2022 Chevy Trailblazer Review

Name: 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer Review
Brand: Chevrolet
Price: 19498 USD

Chevrolet Trailblazer ACTIV 4dr SUV Exterior

+71

Chevy's done a great job with the latest Trailblazer. It isn't the most efficient or the best-performing vehicle in the class, but it is exceedingly competent at nearly everything it does. In the increasingly competitive class of extra-small SUVs, the Trailblazer is a half-step ahead.

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Chevrolet Trailblazer model years

Chevrolet Trailblazer for Sale

2022
2021

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2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Offers a lot of the latest technology and safety features
Activ model brings some light off-road capabilities
Roomy seating and cargo space for an extra-small SUV

Cons

Base engine lacks power
Transmission can be slow to downshift

What's new

Satellite radio is now standard on all trim levels
Available trailering package
Base L trim no longer offered
Part of the second Trailblazer generation introduced for 2021

Overview

Were it not for the challenges of the 2020 pandemic, there's a very good chance the return of the Chevrolet Trailblazer nameplate would have been a much bigger deal. Instead, we had to wait a year to finally test and evaluate it. Slotting in between the tiny Chevy Trax and the larger Equinox, the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer is one of the latest entrants in the burgeoning subcompact crossover SUV class. We're pleasantly surprised with how it turned out, too.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS 4dr SUV (1.2L 3cyl Turbo CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$149/mo

$184/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

Among its assets is an optional 1.3-liter engine that gets the Trailblazer up to speed with relative ease while the suspension delivers both a comfortable ride and confident cornering. To add to the appeal, the interior is attractively styled and comes well stocked with technology features. There's also a decent amount of backseat and cargo space. The Trailblazer manages to stand out from the crowd, too, with aggressive Camaro-like styling.

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer is a huge improvement over the aging Chevy Trax and is a great pick among other top extra-small SUVs such as the Buick Encore GX, Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. Check out our Expert Rating below to get our in-depth take on its performance, comfort and more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Good

8.0

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Trailblazer drive? We tested the Trailblazer in the Activ trim level, which has the upgraded 1.3-liter engine. With it the Trailblazer is surprisingly adept at getting around in day-to-day traffic, even if its as-tested 0-60 mph acceleration run of 9.4 seconds is well off the pace of rival SUVs with their upgraded engines. The nine-speed automatic transmission keeps the little engine in its sweet spot during acceleration, but we wish it was a bit quicker to downshift when you need to pass.

We're not enamored with the brake pedal in the Trailblazer. It's overly sensitive, making it difficult to be smooth when slowing down. The Activ trim level has off-road-biased tires, and they lack the grip to stop the Trailblazer as quickly as some of its rivals. Nimble handling isn't a strength for the Trailblazer either, but the reasonably accurate steering ensures the driver's confidence on most roads.

Comfort

8.0/10

How comfortable is the Trailblazer? The Trailblazer has a comfortable ride for a small SUV, especially at highway speeds. The front seats feel a bit firm at first, but after a few hours they remain comfortable and supportive. Around town, you'll feel some jostling when driving on rough roads, but the Trailblazer never crashes into potholes or feels too stiff. On the highway, the Trailblazer exhibits excellent ride comfort.

The three-cylinder engine, a design that's known for being a bit rough and noisy, emits only a subtle growl at full throttle. Road and wind noise isn't quite as well damped, but it's not excessive either and never gets tiring even during long stints behind the wheel. The climate control is easy to use and maintains good control over cabin temps, though higher fan speeds can get noisy.

Interior

8.5/10

How’s the interior? The Trailblazer offers a nice balance between analog and digital controls, and everything's fairly easy to figure out at first glance. The Trailblazer's ride height is slightly elevated over a compact sedan so it's easy to simply open the door and step into. Even taller rear passengers won't have to resort to gymnastics to get inside. And once there, occupants will find an exceedingly spacious rear seat. With the optional panoramic sunroof, headroom is more than adequate for most passengers.

The driving position is adjustable for a variety of preferences, and taller drivers won't feel like they're perched up too high. While the Trailblazer does sport a somewhat cutdown roofline, visibility isn't sacrificed in the name of style as it is in the Mazda CX-30. The available high-definition backup camera works well even in low light.

Technology

8.5/10

How’s the tech? Unlike most other vehicles in the class, the Trailblazer can't be had with an integrated navigation system. That means you'll need to use your smartphone's apps. Thankfully, wireless connectivity is standard for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and they work very well with the Trailblazer's attractive touchscreen. Our test vehicle came with the Technology package that included the larger 8-inch touchscreen (a 7-inch version is standard) and a nice-sounding Bose seven-speaker audio system. USB-A and USB-C ports are standard for front passengers and optional for rear passengers.

Voice controls are relatively straightforward, but we wish the system recognized more natural language. But it did get our commands correct when we followed the specific syntax. Standard advanced driver aids aren't as plentiful as on some competitors like the Subaru Crosstrek, but they can be acquired through a few option packages. We found the adaptive cruise control to be consistent, and the other systems didn't provide any false alarms.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? The larger dimensions of the Trailblazer pay off in the cargo department. Its cargo area is one of the roomiest in the class, even against the likes of the Kia Soul and Subaru Crosstrek. Obviously, it's still an extra-small SUV, but the Trailblazer should work fine for your typical cargo-hauling needs.

Interior storage for small items is average. Up front there's a tray in front of the shifter (it's a wireless charging pad if you select that option) and cupholders. Under the center console armrest is a deep but somewhat narrow bin better suited for items you don't use often. The door pockets will hold smaller items for both front and rear passengers, but larger water bottles won't really fit anywhere. Car seats should fit without issue thanks to the generous amount of space in the back seat.

