2022 Chevy Trailblazer

　　

2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　Were it not for the challenges of the 2020 pandemic, there's a very good chance the return of the Chevrolet Trailblazer nameplate would have been a much bigger deal. Instead, we had to wait a year to finally test and evaluate it. Slotting in between the tiny Chevy Trax and the larger Equinox, the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer is one of the latest entrants in the burgeoning subcompact crossover SUV class. We're pleasantly surprised with how it turned out, too.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS 4dr SUV (1.2L 3cyl Turbo CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$130/mo  for Trailblazer LS

　　Trailblazer LS

　　LS 4dr SUV (1.2L 3cyl Turbo CVT) - $21,600 MSRPLS 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 3cyl Turbo 9A) - $23,600 MSRPLT 4dr SUV (1.2L 3cyl Turbo CVT) (Most Popular) - $23,800 MSRPLT 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 3cyl Turbo 9A) - $25,800 MSRPRS 4dr SUV (1.3L 3cyl Turbo CVT) - $25,700 MSRPRS 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 3cyl Turbo 9A) - $27,200 MSRPACTIV 4dr SUV (1.3L 3cyl Turbo CVT) - $25,700 MSRPACTIV 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 3cyl Turbo 9A) - $27,200 MSRP

　　vs

　　$167/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　Among its assets is an optional 1.3-liter engine that gets the Trailblazer up to speed with relative ease while the suspension delivers both a comfortable ride and confident cornering. To add to the appeal, the interior is attractively styled and comes well stocked with technology features. There's also a decent amount of backseat and cargo space. The Trailblazer manages to stand out from the crowd, too, with aggressive Camaro-like styling.

　　The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer is a huge improvement over the aging Chevy Trax and is a great pick among other top extra-small SUVs such as the Buick Encore GX, Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth take on its performance, comfort and more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the Trailblazer drive? We tested the Trailblazer in the Activ trim level, which has the upgraded 1.3-liter engine. With it the Trailblazer is surprisingly adept at getting around in day-to-day traffic, even if its as-tested 0-60 mph acceleration run of 9.4 seconds is well off the pace of rival SUVs with their upgraded engines. The nine-speed automatic transmission keeps the little engine in its sweet spot during acceleration, but we wish it was a bit quicker to downshift when you need to pass.

　　We're not enamored with the brake pedal in the Trailblazer. It's overly sensitive, making it difficult to be smooth when slowing down. The Activ trim level has off-road-biased tires, and they lack the grip to stop the Trailblazer as quickly as some of its rivals. Nimble handling isn't a strength for the Trailblazer either, but the reasonably accurate steering ensures the driver's confidence on most roads.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Trailblazer? The Trailblazer has a comfortable ride for a small SUV, especially at highway speeds. The front seats feel a bit firm at first, but after a few hours they remain comfortable and supportive. Around town, you'll feel some jostling when driving on rough roads, but the Trailblazer never crashes into potholes or feels too stiff. On the highway, the Trailblazer exhibits excellent ride comfort.

　　The three-cylinder engine, a design that's known for being a bit rough and noisy, emits only a subtle growl at full throttle. Road and wind noise isn't quite as well damped, but it's not excessive either and never gets tiring even during long stints behind the wheel. The climate control is easy to use and maintains good control over cabin temps, though higher fan speeds can get noisy.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below