industry that leads the American consumer by the nose, to buy a less practical higher profit margin product over a less expensive more practical station wagon.
It's not small at all. Did you see how much space there is in the 2nd row and in the trunk? It's basically a perfect size for a family of 4. No need to have a giant 8 seater.
Name value
It's the best-selling market segment these days and all the manufacturers are trying to offer as many as possible. This is a perfectly reasonable size for many buyers, so why not?
It's not small at all on the inside. Alex is like six two or six four and he had three or four inches sitting behind himself and plenty of headroom. That's a lot better than some of the other competition where you can barely stuff yourself in the back. Apparently this thing is pretty competent off-road also there's a few other videos on UA-cam of people beating the shit out of these off-road it's got almost 8 inches of ground clearance which is enough to get you out of most stuff. And the highway fuel economy numbers are actually pretty good too. And that 3 cylinder engine should be super easy to work on because there's a ton of room around it. And honestly 3 cylinder engines generally sound a lot better under heavy load than a 4 cylinder. They've got a really cool sound actually. Triumph uses three cylinders in their motorcycles, there's a few other places where they're used and they have a very interesting sound.
Front design is one of the best I have seen. The best colors for showing off the beauty of a car's design are lighter colors, like silver. Dark colors like this hide subtle curves, angles, etc.
Nah it isn't it looks ugly
Why buy this 3 cyl when you can get a better and more reliable Asian 4 banger?
Pedro Fernandez because people have stupid written on their foreheads
All about fuel economy ratings for vehicle manufacturers.
@@James-il3tq These 3 cyl don't get any better mpg's than 4 cyl cause you gotta floor them to get out of their own way
@Pedro Fernandez Fuel economy *ratings* not actual fuel economy. Turbos always get better MPG on paper but not in real world use.
I've banged four Asians.
Great review of the Chevy and all the other vehicles. I definitely will be shopping the Trailblzer, Seltos, CX 30 and maybe the Rogue sport. The Nissan Kicks looks cheaply made. In the Chevy I would want the automatic with the larger engine and the two tone paint. Thx so much.
It comes with 2 automatic options a cvt transmission or a 9 speed with over. I got the 9 speed the cvt made it seem like a wind up toy.
Wait for the 2021 refreshed Crosstrek? I think It’s already on sale at many dealer lots.
Cannot understand why GM is using a 3 cylinder small displacement engine, and slapping a turbo on it is not going to hide the fact that it's not going to last. I would go with a hyundai venue over the trailblazer at least that has a four cylinder engine and no turbo to worry about.
wonder if that camera based cruise control can be retrofitted to cars with a lane departure camera like my 2014 Volt?
The engine sounds like a sewing machine (5:31).
It does! 100 %
At ideal. But when revved 3 cylinder engines are horribly rough. The torque inbalance (shared with inline-five engines) makes for a rattling powertrain as the engine tries to rock from end-to-end, even when balanced as much as physically possible. A piece of junk most likely long-term.
@Adam Speck Call me when you've made it to 100k with that motor. Can it go to 200k? Good luck.
I would get the Encore GX. It just looks classier. I also really like the way the GX looks in the back.
That was the best intro I’ve ever seen for UA-cam channel
11:25 WOW 57F !!! Where are you at??? I want to live there... our summer is 105F with 90% humidity, last light was considered the hottest since they started recording data it stayed at 86!!! so we started the day HOT already (South Texas Rio Grande Valley)
What could possibly go wrong when the optional engine is a 1.3l 3 cylinder?
On the ACTIV trim don't forget a few extra features that are included on this but usually extra on the competition -- far better tires which are respectable for soft-roading without wrecking on-road fuel economy and handling, and a skid plate, and an extra half inch of ground clearance for eight inches total on the ACTIV AWD. A pity they shortened the Buick and didn't offer Buick standard noise insulation on upper trims of the Chevy.....puts smallish-car buyers between a rock and a hard place.
30k for a 3 cylinder with black plastic siding... yuck
I'm digging the Chevy Trailblazers can always upgrade a few things yourself and I like the Buick Encore GX also Jeep Compass looking nice too shoot all good options there if you ask me
Wouldnt the new Kia seltos be the most direct competitor since they came out relatively the same time and have newer tech and safety features? Both can come with awd.
I'm came to your channel as I was in the market and was looking for levelheaded, thorough reviews of the vehicles I was considering. Trailblazer, Escape, Compass and Tucson. I test drove all but the Tucson. I ended up with a 80th Edition Compass Altitude. As you said, there was plenty of cash on the hood.
I found your reviews to be very helpful and unlike other reviewers who make the video more about them and their personality than the cars.
The rattling Trailblazer 3 cylinder was annoying and a deal breaker. The Ford is a bit overpriced as is the Tucson. A bigger strike against the Tucson is that a new generation is coming and would instantly devalue the 2021. Anyway, thanks. You were very helpful!
This is perfect for all your ironing board transportation needs.
