The Chevrolet TrailBlazer is back. Chevrolet Trailblazer: is there life on the frame? Prices depending on the configuration

I completely forgot to answer the question of my dear LJ friends - my "trail" was produced in St. Petersburg. But despite his St. Petersburg roots and Moscow residence permit, there is not an ounce of intelligence in him. This is a brutal American redneck. And this clearly masculine character of the car is very much to my liking. We decided to check how the character of the "trailblazer" corresponds to its real off-road capabilities in a place called "Bestial Mountains". Mud, sand, pits, mountains and huge puddles - everything is here as we wanted.

Since the car did not undergo special training and is serviced exclusively in Moscow, where else you need to get, we decided to do without extreme - we did not give more than 80 in the mud and drifted quite a bit. Watch the video)

You know, I have never tested SUVs before. And I don't even know what to write here. I will just share my emotions. But for now, I'll tell you about the technical part - this is important.

The clearance of this giant is 220 mm. Short overhangs and the absence of plastic in the lower parts, as well as severe steel protection, allow you not to be afraid of damage even on the most difficult tracks. The crankcase protection here looks like a sheet of armor. The driver's position is very high, the visibility is perfect. In the rear-view mirror, you see only the upper part of the roof of the cars driving behind. They don't honk this car, but only throw reproachful glances if they did something wrong. Huge side mirrors would make any car a chebarshka, but not that. Everything is visible - great!

Hidden under the hood is a turbodiesel, 2.8 liters, 180 horsepower, torque - 470 Nm. Maximum speed - 180 km / h, acceleration to hundreds in 12.5 seconds. The transmission is automatic, 6-speed. Plug-in four-wheel drive, low gear with differential locks. Suspension - independent front and multi-link rear. In addition to the usual safety and stability systems (ABS, HSA, EBD, ESC, ESC, CBC, HBA), there is a switchable traction control system (TCS) and a hill descent control system (HDC).

But enough words - a forest trail awaits us! What is unusual - a huge city is noisy a kilometer away, but complete silence reigns here.

2

It rained yesterday, so the mud and puddles are just right - as we like)

3

In the car, I'm sure - the mud will go through on the rear wheel drive. But for every fireman, right on the go, I transfer the car to four-wheel drive with a washer. For ponzihayki it would be necessary to stop and switch through neutral - otherwise nothing ... But with it the car rushes like a tank. Slowly and inevitably.

4

For a complete buzz, turn off the traction control system - it is displayed on a separate button. There is also a descent assistance system, but in a month I have used it once or twice ...

5

Pedal to the floor, let's go!

6

Banzaaaaaay! If only not to lose the action cameras, densely clung to the hood and fenders of the car ...

7

We drove through the mud surprisingly quickly and easily. How about a climb?

8

Eh, we would have rubber ... another would ...

9

We slide on the clay and slide down. And if in reverse? ..

10

No, not in this weather. I couldn't even get here on foot.

11

Nothing, this is just the beginning!

12

We'll rest for a while, and you watch the video!

13

Let's see how the car is doing with hanging.

15

Come on, "trail", use it!

16

He is now like a watchdog with his paw up)

17

Drove! And now let's drift in the sand, since the power allows it!

At one time, before purchasing this car, I read all the reviews about this model that I could find. I thought that I should also leave mine, maybe it will help someone too. My review of the mid-size classic American SUV - the Chevrolet TrailBlazer. I wrote a bit too much, I will hope that my review does not tire you too much.

My car can be called a stock one: it is distinguished from the one that came off the assembly line only by the wheels (there is a maximum size of rubber - 265/65 R17, I like this car better). I took the car in top-end configuration (without DVD, but with a sunroof).

I bought the car a little over a year and a half ago. The car was produced in 2003, at the time of sale the mileage was 35,000 kilometers (there is no need to argue about its reality). The car was in perfect condition, unless of course you take into account a few minor abrasions that were on the bumpers. Guided by what considerations I chose this particular car, it is difficult to answer. I liked it and that's it, and the cost was right for me.

And further. I needed a car with a large luggage compartment in order to carry my chow-chow dog in it. I treat her with special warmth, so I wanted to do everything possible to protect her as much as possible from some unscrupulous individuals who strive to crash into the back of the car at traffic lights. For this reason, I needed a car as strong as possible. That's why TrailBlazer hit me with a frame and a strong thick iron.

