Today, in the secondary automobile market of our country, only a few models of full-size SUVs are in steady demand. Chevrolet TrailBlazer is one of them. Let's talk about the technical problems faced by the owners of this machine

First, a little history. According to the old American tradition, a pickup truck is first launched into the series, and only after some time an independent model appears on its base, positioned as an SUV. According to the classification adopted in the North American market, an SUV is not at all a hatchback crossover, as in Europe, but a large frame car with a station wagon body. In addition to all-wheel drive versions, such cars are almost always offered in a version with rear-wheel drive, that is, these modifications are not talking about any off-road properties. The TrailBlazer is the successor to the Blazer, which was discontinued in the US in 2001 but continues to be produced today in GM's South American factories.

TrailBlazer ideology - the sum of its consumer properties and technical parameters conceptually repeats the solutions implemented in Blazer, but structurally both cars have nothing in common. The Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck served as the aggregate base and platform for the TrailBlazer, which was launched in September 2001 at a GM plant in Ohio (since 2004, production of the model has also been launched at the Avtotor Kaliningrad plant). The TrailBlazer also has a visual resemblance to it, but the exterior of the SUV is much more associated with the appearance of its “big brother” - the Chevrolet Tahoe. The main elements of the corporate style of Chevrolet SUVs of those years include “double-deck” headlights, bulging front fenders with trapezoidal wheel arches and a false radiator grille with a chrome insert across the entire width of the car. Appearance TrailBlazer remains virtually unchanged for eight years, but does not lose its relevance.

Even at the stage of design work, it was decided that the TrailBlazer would be delivered to Europe. That is why the selector of the automatic transmission of the car imitates the lever of a conventional manual gearbox and is located on the central tunnel. Vehicles manufactured by North American manufacturers, intended for sale in the domestic market, as a rule, are equipped with a selector made in the form of a steering column "poker". The parking brake control on the TrailBlazer is also a European option, with a lever instead of a pedal.

In 2006, the model was modernized: the list of standard equipment was expanded, the engine power was increased. The year was the debut for the sports version of the model - TrailBlazer SS. It is equipped with a modified eight-cylinder engine from Corvette with 390 hp. With such a motor, a large SUV showed excellent dynamics: from a standstill to a speed of 100 km / h, the car accelerates in just 5.7 seconds. The SS suspension was fine-tuned not only on racetracks in the USA, but also on the famous Nurburgring Nordschleife in Germany. The TrailBlazer SS can be identified by its 20-inch wheels and lower ground clearance. The cabin has profiled seats that provide good lateral support. The original color scheme of the interior emphasizes the dynamic potential of the car. It is noteworthy that buyers can also choose not only the all-wheel drive version, but also the SS version with rear-wheel drive.

Body and interior

The TrailBlazer comes in one body style, the five-door station wagon. Until 2007, the EXT version was produced - with an extended wheelbase (3276 mm). Today, versions C, LT, LTZ and SS are leaving the assembly line - with a standard base (2870 mm), differing from each other in a plastic body kit, interior design, standard filling and aggregate part. Only the TrailBlazer LT version is officially delivered to our country in five trim levels: 1SD1, 1SD2, 1SF1, 1SF2 and 1SF3, so it is much more common on the roads than others. The LT is equipped with a 4.2-liter engine with 295 hp.

The equipment of the most budgetary configuration 1SD1, among other equipment, includes front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, an anti-theft system, a full-size spare wheel, dual-zone air conditioning, power windows, an audio system with a CD player, power exterior mirrors, front seat adjustment in eight positions, fog headlights, headlight washers, dynamic stability control, cruise control.

The body of the TrailBlazer, like most modern SUVs, is attached to the frame. In cars operated in Russia, through corrosion is rarely observed. In most cases, cars aged 5-6 years "suffer" only small formations of rust on the lower edge of the hood and on the arches of the front fenders.

As for the interior, things are not so rosy - there are a lot of shortcomings that the owner of a used TrailBlazer has to deal with. The cheap plastic with which the front panel is lined begins to “rattle” strongly over time, the electric drive of the seats often fails, the cabin filter runs out ahead of time, which disrupts the normal ventilation of the cabin.

Engine

TrailBlazer, found on our market, can be equipped with the following naturally aspirated engines: 4.2-liter, 285 hp. or 295 hp, 5.3-liter (300 hp), equipped with a multi-cylinder deactivation system - AFM, and 6.0-liter, issuing 390 "horses". As mentioned above, the most common version with a 4.2-liter unit.

This motor uses an electronically controlled throttle valve. Due to the use of low-quality fuel, carbon deposits can form on the walls of the dosing unit housing, as a result of which the damper opening mechanism sticks. This problem is eliminated by flushing the throttle. For this reason, severe contamination of the injectors of the power system also occurs. This happens, as a rule, after a run of 60 thousand km. Experts recommend not to clean the injectors, but to replace them. Ignition coils often fail - here they are individual - for each spark plug.