I'm enjoying the new intro!
in my Northern California market, the newer Trail Blazer is about the same price as the larger older Equinox with about the same MPG.
Arguably the best SUV from Chevy in years. It is stylish, efficient & surprisingly spacious with good interior materials.
There is a blazer 2020 here v6 body on frame and rear solid axle, I wonder what is it based on here, they released trail blazer here as well.
Where is here. I will go there and get one
The Buick Encore is made in Korea. Is this made in Korea too? 1.3L 3 cylinder.
Yes, this one is made in Korea.
Put a 9speed transmission on my riding mower would be faster and smoother.
I like it. I owed a 2000 Chevy blazer and hanged onto it for ten years,l sold it still going strong with the person that I sold to.
I have a 2018 Jeep Compass Latitude 4x4. Pretty nice SUV, very good in the snow and rough terrain settings (naturally - it’s a Jeep). Much better than the old Compass/Patriot and the ZF 9-Speed and other electronics, besides the touchscreen being slow sometimes, have given me no issues. My lease ends next spring 2021. My only major complaint is that the 2.4L Tigershark engine is too loud and slow. FCA should offer the Cherokee’s 2.0T on the Compass too. Otherwise, I say check one out. Can’t wait for the plug-in Jeeps to come out. I also have an 08 Saturn Aura 3.5 V6 and a 2004 Olds Bravada with the 4.2 I6 in it (old Trailblazer’s twin) - wouldn’t trade them for the world. This new Trailblazer seems... Meh.
Yup I agree
@Adam Speck Looks are subjective. I liked the styling of my Compass vs. similar SUVs, plus it had some features that other similar-priced SUVs didn’t. The new Trailblazer looks decent enough. But personally, I’ve been in most of these compact crossovers now, and none of them are what I’d call “impressive” overall. Very cookie cutter “just get the job done and get home” basic kinda vehicles. But for their intended buyers, I’m sure that’s perfectly fine.
You explain very well!!!!
Sometimes I feel like my 2.5 liter in my Camry hybrid isn’t enough and I can’t imagine this thing
This vehicle is just what I have been waiting for.
...said no one ever.
ayyye
@@JJ-ls7fq speak for yourself...it's the best selling subcompact suv in it's class. I own one and it's amazing. I've talked to several others that own one and they love theirs. People just love to complain about things even though they know nothing.
This is the vehicle I wished it went to hell
If GM is this desperate for fuel economy, they should honestly just cave and buy the eAWD Prius drivetrain from Toyota and design the platform around that. This powertrain strategy is absolute nonsense.
Chevy is working on 1 or some electric vehicles so seeing them go hybrid or even full electric soon is a possibility
Trailblazer awd for me, I just like the styling.
2:49 size chart.. how's encore GX larger than trailblazer?
That graph does look confusing, it might be referring to the older gen Encore GX. But noticing that most of the group fits between the HR-V and the CX-30 shows that they all have just a few inches of difference between them. Unless the graph is all messed up.
@@chiluco2000 nah, I just think it's messed up.. this is, as the marketing peeps at GM would say: "first-ever" (lol) Encore GX, so no older gen available. The other small SUV that they have (Encore) is much smaller and already shown on chart. Something isn't right here. Great vid as always from Alex though
It’s unfortunate that GM after the K5 Blazer history and their longevity of trucks & SUVs weakened the Blazer & Trailblazer products which is a huge missed opportunity in this SUV-market when the Bronco name has been revived and in the manner which it first left the scene.
Right on - exactly
Yup exactly
I've got the eclipse cross would this be a swap worth my time or no?
No, keep your Mitsubishi. You will be very disappointed by this Chevy.
My father's English 1956 Ford Anglia still running 800cc engine.
Nice design and good size .
Everyone laughed at VW’s 1.4TSI engine a few years ago. Now we have 3 cylinders CUV from GM on our market 😆
I've purchased a new 1991 Blazer and a 2002 Trailblazer. Both of those vehicles served me well. There is no way that I'd ever purchase the new Blazer models. They are nothing but weak soccer mom vehicles. My next vehicle will be a 4-Runner.
The gx is smaller than the trailblazer but in your chart it’s bigger.
If they have many fancy techs to make a 3-cy turbo engine so GOOD, why not putting these techs to make a 1.5T 4-cy which clearly wins over 3-cy by nature? This is really beyond me.
The issue here isn’t the turbo 3 in a smallish suv, the issue is calling it a Trailblazer. If you’re going to fall back on these old names they should at least live up to their heritage. But make no mistake, Chevy is going to sell a gazillion of these stupid things. Not to consumers, but to car rental companies. The same fleet strategy they had with the Malibu, Impala, etc.
I wouldn't buy it if they Changed the name of the two I would have bought it
I had no idea they were even making a new trailblazer
Also..I've seen this up close on my block..It's not really small. Looks cool but I wouldn't buy it with that cloth interior.
I would be worried about reliability.
Is it too much to ask for Chevrolet to not ruin nameplates that used to mean something?
