With dozens of models currently on the market, finding the right SUV for you can be a time-consuming process. Although you may be inclined to take the easy route and stick with well-known older models like the Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape, or Honda CR-V, there is an increasing number of newer vehicles that offer better features at a lower price. One of these high-value new SUVs set to be released is the all-new 2021 Chevy Trailblazer. Not to be confused with the Chevy Blazer, which is a larger vehicle, the Trailblazer is set to be one of the best deals on the market, offering an incredible feature set for an MSRP of $19,000.
Although the new 2021 Chevy Trailblazer is on the smaller side, it is still a real SUV and not a subcompact. For instance, the Trailblazer will offer up to 54.4 cubic feet of cargo space when it’s 60/40 rear seats are in the folded position. In comparison, the Ford EcoSport only has 50 cubic feet, while the Toyota CH-R maxes out at just 37 cubic feet. This means that the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer will be a vehicle that you can count on for hauling large items or comfortably transporting the whole family. But unlike the larger SUVs on the market, the Trailblazer will not be so large that it becomes a hassle to maneuver through city streets or crowded parking lots.
Another advantage of the smaller size of the new Trailblazer is that it will get excellent fuel mileage for an SUV. The EPA estimated fuel economy for the 2021 Trailblazer is 29 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway (31 MPG combined) on front-wheel drive models with its 1.3L engine. For front-wheel drive models that are equipped with a 1.2L engine, the fuel economy will drop slightly to 28 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway (29 MPG combined). This will make the new Chevy nearly as efficient as a midsize sedan and make it a particularly good choice if you are looking for a daily driver that can save you money on your commute to work.
The 2021 Chevy Trailblazer will not just be a vehicle for city streets. With good ground clearance and optional AWD, the Trailblazer will live up to its name and have no problem handling bad weather and back roads. And if you plan to spend a lot of time off-road, then the Activ trim of the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer will be the choice for you, with its modified suspension tuned for off-road performance as well as Hankook Sport Terrain tires for improved traction.
Trailblazer Infotainment and Safety
However, there are many SUVs that offer similar size and performance to the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer. What really sets the new Chevy apart is its incredible value. The Trailblazer’s starting price of $19,000 alone makes it one of the best deals on the market. But that shocking low price tag is not for a barebone vehicle that requires thousands of dollars of optional equipment to become drivable. Instead, even the base trim of the Trailblazer comes packed with a top of the line infotainment system as well as a whole host of advanced safety features.
The Chevrolet Infotainment system on the 2021 Trailblazer’s 7” touch screen comes standard with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, giving you your full selection of familiar features no matter which type of phone you prefer. Even better, the infotainment system offers you the option of connecting multiple phones at the same time, so passengers can connect their devices without needing to disconnect your own. All trims of the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer also come standard with both SiriusXM satellite radio and a 4G LTE wireless hotspot, giving you access to all the in-car entertainment you could ever need. Finally, the higher trim levels also have an optional wireless charging station in the front console so you can top off your phone without needing to dig out its charger.
If the infotainment system on the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer will keep your life fun, the standard driver safety equipment could potentially save your life. All trims of the Trailblazer will come standard with a comprehensive safety suite that includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision and lane departure alerts, a following distance indicator, a backup camera, an automatic electronic parking brake, and LED running lights. Together, these systems will make the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer quite possibly the safest vehicle on the market in its price range. And when combined with the infotainment and physical capabilities of this new SUV, they make the Trailblazer an absolutely incredible deal.
For comparison’s sake, perhaps the closest competitor to the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer is the Ford EcoSport. While this compact SUV has the same $19,995 starting price as the Trailblazer, the EcoSport is a noticeably smaller vehicle than the Trailblazer and comes with a less powerful engine. Most importantly, the base trim of the Ford completely lacks any advanced safety equipment, such as is found on the Trailblazer.
Making Sense of the Trailblazer Trims
However, if your budget allows for it, the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer will of course also offer higher trim levels and additional optional features. In fact, probably the best bang for your buck will come not from the base L trim, but from the next step up. While the additional standard features of the LS trim will be mostly confined to 17” aluminum wheels and a fold-flat front passenger’s seat (useful for transporting particularly long objects), it will be the lowest trim to offer the option of AWD. And while selecting the AWD option will add a little to the price of the Trailblazer, it will also add a more powerful engine. Altogether, this package turns the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer into a capable all-terrain machine that will also be more confident in highway driving.
If you live in a more urban area that does not see much bad weather, than for roughly the same price as an AWD LS trim, you will be able to get the more luxurious LT trim. This variant of the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer adds several comforts such as a remote start system, heated seats, fog lamps, and a roof rack. And if you want these features as well as off-road performance, the LT, of course, comes with an AWD option as well.
Wrapping up the available trims on the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer is the specialized ACTIV and RS trims. As mentioned previously, the ACTIV trim will be the specialized off-road variant of the Trailblazer, with upgraded suspension and tires. On the other hand, the RS will be the on-road sport variant, offering upgrades such as 18” aluminum wheels, dual exhaust, flat-bottom steering wheel, and red interior accents. Even if the AWD package is not selected, both of these top trims will come standard with the more powerful engine. Finally, the ACTIV and RS trims will be available with stylish two-tone paint schemes that set them apart from the lower trims of the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer.
It doesn’t matter which trim of the Trailblazer best meets your needs and budget, this new SUV will be the new leader in its segment. From size to features to cost, Chevrolet has produced a real winner, and the 2021 Trailblazer should be high on your list of vehicles to look at when it hits the market.