At first, there was no limit to the delight of the purchase. Now that some time has passed, I can look at the car more soberly and rationally. But I want to note that I did not have to be disappointed in this car, on the contrary, I still think this car is just wonderful.

I will try to briefly tell you about everything. I want to highlight a lot of points, I will try to choose the most significant ones.

First, let's talk about the motor.

I will try to summarize my thoughts. There are many of them, but I will choose the most relevant ones.

I cannot speak about the in-line petrol six 4,2 vortec without admiration. His work is simply excellent - smooth and quiet, so if you feel the slightest vibration, you can conclude that there is a need to visit the service. Vibration can occur for several reasons. The most common of these are throttle clogging, wear on the engine mountings. Most often, pillows become unusable for fans of jerks from the start.

As for gasoline, the car can be content with anyone, and this will not have a negative impact on either consumption or dynamics. By the way, I use AI-92. There were also attempts to move to the 95th, but did not see expediency, since the dynamics did not improve, but the consumption increased by 1-1.5 liters.

The motor does not consume oil, and, according to knowledgeable people, with the proper approach and timely maintenance, its service life will be very long. Usually, guided by the data of the on-board computer, I change a little every 8 thousand kilometers.

Let's move on to the transmission.

The ancient four-speed automatic gearbox eats up a significant amount of horses. The box works slowly and imposingly. But at the same time, it is quite comfortable with her. Only when you shift from first to second gear can you feel a slight jolt. Like any automatic transmission, this one also does not have a love for overheating, and taking into account the absence of a temperature sensor, the probability of overheating is quite high. But this is only for thoughtless driving. The location of the shift knob gives the car a European resemblance, as Americans usually have this knob on the steering wheel.

The transfer case does not have a center differential, which is why I often drive only on the rear wheel drive. Full engagement is usually only recommended in off-road conditions. In such conditions, the wheels can turn freely, without unnecessary stress on the transmission.

There is also an “auto” mode, which involves connecting the front drive in the event that the rear wheels are slipping. Drivers often debate whether or not to use this mode. As for me personally, it impressed me, that's why I don't use it. There are two main reasons for this. The first is that the operation of this mode is not clear enough: it is possible to turn on the front-wheel drive at the most inopportune moments. Second, the transfer case may be damaged due to the sharp connections of the front drive.

But here I want to draw your attention to the fact that my car does not have a stabilization system, like ESP. For those trails that have it, the front-wheel drive connection in this mode is more smooth.

It is worth noting here that my car is not equipped with a stabilization mode, such as ESP. On those Trails, on which it is, the front end in auto mode connects more smoothly.

The transfer case has not only a rear-wheel drive mode and an “auto” mode, I can also say about the presence of an all-wheel drive mode for driving at high speeds (within 80 kilometers per hour), and also a reduced one, designed for exceptional dirt. And on the rear axle there is a limited-slip differential. This is a separate topic for conversation. His work is flawless, for this reason, the need to use four-wheel drive is extremely rare.

Driving the TrailBlazer on rear-wheel drive in winter requires habit, since there is a lot of strength and a car, so the probability of a skid is quite high, but it can be easily removed from a skid. Last winter was snowy, I only used all-wheel drive when I was parking in the courtyard, and even the need for it arose with the arrival of hellish cyclones, when in our city the snow was almost up to its throat.

In general, if we talk about management, then Trail in this regard showed himself to be on the best side in comparison with his older brother Tahoe. In terms of control, it somewhat resembles a crossover. There are no rear springs, but this does not create any special problems, and there is no significant swinging. I especially want to highlight the softness of the steering. Thanks to the small turning radius, the vehicle's maneuverability at altitude and travel within the city are very pleasant.

Car dimensions require some getting used to, but it doesn't take a lot of time to get used to. Although the rear end doesn't feel good enough, given how strong the bumper is, you don't have to stress too much about it.

I'm not particularly complaining about the braking system, although it could have been better.

A full picture of the power of the TrailBlazer can only be gained when driving on the track. Whatever the speed, the acceleration is the same as from a standstill, regardless of whether the car is loaded or not.

Now let's move on to consumption. In the city: summer - 16-18 liters (depending on how you drive), winter - from 19 to 22 liters (driving style also affects). On the highway at a speed of 80 to 100 km / h, 10.5-11 liters come out, a speed of 120 km / h - 12.5 liters, 180 km / h - it turns out like in the city (16 liters).

