Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A yellow 2024 Chevy Trailblazer Activ for sale is shown parked near a lake.

Getting More in 2024: The Chevy Trailblazer Delivers the Goods

With the 2024 model year quickly approaching, there’s a genuine feeling of anticipation in the air among automotive enthusiasts and prospective buyers alike. The SUV is one of the most popular classes of automobiles as much of the American market wants something that offers style, practicality, and cost-effectiveness in a single, convenient package. As one of the most respected brands worldwide, Chevy has been pivotal in establishing the SUV as the ideal choice for family-oriented consumers.

We stand at the dawn of a new breed of Chevy Trailblazer for sale, making it the most optimal—if not imperative—time to examine it in greater depth. The 2024 model year intends to yield great additions from the brand that Americans trust for effective and reliable transportation; when it comes to the new 2024 Chevy Trailblazer, the bowtie brand offers a truly exceptional product for such a modest price.

The rear of a blue 2024 Chevy Trailblazer RS is shown.

A Modern Look for a Modern Driver

While we’re not always quick to admit it, we live in a society with a considerable focus on style and presentation. And when it comes to the vehicles we buy, no one wants to drive around in something visually unappealing. Fortunately, the 2024 Chevy Trailblazer exudes an excitement that speaks to our love of aesthetics and expression.

While the Trailblazer is scaled down in size when compared to some of the other offerings from Chevy, you’ll find that it doesn’t lack for looks. A curvaceous body style with a jet-black front grille, this two-toned scheme allows you to make a statement wherever you go. And the sophisticated interior matches the exterior curves by implementing a horizontal 11.0-inch infotainment screen and generous breathing room for the driver and passengers alike.

Two Practical Powertrains

As the SUV has been on an upward trajectory in popularity, designs have continued improving to stay adherent to the always-changing needs of consumers. The days in which eight cylinders were once universal for propulsion seem farther and farther removed as the modern offerings are built to be economical and maneuverable in the suburban and urban environments that the average consumer calls home. And to show just how far the thought process behind engine design has come, the offerings that Chevy has equipped the Trailblazer with take the form of two three-cylinder engines, both of which are turbocharged to deliver that extra bit of kick when the situation warrants it.

The first of these takes the form of the 1.2L EcoTec Turbo I-3, pushing the Trailblazer forward with the benefit of 137 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. This engine is best suited for those who spend a lot of time driving within the city limits, as it comes equipped with a CVT (Continuous Variable Transmission) to handle the rigors of stop-and-go traffic patterns. Opting for the 1.3L EcoTec Turbo I-3 somewhat upgrades your clout to 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, paired with the CVT or a generous nine-speed automatic transmission. Alongside the 1.3L Turbo is an available all-wheel drive (AWD) that is advantageous for those who need to navigate in winter climates.

For those looking to save money on fuel costs, the 1.2L Turbo is the practical choice we recommend. Its front-wheel drive and CVT combination afford the Trailblazer an EPA-estimated 29 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway, for a combined 30 MPG. The EPA estimates that this will save the consumer upwards of $750 in fuel costs over a period of five years. The 1.3L Turbo, meanwhile, gets an exceptional boost over the 1.2L with 29 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway for its front-wheel drive powertrain; in the all-wheel drive configuration, this decreases to 26 MPG in the city and 30 MPG on the highway—which is still nothing to sneeze at, especially for an all-wheel drive powertrain!

A yellow 2024 Chevy Trailblazer Activ is shown with simulated sensor lines on a city street.

Spend Less on Safety

Every year yields new advancements in automotive safety and driving assistance technology—a major point of interest for the general public. Being safe while on the road is always of great concern for consumers, as the road we travel on—much like life—tends to be unpredictable, vaguely dangerous, and full of surprises. Chevy has one of the best track records for providing safety and assurance to its drivers, and the features it includes with the 2024 Trailblazer certainly reaffirm this.

Because brands have their own design teams but endeavor to follow standardized industry practices, many driver assistance features across different makes and models appear to be interchangeable, with the only thing differentiating them seemingly being the moniker given. The most significant distinction between automakers, then, is which brands include more of these near-identical features as standards as opposed to obscuring them behind trim levels and supplemental price tags. Fortunately, Chevy is of the former, and the base Trailblazer comes packed with numerous offerings for oversight and enhancing the driving experience.

The 2024 Chevy Trailblazer comes with Chevrolet Safety Assist, a comprehensive suite of safety and driving assistance features that are all-encompassing in terms of providing assurance and peace of mind. Reaction time is one of the most important skills for any driver to develop, as the moment between noticing an imminent collision and performing avoidance maneuvers is minimal; the pairing of Forward Collision Alert and Automatic Emergency Braking ensures that you’re made aware of anything in your path, even if you personally can’t see it, and that you’ll have electronically-aided braking power to intervene on a deficient reaction time. This, too, is aided by the Following Distance Indicator, which will help you remain at a safe distance to allow for appropriate reaction time regarding the vehicle in front of you.

Other included features are to protect not just you but the other drivers and pedestrians you share the road with. Front Pedestrian Braking is in place to provide additional oversight should a small object enter your path from the side, while Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning helps in keeping you centered on your path. The available Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert integrates these two sensor systems to alert you if an unseen obstacle impedes your attempt at merging or changing lanes.

Maintaining visibility in nebulous environments is assisted by the IntelliBeam auto high beams. These engage when visibility is limited and disengage in the presence of oncoming traffic, ensuring that everyone stays safe during their travels. If you’re looking for further peace of mind, Adaptive Cruise Control is available on higher trims and is incredibly useful when driving long stretches of highway.

Please note: The standard and available features included on the 2024 Chevy Trailblazer are meant to enhance the driving experience and provide additional oversight; in no way do they replace the effective habits and awareness of a responsible driver. Obey traffic laws at all times and maintain visibility.

The black interior and dash of a 2024 Chevy Trailblazer is shown.

Our Final Verdict on the 2024 Trailblazer

There’s certainly no shortage of SUVs in the modern marketplace—and with a new model year quickly approaching, there are certainly a great many to choose from. With its low starting MSRP of only $24,395, the 2024 Chevy Trailblazer is priced for the average consumer and offers them a better product with exceptional features.

The Trailblazer’s powertrains are tailored to those looking to navigate the city limits while saving money on fuel costs and with some extra kick in their commute. The Trailblazer also manages to combine our love of style with the necessity for safety, which is oftentimes a bungled effort. When it comes to the wants and needs of the average consumer, Chevy once again proves to have a finger on the pulse of both.