After winter, it is recommended to clean the radiators of the air conditioner and cooling systems from dirt, because. they are not very well located and are heavily polluted. If you do not perform this procedure, then when the heat sets in, the engine may begin to overheat, and the air conditioner will no longer effectively cool the interior. In addition, TrailBlazer owners often face the problem of leaks in the radiator: corrosion in this case is caused by reagents getting on the cooler housing.

Do not forget about the timely oil change - here the driver can focus on the electronics prompt. If the Change Engine Oil indicator lights up on the dashboard, you should re-lubricate in the next 500 km. For our conditions, the manufacturer recommends SAE 5W-30 or SAE 0W-30 grades. After that, you need to reset the oil life counter. Spark plugs must be changed every 100 thousand kilometers, the gas distribution chain - every 200 thousand. Every 100 thousand km, the coolant needs to be replaced. The recommended fluid is DEXX-COOL. The use of other brands may lead to corrosion of the elements of the cooling system.

Otherwise, the engine is quite reliable: if all the necessary maintenance work is carried out on time, it will serve faithfully for more than one hundred thousand kilometers. Note that the manufacturer's recommended maintenance intervals vary greatly and depend on climate, geographic location, terrain and other operating conditions.

Transmission

With 4.2L and 5.3L engines, a 4-speed Hydra-Matic 4L60 automatic transmission is installed. The gearbox fitted to the TrailBlazer SS, the Hydra-Matic 4L70, is capable of transmitting more torque. Both gearboxes are hydromechanical, classical design. Their main elements are a hydrodynamic transformer and a planetary gearbox.

With proper operation of the car, there are no problems with these gearboxes, they are very reliable. The working fluid - ATF - must be replaced after a run of 150 thousand km. The manufacturer recommends using DEXRON C VI fluid. Filling capacity Hydra-Matic 4L60 is 4.7 liters.

TrailBlazer with all-wheel drive transmission is officially delivered to Russia. The driver has the ability to change its operating modes using the selector located on the central panel, to the right of the steering column. In 2HI mode, the drive wheels are rear. In A4WD mode, the moment between the axles is distributed automatically: the front wheels are connected by a clutch in the transfer case when the rear wheels slip. In 4HI and 4LO modes, all wheels are driven, but in the second case, a downshift in the transfer case is activated. In addition, in these modes there is no torque distribution, since the distributing element - the center differential - is not provided.

A simple symmetrical differential is installed in the rear axle. It is blocked by an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch. The use of 4HI and 4LO modes is recommended only when driving off-road at low speeds. Otherwise, power circulation occurs in the transmission, which leads to increased tire wear, high fuel consumption and, ultimately, may result in a breakdown of the drive elements.

The servo drive for switching transmission modes often fails. Perhaps this is the only problem that occurs on all-wheel drive versions of the TrailBlazer.

An oil change in the transfer case, front and rear axles should be carried out every 30 thousand km. Then it is necessary to inject the universal joint crosses and splined connections of the transmission shafts. The manufacturer recommends filling the transfer case with a special AUTO-TRAK II fluid. The front and rear axles use SAE 75W-90 synthetic oil.

Chassis

The TrailBlazer is equipped with a rack and pinion steering mechanism equipped with hydraulic booster. On vehicles with high mileage, the joints of pipelines and hoses may fog up. This suggests that soon the hydraulic booster may leak. Experts do not note other problems with this system in TrailBlazer.

TrailBlazer front wheel suspension - independent, rear - dependent. It provides a relatively good ride even on poor quality roads. But the more rigid running gear of the SS version is more suitable for highway trips.

Most suspension parts have a long service life. After a run of 40 thousand km, it is often necessary to change the struts and bushings of the anti-roll bars both front and rear. Original spare parts will not be cheap at all, about 10 thousand rubles per set. Front shock absorbers usually last about 80 thousand km, rear shock absorbers can last twice as long. Ball bearings and silent blocks of the upper arms of the front suspension usually run 70-90 thousand km.

Brake system

All versions of the TrailBlazer are equipped with disc brakes both front and rear. Regularly installed ABS works without interruption, problems with it, as a rule, are not observed. The rear pads - and this is a feature of the TrailBlazer - wear out faster than the front pads, the owner should definitely be aware of this. Experts, commenting on this situation, point to the not very successful design of the assembly itself. The front pads must be replaced after 20–30 thousand km, and the rear pads after 15–25 thousand km. The brake discs of the front and rear wheels usually serve at least 60 thousand km. When replacing pads, it is recommended to clean and lubricate the calipers and guides, as they can become sour over time. In order to tighten the parking brake cable, you will have to dismantle the caliper and brake disc, only after that you will have access to the adjusting screw.

The brake fluid is replaced every 40 thousand kilometers or every two years, whichever comes first.

electrical equipment

Possible problems with electrical equipment come down for the most part to burning contacts on the taillight board. Due to poor tightness, brake light contacts are often oxidized. If necessary, it is allowed to receive electricity from another vehicle. The headlight bulbs are replaced after the headlamp has been removed. This process is quite laborious and requires special knowledge and tools.