Once in the summer there was a sharp increase in consumption by 1-1.5 liters. It turned out that it was all about the air filter. After the replacement (from 500 to 600 rubles), everything fell into place.

But as for the paintwork, everything is perfect here, which I consider an important advantage of this machine. The coating is able to withstand not only branches, the thickness of which is several centimeters, but even the reinforcement is not terrible for it (I was convinced from my own experience).

Off-road performance.

Riding in the mud was not a pleasure for me, but nevertheless I had to. I concluded that against the background of others, the car shows itself pretty well. V

And now, according to tradition, about problems. There were very few of them, and the fault was usually not the car.

Firstly, not a few days ago, the wedging cylinder of the right front caliper began to bother. As a result of the inspection, I revealed the following: the repair will already help, you need to change it. But this is only my fault, if I looked there at least sometimes, then I would have done everything on time.

Secondly, there are problems with the struts and bushings of the front stabilizer. Their replacement was immediately after the acquisition of the car due to a knock. But after two long trips, the knock appeared again. I thought that I wouldn’t do the replacement anymore, I could drive like that.

The interior is finished with plastic, which seems tough in appearance, but not bad to the touch. The soundproofing level is excellent. But you often have to replace the blown out button backlight bulbs. At first I suffered from this for a long time, but in the end I decided that it was easier to score. In general, it is curable if you replace them with modern LEDs. Another problem is the erasable buttons of the radio. This can be corrected with a black marker.

In conclusion, I can give some recommendations to those who are going to buy a TrailBlazer. The weakest points of the car (in the absence of a proper approach to operation) are the automatic transmission and the transfer case. My advice is to check them first.

I assume you have an idea of how an automatic transmission is tested. What I can pay attention to is that when you are driving a plan, you feel the transition from the first gear to the second (this is all within the normal range), as for the rest of the transition, they should not be felt.

Regarding the transfer case - switching modes is carried out using a toggle switch. The weak point here is the actuator, which often fails due to the fact that the four-wheel drive was incorrectly connected (for example, on the move). Another reason could be environmental influences. I'll tell you how to check the front end connection. When you are standing on a flat asphalt road, engage four-wheel drive, then turn the wheels out (all the way), put the automatic transmission selector into Drive-mode, and then release the brake (do not press the gas pedal). If all-wheel drive is on, then the car will not go, but if the car is moving, this indicates an unconnected front end. In addition, it will not be superfluous to check the rear limited slip differential to make life easier for yourself in the winter.

I completely forgot to answer the question of my dear LJ friends - my "trail" was produced in St. Petersburg. But despite his St. Petersburg roots and Moscow residence permit, there is not an ounce of intelligence in him. This is a brutal American redneck. And this clearly masculine character of the car is very much to my liking. To check how the character of the "trailblazer" corresponds to its real off-road capabilities, we decided in a place called. Mud, sand, pits, mountains and huge puddles - everything is here as we wanted.

Since the car did not undergo special training and is serviced exclusively in Moscow, where else we need to get, we decided to do without extreme - we did not give more than 80 in the mud and drifted quite a bit. Watch the video)

You know, I have never tested SUVs before. And I don't even know what to write here. I will just share my emotions. But for now, I'll tell you about the technical part - this is important.

But enough words - a forest trail awaits us! What is unusual - a huge city is noisy a kilometer away, but complete silence reigns here.

2

It rained yesterday, so the mud and puddles are just right - as we like)

3

In the car, I'm sure - the mud will go through on the rear wheel drive. But for every fireman, right on the go, I transfer the car to four-wheel drive with a washer. For ponzhayki, you would have to stop and switch through neutral - otherwise nothing ... But with it, the car rushes like a tank. Slowly and inevitably.

4

For a complete buzz, turn off the traction control system - it is displayed on a separate button. There is also a descent assistance system, but in a month I used it once or twice ...

5

Pedal to the floor, let's go!

6

Banzaaaaaay! If only not to lose the action cameras that densely clung to the hood and fenders of the car ...

7

We drove through the mud surprisingly quickly and easily. How about a climb?

8

Eh, we would have rubber ... another would ...

9

We slide on the clay and slide down. And if in reverse? ..

10

No, not in this weather. I couldn't even get here on foot.

11

Nothing, this is just the beginning!

12

We'll rest for a while, and you watch the video!

13

Let's see how the car is doing with hanging.

