Chevrolet Trailblazer

In the Beginning, There Was the Blazer

What first started out as a trim for the Blazer became its own line when Chevy introduced the TrailBlazer for the 2002 model year. It was limited edition, it was upscale, and it was released during the peak years of the SUV craze. The trim came on four-door models and it was so successful it eventually replaced the Blazer as Chevrolet's midsize SUV. The Blazer was available for three years after the release of its successor, but it remained in commission primarily to offer a two-door SUV.

Forging its Own Path

The first trim levels available on the TrailBlazer were the LS, LT, LTZ, and the EXT, which extended the wheelbase to increase passenger size and cargo capacity. With an elongated wheelbase, the EXT allowed room for a third row, which increased the total passenger capacity to seven. The only engine available was a 4.2-liter inline-6 with 270 horsepower, but it was enough to keep drivers satisfied. The following year, a North Face Edition was released with two-tone colors, a lift-gate luggage rack, clothesline, map pockets, and rain-sensing wipers (among other features) to appeal to the outdoorsman. A new 5.3-liter V8 engine with 290 horsepower was also released with the EXT trim to widen options. When the EXT was discontinued as a result of its production plant closing in 2006, a newer SS model was revealed for the 2006 model year to replace it. Like the EXT, the SS (meaning Super Sport) provided a new engine in a 6.0-liter V8 that made 391 horsepower to enhance the TrailBlazer's performance.

The TrailBlazer was discontinued after the 2009 model year, but it was a largely popular SUV in the US for the majority of its life. This may have been due to the many amenities available on base and high trim levels such as MP3 players, satellite radio, navigation systems, two, four, or all-wheel drive (with the SS), and a sunroof. Although it was short lived, the TrailBlazer was a leader of the midsize SUV class for much of its life, and even featured a Sport model that had considerable kick when it was needed, which is more than what's offered by most SUVs.