What's New
The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer is an all-new crossover positioned between the brand's entry-level Trax and senior compact Equinox. The Trailblazer makes a play for younger buyers who value efficiency, technology, and unconventional styling. It delivers all three at a price that actually undercuts the smaller Trax, which just might be the newest Chevy's strongest selling point.
Choosing Your Chevrolet Trailblazer
The Trailblazer is available in five trims: L, LS, LT, ACTIV, and RS. Pricing starts at $19,995 including destination for the base L model and goes up to $26,395 for either the ACTIV or RS.
Engine Choices
There are two engines available with the Chevy Trailblazer. The L, LS, and LT get a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder motor, while a 1.3-liter turbo three-cylinder comes with the ACTIV and RS. The larger engine is available on the LT for $1,360.
Engine Type | Horsepower | Torque | Fuel Economy (Combined) |
1.2L Turbo 3-Cylinder | 137 hp | 162 lb-ft | 29 mpg |
1.3L Turbo 3-Cylinder | 155 hp | 174 lb-ft | 31 mpg |
Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is available on all but the L model. Selecting AWD brings the 1.3-liter engine, and it only costs $2,000 total to do so on the LS and LT, or $1,500 on the ACTIV and RS.
FWD models use a continuously variable transmission, while AWD versions get a conventional nine-speed automatic.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
The Trailblazer seats five across two rows. There's 40.9 inches of leg room up front and a healthy 39.4 inches of second-row leg room.
There's 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, or a total 54.4 with it folded. For comparison, the Chevy Trax holds up to 48.4 cubic feet, and the Chevy Equinox tops out a 63.9 cubic feet.
Safety Features
Every Trailblazer comes standard with automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, front pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. More features can be added to the LS and above in a series of option packages.
On the LS, the Driver Confidence and Cruise Package ($495) bundles blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane change alert, rear parking sensors, and cruise control. The price drops to $345 on the LT, ACTIV, and RS because cruise control is already standard.
On the LT, the Adaptive Cruise Control Package ($620) adds adaptive cruise control, as well as a 4.2-inch driver information display, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a rear center armrest.
On the ACTIV and RS, equipping adaptive cruise control requires the $1,720 Technology Package, which also includes LED headlights, an HD rearview camera, and much more.
Connectivity
The Trailblazer's standard infotainment system features a 7-inch touchscreen, wi-fi capability, six audio speakers (four on the base L), Bluetooth, two front USB ports, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
The Convenience Package ($620) for LT, ACTIV, and RS trims adds an 8-inch touchscreen, two rear USB ports, satellite radio, a 120-volt power outlet, and more.
In addition to aforementioned safety features, the Technology Package for the ACTIV and RS furnishes the 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD radio, wireless charging, an SD card reader, and a 7-speaker Bose audio system.
The L comes with basics like power side mirrors, power windows and locks, air conditioning, halogen headlights and taillights, a manual liftgate, and 16-inch steel wheels with painted covers. There's also cloth seats, a six-way manual driver seat, a four-way manual passenger seat, and a 3.5-inch driver information display. White is the only exterior color offered.
The LS gains a digital compass display, carpeted floormats, 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, a six-speaker audio system, and a full palate of exterior colors to choose from.
The LT comes standard with a 10-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, remote start, keyless entry and start, cruise control, and deep tinted glass. Outside are LED fog lights, silver body trim and roof rails, and 17-inch black alloy wheels.
In addition to the connectivity upgrades, the $620 Convenience Package adds automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and illuminated visor vanity mirrors. Models equipped with the 1.3-liter engine are eligible for a Sun and Liftgate Package ($1,170) with a panoramic sunroof and a hands-free power liftgate.
In addition to the 1.3-liter engine, the ACTIV receives off-road suspension tuning, all-terrain tires, a front skid plate, and a unique front fascia that increases ground clearance. Roofs are painted in contrasting white or bronze, and the rear features LED taillights and dual trapezoidal exhaust outlets. The interior benefits from leatherette seat trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and a rear center armrest.
The Technology Package ($1,720) bundles the 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, Bose audio system, HD radio, SD card reader, HD rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, a 4.2-inch driver information display, and LED headlights.
The sporty RS shares its equipment and options with the ACTIV, minus the off-road hardware. Exclusive design features include a black or red contrasting roof, 18-inch wheels, black badging, polished round exhaust tips, cloth and leatherette seat trim, and a flat-bottom steering wheel.
Compare Trailblazer Trims Side-By-Side
The low-price L exists mainly for advertising purposes and very few are being produced, leaving the LS as the real base 2020 Chevrolet Trailblazer. But even that is rather austere compared to key competitors. We recommend starting your build with the mid-level LT, which can be equipped to satisfy a range of tastes and budgets.