Main technical characteristics of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer

MODIFICATIONS	Chevrolet TrailBlazer LT			Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
GEOMETRIC PARAMETERS
Length/width/height, mm	4872/1872/1892			5278/1897/1957	4872/1872/1723
Wheel base, mm	2870			3276	2870
Track front / rear, mm	1603/1577			1603/160	1603/1577
Ground clearance, mm	203			n.a.	198,5
Turning diameter, m	11,7			n.a.	11,7
Entry angle, degrees	29			34	n.a.
Departure angle, degrees	23			23,3	n.a.
Ramp angle, degrees	n.a.			19	n.a.
Standard tires	245/65 R17			n.a.	255/50 R20
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Engine	4.2 (USA)	4.2 (RUS	5.3	5.3	6.0
Engine displacement, cm 3	4157	4157	5328	5328	5967
Power, kW (hp) / rpm	213(285)/6000	217(295)/6000	223(300)/5200	223(300)/5200	290(390)/6000
Torque, Nm / rpm	374/4800	373/3500	435/4000	435/4000	535/4000
Transmission	A4	A4	A4	A4	A4
Maximum speed, km/h	175	192	n.a.	n.a.	210
Acceleration time, s	n.a.	(9,0*)	n.a.	n.a.	5,6(5,8*)
Fuel consumption city / highway, l per 100 km	(16,8/11,8*)	(17,9/10,1*)	n.a.	n.a.	(19,4/14,7*)
Curb weight, kg	1976(2052*)	(2153*)	(2053*)	(2270*)	2040(2115*)
Gross weight, kg	2517(2608*)	(2720*)	(2722*)	(2870*)	2722(2722*)
Fuel/tank capacity, l	AI-95/83	AI-95/83	AI-95/83	AI-95/83	AI-95/83

* For modifications with all-wheel drive.

Approximate prices for spare parts*, rub.

SPARE PARTS	ORIGINAL	NON-ORIGINAL
Front wing	17 370	11 000
Front bumper	25 100	8 200
Farah	10 050	4 800
Windshield	17 100	8 500
Valve train chain	6 000	3 100
Ignition coil	2 640	1 640
Spark plug	400	270
Fuel pump	15 000	9 760
fuel injector	5 000	3 000
Tie rod end	11 000	7 000
Front shock absorber	12 000	2 430
Front stabilizer	4 000	1 900
stabilizer bushing	6 100	2 750
Brake pads front	9 000	1 540
Brake pads rear	6 000	1 240
Brake discs front	12 000	7 660
Brake discs rear	16 000	7 000

* For Chevrolet TrailBlazer LT 4.2 Vortec.

The mid-size SUV of the first generation from the eminent American automaker entered the market in 2001, and in 2003 it was replenished with a modification with an extended base under the EXT marking. In 2005, the car underwent a slight restyling, having received a slightly updated exterior and interior, but this update affected only the top-of-the-line “LT” cars. The "American" was produced until 2008, giving way to the Chevrolet Traverse model on the market. The original TrailBlazer is a five-door mid-size SUV with 2 configuration options: plain or extended wheelbase (EXT).

Under the hood of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, a diesel engine cannot be found, since it was equipped exclusively with gasoline power units with a working volume of 4.2 (in-line “six”) or 5.3 liters (V8) paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, or 4-speed " automatic." Depending on the modification, the car came with rear or all-wheel drive, a transfer case and a reduction gear. The 4.2-liter engine produced 273 hp. and 373 Nm of torque, and 5.3 had a power of 288 "horses" and 440 Nm of tractive force. By the way, the last motor in 2006 received some improvements and became a little more powerful.

Chevrolet TrailBlazer Weaknesses:

• Transmission;
• Drive axles;
• Optics;
• Power window control system;
• Windshield washer;
• Body resistance to corrosion;
• Front wheel bearings;
• Catalyst.

Transmission.

Automatic transmission often requires maintenance. There are frequent cases of kicks when switching and jerks at the start. Particular attention should be paid to oil seals and automatic transmission oil pan gaskets, as oil leakage is often a problem. The reason for this is the low quality of rubber products.

Drive axles.

The big disadvantage of the 1st generation Chevrolet Trailblazer is the frequent destruction of the splines on the front axle drives, dooming the owner to a rather expensive and lengthy repair, since it is not so easy to buy a new drive due to the large shortage of spare parts.

An unpleasant feature of the car is the frequent fogging and rapid clouding of the headlights due to the use of low-quality materials in their production.

Power window control system.

With mileage of 200+ thousand km. many owners have a problem with the rear door window mechanism jamming, so we advise you to periodically lubricate this assembly with grease in order to avoid replacing it.

Windshield washer.

Very often you can hear owners complain about constantly clogged windshield washer nozzles. The sore is solved by banal cleaning of this element.

Body resistance to corrosion.

A thin layer of paintwork and low quality anti-corrosion treatment leads to permanent paint chips and the appearance of rust pockets.

Front wheel bearings.

