- chevrolet has released more details about the 2021 trailblazer small crossover.
- it will have a starting price below $20,000 and will come with a choice of two turbocharged three-cylinder engines.
- the 2021 trailblazer is scheduled to reach dealerships in spring 2020.
the trailblazer name is back, but this time around it's being applied to a car-based small crossover rather than a truck-based mid-size suv. chevy is playing up the new model's value equation by touting a starting price of under $20,000, which will make it a bit cheaper than the subcompact chevy trax despite the fact that it's slightly larger in size.
like its sibling the buick encore gx, the trailblazer will offer two different turbocharged three-cylinder engines. the base 1.2-liter unit should make the same 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft as it does in the buick, while the 1.3-liter motor claims 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque. a continuously variable transmission is standard on the fwd-only 1.2l models, while the 1.3l models offer an optional all-wheel-drive system that pairs with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
activ and rs trim levels will offer slightly different appearance packages, with the activ going for a more off-road angle and the rs meant to look sportier. the rs makes do with a different grille pattern and black bow-tie emblem, while the trailblazer activ has a larger grille opening, different 17-inch wheels, and hankook sport terrain tires, along with different tuning for the dampers. both trims come standard with a two-tone roof treatment; the pictured activ model has a white roof, while the pictured rs trim has a black roof.
expect the trailblazer to have a more spacious interior than the trax overall, as chevy claims a total cargo capacity of 54 cubic feet with the 60/40 split second-row seats folded, 6 cubic feet more than the trax offers. apple carplay and android auto capabilities will be optional rather than standard for the touchscreen infotainment system.
chevy does say that some driver-assist features, such as forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and automated emergency braking will be standard, while others such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring will be optional extras.
the 2021 trailblazer will go on sale in spring 2020, and chevy claims that the sub-$20,000 base price includes a destination charge. better-equipped activ and rs models will likely reach higher into the mid-$20,000 range, although full pricing has yet to be released.