In this article, I would tell you a story on why I think the Chevrolet Trailblazer is underrated. Full disclosure, I do not have sales figures of all the Pickup Platfrom Vehicles, so if in this article I mention that Chevrolet has not shifted many, Trailblazers, that’s gonna be based on pure speculation. I just don’t see a lot of them on the road, but then again, maybe a lot might just be hidden in a garage somewhere. Let’s get crackin’.
Since these Pickup Platform Vehicle mid-size SUVs gained popularity, the Toyota Fortuner and the Mitsubishi Montero rose to popularity and became the mid-size SUV elites when it comes to sales. A little lower on the food chain are the Ford Everest and the Isuzu Mu-X, they have been selling quite a bit, but not in the figures the two titans did.
The Nissan Terra, became a surprising late entry to the mid-size SUV wars from Nissan, it features all these hi-tech but I think those just weren’t good enough to supercharge its sales. And what I think came stone-dead last, was the Chevrolet Trailblazer.
Brand Reputation
One of the major reasons I think why the Trailblazer is not the first choice of a mid-size SUV buyer in our country, is the badge. Chevrolet only came in the country in 2009 (I know, it’s shocking), it’s the youngest among its competitors. You might say: “but they have sold the Optra in 2003”. Yeah, but the Optra is basically a Daewoo, built in Korea and rebaged as a Chevrolet. Back to my point, it’s simply because the Filipino hasn’t set their heart on the brand yet, as it hasn’t been around long enough.
The GM Deal
The Chevrolet has a Japanese half-brother, the Isuzu MU-X. It’s all part of a deal with General Motors. The two vehicles would be built on the same platform and underpinnings, but with a different drivetrain. The Trailblazer was released prior to the MU-X. But in Southeast Asia atleast, Isuzu has a better brand reputation so the MU-X, despite being released 2 years later, received greater popularity.
Engine
The Trailblazer is being offered 2 VM Motori (Italian engine manufacturer) turbo-diesel engines prominently called the Duramax. One is a 2.5L and the other a 2.8L, producing 180hp/440Nm and 200hp/500Nm respectively. And paird with a six-speed either a manual or automatic. Not one of its rivals can match the power and torque figures that these engines produce relative to engine size.
I love this segment of the automotive industry. I like the way small diesel engines are being intelligently developed, I like the way that they can seat 7 people, and I like the way the they enabled people to get into the SUV lifestyle without breaking the bank (not by a lot anyway).
Say what you may, but I think the Chevrolet Trailblazer is like a shy, capable, and intelligent student, it’s just sitting in the corner watching quietly and it knows that everything is okay because it knows its place. It never tries but it is unknowingly the most powerful of the bunch, it may not be the best looking among its rivals, but it certainly has its own appeal. That’s what’s good about cars, they have personality, and the Trailblazer has one that made me notice it despite the glare of its more popular rivals.