2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Pros

• For its size, it has a lot of space for goods and seats.
• It has a lot of cutting-edge tools and features that help drivers.
• The Activ model is ready to go off-roading.

Cons

• The base engine needs to be stronger.
• Downshifting in a transmission might take a long time. 

In what way do you drive a Trailblazer? We looked at the new 1.3-liter engine in the Trailblazer Activ trim level. With it, the Trailblazer does great in daily traffic, even though it takes 9.4 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, which is a lot longer than similar SUVs with more powerful engines. But when passing, we wish the nine-speed automatic transmission could downshift a little faster. When speeding up, though, it keeps the small engine in its ideal range.

We could be more impressed by the Trailblazer’s brake pedal. It’s hard to slow down easily because it’s so sensitive. The off-road tires on the Activ trim level are not as sticky as those on other Trailblazers. The Trailblazer doesn’t handle very well, but the steering is usually right, which gives drivers trust on most highways.

How does the Trailblazer make you feel? The Trailblazer rides well for a small SUV, especially on the highway. The front chairs are rough at first, but after a few hours, they become supportive and comfy. The Trailblazer shakes a little on the bumpy roads around town, but it never feels too stiff or hits any bumps. When you’re moving, the Trailblazer has great ride comfort.

The three-cylinder engine, which is known for being rough and noisy, only makes a soft growl when it’s running at full speed. Even when driving for a long time, road and wind noise is never unbearable, even if it isn’t as well-dampened as it could be. Higher fan speeds can be annoying, but climate control is simple to use and does a good job of keeping the car at the right temperature.

How is the state of the inside? The analog and digital controls on the Trailblazer work well together, and it’s simple to use even at first look. Getting in and out of the Trailblazer is easy because the ride height is higher than that of a compact car. It will be easy for even the tallest backseat people to fit inside. When people get inside, they’ll see that the back seat is very roomy. When the panoramic sunroof is added as an option, there will be plenty of space for most people.

Taller drivers will feel like they’re sitting at a reasonable height because they can change the position of the steering wheel to suit their needs. The Trailblazer’s roofline is a little lower than the Mazda CX-30’s, but style doesn’t come at the cost of sight. The high-definition backup camera works great even when there isn’t much light.

What’s wrong with the tech? It’s different from most other cars in its class because the Trailblazer doesn’t have a built-in guidance system. Because of this, you will need to use the apps on your phone. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, thankfully, come with wireless connections and work well with the Trailblazer’s stunning screen. The front seats come with both USB-A and USB-C ports, but you can choose to leave them out of the back seats.

Voice controls are pretty easy to use, but we wish the system could understand more normal language. However, when we used the exact syntax, our directions were correctly understood. Even though it’s not as popular as in some competitors’ cars, like the Subaru Crosstrek, some option packages offer high-tech driving aids. The adaptive cruise control always worked, and none of the other features sent out false alerts.

What’s going on with storage? In terms of load capacity, the Trailblazer’s bigger size is a benefit. Its trunk room is one of the biggest in its class, even when compared to cars like the Subaru Crosstrek and Kia Soul. Even though the Trailblazer is still a small SUV, it should be able to handle most of your storage needs.

There is average storage space inside for small things. The front has cupholders and a tray with a charging pad for your phone if you decide to get rid of the shifter. You can store things you use sparingly in the deep, slightly narrow bin under the armrest in the middle of the desk. There is nowhere for bigger water bottles to fit, but both front and back passengers can store small things in the door pockets. That’s great; the back seat has a lot of room for car seats.

How much fuel does it use? We tried the Trailblazer with the 1.3-liter engine and all-wheel drive. The EPA said it would get 28 mpg on the highway and in the city together. That’s the right size for an extra-small SUV. We were unhappy that our 115-mile test route, which was mostly freeways, only got us 26.9 mpg. The Trailblazer’s 1.3-liter engine doesn’t need expensive fuel like some other turbocharged engines in its class.

Is the Trailblazer really worth it? For people who are tight on cash, the Trailblazer is not a very small SUV. There are, of course, rivals that charge less. Still, the Trailblazer looks and feels well-built on the inside, and for the price, it has a lot of features that make it appealing. Chevrolet offers free maintenance for a year and roadside assistance for five years or 60,000 miles. Warranty coverage is normal.

The Trailblazer stands out from the rest because it looks futuristic and is a bit rough. Its general competence and friendly attitude also help. Other ultra-small SUVs are faster and handle more sportily, but the Trailblazer never seems to lack real-world skills. Its personality is flexible, which makes it useful and competent in almost all situations.

You get a lot of room and equipment for your money, even though it costs a bit more. If you can afford it, a well-equipped Trailblazer is a small car that is exactly balanced and doesn’t have any major flaws.

Chevrolet hasn’t said anything public about the 2025 Trailblazer as of this writing. We will change our minds if something comes up, but based on last year’s Trailblazer, we are going with the LT. In addition to getting extras like roof rails and warm front seats, it can also get the Convenience package, which gives it a bunch of other improvements. It would also come with the Driver Confidence Package.

Models of Chevrolet Trailblazer cars

The Chevrolet Trailblazer is a small SUV that comes in four different models: LS, LT, Activ, and RS. The base engine has a continuously variable automatic transmission, front-wheel drive, and a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that makes 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. If you choose all-wheel drive, a stronger turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque is installed along with a nine-speed automatic gearbox.