Finally, some competition for the Fortuner comes in the form of the new Chevrolet Trailblazer! Well, this because the Ford Everest was a bit of a badly put together mess, and the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport is, well, for people who love Mitsubishi.
New Chevrolet Trailblazer reviewed by John Beale
The Trailblazer’s engine
Sporting a 2.8litre Duramax 4cylinder turbo diesel that pushes out a class leading 132kW and 440NM, the high spec top of the range LTZ comes out punching. With only 5 gears, theres ample torque that pulls hard through each gear, and in gear acceleration is good considering the weight and size of the Trailblazer. I would have liked to see a 6th gear, as it sits quite high up in the revs at highway speeds. Clutch action is quite springy (could just be the test unit) and the brakes were very spongy, but could be due to this being a test unit that has seen better days. The Duramax diesel is also a lot noisier than the competitor units, and gear lever rattles like an old Isuzu bakkie, which detracts a bit.
Off-road ability
Some limited off-road (not 4×4) routes saw the new Chevrolet Trailblazer get dirty and it performed well. Low-end torque made crawling over obstacles easy with no wheelspin, but the running boards scratched easily. Shortest front and rear overhangs in class will be a blessing when the going gets tough. A simple turn knob engages 4wheel drive (High and Low), but the limited slip differential is the key differentiator between the Trailblazer and Fortuner and would put some hard core 4×4 enthusiasts off the Blazer. With my limited off-road stint, I found very little to fault on the Trailblazer in the rough, as it performed incredibly well, but must say the Toyota does feel lighter on its feet and a bit more solid through the steering. A little gripe was that the parking sensors, which couldnt switch out, kept going off on every blade of grass / rock / bush off road.
The Body-On-Frame architecture of the Trailblazer meant that its a usual shake and scuttle on the ride in town, but wasnt unbearable, and wafted along comfortably. What was noticeable was how the heavy the Trailblazer felt in town, especially with the spongy brakes, and the steering which felt a bit vague and loose, which could explain the vibrations felt off-road.
Interior
A unique interior befits the new Chevrolet Trailblazer, with a very special circular climate control dial. At first I hated it, but it grew on me and quickly made a lot of sense with its large digital display. Plastics are hard but most controls have a quality feel to them. Controls on the steering wheel for the rather impressive 8 speaker sound system (Aux, USB & CD), and on-board computer are standard. There are numerous storage spaces in the Trailblazer which was genuinely useful, and trumped the Fortuner for convenience. Some simple technology was however missing (Auto lights and wipers) but electric leather seats were comfortable, even though the light beige showed heavy signs of wear.
Being well aware that this was an overused test unit, it did show heavy signs of wear and tear on the interior, which could be a forbearer to future owners. On the safety front, the LTZ features ABS with EBD, stability control and full front, side and curtain airbags all the way to row 3 of the seating. Speaking of, the 3rd row of seats were easy to set up, and 2nd row entry was also a breeze to flip over, easier than the Fortuner. That said, 3rd row leg room is tighter, but cubholders and storage space in the 3rd row is a nice touch. A cover for the luggage space when the 3rd row of seating is folded flat into the floor, is also great. A rear-view camera would be a helpful addition to the vehicle that is large to park.
New Chevrolet Trailblazer conclusion
What is possibly the closest competition the Fortuner has seen yet, the Trailblazer is a solid competitor. Those looking for an alternative with substantially more towing ability (2950kgs), unique looks and more torque will find the Trailblazer the winner at the same price. Reliability and durability is still to be seen but due to the solid link to Isuzu I doubt well have issues on the mechanics. Looking for a 7 seater 4×4 SUV this has to be on your list.
New Chevrolet Trailblazer – Price
Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.8 LTZ 4×4 price: 132kW/470NM – R476 900
- Warranty and service: 5yr/90 000km service plan & 15 000 km service intervals.
- View the Chevrolet Trailblazer: New / Used
- Competitors worth checking out:
- Toyota Fortuner 3,0D-4D 4×4 120kW/343NM – R464 700
- Mitsubishi Pajero Sport 3,2 DI GLS 120kW/343NM R435 000