15

Come on, "trail", use it!

16

He is now like a watchdog with his paw up)

17

Drove! And now let's drift in the sand, since the power allows it!

18

Cool car! A real tank!

19

Here is another video for you - in support of this opinion:

20

This beast is to my liking. I hope someday I'll buy myself one like this!

21

Thank you for your help, moral and technical support when testing my friends Elmira

The first acquaintance with the Chevrolet Trailblazer

Chevrolet trailblazer
2.8 L (180 HP) 6AT
price: from 1,510,000 rubles.

The trend is evident: the supporting frame, continuous axle beams, rigidly connected all-wheel drive are gradually becoming a thing of the past. Their place under the sun is confidently taken by crossovers of various stripes. And now, in this troubled time for real SUVs, Chevrolet introduces a new Trailblazer to the market, the design of which meets all the immutable canons of jeep construction.

And it is interesting that live Chevrolet Trailblazer looks much more advantageous than in the photographs. For some reason, the image captured on the camera's matrix is not able to convey the true harmony of an athletic, without excess fat, with lean lines of the exterior. And along with the elegance in the design of the body, there is a hint of both endurance and good off-road capabilities. However, this is not surprising - after all, the appearance of the Trailblazer was created in the South American design center of General Motors almost simultaneously with the single-platform Colorado pickup, which, by the way, is quite popular in the countries of South and North America.

Speaking of trucks, it is worth noting that the Chevrolet Trailblazer, even though not a pickup truck, has a very serious potential in this regard. A spacious seven-seater salon, when the third and second rows are folded, an impressive platform is formed; and the total trunk volume, which in this configuration reaches 1830 liters, is worthy of respect. Of course, in full accordance with the law of the genre, with all the passenger seats occupied, there is not much space left behind the "gallery" for luggage, but even in this case, a pair of bulky suitcases will fit easily. By the way, unlike most of its brethren, offering a seven-seater cabin layout, Trailblazer has almost full third-row seats. For example, with a growth of a little less than 180 cm, I settled there, if not quite at ease, then without noticeable discomfort. Naturally, the second row of seats has the largest reserve of free space for passengers in this car. Here, three men, even of a fairly dense physique, will not feel squeezed. And of course, it should be noted the mass of glove compartments and compartments for various small luggage scattered throughout the cabin.

Sports notes

As for the front part of the interior space, here, perhaps, the main thing that attracts the eye in the very first seconds of inspection is the instrument cluster executed in the spirit of the sports Chevrolet models with indicators recessed into four-sided wells. And in general, the interface for managing all functions is not only beautifully drawn, but also pleases with an intuitively understandable algorithm of use. The seats are also not bad - even if their profile does not have pronounced lateral supports, and the softness of the pillows hints at the American essence of the car, but the long hours spent in the driver's seat did not affect pain in the lower back or in other parts of the body. Of course, the overall good ergonomics of the pilot's seat played a significant role in maintaining the driver's long-term performance, the only serious complaint about which is the lack of steering wheel offset adjustment. Well, and, perhaps, also disadvantages include not the most expensive finishing materials - plastic is hard everywhere, and not only to the touch, but also to the eye.

For the Russian market, Trailblazer is offered with two types of engines - a 2.8-liter turbodiesel and a 3.6-liter V-shaped gasoline engine. It is interesting that, unlike many competitors, it is the turbodiesel that plays the role of the base unit here. Duramax inline four-cylinder engine with a maximum power of 180 hp. has just scrap torque, the peak of which of 470 Nm is reached already at 1600 rpm. Here, however, it is worth noting that this indicator refers to a diesel engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, but together with a five-speed "mechanics" the maximum torque is limited to 440 Nm. However, the car we tested had the right combination - diesel plus automatic. And the test conditions were quite suitable - Armenia can boast of many mountain paths of the most varied quality, from decent asphalt to complete off-road. And in any conditions, the engine running on heavy fuel showed itself from a good side. The dynamics, albeit not hurricane, but quite sufficient, but the excellent traction already in the lowest rev range allows you to feel confident in almost all driving situations. The algorithm of the six-speed automatic machine is also matched to the motor. He moves up gears very gently and almost imperceptibly, if necessary, he quickly enters the kick-down mode and only when braking does not provide proper deceleration, which, however, is easily solved by "tucking" the required stage in manual mode. Much the same can be said about the chassis. The frame construction with dependent rear suspension has good articulation, but in tight turns at high speed shows decent roll. True, at the same time, the stability of the given trajectory practically does not suffer, and in general, given the design of the car, the handling can be called decent. And of course, an excellent ride - the Trailblazer suspension transmits to the crew information about the condition of the road surface in especially broken directions, but it “swallows” almost all the flaws of the road without the slightest hint of breakdown.