Due to the heavy weight of the engine and the structural features of the suspension, the front wheel bearings often fail, and in the conditions of constant operation of the car on the road, they may need to be replaced after 20 thousand km. run.

Catalyst.

The weak point of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer is also the exhaust gas catalyst, which quickly burns out and collapses, as a result of which the owner of the car can get into difficult repairs. Many recommend cutting out this knot and putting snags.

Disadvantages of the Chevrolet Trailblazer 1st generation:

• High fuel consumption;
• Poor interior soundproofing;
• Shortage and high cost of spare parts;
• High tax due to large engine size;
• Hard plastic interior;
• Short travel front suspension;
• Rigid suspension;
• Build quality;
• Valky at high speeds;
• A rare "bolt pattern" of the rims, which makes the wheels not so easy to pick up;
• Low maneuverability.

Conclusion.

Despite not the most flattering reviews, the Chevrolet Trailblazer is a very interesting and noteworthy car, since for the low cost of a car you can get a fairly high level of comfort and good off-road performance. Of course, like any other car, it has its pros and cons. Everyone has the right to decide independently about the degree of their importance and how they will affect the use of the car. But one thing can be said with certainty - for the money, how much this used car costs on average, you are unlikely to get anything more status, reliable, comfortable and unpretentious. Moreover, by purchasing this car, you will have the opportunity to touch the history of the famous American SUVs and feel the full power of volumetric engines that can easily cover a million kilometers.

P.S.: Dear current and future owners, leave your feedback, write below in the comments about the frequent breakdowns and shortcomings of this car model, identified and noticed during operation.

Faults and sore spots Chevrolet TrailBlazer was last modified: May 15th, 2018 by Administrator

Chevrolet noticed that there was not enough car in the logical chain of models between Blazer and Tahoe. And at the turn of the century, in 2001, a model was released that had a derivative name from Blazer, but resembled Tahoe in appearance - it was called the TrailBlazer. Contrary to the opinion of buyers, the newcomer, apart from the name, had nothing in common with Blazer, the platforms of the models were completely different.

TrailBlazer is a real SUV with a powerful naturally aspirated engine and a frame structure. It's not as big as the Tahoe, but that's how Chevrolet intended it to be. The car immediately attracted buyers at home - in the USA, for its brutal appearance and general style, a strong half of the inhabitants of the USA fell in love with it. But the Trailblazer was also adapted for residents of Europe, the gear selector migrated from the steering column to its usual place between the front seats. The driver's workplace is clearly defined and has a slight angle of rotation to the driver, and the number of drawers and niches for small items cannot be counted to the delight of a large family.

First generation car from 2001 to 2006

It was created as an off-road conqueror and had very impressive dimensions, chevrolet trailblazer specifications:

• length 4893 mm
• width 1905 mm
• height 1826 mm
• ground clearance 203 mm
• wheelbase 2869 mm
• tank volume 94 liters
• curb weight 2155 kg
• gross weight 2608 kg.

Before us is a large and heavy car, which was driven by the same large and powerful engine:

• gasoline V-shaped, six-cylinder engine of 4.2 liters with a capacity of 273 hp and a torque of 373 Nm. With it, the Trailblazer accelerated to 100 km / h in just 9 seconds, but it didn’t differ much in economy - 17.9 liters in the city and 10.1 on the highway. There is only one transmission - an automatic with 4 gears. But it was not a simple machine, but one of the first adaptive machines that could adapt to the driving style, which car owners really liked.

With safety, the Trailblazer is also all right, side and frontal airbags, a powerful body frame and steel bars in the doors. The volume of the luggage compartment is simply huge - a minimum of 1577 liters, a maximum of 2268 liters, more than one competitor could not boast of such a volume.

After a year of conveyor life, the Trailblazer received an extended version and a new engine. The new model was called the TrailBlazer ETX:

• length 4279 mm
• width 1894 mm
• height 1957 mm
• ground clearance 203 mm
• wheelbase 3277 mm
• tank volume 98 liters
• curb weight 2325 kg
• gross weight 2903 kg.

ETX had a significantly increased wheelbase and as a result the third row of seats. The motor for it was allocated more powerful:

• gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder unit with a volume of 5.3 liters and a power of 294 hp Torque 441 Nm. To 100 km / h, the ETX accelerated in 8.7 seconds, and the maximum speed was at the level of 175 km / h. The gearbox is the same 4-speed automatic.

But with the enlarged versions of the trailblazer in Chevrolet, they miscalculated. Buyers leaned in favor of Tahoe, considering it more solid. The ETX version stayed on the assembly line until 2006, after which it was discontinued.

Model update from 2006 to 2009

The original version was not repressed and continued to be produced. In 2006, the model was updated. Externally, the model did not receive major changes, since the image of the car was quite fresh and solid.

