2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer Review
Posted by Hassan Siddiqi on Apr 17, 2013
Chevrolet Trailblazer might just well be one of the rare mid-size SUV's that combine off-road capabilities with family SUV features in a rather common sensical way. There are some SUV's which we KNOW are designed predominantly for familial duties (Nissan Pathfinder, I'm looking at you). Then there are other SUV's which are off-road machines and have much less to do with family comfort or on-road driving pleasure (Jeep Wrangler is one such example). With this one, we will see a rare combination, where off-road capabilities, while not best in class, are quite decent. In addition, there are several comfort and safety features which make this a great family car too.
Driving Performance
So we took this car to Fossil Rock, situated off of Dubai-Hatta highway, just to see how well it handles actual desert dunes. It did very well. It has a separate transfer case which means having a separate set of gears upwards and downwards for off-roading. Having a separate transfer case is one basic way to gauge whether the car is serious about off-roading or not. It also has enough power (236 HP with a V6 engine mated to 6 speed automatic transmission) to climb dunes with ease. Some off-road stats are even comparable to Mitsubishi Pajero when we compare stats such as ground clearance, departure angles and approach angles. Rivals like Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango don't even come close in those departments. Lastly when it comes to on-road driving, it's a smooth drive, very car like, with decent handling as well. It's a 7 seater SUV, bigger than 5 seaters like Volkwagen Tiguan, which means it won't be as nippy on corners, which is to be expected. One weak area is Trailblazer does not have adaptive cruise control. Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango both have adaptive cruise control which really should be adopted for increased family friendliness. It also does not have Blind Spot Warning System, something both Explorer and Durango have.
Interior
The interior, typically American, is very comfortable and tech savvy. It has the typical 6 airbags, 6-8 speaker premium sound system and cushioned seats with decent finishing all round. It as a great Theft Deterrent System which prevents unauthorized entry, great for family safety. It also has a multi-use touch screen which includes a Driver Information Center console, perfect for checking up on essential information. Cargo space is above average, but only when you fold the third row. With all seats upright, there is negligible room. However, it makes up for it with increased legroom, particularly in 3rd row with an impressive 815mm, where most SUV's falter. This way all three rows can actually be utilized comfortably for passengers. One area of improvement we recommend is improving the radio station tuning system. For some reason, it was quite challenging to set even standard radio stations, in the middle of the city because the system had trouble identifying them. It could be a rare system glitch, we hope, we pray.
Verdict
This is an SUV which can be utilized both for family on-road driving and pretty decent off-road dune bashing as well. It has above average safety and comfort features. It faces stiff competition from Mitsubishi Pajero in terms of all round SUV drive, while it faces mild competition from Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango, simply because these models are more inclined towards the "Family SUV" mould rather than a combination of off-road and on-road credentials.