Yep the ruined so many way too many
No SS version ?
The Seltos and a Trailblazer too my list.
Trailblazer a Chevy Japan copy because that's what sells today vs a Jeep Compass with less offroad than the Wrangler.
I like this better than the Chevrolet trax for sure. But I’m loving the luxury cars now- older & wiser😊.
Love your reviews Alex but you are way to lenient on seat comfort. You have the g80’a 9’also and that doesn’t make any sense. That needs to be dialed in.
Kia Seltos seems to be a slightly better car from a driving perspective, but this one is attractive.
What a glowdown
Love the new intro ;)
Why does chevy make so many different crossovers? Trax, trailblazer, blazer, equinox, traverse, tahoe and suburban. Who is the target for each one? The trax and trailblazer compete with themselves, the equinox and blazer compete with themselves. What happened to having a small, medium and large crossover and a 2 row and 3 row body on frame suv.
Omg 3 cylinder? CVT? 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
GMs AWD system is sleazy. People buy AWD to have it active all the time. It's combining the main disadvantage of 4wd with the main disadvantage of AWD just so they can brag about a little better mpg.
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Before watching the video, I made a guess that this model would replace the Traverse (being bigger than the Blazer).
Heck the Traverse is a Trailblazer wannabe too.
LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THIS GUYS PACKAGE DAMN
It seems some auto manufacturers have given up lately on fuel mileage. 28 combined is sad, when I get 25 in my midsized 4x4 truck. And I even manually calculate that. 🤦🏼♂️ Come on manufacturers, try harder.
Russell I think it’s down to the government mandated EPA ratings - these hamster wheel engines aren’t powerful enough to move these vehicles efficiently, but they get the numbers the government wants when they test them.
Interesting, maybe because there is no more efficiency to squeeze out of that engine for that type of model segment given their shape and weight. I'm betting they will be using that 3 cylinder for a future hybrid version. The challenge will be in marketing it for the nostalgic Chevrolet audience.
I don't understand this milage either. I get 28 combined in my 07 Forester that has a 2.5 Liter non turbo, and it still manages to be slightly quicker to 60...
Are you comparing Chevy with a BMW? who trained you how to see cars? Chris Chadwick?
new gfx noice
2:24 Here’s another reason why the hood and front are so high for nothing, destroying the cx, the grid serves no purpose in the top , aside from the fact that people want a truck look to feel superior. Btw nice shirt of the same colour fabric as the interior but it allows you to be less distinguishable in this vehicle .
Why anyone would buy this heap instead of a Seltos is beyond me.
Why anyone would buy any sub-compact SUV is a mystery to me since they deliver very little in terms of added capability and certainly less in terms of driving engagement than almost any compact car which can be had for same or less money. Nobody who had almost any alternative bought a Chevy Spark or a Nissan Versa but give it a tiny amount of additional ground clearance and AWD and people line up for them and pay far more for them. And get less MPG and worse 0-60 times etc. But it's nice having choices I guess.
Chris Ransdell People like my parents like subcompact SUVs. Both have had joint replacements and the seating height allows them to just slide into the seat. They might not be as fast or efficient as a compact sedan but they’re better than big SUVs and trucks and they’re easier to drive and park.
They are BOTH heaps
@@CapELarry I believe you just defined the "hip and impressionable" consumer group for this model!
Your not wrong.
🤔 Kia Seltos kicks the crap out of this yet isn’t in the comparison section lol.
They somehow made the trailblazer worse and most likely more unreliable the 1.3? No way I wouldn’t take one of these even if they paid me to drive it 😂
I would take it if someone paid me to drive it.
Why?
You can get suvs one size up with smoother and/or more powerful 2.4-2.5 L non-turbo engines with better fuel mileage from Toyota, Nissan, Jeep, Mazda, and Subaru, most for less money.
I've never understood the subcompact SUV class for that reason. You can get an all around better vehicle, including both more power and better fuel economy if you move up to the compact class.
I love my 2009 inline 6 trailblazer I'm really disappointed. in this model
Ewww, reminds me of the Pontiac Vibe. Not a good flashback.
Purchased a used 2020 Jeep Compass AWD Limited, love the size!
Disappointment to put it simple.
Hate to be that guy, but the videos during the drive segment didn't match up well. A great informative video nonetheless.
Its not a bad car, besides the tiny engine. But they should have made this the new trax and the blazer the new equinox.
New Blazer should’ve been called Trailblazer. Then make the Blazer nameplate into a proper Bronco and Wrangler competitor. I agree that this SUV here should’ve been called Trax.
Yupp
HOW DO YOU MAKE OFFROAD TRAILBLAZER INTO A SUBCOMPACT CUV? THEY SHOULD AT LEAST MADE IT INTO SOMETHING LIKE A EQUINOX
No masculine looks it had the old one was masculine and handsome looking the new one is ugly
They could’ve ended the front end design at the metal bar and incorporated the headlights and turn signals into that one dtrl assembly. Would’ve been a much cleaner and sleeker look.