The 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer will surprise you if you haven’t recently purchased an SUV. The Trailblazer was a large, midsize vehicle in the 2000s that a powerful V8 often propelled, but the current generation is a small, three-cylinder subcompact crossover. While Chevy continues to produce a midsize Blazer (without the Trail), times have changed, and the Trailblazer debuted in 2021 to compete with a new generation of small crossovers. After running alongside it for two years, the Trailblazer replaced the outdated Trax as Chevy’s smallest SUV in 2023.
Except for the new hues Fountain Blue, Nitro Yellow Metallic, Sterling Gray Metallic, and an available pearl white roof color, Chevrolet hasn’t changed anything for 2023. The Trailblazer is a little vehicle, just 173.7 inches long, but purchasers will be pleased to learn that it excels in space economy and usefulness. It replaces the defunct Trax, is much larger, nicer inside, and has superior gas economy. This model has more excellent back legroom than the previous midsize Trailblazer, yet it is slightly less than Chevy’s one-size-larger Equinox.
With the design of the Trailblazer, Chevrolet cast a broad net as many family shoppers are switching from compact sedans to small crossovers. It competes with smaller vehicles, such as the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul, but is larger than the Nissan Qashqai, Mazda CX-30, Volkswagen Taos, and Kia Seltos. Each machine is cost-conscious, and the Trailblazer is starting reasonably priced. However, adding too many options might dilute the value offer, so the small Chevy is best suited for customers who value space and practicality over performance or individuality.
Despite being driven well, the Trailblazer’s two little three-cylinder engines aren’t mighty. The 1.2-litre engine in the basic model is not powerful enough, but the bigger 1.3-litre engine, which is required if you want all-wheel drive (AWD) or one of the higher trims, performs significantly better. However, even with a bigger engine, many drivers will routinely floor it, and the more you stress the engine, the lower the MPG will be. On paved surfaces, the ride is solid; on dirt roads, it is rough. However, some rivals don’t provide AWD at all.
The Trailblazer’s only distinct advantage is that no other crossover this size has a rear seat this large. It provides a passenger room that is practically comparable to a midsize SUV. Although other vehicles, like the Kia Soul, offer a larger total luggage capacity, the small Chevy is helpful. The Trailblazer features a striking appearance and vibrant colors, making it stand out from the competition, much like the Mazda and Ford’s Bronco Sport. Although the low roofline and abundance of black or grey cloth might give the impression that it is gloomy inside, the cabin’s quality is a step beyond that of previous GM crossovers.
With a user-friendly infotainment system that includes cordless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a wealth of optional luxuries like heated seats and a panoramic sunroof, the Trailblazer is entirely convenience-focused. While Kia, Hyundai, and Honda continue to lead the way in active safety technology, the Trailblazer receives a Top Safety Pick+ certification from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for its vibrant and passive safety features. A well-optioned Trailblazer, albeit not very fun to drive, is a fantastic deal for a small family.
Performance: Chevrolet Trailblazer
There are two options for the turbocharged three-cylinder engine that powers every Trailblazer. A 1.2-litre version with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque is available for the LS and LT models, powering the front wheels. All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard on the RS and Activ levels and available on the LS and LT trims for a 1.3-litre engine producing 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. The Trailblazer’s nine-speed conventional automatic gearbox is substantially more responsive than the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) used in front-wheel drive Trailblazers.
Although the Trailblazer weighs approximately 3,300 pounds, considering its size, these two engines seem inadequate in this car. The bigger 1.3 is more gratifying and responsive, although it may feel abrupt and sluggish to react while accelerating from a standing stop. Although the Trailblazer is predictable, neutral, and well-handled, it isn’t a thrilling car to drive in any configuration. The Kona, Bronco Sport, and CX-30 provide significantly more vigor for demanding drivers, but most people trying to go from point A to point B won’t care.
Despite the Trailblazer’s stiff suspension, big overhangs, and basic AWD system, the Activ level adds a skid plate, all-terrain tires, and unique shocks, but these features don’t make it a superb dirt vehicle. You can do it; however, the suspension will hurt you on washboard roads. The Subaru Crosstrek and Jeep Renegade Trailhawk perform better if you need off-road capability in a car this size, but they don’t provide nearly as much internal space.
Fuel efficiency: Chevrolet Trailblazer
According to the EPA, the Trailblazer has fuel efficiency ratings comparable to or slightly better than its nearest competitors. Its 1.2-litre variants have combined 30, 31, and 29 mpg fuel economy ratings. AWD 1.3-litre vehicles get 26 cities, 30 highways, and 28 mpg combined, while front-wheel drive 1.3-litre models score 29 towns, 33 motorways, and 31 combined mpg. However, obtaining these figures in the real world requires a very light foot, which is challenging with so little power.
The Trailblazer underperformed on fuel economy by roughly 3 to 4 mpg from its EPA estimates in two different real-world tests conducted by Forbes Wheels, with a combined maximum of about 25.4 mpg. That places it below the Volkswagen Taos but on par with rivals like the Bronco Sport and CX-30. The Nissan Kicks, which only has front-wheel drive and consistently achieves 33 mpg combined, is the best vehicle in its class. The Kia Soul only has a front-drive and a combined rating of 30 or 31 on the EcoDynamics variant.
Safety and driver support technology:
The 2023 Trailblazer has a high five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and is named a high Safety Pick+ by IIHS. Unlike some previous Chevrolet models, there is also a rather sizable collection of standard active safety systems. Standard features include automated high beams, lane departure alerts with lane keep assist, front collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, and a following distance indicator.
Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warnings are available for a modest $345. For an additional $770, adaptive cruise control may be added to the LT model. The Activ and RS variants are included in a $1,620 technology package. The small Chevy isn’t as far behind the pack as the Trax, despite several competitors, namely the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Kona, and the new larger Honda HR-V for 2023, offering more gear as standard.
Comfort and Space
The Trailblazer’s finest qualities and the characteristics that truly set it apart from its competitors are comfort and space. There is a ton of room inside, and although almost every compact SUV has enough for two people in the front seat, they are considered “utility” cars. The crucial area is the rear seat. The Trailblazer offers 2.4 inches greater rear-seat legroom than the outmoded midsize Trailblazer from the 2000s, as well as more than any of its subcompact rivals, with 39.4 inches.
The Toyota RAV4 and Jeep Cherokee, which are some models one size bigger, don’t give nearly as much room in the backseat, and both the front and rear seats of the Trailblazer are supportive and comfortable. For a crossover, the low-slung roof somewhat reduces headroom (especially with the optional panoramic sunroof). However, even so, rear-seat passengers still have 38.4 inches of headroom, and the doors open widely for simple loading of little children or enormous car seats.
Infotainment: Chevrolet Trailblazer
Even though the Trailblazer uses some of GM’s most modern tech, seasoned Chevy owners will instantly recognize it—this system’s colorful and clear visuals are among the most user-friendly and straightforward. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support are standard if you don’t like the native Chevy system.
The infotainment screen on the basic model is a tiny 7-inch, although higher models come with an 8-inch screen as an option. Thankfully, numerous important physical buttons and knobs are still simple to operate when the car is moving. The system is simple to use, but it doesn’t have the same eye-catching appearance as other more recent touchscreen-only interfaces or sleek new designs like the Kia Niro.
Storage & Cargo Space:
Chevrolet prioritizes passenger space in this vehicle, and the Trailblazer’s cargo capacity ratings are barely average. Even so, this ship has more room than some of its smaller competitors, and the cargo hold is designed to make the most of the available capacity. Behind the back seats, there are 25.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity and 54.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. That compares well to the Kicks (25.3 and 32.3), Kona (19.2 and 45.8), and Renegade (18.5 and 50.8 cubic feet) but falls short of the Taos (27.9 and 65.9) and Seltos (26.6 and 62.8).
Chevrolet provides dealer-installed cross-rails for on-the-roof storage and enough hold and cabin storage for a family of four. Few other rivals allow the front passenger’s seat to fold flat for extra-long things. The Trailblazer was pretty accommodating as we loaded it with several hundred pounds of used auto components.
The Trailblazer has a 1,000-pound tow rating, so if you want to haul some kayaks or a dirt bike, you’ll need to stick to two-wheeled utility trailers despite the towing package’s availability.
Design: Chevrolet Trailblazer
Even though most purchasers of tiny crossovers don’t prioritize aesthetics, looking beautiful never hurts. The Trailblazer has an excellent appearance from most angles, and its muscular fenders, stylish wheel designs, and available colors give it lots of personality. Vivid Orange or Nitro Yellow will cost more on lesser trims, but they look fantastic and make the small Trailblazer stand out. Although the Activ trim isn’t much off-roader, the white top and skid plates give it a more relaxed appearance.
The Seltos, Taos, and particularly the CX-30 have finer-looking cabins than the Trailblazer’s interior, which is less daring than the outside. However, the Trailblazer looks and feels far more excellent than earlier GM crossovers and is much closer to the class leaders. The rear seat might seem darker than it should be due to the sea of black or dark grey, but that is the only drawback. The panoramic sunroof can help, but it is an added expense.
Is the 2023 Chevy Trailblazer Worth it?
Although the basic model LS begins at a very alluring $23,295 (with a $1,495 destination charge and just $300 more than 2022), it has a bit less standard equipment and only comes with a CVT and a 1.2-litre engine. None of the Trailblazer’s optional active safety features is available, and even ordinary (not adaptive) cruise control is an additional expense.
The more luxurious Activ and RS versions are higher ($27,395 for front-wheel drive and $28,895 for AWD, respectively). Still, with specific desired options, they can quickly add up to more than $30,000, and at that price, the Trailblazer seems out of sync with its competitors, even if it does provide plenty of space.
The LT is now the best deal out of the bunch, and at a starting price of $25,890—just $695 more than last year—we’d choose the front-drive, 1.3-litre variant with the CVT. You can still drive off the lot for $27,150 before taxes if you add the Driver Confidence Package (rear cross-traffic warnings and lane change alert with blind spot monitoring), Vivid Orange paint, and the “Confidence II Package” (rear parking aid).
Although adding AWD would increase the price by $2,000, the Trailblazer is still priced below the Taos SE, and in line with the Seltos EX, the model in the series offers the most significant value. However, you can only receive adaptive cruise control on those models by upgrading to the Active or RS and paying an additional $1,620 for the Trailblazer.
How Much Does the Chevrolet Trailblazer Cost to Insure?
The cost of insurance for the Chevrolet Trailblazer is reasonable. Our findings show that a typical 30-year-old female driver with a spotless record may anticipate paying an average yearly premium of $1,746 across all 50 states. Comparatively, the Nissan Kicks cost $1,982, the Kia Seltos $1,791, and the Volkswagen Taos $1,945 each.
Verdict
Although the Chevrolet Trailblazer is just 173.7 inches long on the exterior, the inside offers virtually midsize SUV-like sitting capacity for the front and rear passengers and plenty of baggage space. Its attractive style and vibrant colors stand out from the crowd. It doesn’t, however, drive with the same vigor, and the 1.2 and optional 1.3-liter three-cylinder engines are also lackluster. Due to the lack of power, many drivers will be floor it rather often, reducing fuel economy. However, the Trailblazer is an attractive option for crossover buyers on a tight budget who value space and comfort.
