The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer comes with decent safety features and the latest convenience features, such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. But upgrades such as a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen, synthetic leather seats, heated front seats, and adaptive cruise control aren’t made available until the mid-grade LT trim, which at about $25,000 starts to erode the value proposition.
Still, it earns a 6 for an easy-to-use infotainment system.
Offered in base L, LS, LT, a sportier RS trim, and off-road pretending Activ trim, the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer comes in several styles without cracking the $28,000 mark.
The base L model is basic, but starts under $20,000. It comes in front-wheel drive only with the smaller 1.2-liter turbo-3 with a CVT. In addition to the standard features listed in the “Safety” section above, it comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen with large icons, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, wi-fi hotspot, cloth front bucket seats, two USB ports, and power features.
If all-wheel drive is needed, we’d skip the LS trim for the LT for $26,695 with the uprated engine and 9-speed automatic. Riding on taller 17-inch black wheels, it adds keyless entry and ignition, heated front seats, tinted rear windows, heated side mirrors, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
If front-wheel drive does the job just fine, then the top Activ or RS trims hit the sweet spot at $26,495. The Activ trim wears a more rugged look on its two-tone body, with sport terrain tires wrapped around 17-inch wheels, a skid plate, and what Chevy calls off-road suspension tuning.
The sporty RS appeals to us for the same price. Looking like a baby Chevy Blazer, it sports 18-inch black wheels, leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel, leather shift knob, a rear center armrest, LED taillamps, and synthetic leather-trimmed seats. Features such as adaptive cruise control and the larger touchscreen are optional extras.
All 2021 Trailblazers come with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, and the first scheduled maintenance item is complementary.
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