There were a few more changes in technology: it became possible to order a Trailblazer with rear-wheel drive only, and some of the engines were finalized:

• 4.2 l with 273 hp - switched to the updated Trailblazer without changes.
• the updated 4.2-liter engine now produced 295 hp. and a torque of 375 Nm. Changes in power were not significant, but the refinement was aimed at improving the efficiency of the engine and the goal was achieved: 14.7 liters in the city and 9.2 liters on the highway.
• the upgraded 5.3 liter now produced 304 hp. and a torque of 447 Nm. This motor was equipped with both rear and all-wheel drive. Fuel consumption - 15.9 liters in the city and 12.4 on the highway.
• new 6-liter monster with 400 hp Torque - 542 Nm. This engine was carried over from the Corvett sports car. The trailbaiser with this engine received the SS nameplate and was produced for only a couple of years from 2006 to 2007. The SS-branded sports line was the first to fine-tune an SUV, and in this sense, Trailblazer was a pioneer. Acceleration to "hundred" with such a powerful power unit took 5.5 seconds, and the maximum speed was 210 km / h.

All second-generation models were aggregated with a non-alternative 4-speed automatic.
In 2009, Chevrolet made the decision to discontinue the Trailblazer in the US. After that, for some time it was produced in Asian countries.

The all-wheel drive system of the first generation Trailblazer is advanced. In 2001, it was even patented as a know-how. It is based on a computer-controlled transfer case. At its discretion, the driver can turn on rear-wheel drive, plug-in front-wheel drive, or block the moment in a 50/50 ratio with a low gear engaged. Thanks to such an arsenal and an impressive engine, the TrailBlazer is a serious rogue.

Second generation car since 2012

At the Dubai Motor Show in 2011, the new Trailblazer was shown, which went on sale in 2012 in the US, Canada and Australia. He reached Russia in 2013. Contrary to expectations and fashion trends, TrailBlizer has not turned into a crossover. It remained the same SUV with a frame, but the platform used is completely different - from the Chevrolet Colorado.

• length 4878 mm
• width 1902 mm
• height 1848 mm
• ground clearance 255 mm
• wheelbase 2845 mm
• tank volume 77 liters
• curb weight 2091 kg
• gross weight 2750 kg.

If the digital values ​​do not differ much from the previous generation, then outwardly these are completely two different cars. The newcomer is clearly not focused on the US market, but for Russia, Asia and Africa. They produce it in Thailand, Brazil or South Africa, where the cost of a car is significantly lower. For the domestic market Trailblazer will be assembled in Russia.

The cabin easily takes on board 7 passengers and their belongings, by the way, this time the trunk is not amazing, from 235 liters to 878 liters in total. Due to the fact that the car was not created for the USA, there is an abundance of hard plastic in the cabin and the finish is not of high quality.

Volumetric engines are a thing of the past, now everyone is fighting for economy and the environment, as a result, the TrailBlazer has only two units:

• diesel 2.8 liters with a capacity of 180 hp and a torque of 440 Nm. Such a motor for a 2-ton machine is slightly weak. Acceleration is sluggish, but stably up to 100 km / h can be accelerated in 12.5 seconds. The element of auto is off-road, where with a huge ground clearance and a torque motor you can not be afraid to get stuck. Gearbox - 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic. Diesel fuel consumption in the city - 12 liters, on the highway - 8 liters.
• gasoline 3.6 liters with a capacity of 239 hp Torque 329 Nm. Such a unit is noticeably faster than the base unit, the TrailBlizer shoots up to “hundreds” in 8.8 seconds. But the maximum speed is the same as that of a diesel - 180 km / h. This engine is more suitable for asphalt, due to its low (compared to diesel) torque, but good dynamic performance. Gearbox - 6-speed automatic.

The all-wheel drive system is the same in essence, but slightly modernized technically. By default, the car is rear-wheel drive. The mode selector can be used to connect front-wheel drive, or front-wheel drive with torque lock and “lowering”. Now the TrailBlazer is equipped with an ESP system, traction control, a brake force distribution system and other systems that make life easier for the owner.

Complete sets and prices of 2013

At the moment, TrailBlazer is represented by two trim levels on our market:

1. LT - from 1,444,000 to 1,510,000 rubles. (only diesel with automatic transmission or manual transmission) This version is equipped in a very Spartan way: ABS, 2 airbags, air conditioning, on-board computer, audio system with 4 speakers, full power windows, central locking, four-wheel drive with lowering row , fabric 7-seater saloon, steps on thresholds, 16th steel disks.
2. LTZ - from 1,650,000 to 1,777,000 rubles. (gasoline with automatic transmission). New options compared to LT: airbags - 6 pcs, including curtains, climate control, heated and electric folding mirrors, cruise control, parking sensors, ESP, chrome trim, linded headlight optics, leather interior, 18th alloy disks.

Conclusion

Originally created for America, the TrailBlazer was an SUV for comfortable movement on any surface. But with the change of generations, fundamental changes have taken place, as a result of which the car does not pretend to be comfortable, it is just a working car with good off-road potential for third world countries. The price is very high, and the equipment is empty. When compared with the same Mitsubishi Pajero, the TrailBlazer does not stand up to any criticism in terms of price / technical characteristics / equipment ratio. Perhaps the state of affairs will change with the release of the car on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Freedom to choose your path

1st generation Chevrolet TrailBlazer

The Chevrolet Trailblazer is a 273-400 hp mid-size SUV manufactured by General Motors Chevrolet from 2001 to 2008 inclusive. This car at one time completely replaced the five-door Chevrolet Blazer, and after the TrailBlazer (USA) was discontinued, a full-size model called Traverse was launched into production.

