2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer RS: Test Drive

2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer AWD RS

Class: Subcompact crossover

Color: Crimson Metallic

Seating capacity: 5

CG Report Card

Room and Comfort	B+
Power and Performance	B-
Fit and Finish	B+
Fuel Economy	A
Value	A-

Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup.

Big & Tall Comfort

Big Guy	B+
Tall Guy	A

Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester.

Drivetrain
Engine Specs	155-horsepower 1.3-liter
Engine Type	Turbocharged 3-cyinder
Transmission	9-speed automatic
Drive Wheels	AWD

Miles driven: 135

Observed fuel economy: 22.4* mpg

Driving mix: 75% city, 25% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 26/29/27 (mpg city/highway/combined)

Fuel type: Regular gas

Snow performance: Very good

Base price: $28,700 (not including $1295 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: Panoramic sunroof ($1495), Convenience Package ($1195), Adaptive Cruise and Sound Package ($995), all-season floor mats ($595), Driver Confidence Package ($395)

Price as tested: $34,670

Quick Hits

The great: Value pricing, roomy and comfortable cabin

The good: Premium amenities, excellent ride and handling balance

The not so good: Engine may sound crude to some ears

Tom Appel:

Chevrolet has, for 2024, updated the entry-level end of its crossover lineup to excellent effect. The big news is the all-new Trax, which is now bigger, roomier, and significantly more refined than it once was. The new Trax is earning high praise from the automotive media, and should do well in the marketplace—thanks in part to pricing that starts around $22,000.

There are a couple of limitations to the Trax, however. It is entry-level vehicle, and thus the cabin appointments are a little, uh, common, and you just can’t load it up the way some folks might want to. Also, unfortunately, the Trax cannot be had with AWD. That said, we find the Trax a wholly satisfying small crossover, and just thing for first-time car buyers looking for a meaningful dose of value and utility.

Coming in around the same size—actually, slightly smaller—and positioned just up the Chevrolet price ladder is Trailblazer. Also a small crossover—and also updated for 2024–the Trailblazer offers small crossover shoppers the same utility as the Trax, but with more power, nicer cabin appointments, and significant more upscale equipment options.

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For 2024, the Trailblazer is offered in four trim levels: entry LS (about $25,500), popular LT (about $27,000), off-road themed Activ (about $29,500), and sporty and upscale RS (also about $29,500).

The drivetrain situation gets a little confusing, but here it is: Front-wheel-drive versions of the LS and LT are powered by a 137-horsepower 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder. Front-drive versions of the Activ and RS come with a 155-horsepower 1.3-liter 3-cylinder engine. All front drive models feature a CVT-style automatic transmission. All AWD models come with the 1.3-liter engine, and a conventional 9-speed automatic transmission, regardless of trim level. AWD is available on all models for about $1400. Both Trailblazer engines run on regular-grade fuel.

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Note that the entry-level Trax is offered only with the 1.2-liter engine and CVT automatic, and as noted earlier, cannot be had with AWD.

Consumer Guide recently spent time behind the wheel of the 2024 Chevrolet Trax in RS trim and loaded with premium options. All told, our test Trailblazer came to $34,670, including such niceties as the panoramic sunroof, Convenience Package, adaptive cruise control, and Bose-brand premium audio.

While we find the Trax cabin nice enough—and certainly price appropriate—the step-up Trailblazer interior is certainly a step up. Especially in RS trim, which features red accents, red contrasting seat stitching, textured and padded dash elements, and plenty of soft-material touch points. Indeed, there is noting in the Trailblazer RS cabin that would look cheap in even a $50,000 vehicle.

Also, though technically subcompact, the accommodating interior is plenty spacious, with sufficient room for guys as big as this editor, and seats that offer impressive long-trim comfort and support. The control layout is simple and modern, and most controls, save for climate, now concentrated on the touchscreen. We found the infotainment-system interface to be easy to read and logical to us, and the digital instrument cluster clear an easy to read.

Rear seat space is about par for the class, with decent headroom, and sufficient legroom proved the front sears aren’t positioned all the way back.

Underway the Trailblazer presents as a larger vehicle. Ride comfort is class leading, and handling competent, approaching sporty. Power from the small 3-cylinder engine is surprisingly robust, and the Trailblazer easily handles most around-town and highway-speed duties. As you might expect, the odd-cylinder count does bring with it a certain amount of quake at idle, and the exhaust isn’t especially sporty, but you’d have to be looking for these quirks to really take note of them.

And speaking of sound, the available Bose-brand audio system, which is package as an option with adaptive cruise control ($995), is impressive for this price class. If you care about your music, and put a value on adaptive cruise control, this package is seriously worth considering.

We were most impressed by how well the Trailblazer settled in at speed. The small Chevy is surprisingly quiet on the highway, and the engine relaxes nicely, producing little noise between 65- and 75 mph.

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Our observed fuel economy was disappointing, however, the Trailblazer arrived just in time for a serious Chicago snow event, and spent most of its time in AWD and crawling at low speed through relatively deep accumulations of the white stuff. We suspect our reported 22.4 mpg is about as bad as the mileage gets in a Trailblazer, and as such we are not reporting the number officially. Watch for a fair-weather update latter this year.

As a point of value, the RS trim level presents well, providing shoppers with a premium-feeling cabin, plenty of people and cargo space, and a refine on-road experience. We recommend going with the equipment seen on our test vehicle. While the options add up, they add value to final product. And, if you’d find the Trailblazer package appealing, but want to spend less, consider the LT trim level, which can be had with a sticker price under $30,000. And if you’re really a value house, check out the surprising Trax right there in the same showroom.

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