2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer Review and Test Drive: Bigger on the Inside (2024)

Tim Stevens

The Chevrolet Trailblazer has been on sale since the 2021 model year. It resurrected the Trailblazer nameplate on a new small SUV designed more for practicality and frugality than off-road capability, and the remixed recipe proved successful even if fans of the original were disappointed that it didn't offer the ruggedness of its namesake.

This year, the 2024 Trailblazer receives its first set of updates, including fresh styling and a few significant tech upgrades in the cabin. These changes should keep it competitive in the fast-moving subcompact SUV segment. Though these tweaks only move the needle a little, the Trailblazer remains a great choice at a nice price.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer is available in four trims: LS, LT, Activ, and RS. Each comes with standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive (AWD), and base prices start in the mid-$20,000s and rise to about $30,000, including the $1,295 destination charge. Chevrolet provided the vehicle for this 2024 Trailblazer review.

Tim Stevens

The 2024 Chevy Trailblazer has Sharper Styling and a Modernized Interior

Though the Trailblazer's overall profile stays the same for 2024, Chevrolet has reworked the nose, tail, and lights to freshen it up. It's the kind of rhinoplasty that's easier to spot with before-and-after pictures.

Indeed, the Trailblazer's nose sees the most significant changes. The grille has been simplified, with each trim level featuring distinct lower grille detailing to help visually differentiate them. For example, you'll spot a hint of a wing shape on the sporty Trailblazer RS models.

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Smaller and sharper headlights seem mere slashes of light, while fresh alloy wheel designs grace all versions of the 2024 Trailblazer. Otherwise, that's about it. It's basically the same design that went on sale back in 2021.

The interior updates are more significant, with the biggest being the new 8.0-inch digital instrumentation panel and a larger touchscreen infotainment system situated high in the center of the dashboard. Best of all, that 11.0-inch infotainment display is standard on all trims.

The rest of the interior stays the same, including the five-seat configuration and 25.3 cubic-feet of cargo space with the seats up and 54.3 with them folded down. Notably, the front passenger seat folds in half to accommodate longer items with the rear liftgate closed, a neat trick most other small SUVs can't perform.

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A panoramic sunroof is optional and helps to brighten up the cabin, front and rear. Besides the glass roof, rear-seat passengers have few creature comforts beyond USB ports, (one A and one C). Up front, there's another pair of ports, plus a wireless charging pad.

Above that, the dashboard gets a subtle restyle to better flow with the larger display, including smaller, funkier-looking air vents and some new inserts with contrasting textures. Go with the RS trim and you also get a few matte red accents to liven things up. That plus the contrast stitching throughout the cabin helps to give the Trailblazer RS a racy look — even if it isn't a racy drive.

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Updated Trailblazer, Same Small-Displacement Options

The Trailblazer's two engines carry over from before, the littlest being the turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder making 137 horsepower. The available larger engine isn't much bigger in displacement, and is a 155-hp turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder.

That engine is standard in the Activ and RS trims and pairs with an optional all-wheel-drive system, which you can quickly turn on or off with a dedicated button just ahead of the shifter. The 1.3-liter and AWD give the Trailblazer a crucial bit of differentiation from the more affordable Chevrolet Trax, which comes only with the 1.2-liter three-cylinder and front-wheel drive.

Though small, the 1.3-liter turbo offers good power in this little SUV. It's paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that is generally lazy in its downshifts but still far more engaging than the continuously variable transmission attached to the smaller engine.

When the transmission is in the right gear, the Trailblazer offers reasonable acceleration, enough to keep up with traffic but still short of a sporty response. Likewise, the handling is on the relaxed side. But, for a small SUV, the Trailblazer offers good isolation from the world and quiet highway driving at speed.

I tested the Trailblazer in upstate New York in the middle of winter, where I had plenty of opportunities to evaluate the optional AWD system. It proved effective despite the limited performance of the Continental ProContact all-season tires in the weather.

The ride quality occasionally felt harsh over bigger bumps on the broken roads, but opting for a Trailblazer with smaller wheels than the 19-inch units on the RS would likely help there.

In RS AWD specification, the Trailblazer is EPA-rated to return 26/29/27 mpg in city/highway/combined driving. In my mixed testing, I scored only 24 mpg, a result undoubtedly affected by the inclement winter weather.

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New Infotainment Tech, Same Comprehensive Safety Suite

Another thing that hasn't changed is the Trailblazer's collection of advanced driver-assistance systems. It includes standard forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Those wanting blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert must add the Driver Confidence Package, while adaptive cruise control is a separate option. But get both of those upgrades and you have a comprehensive safety suite for the small SUV segment.

Inside, the big stories are the new 8.0-inch digital instrumentation panel and 11.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

The digital gauges replace the old-school analog gauges on the outgoing Trailblazer. Despite the nod to futurism, the display lacks customization. Most manufacturers offer pages of different settings to cycle through. Here, there's just the single view, which offers virtually no customization.

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The infotainment system's picture is brighter. You get Bluetooth with audio streaming, SiriusXM satellite radio, and access to OnStar connected services via a paid subscription, including a Wi-Fi hot spot. The system also includes Teen Driver, which monitors how young drivers use the Trailblazer and provides a report card to parents.

In addition, the Trailblazer has standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. They run well and look great on the widescreen display. Once enabled, all the voice-activated power provided by Google Assistant or Siri is available at a long press of the dedicated speech button on the steering wheel.

A Bose premium sound system is also available, producing good audio quality at the price.

Tim Stevens

The Trailblazer Is Little Changed but Still Impresses

Though little has changed on the 2024 Chevy Trailblazer, it still impresses with comprehensive safety and infotainment tech and a practical, comfortable interior, all wrapped in a modern, expressive design.

With a starting price under $25,000, the Trailblazer is competitive against numerous alternatives, including the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek,Toyota Corolla Cross, and Volkswagen Taos. However, the Trailblazer's most significant competition might be the similarly Lilliputian new Chevrolet Trax.

But again, if you're in a Chevy showroom and want the bigger motor, extra power, and AWD, you'll have to get it in the 2024 Trailblazer.