2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Pros:

• It has a lot of cutting-edge security features and technological improvements
• A few off-road features are built into the Activ model.
• The inside and cargo areas are significant for such a small SUV.

Cons:

• The standard engine needs more power.
• Getting the transmission to shift down can take a lot of work.

The way the Trailblazer is driven. The Trailblazer we tested had the upgraded 1.3-liter engine and the Activ trim level. Even though it takes the Trailblazer 9.4 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph, much longer than rival SUVs with more powerful engines, it does surprisingly well in everyday traffic. The nine-speed automatic transmission keeps the small engine in its sweet spot when accelerating, but we wish it would downshift faster when passing.

The brake pedal on the Trailblazer isn’t one of our favorites. It’s too sensitive, so it’s hard to slow down gradually. On the Activ trim level, the Trailblazer’s off-road tires don’t have enough grip to stop it as quickly as some competitors. Even though the Trailblazer doesn’t handle it very quickly, the steering is accurate enough that the driver can feel confident on most roads.

It is very comfortable to ride in the Trailblazer. Even on the highway, the Trailblazer’s ride is smooth for a small SUV. At first, the front seats are complex, but they get soft and comfortable after a while. The Trailblazer never slams into potholes or feels too stiff when driving on bumpy city streets. The Trailblazer is a very comfortable car to ride in on the highway.

At full throttle, the three-cylinder engine, known for being rough and loud, only makes a faint growl. Even though road and wind noise aren’t as well muffled, they are still easy to deal with and don’t get annoying, even when driving for a long time. Even though higher fan speeds can be loud, the climate control is easy to use and does an excellent job of keeping the cabin at the right temperature.

How does the inside look? The analog and digital controls on the Trailblazer work well together, making everything easy to understand. The Trailblazer sits a little higher than a compact sedan, which makes it easy to open and get inside. Even the tallest people in the back seat won’t have to do complicated gymnastics to get in. Once there, passengers will see that the back seat is very roomy. With the optional panoramic sunroof, most people will have more than enough headroom.

The driving position can be changed to fit a wide range of preferences, so taller drivers won’t feel too high up. Even though the Trailblazer’s roofline is slightly lower than the Mazda CX-30’s, visibility is not affected for looks. The available high-definition backup camera performs admirably, even in low light.

How good is the tech? The Trailblazer is different from most cars in its class because it cannot be ordered with a built-in navigation system. As a result, you will need to use the apps on your smartphone. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both come with wireless connections as standard, and they work perfectly with the Trailblazer’s nice touchscreen. The Technology package was added to our test vehicle, which gave it a nice-sounding Bose seven-speaker audio system and a giant 8-inch touchscreen (a 7-inch model is standard). USB-A and USB-C ports are typical for the front seats, but the back seats can choose not to have them.

Even though the voice controls are easy to use, we wish the system could understand more everyday words. But it did carry out our commands correctly when we used the correct syntax. Even though it doesn’t come with as many advanced driver aids as competitors like the Subaru Crosstrek, you can still get them with a few option packages. The adaptive cruise control worked well, and the other systems didn’t give us false alarms.

What about putting things away? The Trailblazer can carry more cargo because it is more extensive. Even compared to cars like the Kia Soul and Subaru Crosstrek, it has one of the enormous trunks in its class. Even though the Trailblazer is still a small SUV, it should be able to carry most kinds of cargo.

There is enough storage inside for small things. There are places to put your drinks and a tray that can be used as a wireless charging pad if you want to. Under the center console’s armrest is a deep, narrow bin that is best for storing things you don’t use very often. Small items for front and back seats can fit in the door pockets, but bigger water bottles won’t fit anywhere. Car seats should be easy to put in because the back seat is so big.

How well does it use gasoline? We tested a Trailblazer with a 1.3-liter engine and all-wheel drive. The EPA says that in a mix of city and highway driving, it gets 28 mpg. For a small SUV, that’s enough. On our 115-mile test route, mostly on highways, we were disappointed to get only 26.9 mpg. The 1.3-liter turbocharged engine in the Trailblazer doesn’t need premium fuel like some other turbocharged engines in this class.

Is buying a Trailblazer a good idea? Even though the Trailblazer costs less than $25,000, it is not a very small SUV for people on a tight budget. Our test car was an Activ model that was well-equipped and had all-wheel drive. It cost just over $33,000. It costs much less than the mechanically similar Buick Encore GX. Still, it costs a lot more than the high-end Mazda CX-30, which has a more powerful turbocharged engine, and competitors like the Hyundai Kona and Subaru Crosstrek. But for the price, the Trailblazer has many excellent features and is well-built inside and out. Even though Chevrolet offers roadside assistance for five years or 60,000 miles and free maintenance for one year, warranty coverage is still a given.

In addition to its somewhat futuristic and rugged look, the Trailblazer stands out from the rest of the pack because of its overall competence and friendly personality. Although other ultra-compact SUVs are faster and have sportier handling, the Trailblazer never appears to lack capacity. The Trailblazer is valuable and easy to use in most everyday situations because it can be used in many different ways.

Also, even though it’s a little more expensive than most of its rivals, you get a lot of space and equipment for your money. If you can afford a well-equipped Trailblazer, it is a small vehicle that is well-balanced and doesn’t have any significant problems.

The LT trim is a good choice because it has a power driver’s seat and other comfort features. The most important thing is that the LT has cruise control. With this trim, we recommend the 1.3-liter turbocharged engine for more power and the Driver Confidence package for different driver aids.

Chevrolet Trailblazer variants:

The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer is a subcompact SUV with four trim levels: LS, LT, Activ, and RS. The base engine is a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder unit with front-wheel drive and 137 horsepower, and 162 lb-ft of torque. Together, they form a CVA transmission. The all-wheel industry has a more powerful 1.3-liter, three-cylinder, turbocharged engine with 174 lb-ft of torque and a nine-speed automatic transmission.