What’s in a Name? Blazer or Trailblazer?

As an Atlanta Chevy dealer, we have seen considerable confusion in our customers surrounding the relatively new Chevy Blazer and Chevy Trailblazer SUVs. Some of you might remember these names from the 2000s when they were used for two related Chevrolet SUVs. This history and the similarity of the names has led to many of our customers asking us if a Chevy Blazer and a Chevy Trailblazer are the same or similar vehicles. The short answer is that they are not. The new Chevy Trailblazer is the second smallest SUV currently offered by Chevrolet, coming in between the Chevy Trax and the Chevy Equinox. The new Chevy Blazer, on the other hand, is Chevrolet’s largest two-row SUV, slotting in between the smaller two-row Chevy Equinox and the larger three-row Chevy Traverse. But keep reading for the longer answer and a detailed comparison of these exciting new Chevrolet SUVs.

Blazer = Bigger

Both the Chevy Blazer and the Chevy Trailblazer are two-row crossover SUVs with seating for five and are available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. They also share this basic description with the older Chevy Trax and Chevy Equinox. However, the similarities between the two new Chevrolet SUVs end there, and they occupy very different segments of the SUV market in terms of both size and price. Although the best way to get a feel for the dimensional differences of these vehicles is to drop by our Atlanta area Chevy dealership and view them in person, here are some quick numbers. The Chevy Trailblazer measures 173.5 inches in length and has up to 54.4 cubic feet of cargo space when its rear seats are folded down, while the Chevy Blazer is considerably larger at 191.4 inches in length and 64.2 cubic feet of cargo space. But surprisingly, passenger volume is rather similar between the Chevy Blazer and the Chevy Trailblazer, with the head and legroom measurements of the two SUVs being within fractions of an inch of each other. This means that while the Chevy Trailblazer falls behind a little in terms of how much baggage or cargo it can carry, it is not a bad choice for families or drivers looking to fit passengers in the rear seats.

But Look for a Trailblazer if You Want a Bargain

However, when it comes to price, the Chevy Blazer and the Chevy Trailblazer are in entirely different ballparks. The Chevy Trailblazer is the lowest-priced SUV in the Chevrolet lineup, starting at just $19,000. This is an absolutely incredible deal, given the capacity and features that this vehicle offers. Meanwhile, the Chevy Blazer begins at $28,800, which actually makes its lowest L trim more expensive than the top $26,395 RS trim of the Chevy Trailblazer. Meanwhile, the top Premier trim of the Chevy Blazer starts at an impressive $48,395. While size does play a small role in this large price difference, the main factors are that the Chevy Blazer comes with more power and a much larger array of standard and optional features. So while these two models may come surprisingly close in capacity, they occupy very different market segments.

With Size Comes Power

Beginning with the available engine options, you will find that the Chevy Trailblazer is powered by either a 1.2L turbo with 137 hp or a 1.3L turbo with 155 hp. A continuously variable transmission is standard, although a modern nine-speed automatic is also available. While these powertrain options are more than acceptable for daily driving and stack up well with those offered in other vehicles occupying the same price range as the Chevy Trailblazer, they do not provide a particularly inspiring driving experience.

In contrast, the more expensive Chevy Blazer offers a 2.5L engine with 193 horsepower, a 2.0L turbo with 230 horsepower, or a 3.6L V6 engine with 308 hp, and all of those engines come standard with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Chevy Blazer is also available with a more advanced twin-clutch all-wheel drive system. Unlike common all-wheel drive, such as is found in the Chevy Trailblazer, which only has a single central clutch to shift power to the rear axle when needed, the twin-clutch system adds a second clutch on the rear axle that can direct power to the individual wheel that can make the best use of it. And although we do not see much snow or ice around our dealership here in Atlanta, this feature can still be invaluable for keeping you moving in the right direction on roads slick from heavy rain, mud, or even loose dirt or gravel.

Technology Differences

But perhaps the greatest weakness of the Chevy Trailblazer is its infotainment and technology. The base configuration consists of a 7” touch screen and just four speakers, although the mid trims do get six speakers standard, and the high trims have options for a larger 8” screen as well as a seven-speaker Bose sound system. While this is still excellent given the Chevy Trailblazer’s low price point, it does pale in comparison to the infotainment in the Chevy Blazer. In the larger SUV, the standard system is the 8” touch screen and six speakers of the upgraded Chevy Trailblazer system. Further, the higher trims of the Chevy Blazer come standard with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, and an 8” reconfigurable color instrument cluster. Last but not least, the Chevy Blazer has the option of expanding its infotainment system to include two seat-back 8” screens with a DVD player for the benefit of the passengers in the rear.

But the feature advantage of the Chevy Blazer is not limited to the infotainment systems alone. Standard equipment on the Chevy Blazer includes luxury items such as keyless entry and push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, active noise cancellation, and a leather steering wheel. And while many of these features are available on the higher trims of the Chevy Trailblazer, the higher trims of the Chevy Blazer unlock far more items. These include a hands-free power liftgate, 360 degree surround vision, a power-adjustable tilt and telescope steering column, a rearview mirror backup camera, and vented front seats that are simply invaluable on a hot Atlanta day. All of these items more than justify the higher price tag that the Chevy Blazer commands.

Different Vehicles For Different Purposes

The bottom line is that despite their similar names, a Chevy Blazer and a Chevy Trailblazer are not the same vehicle. Although they both offer five seats and SUV performance, the Chevy Blazer is significantly more expensive, more powerful, and better equipped than the Chevy Trailblazer. However, that does not necessarily mean that the Chevy Blazer is a better vehicle. Not only is the Chevy Trailblazer far more affordable, but it is also a more compact and efficient package that may be better suited to your driving needs. Further, the ACTIV trim of the Chevy Trailblazer offers remarkable off-road capability, including functional skid plates and sport terrain tires. So we encourage you to drop by the Rick Hendrick Chevrolet of Buford dealership to speak with our friendly sales team and try Chevrolet’s two newest SUVs out for yourself. You might just be surprised about which one you prefer.