Chevrolet TrailBlazer: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Chevrolet TrailBlazer choice depends chiefly on whether you want the lighter-duty, turbocharged third generation or the larger-engine character of the earlier generations. The third generation offers 1,200–1,341 cc Gasoline engines, CVT or 9-speed Automatic transmission, FWD or AWD, and 191 mm of ground clearance.
The Chevrolet TrailBlazer choice depends chiefly on whether you want the lighter-duty, turbocharged third generation or the larger-engine character of the earlier generations. The third generation offers 1,200–1,341 cc Gasoline engines, CVT or 9-speed Automatic transmission, FWD or AWD, and 191 mm of ground clearance. The second generation moves to 2,449–3,564 cc engines, including Diesel versions producing as much as 500 Nm, while the first generation uses 4,157–5,967 cc Gasoline engines and includes the range-leading 6.0 AT with 400 hp. The catalogue contains six production series: the first generation, its restyling, the second generation, its restyling, the third generation, and its restyling. All are SUV 5-doors models, with production dates spanning 2001 to the present listings.
Chevrolet TrailBlazer generations: what changed?
The first generation ran from 2001 through 2006 as an SUV 5-doors model with 17 listed versions, of which 12 are shown in the supplied data. Its engines include the 4.2 AT, 4.2 MT and 5.3 AT. Depending on the exact entry, output ranges from 273 hp to 295 hp for the 4.2 models and from 288 hp to 290 hp for the shown 5.3 models. Buyers can find RWD or AWD and either 4-speed Automatic or 5-speed Manual transmission. Tank capacity is 94 litres, while measured ground clearance is 200 or 203 mm.
The first-generation restyling ran from 2005 through 2009. It remained an SUV 5-doors and has 14 listed versions, with 12 shown in the data. Alongside multiple 4.2 AT and 5.3 AT entries, it introduced the strongest version in this catalogue: the 6.0 AT, with 400 hp and 542 Nm. The restyled range uses RWD or AWD, but every shown version has a 4-speed Automatic. Its tank holds 70 litres, which is 24 litres less than the first-generation figure. Ground clearance is normally 200 mm, although one 4.2 AT AWD entry has 203 mm.
The second generation ran from 2012 through 2016 as an SUV 5-doors with three versions: 2.8 AT, 2.8 MT and 3.6 AT. Both 2.8 versions are 2,776 cc turbo Diesel inline-4 engines with 180 hp. The 2.8 AT produces 470 Nm and uses a 6-speed Automatic, while the 2.8 MT produces 440 Nm and uses a 5-speed Manual. The 3.6 AT is a 3,564 cc naturally aspirated Gasoline V-shaped 6-cylinder with 239 hp, 329 Nm and a 6-speed Automatic. Every listed second-generation version has AWD, 255 mm of ground clearance and a 77-litre tank.
The second-generation restyling ran from 2016 through July 2020. It remained an SUV 5-doors and offered three turbo Diesel inline-4 versions: 2.8 TD AT, 2.8 TD AT 4WD and 2.5 TD AT. Each uses a 6-speed Automatic. The two 2.8 versions produce 200 hp and 500 Nm, while the 2.5 TD AT produces 163 hp and 380 Nm. The 2.8 TD AT 4WD has AWD; the other two versions have RWD. Tank capacity is 76 litres, while ground clearance is not measured.
The third generation began in August 2020 as an SUV 5-doors with five listed versions. Its engine range consists of 1,200 cc and 1,341 cc turbo Gasoline inline-3 units, all using a Variable transmission. The 1.2 T CVT produces 137 hp and 219 Nm. The 1.4 T CVT name applies to both a 165 hp/240 Nm FWD version and a 155 hp/242 Nm FWD version. The AWD choices are 1.4 T CVT AWD with 165 hp and 240 Nm, and 1.4 T CVT AWD CVT with 155 hp and 242 Nm. All have a 50-litre tank and 191 mm of ground clearance.
The third-generation restyling began in February 2023 as an SUV 5-doors with three versions. The 1.2 Turbo CVT has 137 hp, 219 Nm, a Variable transmission and FWD. The 1.3 Turbo CVT has 156 hp, 236 Nm, a Variable transmission and FWD. The 1.3 Turbo AWD AT retains 156 hp and 236 Nm but combines AWD with a 9-speed Automatic. All three use turbo Gasoline inline-3 engines, a 50-litre tank and 191 mm of ground clearance.
