SUV sales are through the roof in comparison to most other vehicles on the market, with numbers increasing ever since the 1990s. By 2015, SUVs out-sold sedans in the US market, with the segment continuing to grow every year. Clearly, the age of the sedan is ending and is being replaced by the SUV. Chevy has been making its tracks in the field of SUV sales along with all the other manufacturers and has been manufacturing award-winning SUVs like the Tahoe, Suburban, and Equinox for many years. Now the Trailblazer has returned to Chevy’s ranks with a lowercase “b” in its name, and the 2022 Chevy Trailblazer further feeds America’s love for sport utility with a compact SUV that offers versatile capability, cargo storage, and modern style.
Coolest Features
If you happen to live a somewhat active lifestyle and you’re shopping for a compact SUV, the 2022 Trailblazer deserves your consideration. It has a number of features that are handy and innovative to make transporting cargo in a variety of sizes easier, among a few other helpful attributes. One of the best cargo features is the adjustable load floor in the rear cargo area. Though many SUVs offer under-floor storage to tuck items out of sight or to stay organized, the 2022 Trailblazer offers the option of adding more space to the rear cargo area by moving the load floor down a couple of inches. Having that extra space allows for taller items to be accommodated when you need the room, or you can keep the load floor in the upper position for more storage beneath.
Having a fold-down passenger seat means you can transport long items, too. The front passenger seat can fold virtually flat to let you fit items up to eight feet long in the cabin, ideal for surfers or skiers who want to quickly get on the road for some fun outdoors without having to use the roof rack. When you race out to your Trailblazer with your hands full of equipment and supplies, if you get the available hands-free liftgate, it will shine a logo on the ground where you need to place your foot to open it. Having that indicator projected onto the ground means you don’t have to keep waving your foot around to figure out the exact spot the sensor can pick up your movement.
Capability
Buying an SUV seems like capability should be part of the package, even though that’s not always the case. It’s great that Chevy offers all-wheel drive for all trims, though it’s unfortunate that it costs an extra $2K in the two entry-level trims. For the RS and Activ trims, you can add it for slightly less at $1,500. Part of that pricing is undoubtedly accrued in the additional power you gain from the engine upgrade that automatically comes with all-wheel drive: a 1.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine. You also get driving modes that can switch between “normal” driving and the need for either all-wheel or snow modes. Traction demands change between the modes to offer different performance according to road conditions. In addition, you get active noise cancellation with all-wheel drive for a quieter cabin.
For 2022 the Trailblazer is now able to tow with the correct equipment, available for all trims when you add all-wheel drive. Granted, you can only tow up to 1,000 pounds, but the capability is there to handle really light trailers for bikes or ultra-light campers. Every trim comes prepared for towing with standard wiring and a four-pin connector, so the Trailblazer is prepared from the factory if you want to add a hitch later. Any 2022 Trailblazer can be fitted with the hitch assembly at the dealership after you purchase your SUV, so you don’t have to pay upfront for the trailering package if you aren’t sure you want it.
Trims With Extra Style
The two upper trims – the RS and Activ – have a little extra to offer buyers in terms of styling or performance, and both trims have a number of nice features that come standard. Largely, the two trims are very similar in terms of interior amenities, and even pricing is the same. Essentially, the RS trim delivers a sporty appearance with black exterior badging and accents, while the Activ is fitted with chrome accents and has a few added capability features to give it more spunk for light off-roading. Shared features like LED daytime running lights, fog lights, and tail lights are an upgrade for these trims on the exterior, along with the option to add flair with the two-tone paint color.
Choosing the RS trim does give you larger 18-inch high-gloss black wheels, which can be better for driving through snow or mud if you equip all-wheel drive, plus you also get dual exhaust tips and a flat-bottom sport-style steering wheel. On the inside, you get sporty jet-black upholstery in faux leather and cloth that’s contrasted with red stitching. Going for the Activ trim includes 17-inch high-gloss black wheels fitted with all-terrain tires and a specially tuned suspension for light off-road duty. The Activ suspension system will offer better ride quality in the cabin when you hit rough terrain, and you have the option of adding all-wheel drive for better capability. Skid plates provide under-body protection to avoid scraping the fuel tank or transfer case.
Both these trims will come standard with the upgraded 1.3-liter turbo engine regardless of whether or not you add all-wheel drive, and black roof rails are standard as well. Shared upgrades like a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, heated front seats and steering wheel, and the ten-way power driver’s seat with lumbar control are part of the allure for spending a little extra on one of these trims. Available extras to take your Trailblazer up a notch include a powered panoramic sunroof or the seven-speaker Bose sound system. Each of the trims will get badging inside and out to match the styling.
Packages to Personalize
When you want to add a feature or two, but you don’t want to spring for the next trim level, Chevy offers a few packages to give you options. While the safety features included in the standard suite of driver-assist tech cover a lot of the basics, buyers who want extra coverage for the RS or Active trims can add the Driver Confidence Package, which adds rear park assist, rear cross traffic alert, and lane change alert with side blind zone alert. The Trailering package adds a hitch, harness, and bezel to ready your Trailblazer for towing. Tack on the Winter/Summer Floor package for all-weather floor liners and carpeting to make the interior better able to stand up to wet or muddy days.
For extra light and convenience, the Sun and Liftgate package adds the panoramic sunroof and hands-free liftgate, and the RS and Activ trims can add the Technology Package that includes the Bose sound system and adaptive cruise control, among other features. Chevy is fairly good about offering lots of options for building a vehicle that suits individual style or function, even in the entry-level trims, with packages or additional available features. If you love the idea of owning an SUV with more style than the typical ute, the 2022 Trailblazer has a lot to offer for buyers, especially if you often find the need for more room and want the versatility of the Trailblazer’s cargo space. For its low pricing that starts just above $21,000, you get a comfortable SUV with a lot of tech and safety features included.