Theory and practice

If in the "asphalt" nominations the car showed itself to the top four with reservations, then its off-road performance deserves only praise. Large ground clearance (255 mm for cars with 16-inch and 267 mm with 18-inch wheels), good overall geometry and rigidly connected all-wheel drive, coupled with the presence of a lowering row and a limited-slip differential of the rear axle, only in theoretical calculations, command respect. The opportunity to confirm this in practice was given to us high in the mountains when driving on a clay plateau during a pouring rain. Deep ruts, significant changes in the relief, slippery slopes and other surprises that arise in these conditions Trailblazer digested without the slightest problem.

And finally, the main question: how much? The car, which, by the way, is assembled at the St. Petersburg GM plant, is already available from dealers. The starting cost of a Trailblazer with a turbodiesel in combination with a manual gearbox is 1,444,000 rubles. Replacing "mechanics" with an automatic machine raises the price of the car to 1,510,000 rubles. in the minimum configuration and up to 1,650,000 rubles. in the case of rich equipment. The top of the price tag is an SUV equipped with a petrol V6 with automatic transmission, which is offered only in the maximum configuration at a price of 1,777,000 rubles.

Verdict

Thrust-to-weight ratio
Turbodiesel, despite its low declared power, has excellent traction. No wonder the creators have emphasized that this engine surpasses almost all competitors in the segment in terms of maximum torque.

Comfort
In principle, the comfort component in this car is taken out in a separate chapter. A spacious interior, good sound insulation and a fairly comfortable suspension, plus decent equipment with various equipment, put it slightly above some competitors.

Road behavior
Miracles do not happen: a frame heavy car with high ground clearance is not the best option for high-speed passage of complex zigzags. But in normal modes, its behavior is quite reliable and, most importantly, predictable.

Off-road behavior
Here the Chevrolet Trailblazer is able to give odds to more eminent SUVs. Decent ground clearance, large suspension travel, rigid connection of the front axle, the presence of a lowering row and a high-torque unit in this nomination almost make the car an excellent student.

Eventually
A relatively inexpensive, passable SUV with a decent level of comfort is a good purchase for those people who value these qualities in a car in the first place. And for travelers this is just a godsend.

Specifications
Modification	2.8 TD	3.6 V6
MASS AND DIMENSIONAL INDICATORS
Curb / full weight, kg	2163/2750	2084/2720
Length / width / height, mm	4878/1848/1902
Wheelbase, mm	2845
Front / rear track, mm	1570/1590
Ground clearance, mm	255
Front / rear tires	245/70 R16, 265/60 R18
Trunk volume, l	235–1830
ENGINE
Type, arrangement and number of cylinders	Turbodiesel, R4	Petrol, V6
Working volume, cm 3	2776	3564
Power, h.p. (kW) at rpm	180 (132) at 3800	239 (176) at 6500
Max. torque, Nm at rpm	470 at 1600	329 at 2800
TRANSMISSION
Transmission	6AT
Gear ratios:
I	4,06
II	2,37
III	1,55
IV	1,16
V	0,85
VI	0,67
Reverse	3,20
main gear	N. d.	3,73
All wheel drive type	Pluggable
CHASSIS
Suspension front / rear	Independent spring / dependent spring
Brakes front / rear	Ventilated discs / discs
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Maximum speed, km / h	N. d.	180
Acceleration time 0-100 km / h, s	12,5	9,1
Fuel consumption (combined cycle), l / 100 km	9,8	11,9
Fuel / fuel capacity tank, l	DT / 77	AI-92/76
price, rub.	1 510 000	1 777 000

Competitors

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport
Like our hero, it differs in frame construction and belongs to one of the most budgetary proposals in this segment. At a slightly lower cost, it boasts an all-wheel drive Super Select transmission, but is inferior to the Trailblazer in terms of passenger capacity.

Nissan pathfinder
From the offered power units - two turbodiesels. Prices are slightly higher than Chevrolet; has good behavior on paved roads. In the same way, like our hero, it has a seven-seater configuration of the cabin, however, here the "gallery" is very cramped.