A bit of history. 1999-2001

At this time, under the name "TrailBlazer", a five-door model of the Chevrolet Blazer was produced, which was a more thoughtful package of the standard version. Already in 2002, the TrailBlazer became a separate model, produced in conjunction with the Blazer until 2005 - until the moment when this car was discontinued.

What's New in TrailBlazer 2002-2006

The first generation of cars was based on the GMT360 cargo platform. It had a plug-in all-wheel drive with 2 modes:

• 4 high.
• 4 Low.

Also, the car was equipped with a G80 rear differential lock (for comparison: the SS configuration had all-wheel drive, G86 lock). The follow-up LT trim compared to the base LS was made with a more thoughtful and improved interior, included a sound system, a 4-wheel braking system, and a standard towing package. The appearance has also been changed by inserting alloy wheels.

In 2005 and early 2006, the TrailBlazer was updated with a new instrument panel and an updated interior (LT series only). In the LS version, the interior of the cabin remained the same - as it was in 2001-2005. The SS version was also slightly modified front and rear, and the side skirts were also changed.

Modifications Chevrolet TrailBlazer I

Chevrolet TrailBlazer I 4.2AT

Chevrolet TrailBlazer I 5.3AT

Odnoklassniki Chevrolet TrailBlazer I for the price

Unfortunately, this model has no classmates...

Chevrolet TrailBlazer I Owner Reviews

What can I say - I recently bought this car. At first, looking at pictures in magazines, I didn't like the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I. When his father drove him, my opinion changed. Sufficiently strict design of his front end did its job. I think it is not worth listing its characteristics, you already know them without me. I want to add that the car is quite comfortable, and stuffed with electronics. Just recently discovered a button for adjusting the pedal clearance. In general, the interior of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I is not bad, but I would say it is a bit poor. The car accelerates just fine, it keeps the road well, especially if you take into account the Russian roads, then it rides with dignity on them. Especially at times passes bridges, suspension keeps excellent. Speaking of noise: soundproofing is top class, compared to car brands like KIA and Daewoo, there is no noise at all in the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I, not to mention the Russian auto industry. The box is a little twitchy, gets under way with a jerk. There is a small ringing somewhere below, very similar to the protection of the pallet, but not a fact. Otherwise, there were no problems with the car, it works like a “watch”. The sound of the engine is pleasant enough, especially when you pick up speed, there is a small whistle (pleasant enough) and you feel how the car just starts to float. We have not yet flown it in the mountains, but 4 wheels spin perfectly, the ABS works at a height. Gasoline eats the sea. I advise, a car for its price is excellent.

Advantages : comfort. Strict and business style. Convenient to manage.

Flaws : eats a lot of gasoline. The volume of the tank should have been made larger.

Dmitry, Tambov

Hi all. I'll probably start with the fact that I moved to the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I from the Ford Scorpio. Feelings cannot be described. This is a real man's car. I read the reviews a month before the purchase, and now it happened, I bought it. Let's start in order: appearance - so brutal and recognizable, captivates as soon as you see this car. Clear lines, no Japanese roundness, I really like it. When you get into the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I, you get the feeling that you made a mistake with the car and got into something else. Gray unsightly plastic, however, is quite pleasant (again, a matter of taste) to the touch. Controls: in principle, everything is in its place, with the exception of the left steering column switch overloaded with functions, but even this you get used to very quickly. Visibility at a height, no dead zones for you, nothing like that. The only thing, in my opinion, the switching of all-wheel drive modes is not thought out. At the dealership, I was told how one person turned the drive handle to the 4LOW position at 80 km / h. The frame twisted into an arc, the running gear is just the end, at least something to the motor. Progress: not every good sedan can boast of such locomotive traction. The acceleration is colossal, you can very quickly cross the city line from Biryulyovo to Leningradka, when such a car appears in the mirrors, people intuitively take to the right. Of course, the operation of the machine could be quicker, but it wasn’t made for racing, although I went to “racing” - switch to position 3 and drove off? No. There were no volunteers, even among the good sedans, which also came to race. The smoothness of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I is amazing, the noise isolation is just on top, at first I didn’t hear anything at all, how the engine works, how the machine switches, probably after “Scorpio” like that, but when you press “kick-down”, the sonorous roar of the six gives know about yourself. In general, I really liked the car, I understand of course those who will say that after Scorpio you will like anything, but I dare to assure you - this is not so. Of course, the interior quality of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I is not "Japanese" or "German", but everything else is wonderful.

Advantages : appearance. Dynamics. Smooth running. Just a good car.

Flaws : the first week the climate refused to work, they did it for free under warranty - it was not fully refueled.

