Chevrolet · 1998–present

Chevrolet Trailblazer

The Chevrolet TrailBlazer (also known as Trailblazer) is a mid-size SUV produced by Chevrolet, a division of General Motors. The nameplate was first used in North America from 2001 to 2008; in 2009, it was replaced by the Traverse, as a crossover SUV. In 2011, production of a newly redesigned version of the Trailblazer for the Asian and Brazilian markets began.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Chevrolet S-10 Blazer · Successor: Chevrolet Traverse

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Blazer trim line (1998)

The TrailBlazer name was first introduced for the 1999 model year as an upscale trim level of the compact 4-door Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. It offered additional features on top of the previously top-of-the-line Chevrolet S-10 Blazer LT trim level, including an AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player and optional remote cassette player, OnStar, color-keyed front and rear bumpers, side cladding, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, upgraded alloy wheels, a full-size spare tire and wheel, and upgraded cloth seating surfaces with power front bucket seats. Options such as a Bose premium sound system, leather-trimmed seating surfaces with heated front seats, power sunroof, and gold accents for the exterior emblems were all available for the original TrailBlazer trim package. The TrailBlazer trim was discontinued after 2001, when an all-new TrailBlazer model was introduced as a mid-size SUV. Production of the S-10 Blazer overlapped until the 2005 model year.

First generation (KC; 2001)

The first-generation TrailBlazer is based on a truck platform officially known as GMT360, with all models having four-wheel-drive layout as an option with both automatic engagement and the more traditional "Auto," "2-High," "4-High," and "4-Low" gearings, except the SS model which features an all-wheel-drive system. The TrailBlazer features an independent front suspension, and a five-link rear suspension. A G80 locking rear differential is available as an option on all models except for the SS, which has a G86 LSD as standard. An LTZ trim level had upgraded interior features (leather), upgraded sound system (Bose), and alloy wheels. All TrailBlazers came factory-equipped with a detachable towing hitch. The TrailBlazer was updated in 2005 for the 2006 model year. An updated front fascia on all models (except for the base version) and new interior trim were included with the refresh. The SS received trim-specific front and rear fascias plus color-matched side skirts. Engines. The TrailBlazer came standard with an all-aluminum 4.2L Atlas LL8 inline-six engine that produced up to 203.5 kW (273 hp; 277 PS) and 376 N⋅m (277 lb⋅ft) of torque, or an optional aluminum LM4 5.3L V8 engine producing up to 225 kW (302 hp; 306 PS) and 447 N⋅m (330 lb⋅ft) of torque. The inline-six engine option made the TrailBlazer the most powerful six-cylinder SUV in its class at the time of production. The Active Fuel Management system on the LH6 5.3L V8 engine shuts off four of the eight cylinders during highway travel and idle to conserve fuel. The inline-six versions of the TrailBlazer produce up to 20 miles per US gallon (12 L/100 km; 24 mpg‑imp) on the highway, according to United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates. The TrailBlazer won the North American Truck of the Year awa

Second generation (RG; 2011)

The second generation (stylized as Trailblazer instead of TrailBlazer) was unveiled as a concept at the 2011 Dubai Motor Show, and as a production model at the Bangkok Motor Show on March 21, 2012. As is the case with the original K5 Blazer (1969–1994), Tahoe (since 1995), Suburban (since 1935), and S-10 Blazer (1983–2005), the second-generation Trailblazer is based on a truck frame, namely the second-generation Colorado. The bodywork from the A-pillar back is entirely different as it takes the form of an SUV with an enclosed roof, tailgate and three rows of seats. Unlike the Colorado, the rear suspension is a five-link system connected to coil springs but retains the live axle. The second generation Trailblazer is built in Thailand and in Brazil. It was also sold in some of the Southeast Asian countries, India, South Africa, and the Middle East, and also sold in Australia as the Holden Colorado 7 from 2012 to 2016, and being rebadged as the Trailblazer in 2017. The first-generation Isuzu MU-X also shared the platform with the second-generation Trailblazer. The third-facelift was unveiled on 17 April 2024. Engines. The second generation Trailblazer comes with three engine options, two of them are diesels, one featuring a Duramax 2.5 L that produces 110–132.5 kW (148–178 hp; 150–180 PS) and 350–440 N⋅m (260–320 lb⋅ft) of torque as standard, and an optional Duramax 2.8 L that produces 132.5–147 kW (178–197 hp; 180–200 PS) and 470–500 N⋅m (350–370 lb⋅ft) of torque. For the Brazilian, South African, and Middle Eastern markets, the 3.6 L V6 gasoline engine option that produces 178 kW (239 hp; 242 PS) (in the Brazilian market, the 2015 version producing 208 kW (279 hp; 283 PS)) and 360 N⋅m (270 lb⋅ft) of torque is also available. The 2.8 L diesel engine have several new parts

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Chevrolet Trailblazer/TrailBlazer

Manufacturer

Chevrolet

Production

1998–2001 (as Blazer trim line), 2001–2008 (separate model, North America), 2011–2020 (Asia), 2011–present (South America)

Class

Mid-size SUV

Body style

5-door SUV

Layout

Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive

Predecessor

Chevrolet S-10 Blazer

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1071321CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_TrailBlazer_(SUV)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1374762215 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chevrolet_TrailBlazer_--_06-05-2010.jpgPublic domain · Photo: IFCAR · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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