Chevrolet TrailBlazer engine options and specs
| Generation | Exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders/layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 4.2 AT (273 hp) | 273 hp | 373 Nm | 4,157 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First | 4.2 AT (295 hp, 375 Nm, RWD) | 295 hp | 375 Nm | 4,157 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First | 4.2 AT (295 hp, 373 Nm, AWD) | 295 hp | 373 Nm | 4,157 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First | 5.3 AT (288 hp) | 288 hp | 440 Nm | 5,327 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First | 5.3 AT (290 hp, AWD) | 290 hp | 441 Nm | 5,327 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First | 5.3 AT (290 hp, RWD) | 290 hp | 441 Nm | 5,327 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First | 4.2 AT (273 hp, 373 Nm at 3,600 rpm) | 273 hp | 373 Nm | 4,157 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First | 4.2 MT (AWD) | 273 hp | 373 Nm | 4,157 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| First | 4.2 MT (RWD) | 273 hp | 373 Nm | 4,157 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| First | 4.2 AT (295 hp, AWD) | 295 hp | 375 Nm | 4,157 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First | 4.2 AT (295 hp, RWD) | 295 hp | 375 Nm | 4,157 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First | 5.3 AT (288 hp, 175 km/h) | 288 hp | 440 Nm | 5,327 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First, restyling | 4.2 AT (273 hp, 204 kW) | 273 hp | 373 Nm | 4,157 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First, restyling | 4.2 AT (295 hp, RWD, 95 fuel) | 295 hp | 375 Nm | 4,157 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First, restyling | 5.3 AT (288 hp) | 288 hp | 440 Nm | 5,327 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First, restyling | 5.3 AT (300 hp, RWD) | 300 hp | 447 Nm | 5,327 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First, restyling | 5.3 AT (300 hp, AWD) | 300 hp | 447 Nm | 5,327 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First, restyling | 4.2 AT (273 hp, 201 kW) | 273 hp | 373 Nm | 4,157 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First, restyling | 4.2 AT (295 hp, AWD, 175 km/h) | 295 hp | 375 Nm | 4,157 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First, restyling | 4.2 AT (295 hp, RWD, 9.0 seconds) | 295 hp | 375 Nm | 4,157 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First, restyling | 5.3 AT (288 hp, 163 km/h) | 288 hp | 440 Nm | 5,327 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| First, restyling | 5.3 AT (304 hp) | 304 hp | 447 Nm | 5,327 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First, restyling | 6.0 AT | 400 hp | 542 Nm | 5,967 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| First, restyling | 4.2 AT (295 hp, AWD, 192 km/h) | 295 hp | 373 Nm | 4,157 cc | Gasoline | 6, Inline | No | 4-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second | 2.8 AT | 180 hp | 470 Nm | 2,776 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second | 2.8 MT | 180 hp | 440 Nm | 2,776 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 5-speed Manual | AWD |
| Second | 3.6 AT | 239 hp | 329 Nm | 3,564 cc | Gasoline | 6, V-shaped | No | 6-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second, restyling | 2.8 TD AT | 200 hp | 500 Nm | 2,776 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second, restyling | 2.8 TD AT 4WD | 200 hp | 500 Nm | 2,776 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | AWD |
| Second, restyling | 2.5 TD AT | 163 hp | 380 Nm | 2,449 cc | Diesel | 4, Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third | 1.2 T CVT | 137 hp | 219 Nm | 1,200 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Variable | FWD |
| Third | 1.4 T CVT (165 hp) | 165 hp | 240 Nm | 1,341 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Variable | FWD |
| Third | 1.4 T CVT AWD | 165 hp | 240 Nm | 1,341 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Variable | AWD |
| Third | 1.4 T CVT (155 hp) | 155 hp | 242 Nm | 1,341 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Variable | FWD |
| Third | 1.4 T CVT AWD CVT | 155 hp | 242 Nm | 1,341 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Variable | AWD |
| Third, restyling | 1.2 Turbo CVT | 137 hp | 219 Nm | 1,200 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Variable | FWD |
| Third, restyling | 1.3 Turbo CVT | 156 hp | 236 Nm | 1,300 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | Variable | FWD |
| Third, restyling | 1.3 Turbo AWD AT | 156 hp | 236 Nm | 1,300 cc | Gasoline | 3, Inline | Turbo | 9-speed Automatic | AWD |
Chevrolet TrailBlazer horsepower: which engine makes best use of its size?
Among the third-generation choices, the 165 hp 1.4 T CVT and 1.4 T CVT AWD produce about 123 hp per litre. The 156 hp 1.3 Turbo CVT and 1.3 Turbo AWD AT produce 120 hp per litre, while the 137 hp 1.2 T CVT and 1.2 Turbo CVT produce about 114 hp per litre. The 155 hp 1.4 T CVT and 1.4 T CVT AWD CVT produce about 116 hp per litre.
The earlier engines rely more heavily on displacement. The second-generation 3.6 AT makes about 67 hp per litre, and the restyled 2.8 TD AT makes about 72 hp per litre. The first-generation-restyling 6.0 AT produces about 67 hp per litre. Therefore, the 165 hp 1.4 versions deliver the highest power relative to displacement, while the 6.0 AT supplies the highest absolute outputs: 400 hp and 542 Nm.
Chevrolet TrailBlazer performance and mpg
The 6.0 AT is the quickest measured version, reaching 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and continuing to 210 km/h. Among third-generation versions with measured performance, the 155 hp 1.4 T CVT reaches 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and 200 km/h. The 155 hp 1.4 T CVT AWD CVT takes 9.1 seconds and also reaches 200 km/h. The 165 hp 1.4 T CVT records 9.1 seconds and 195 km/h, while the 1.4 T CVT AWD records 9.3 seconds and 195 km/h. Performance for the 1.2 T CVT and every restyled third-generation version is not measured.