Roman, Moscow

chevrolet trailblazer i 2004

In order about the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I. Driving characteristics: thanks to the Vortec 4200 engine, with a capacity of 273 “horses”, it picks up speed very confidently, according to the passport, acceleration to hundreds is 9 seconds. For an imposing American colossus, weighing more than 2 tons - very well. The brakes are a match for all the "Americans", not very sharp and informative, but you can slow down from any adequate speed. Handling is very good, compared to, say, Taha or Suburban, but if compared with the Germans and Japanese, it will be worse. The steering wheel should have been made a little thicker and heavier. Automatic old, 4-speed and very thoughtful. But it is very reliable. The interior and center console of young people will seem archaic, but people at a more mature age will even like it, because there are no “lurid” elements that “cut the eyes”, and everything is done simply and clearly, although there are quite a few functions in the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I. It is very comfortable to sit, the chair without any lateral support, it looks like a home sofa. A bunch of adjustments, memory for 2 people, heated seats. The leather is of good quality, and unlike Japanese cars (of current and those years), after 120 thousand it has not turned into an ugly piece of who knows what. There are a lot of places in the cabin of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I, both in the back and in the front, there is a reserve in all positions, even with an increase of 195. Noise isolation is also at the proper level, the wind is heard only after 120 due to the rather high height. The suspension is excellent. It swallows any bumps, however, because of this, the car rolls a little in corners. Externally, the car is also a success, especially front and side. Behind spoil the view is very dull lights. Safety. There is not much to say about her. There are 6 airbags in the car, and in front of the passengers - "one and a half meters of life." In which case (God forbid), the car is not made of tin cans (and the same Logans, Largus, Polo, Rio and Solaris are made just from them), and will protect its passengers as much as possible . Off-road qualities: the car has 4 transmission modes, ranging from rear-wheel drive to permanent all-wheel drive with locks. Chevrolet TrailBlazer I has not yet experienced much in this regard, but I know for sure that it goes well for fishing and snowdrifts.

Advantages : price. Dynamics. Comfort. The cost of spare parts. Appearance. Origin. Equipment. Safety and survivability.

Flaws : regular music without MP3. Slight wobble in corners. Transport tax. Outdated interior design. Gasoline consumption.

Nikolai, St. Petersburg

chevrolet trailblazer i 2006

Today, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I drives constantly, often far away. There were no sudden troubles. What is the advantage of this car is subjective. In my humble opinion, from the experience of owning and driving various North American trucks, I can summarize. The Americans made an ambiguous car. On the one hand, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I is a classic wagonville. Those. there is a frame, a lowering, a bridge, a rigid front connection. On the other hand, due to the fact that they stuck a rail, and not a trapezoid, springs, and not springs and torsion bars, handling is much closer to a passenger car than that of Tahoe or Expedition. Suspension is very soft, the reverse side is valkost. On overtaking, I'm already used to the fact that the car rolls from side to side sometimes. The engine is very good in my opinion. It's better than the "Ford" newt. Quiet and powerful. Although the Tahoe vomits more briskly on acceleration and from a standstill. Good music as usual. Good noise. As a result, we got such a small American “frame”, but not frightening a person who is not used to American trucks with his cargo past. For example, after visiting my Expedition, many friends frankly did not understand why I like it. However, he did not convince anyone. Chevrolet TrailBlazer I is a kind of compromise between an American truck and a passenger wagon or something. At the same time, very pleasant dynamics and comfort are definitely a plus. Now for the cons. There are a number of congenital pathologies that have long been known to everyone. Front hubs (about a year of life, if there is a good one, not the original). Stabilizer struts (buy a bucket right away or just don't change it). The front axle actuator in the transfer case (the gear or fork may die if turned on at the wrong moment). Actuator on the front gear. Paint chips and rust on the bottoms of the doors (subjectively). In general, the cost of each of the listed pieces of iron will not exceed 15 thousand rubles. All together, of course, does not "fly".

Advantages : low cost in the secondary market. Good dynamics. Low cost of ownership.

Flaws : illiquidity. Tax. Fuel consumption.

Maxim, St. Petersburg

chevrolet trailblazer i 2005

I think it's useless to write about the appearance of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I - to each his own. Salon is quite comfortable and convenient. The machine was developed 15 years ago. I have a LTZ package with DVD and leather (actually, artificial leather, of good quality). Changed the heated driver's seat, saw the seat from the inside. Unsuccessful fastening of the sidewalls of the front seats, the latches broke. Unpleasant, but solved with one screw. The "red price" of replacement is 3,000 rubles. Salon Chevrolet TrailBlazer I after eight years in perfect order, everything works and looks decent. I treated the bottom and frame with anticorrosive. When buying, be sure to check the readability of the frame number - if you do not protect, you are the "eternal" owner. Driving performance - from 0 to 100 km / h in 9 s., from 100 to 200 km / h is about the same, I never specifically noticed it. And the acceleration is brisk at any speed. If you love speed, you will love it. They write, they say, weak brakes, so slow down in advance or go around. Weight over two tons. About security: inside the front bumper is about the same as the ZIL; frame, non-foil body. There are electronic assistants, rolls, slip. Once I saw a story in the news that Chevrolet TrailBlazer I hit an elk, left on its own. Manageability: a couple of years ago, in the winter, in terrible ice, it was spinning along the highway, I was able to leave the “oncoming lane”, deliberately to my side of the road. Although he is to blame, he went too far with speed, he was driving in auto mode connecting the front axle, be careful. Then I looked at the instructions - more than 80 km / h is impossible. Bottom line: the front bumper is held on by clips - it flew off, it was elementary that I put it back myself. At the moment, the car, of course, is no longer new, but by and large there is nothing to complain about. Everyone loves care and affection. Well, here, in general, probably everything. I hope my review helps you as it did me.

