Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews also can be seen in the Northern & Central California Cruisin’ News magazine published monthly out of Folsom, California.
Sacramento, California -- Chevrolet puts an old name, Trailblazer, on an all-new-for-2021 sport-utility vehicle to compete in the ultra-competitive compact SUV segment.
And for the most part, it competes rather well.
The tested 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer AWD ACTIV looked sharp in the driveway, and a jet black interior was surprisingly spacious for this class.
The tester also had multiple drive modes for varying conditions. Roof rack and side rails? Of course.
From the driver's seat, all-around vision is good. And I quickly noticed that my tester was extremely well-appointed, with standard features that included a leather-wrapped steering wheel, signature LED lights and a lane departure warning system.
Oh, and then there were more than $2,500 in options that sent it into the luxury cloud level. Those features included an eight-inch diagonal touchscreen, a wireless charging station, a premium Bose audio system and rear park assist.
Safety ratings were good, with a max five-star overall vehicle score from the feds.
Power on the tested Trailblazer came from a 1.3-liter turbo-3 with 155 horsepower. The power plant handled things well in the Central Valley, but it struggled climbing in the Sierra Nevada. Most criticisms of the new Trailblazer have centered on the lack of engine power.
But to be fair, big horsepower is not a hallmark of the compact SUV segment. Most buyers want a practical-size vehicle that is a useful chore-doer.
The engine's humble size also pays off on the fuel mileage end, a solid 26 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway.
Overall, I found the Trailblazer to be a comfortable, quiet vehicle with admirable interior space and comfort.
But if you go shopping for one, you have some decisions to make.
For starters, Chevy touts the basic Trailblazer starting price of $19,995. However, my dressed up Trailblazer tipped the scales at a hefty $30,580. Motor Trend magazine's review of the Trailblazer noted a similar sticker jolt --"32,350 out the door."
So, you have to ask yourself: Do I want a small Chevrolet SUV at the entry level price and fewer goodies? Or do I want to spring for an option-loaded Trailblazer that I'll likely stick with for a number of years?
It's your call. And a little homework never hurt anybody, especially with a new model showing up in a very competitive market.
No comments:
Post a Comment