For the second generation, the Gasoline 3.6 AT reaches 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds, compared with 12.4 seconds for the 2.8 MT and 12.5 seconds for the 2.8 AT. All three have a measured top speed of 180 km/h. Acceleration and top speed for every second-generation-restyling Diesel version are not measured.
Measured combined consumption for the second-generation 2.8 MT is 8.8 litres per 100 km, against 9.8 litres per 100 km for the 2.8 AT. Both record 12 litres per 100 km in the city and 8 litres per 100 km on the highway. Consumption for the 3.6 AT is not measured.
In the restyled third generation, combined consumption is 7.6 litres per 100 km for the 1.3 Turbo CVT, 8.1 for the 1.2 Turbo CVT and 8.4 for the 1.3 Turbo AWD AT. The FWD 1.3 Turbo CVT therefore uses 0.8 litres per 100 km less than the AWD Automatic version with the same 156 hp and 236 Nm. City and highway figures are not measured for all three. Consumption for the pre-restyling third-generation versions is also not measured.
Measured first-generation combined consumption is generally 13 litres per 100 km. Depending on the exact 4.2 entry, city consumption is 14.7, 15.7 or 17.9 litres per 100 km, while highway consumption is 10.1, 10.7 or 11.2. Consumption for the 6.0 AT is not measured.
Chevrolet TrailBlazer dimensions and weight
Exterior length, width, height and wheelbase are not measured for any listed version, so Chevrolet TrailBlazer dimensions in mm cannot be stated from this data.
The second generation provides the clearest weight comparison. The 3.6 AT has a kerb weight of 2,035 kg and 239 hp, equal to about 8.5 kg per horsepower. The 2.8 AT and 2.8 MT each weigh 2,091 kg and produce 180 hp, or about 11.6 kg per horsepower. Gross weight is 2,684 kg for the 3.6 AT and 2,750 kg for either 2.8 version. All three have 255 mm of ground clearance, a 77-litre tank and wheel sizes of 245/70 R16 or 265/60 R18.
The restyled second generation has a 76-litre tank, but kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance and wheel sizes are not measured. The third generation and its restyling have 191 mm of clearance and a 50-litre tank; kerb weight, gross weight and wheel sizes are not measured.
Shown first-generation kerb weights range from 2,005 to 2,360 kg, while shown gross weights range from 2,494 to 2,903 kg. The restyled 6.0 AT weighs 2,110 kg, giving about 5.3 kg per horsepower—the strongest measured power-to-weight result in the catalogue—and has a gross weight of 2,722 kg. First-generation wheel sizes are not measured.
Which Chevrolet TrailBlazer version should you buy?
For the lowest measured combined consumption, choose the restyled third-generation 1.3 Turbo CVT. Its 7.6 litres per 100 km is 0.5 lower than the 1.2 Turbo CVT and 0.8 lower than the 1.3 Turbo AWD AT. It also adds 19 hp and 17 Nm over the 1.2 Turbo CVT while retaining FWD and a Variable transmission.
For AWD in the same restyled range, choose the 1.3 Turbo AWD AT. It matches the 1.3 Turbo CVT at 156 hp and 236 Nm but exchanges FWD and the Variable transmission for AWD and a 9-speed Automatic. The measured consumption penalty is 0.8 litres per 100 km. The data contain no prices, so the monetary cost of that change is not measured.
Within the pre-restyling third generation, the 165 hp 1.4 T CVT provides the strongest measured power-to-displacement ratio and is 0.2 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the identically powered 1.4 T CVT AWD. If peak speed and measured acceleration matter more, however, the 155 hp 1.4 T CVT is the better numerical choice: it reaches 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and 200 km/h, beating the 165 hp FWD version by 0.6 seconds and 5 km/h.
For Diesel torque and AWD, the second-generation-restyling 2.8 TD AT 4WD is the direct choice. It produces 500 Nm—120 Nm more than the 2.5 TD AT—and 200 hp, which is 37 hp more. The RWD 2.8 TD AT has exactly the same 200 hp, 500 Nm and 6-speed Automatic, so choosing between the two is fundamentally a drive-layout decision.
For measured Diesel economy, the second-generation 2.8 MT uses 1 litre per 100 km less on the combined cycle than the 2.8 AT. Both have 180 hp, but the Manual makes 440 Nm, 30 Nm less than the Automatic. The 2.8 MT is also 0.1 seconds quicker to 100 km/h.
For maximum performance, choose the first-generation-restyling 6.0 AT. No other listed TrailBlazer matches its 400 hp, 542 Nm, 5.5-second acceleration time or 210 km/h top speed. Fuel consumption is not measured, however. For a more moderate first-generation choice, the 4.2 models supply up to 295 hp, while the 5.3 models offer up to 304 hp and 447 Nm. Price, reliability, oil capacity, engine-number location and “engine power is reduced” fault information are not measured in the supplied data and cannot be used to rank these versions.