Advantages : strong. Inexpensive. Safe. Powerful. Roomy.

Flaws : tax.

Pavel, St. Petersburg

For a long time I chose what to buy for 500 thousand. And I caught my eye Chevrolet TrailBlazer I. Big, beautiful, powerful, charismatic American car. I could not sleep, so I wanted to buy it sooner. Found for 500 thousand, in average condition in 2007, mileage 128 thousand km. I spent 68,000 on the first MOT (oils, filters, candles, traction, tips, bushings / front stabilizer struts, front shock absorbers, lower ball joints, cleaning the throttle, universal joint like everything). Drove 5000, changed the lower ball joints (1300 apiece). I drove another 7000, the box “died”, 60 thousand rubles, replacement of the lower ball joints (1300 apiece), bushings / racks (7000 apiece original) front stabilizer, about 25 thousand rubles in total. Drove another 6000, the catalyst died. I decided to remove, insert a flame arrester and change it to EURO2 - 32 thousand rubles. Somewhere right there again, the replacement of the lower ball and stabilizer struts, but this time I decided to replace the lower arms, as the landing under the ball crashed. An analogue of 9000 per side, total 18 thousand plus work. This was followed by the replacement of the USR, the replacement of the rear shock absorbers. A little later, the replacement of the generator, radiator, pump. A little later, the replacement of the air conditioning compressor. In short, I have already lost count of how much I invested in the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I, but a lot. For almost 3 years of ownership, probably 440-450 thousand (however, he painted for another 50,000). In the service, I was stable once a month and not of my own free will, as you understand. In short, think carefully before buying this miracle. The tax is 45 thousand, the consumption is 17-18 liters, maintenance is about 150-170 thousand per year.

Advantages : Beautiful. Powerful. Passable. Comfortable.

Flaws : unreliable. Expensive service. Tax.

Ilya, St. Petersburg

chevrolet trailblazer i 2007

I have owned this tank for almost 3 years and here are my observations. As soon as I bought the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I, I immediately changed the oils in the internal combustion engine, automatic transmission with a filter, and the rear gearbox. I drive a car every day, on weekends I either have picnics or go fishing (I constantly carry a trailer with a boat plus 250 kg and the trailer itself), but closer to the topic. In terms of consumption, some write here that, they say, they eat gasoline in buckets. I want to note that it all depends on driving style and fuel quality. At one time, for the sake of experiment, I poured the 80th, and what do you think - it doesn’t matter to him, the consumption has risen by 500 gr., A little dumber, but basically you can ride. I climbed off-road, when the front end was connected, the silumin fork in the gearbox broke, I bought a new one, it didn’t last long. Then, with a friend at the service, they “thought it out” and did it once and for all, removed the plug, redid the connection and the actuator is not needed, in any dirt at any slope, even a standing car (who knows, will understand), the front end is connected (just a fairy tale) without problems. If anyone needs redistribution, write, I’ll tell you, the cost of redistribution is a penny, and there is no limit to the joy of a full-fledged drive. Changed the front hubs, because. they buzzed and again it was not without prompts and reasoning (in order for the hubs to go for a long time and without questions, you need to unscrew the ABS sensors on the new ones and hammer them to failure through the sensor hole with grease for high friction parts) and all no problems. By the way, the Concorde hubs are not original, they have already passed 120 thousand. But otherwise, apart from consumables, I didn’t climb anywhere. The car makes me happy to this day, while I don’t see an alternative to the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I. Maybe this is my subjective opinion, but the car is worth the money and can be called a full-fledged SUV. Last summer, in August, I made a run from Tula to Tuapse and back, the run was 5200 km. Chevrolet TrailBlazer I did not disappoint anywhere, did not even sneeze. In autumn, in October, I went back to Astrakhan, where I had to pull out boats and boats on the sand to a 60-degree rise, as always, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer I did not disappoint and even surprised, although the UAZ Loaf, TLC 200 and Pajero 4 did not cope with this task. I had to pull out the UAZ, but they pulled the TLK200 and Pajero with a tractor.

Advantages : brutal. Aggressive. Soft, comfortable, long journeys do not bother. Repairs and consumables are not expensive.

Flaws : plastic thresholds break and crumble.

Roman, Tula