So, it’s time to buy a car or, more specifically, an SUV? You might know exactly what you want, or maybe you have no idea where to start. Oh, there are so many exciting options, but buying an SUV can be overwhelming, as the vehicle is a big commitment…literally. Maybe you want to own a Suburban but just aren’t ready for that quite yet. That’s alright. Have you looked into the 2022 Chevy Trailblazer? This could be a tremendous option for you if you’re into the SUV lifestyle without wanting something as big or as overwhelming as, say, a Tahoe. This in itself may not be enough to convince you to head over to your Chevy Trailblazer dealership, so to help educate your decision, let’s take a look at why the Trailblazer is the best starter SUV.
Size
Yes, the Trailblazer is a small SUV, only seating five, but please don’t be fooled; the Trailblazer has very impressive cargo capabilities. The three back seats are constructed of a 60/40 foldable split, and the front passenger seat also folds down, allowing the Trailblazer to offer 8.5 feet of cargo length and a grand total of 54.4 cubic feet of cargo space. With a two-level load floor, the interior of the vehicle will have plenty of interior storage room. With the ECOTEC 1.3L Turbo Engine, the Trailblazer offers a maximum available 174 pound-foot of torque. This is amazingly impressive torque for an SUV as compact as the Trailblazer, making it a dynamic vehicle for moderately-sized loads.
The 2022 Trailblazer offers two new features which will be exciting for anybody looking to haul larger loads on this SUV. First is the option of roof rack cross rails installed by your dealer. Second is the available trailering package; again, this is installed by your dealer and includes the trailer hitch, harness, and bezel. Adding these two features to the 54.5 cubic feet of cargo space means that you’ll be fully loaded and ready to go.
Safety
Owning a car is a big responsibility, and your life and the lives of others depend upon your diligence in safe driving. That being said, the Chevy Trailblazer has technology that will help you to navigate the learning curve of driving an SUV and cultivate safe driving skills. The Chevy Trailblazer comes with the Chevy Safety Assist package, which consists of top-notch safety features, very well-suited to new drivers. These features include:
- Forward Collision Alert and Automatic Emergency Braking monitor activity in front of the vehicle in order to prevent frontal collisions. Your eyes should be on the road, but this will act as a second pair of eyes just in case you miss something.
- Front Pedestrian Braking is a fantastic feature that works at speeds below 50mph during the daytime to detect pedestrian activity directly in front of the vehicle and provides alerts and even emergency braking, should the need arise.
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning uses a light turn of the steering wheel to guide you back into the correct lane if the system senses that you are drifting. This feature only works, however, when your turn signal is off or if it seems that you are unintentionally drifting. So, don’t worry about the car preventing you from smoothly merging or making a turn.
- The Following Distance Indicator is a unique but very helpful tool that monitors the vehicle in front of you and provides the gap time (in seconds) between your Trailblazer and the car in front of you. This will help you determine whether you are following too closely and whether you need lave more distance.
- IntelliBeam High Beam Assist automatically turns the Trailblazer’s high beam headlamps on or off according to the exterior conditions, ensuring that the driver’s visual needs are always met.
Technological Convenience
The Trailblazer infotainment center is one of the most impressive on the market, offering a 7-inch color touchscreen (with an 8-inch screen available), which will be the home for all of your infotainment desires. The Trailblazer also offers a 4G LTE Wi-Fi Hotspot – an offer difficult to refuse. While this will come at an extra cost, a new vehicle will start you off with a one-month/3 GB trial to get your feet wet and see if it’s a feature for which you are interested in paying extra. So, enjoy it while it lasts…or make it last. Apple Carplay and Android Auto are also included in the Trailblazer, giving you a smooth collaboration between your mobile device and your Trailblazer touch screen to keep your eyes up and your music playing. Additionally, the Trailblazer offers wireless charging capabilities, which will assure that your phone is always charged and you’re never alone on the road without a lifeline.
Now, all of this may sound unnecessary if you’re looking for a starter vehicle, especially if you are worried about the infotainment center causing distraction. While this technology must be used responsibly, it is all designed to provide a safer driving experience. Not least of all, the touchscreen will offer clear, intuitive, and top-line navigation to make sure that the driver stays on track. Features such as Apple Carplay and Android Auto are designed to provide access on your vehicle touchscreen to the things that would otherwise tempt the driver to pick up their phone while driving. The Wi-Fi hotspot may not be necessary for your personal needs, but it may also prove to allow for better safety resources on the road.
Style
Maybe you’re desiring a full SUV but don’t want to deal with a vehicle of that magnitude. Maybe you desire a compact car, but you know deep down that you just need the cargo space of an SUV. Consider this: the Chevy Trailblazer is a stylish and subtle blend of these two; it looks like an SUV, but it maintains the subtleness of a compact car. Aside from being remarkably stylish, the Trailblazer provides the best-in-class rear-seat legroom, providing an enjoyable passenger experience.
You are able to make the Trailblazer your own with nine exterior color combination options and two interior color combination options (both are combinations of brown and black, it is simply a matter of which color you want to be featured). You can also get two-tone colors on the higher trims. The Trailblazer offers four trim options; between the LS, LT, ACTIV, and RS models, the Trailblazer will suit your specific needs.
Let’s take a look at two of the more specialized trims: the RS and the ACTIV. The RS will focus on style and practicality, offering dual-outlet exhausts and 18-inch high gloss Black machined aluminum wheels. The ACTIV, as its name suggests, is designed for more active, off-road driving, providing an ECOTEC 1.3L Turbo engine and sport terrain tires. So, whether you intend to drive urban city streets or off-road terrain, the Trailblazer is here to serve you.
Three Drive Modes
With the selection of trim models comes a selection of three driving modes. The ECOTEC 1.3L Turbo engine offers the possibility of Normal, Sport, and All-Wheel Drive (Which is the Snow feature on Front-Wheel Drive). While most drivers are familiar with Front-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive, the Sport feature is a unique option that will lend itself well to off-road activity.
Is This a Good Place to Start?
Buying your first car is a difficult decision, no doubt. There are so many factors: economics, safety, personal needs, storage space, and so on. The Chevy Trailblazer, in all of its trim options, is well-suited to serve your needs and accomplish a variety of driving jobs. Particularly if you are going to be sharing this car with someone else whose needs may be different, the Trailblazer’s stylishness, cargo capacity, technology/safety features, and size make it a versatile SUV which will please drivers of all kinds.