Ssangyong rexton
The alternative, produced in Russia under the wing of the Sollers company, has a design and price tags similar to the Chevrolet Trailblazer. There are options with seven-seater salons. There are three engines to choose from (two turbodiesels and one gasoline) and two types of transmission.

text: Alexey TOPUNOV
photo: manufacturer

Chevrolet noticed that there was not enough car in the logical chain of models between Blazer and Tahoe. And at the turn of the century, in 2001, a model was released that had a derived name from the Blazer, but resembled the Tahoe in appearance - it was called the TrailBlazer. Contrary to the opinion of buyers - the newcomer had nothing to do with Blazer except for the name, the model platforms were completely different.

The TrailBlazer is a true off-road vehicle with a powerful naturally aspirated engine and frame construction. It's not as huge as the Tahoe, but that's exactly how it was conceived in Chevrolet. The car immediately attracted buyers at home - in the United States, for its brutal appearance and general style, a strong half of the US population fell in love with it. But Trailblazer was also adapted for Europeans, the gearbox selector moved from the steering column to its usual place between the front seats. The driver's workplace is clearly delineated and has an easy angle of rotation to the person sitting behind the wheel, and the number of boxes and niches for small items cannot be counted for the delight of a large family.

The first generation of the car from 2001 to 2006

It was created as an off-road conqueror and had very impressive dimensions, chevrolet trailblazer technical characteristics:

length 4893 mm
width 1905 mm
height 1826 mm
ground clearance 203 mm
wheelbase 2869 mm
tank volume 94 liters
curb weight 2155 kg
gross weight 2608 kg.

Before us is a large and heavy car, which was driven by the same large and powerful engine:

petrol V-shaped, six-cylinder 4.2-liter engine with a capacity of 273 hp and a torque of 373 Nm. With it, Trailblazer accelerated to 100 km / h in just 9 seconds, but did not differ much in economy - 17.9 liters in the city and 10.1 on the highway. There is only one gearbox - an automatic machine with 4 gears. But it was not a simple machine, but one of the first adaptive machines that could adapt to the driving style, which the car owners really liked.

Trailblazer's safety is also all right, side and front airbags, a strong body frame and steel bars in the doors. The volume of the luggage compartment is simply huge - at least 1577 liters, maximum 2268 liters, not one competitor could boast of such a volume.

After a year of conveyor life, the Trailblazer received an extended version and a new engine. The new model was called TrailBlazer ETX:

length 4279 mm
width 1894 mm
height 1957 mm
ground clearance 203 mm
wheelbase 3277 mm
tank volume 98 liters
curb weight 2325 kg
gross weight 2903 kg.

The ETX had a significantly increased wheelbase and, as a consequence, a third row of seats. A more powerful motor was allocated for him:

petrol V-shaped 8-cylinder unit with a volume of 5.3 liters and a capacity of 294 hp Torque 441 Nm. The ETX accelerated to 100 km / h in 8.7 seconds, and its top speed was 175 km / h. The gearbox is the same 4-speed automatic.

But with the enlarged version of the trailblazer in the Chevrolet they miscalculated. Buyers tended to favor the Tahoe, considering it more solid. The ETX version lasted on the assembly line until 2006, after which it was discontinued.

Model update from 2006 to 2009

The original version was not repressed and continued to be produced. In 2006, the model was updated. Externally, the model did not receive major changes, since the image of the car was quite fresh and solid.

There were slightly more changes in the technique: it became possible to order a Trailblazer with rear-wheel drive only, and some of the engines were modified:

4.2 liters with a capacity of 273 hp - switched to the updated Trailblazer without changes.
the updated 4.2-liter engine now produced 295 hp. and a torque of 375 Nm. The changes in power were not significant, but the revision was aimed at increasing the efficiency of the engine and the goal was achieved: 14.7 liters in the city and 9.2 liters on the highway.
the modernized 5.3 liters now produced 304 hp. and a torque of 447 Nm. This motor was equipped with both rear and all-wheel drive. Fuel consumption - 15.9 liters in the city and 12.4 on the highway.
new 6-liter monster with 400 hp The torque is 542 Nm. This engine came from the Corvett sports car. Trailbeiser with such a motor received the SS nameplate and was produced for only a couple of years from 2006 to 2007. The sporting direction marked SS was the first to tweak an SUV, and in this sense Trailblazer was a pioneer. Acceleration to "hundred" with such a powerful power unit took 5.5 seconds, and the maximum speed was 210 km / h.

All models of the second generation were aggregated with an uncontested 4-speed automatic.
In 2009, Chevrolet decided to discontinue the TrailBlazer in the United States. After that, it was released for some time in Asian countries.

The first generation Trailblazer all-wheel drive system is state-of-the-art. In 2001, it was even patented as a know-how. It is based on a computer controlled transfer case. At his discretion, the driver can turn on rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, or lock the moment in a ratio of 50 to 50 with a low gear engaged. With such an arsenal and an impressive engine, TrailBlaizer is a serious rogue.

Second generation of the car since 2012

The new Trailblazer was shown at the 2011 Dubai Motor Show and went on sale in 2012 in the United States, Canada and Australia. He reached Russia in 2013. Contrary to expectations and fashion trends, TrailBlaizer has not turned into a crossover. It remains the same SUV with a frame, but the platform is completely different from the Chevrolet Colorado.

length 4878 mm
width 1902 mm
height 1848 mm
ground clearance 255 mm
wheelbase 2845 mm
tank volume 77 liters
curb weight 2091 kg
gross weight 2750 kg.

If the digital values do not differ much from the previous generation, then outwardly they are completely two different cars. The newcomer is clearly oriented not to the US market, but to Russia, Asia and Africa. It is produced in Thailand, Brazil or South Africa, where the cost of the car is significantly lower. For the domestic market, TrailBlazer will be assembled in Russia.

The salon easily takes on board 7 passengers and their belongings, by the way, the trunk this time does not boggle the imagination, only from 235 liters to 878 liters. Due to the fact that the car was not created for the United States, the interior is full of hard plastic and the finish is not of high quality.

Volumetric engines are a thing of the past, now everyone is fighting for economy and the environment, as a result, the TrailBlazer has only two units:

diesel 2.8 liters with a capacity of 180 hp and a torque of 440 Nm. Such a motor for a 2-ton car is slightly weak. Acceleration is sluggish, but you can accelerate to 100 km / h in 12.5 seconds. The element of a car is off-road, where, with a huge ground clearance and a torque motor, you can not be afraid to get stuck. Gearbox - 5-speed mechanics or 6-speed automatic. Diesel fuel consumption in the city is 12 liters, on the highway - 8 liters.
gasoline 3.6 liters with a capacity of 239 hp Torque 329 Nm. Such a unit is noticeably faster than the base unit, up to "hundreds" of TrailBlazer shoots in 8.8 seconds. But the maximum speed is the same as that of a diesel engine - 180 km / h. This engine is more suitable for asphalt, due to not large (compared to diesel) torque, but good dynamic characteristics. The gearbox is a 6-speed automatic.

The all-wheel drive system is essentially the same, but slightly technically modernized. By default, auto rear wheel drive. The mode selector can be used to connect front-wheel drive, or front-wheel drive with torque blocking and "lowering". Now TrailBlaizer is equipped with the ESP system, traction control, brake force distribution system and other systems that make life easier for the owner.

Options and prices 2013

At the moment TrailBlaizer is presented in two complete sets in our market:

LT - from 1,444,000 to 1,510,000 rubles. (only diesel with automatic transmission or manual transmission) This version is equipped in a very Spartan way: ABS, 2 airbags, air conditioning, on-board computer, audio system with 4 speakers, full electric glass package, central locking, four-wheel drive with a lowering range , 7-seater fabric interior, steps on the sills, 16th steel wheels.
LTZ - from 1,650,000 to 1,777,000 rubles. (gasoline with automatic transmission). New options compared to LT: airbags - 6 pcs, including curtains, climate control, heating and folding mirrors, cruise control, parking sensors, ESP, chrome trim, lenticular optics of the head light, leather interior, 18 alloy disks.

Conclusion

Originally created for America, the TrailBlazer was an SUV for comfortable travel on any surface. But with the change of generations, fundamental changes have taken place, as a result of which the car does not claim to be comfortable, it is just a working machine with good off-road potential for third world countries. At the same time, the price is very high, and the equipment is empty. When compared with the same Mitsubishi Pajero, the TrailBlazer does not stand up to any criticism in terms of price / performance / equipment ratio. Perhaps the state of affairs will change with the release of the car on the territory of the Russian Federation.