Fuel Economy

7.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Trailblazer with the 1.3-liter engine and all-wheel drive, which is what we tested, gets an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's OK for an extra-small SUV. We were somewhat disappointed to achieve only 26.9 mpg over our highway-heavy 115-mile evaluation route. One benefit to the 1.3-liter turbocharged engine in Trailblazer is that it does not require premium fuel like some other turbocharged engines in this class.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Trailblazer a good value? Though the Trailblazer can be had for under $25,000, it's not an extra-small SUV for the budget-minded. Our test vehicle was a well-optioned Activ model with all-wheel drive and sported a sticker price just north of $33,000. While that's considerably less than the mechanically similar Buick Encore GX, it's a bit more expensive than the upscale Mazda CX-30 (with the more powerful turbocharged engine) and considerably more expensive than other competitors such as the Hyundai Kona and Subaru Crosstrek. But the Trailblazer does deliver a lot of attractive features for that price and looks and feels well built, both inside and out. Warranty coverage is typical, though Chevrolet does offer five years/60,000 miles of roadside assistance and a year of free maintenance.

Wildcard

8.0/10

The Trailblazer stands out from the crowd, not only with its futuristic and somewhat rugged styling but also in its general competency and pleasant demeanor. There are other extra-small SUVs that are faster and offer more sporty handling, but the Trailblazer never feels like it's lacking any real capability. The jack-of-all-trades personality is what makes the Trailblazer not just competent but easy to use in nearly every day-to-day situation.

And while it is a little more expensive than most of its competition, you do get a lot of equipment and space for your money. If a well-equipped Trailblazer falls within your budget, it's an exceedingly well-balanced little machine free of any real vices.

Which Trailblazer does Edmunds recommend?

We suggest taking a look at the LT trim. It gets you a good balance of features for the price and offers more available options than the base LS should you want them. We also recommend opting for the more powerful 1.3-liter engine instead of the weaker 1.2-liter base engine.

2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer models

The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer is an extra-small SUV that's offered in four trim levels: LS, LT, Activ and RS. The base engine is a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine (137 horsepower, 162 lb-ft of torque) and it's paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is optional and comes bundled with a stronger turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder engine (155 hp, 174 lb-ft) and a nine-speed automatic transmission.

LS
The most affordable Trailblazer comes standard with a decent amount of technology, but it's otherwise fairly basic when it comes to convenience and refinement. Feature highlights include:

17-inch alloy wheels
Wi-Fi hotspot
7-inch touchscreen
Fold-flat front passenger seat
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (with wireless functionality)
Six-speaker audio system
Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Lane keeping assist (steers the car back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Automatic high beams

LT
The LT trim adds several niceties, including:

Roof rails
LED foglights
Heated mirrors
Tinted rear windows
Proximity keyless entry and push-button ignition
Cruise control
Remote ignition
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats

Activ
The Activ trim represent the more rugged model and steps up the power and visual presence with:

The more powerful 1.3-liter turbocharged engine
Tires and suspension tunings that are slightly better for off-roading
Tow hitch receiver
Underbody skid plates
Unique exterior styling elements
Two-tone roof
Simulated leather upholstery
Rear-seat center armrest
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
Heated steering wheel

RS
The RS trim is similar to the Activ with only minor changes:

18-inch alloy wheels with standard tires
Red interior accents

Notable option packages for the Trailblazer include:

Sun and Liftgate package

Panoramic sunroof
Hands-free liftgate

Driver Confidence package (LT trim and above)

Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)
Rear parking sensors

The Convenience package (LT trim and above)

Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Rear-seat USB charge ports
Household-style power outlet
Automatic climate control
8-inch touchscreen

Technology package (Activ and RS trims)

LED headlights
Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Trailblazer and the car in front)
Wireless smartphone charging pad
8-inch touchscreen
High-resolution rearview camera
Bose premium audio system

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#1 out of 16 among Fullsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Chevrolet Trailblazer from 2008-2022.}

$330/yr

vs. $614/yr
for Average Fullsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.98x/yr

vs. 1.59x/yr
for Average Fullsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

7.6%

vs. 16.7%
for Average Fullsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

5 (50%)

4 (27%)

3 (10%)

2 (10%)

1 (3%)

4.1

30 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Thoroughly impressed

Altitude junkie, 11/30/2021

2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer ACTIV 4dr SUV AWD (1.3L 3cyl Turbo 9A)

I’m honestly quite surprised at how much I enjoy this vehicle. We needed a in-between car, something easy to drive, all wheel drive, and relatively good on fuel. I did not try any of the Hyundai or Kia alternatives as I’ve had terrible experiences with their products already, but I did try the Toyota CHR and Honda HRV. I liked both but settled with the Chevy as I much preferred it’s …

The greatest car ever!

JTC, 10/01/2021

2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer ACTIV 4dr SUV (1.3L 3cyl Turbo CVT)

This car is amazing, It gets awesome gas mileage 30 plus on the highway, I averaged 34 mpg on the way home. It has a great ride and drives and handles amazingly well!

2022 Trailblazer LT

David Cox, 12/08/2021

2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT 4dr SUV (1.2L 3cyl Turbo CVT)

I just got it over the weekend and love it so much. Traded in 2019 Kia Sportage. I have the 1.3 engine with FWD. I took my trailblazer on road trip approx 480 miles and avg 30.4 mpg doing 80 on the interstate. Never felt like it was under power going thru the mountains.

As Expected 😊

J, 01/28/2022

2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer RS 4dr SUV (1.3L 3cyl Turbo CVT)

My Trailblazer RS is pretty much as expected, which is a good thing. I purchased the vehicle with several packages, including sunroof, auto lift gate, technology, convenience. As such, the appearance and driving experience is a pleasure! Not going to beat many in a race :), but has no problems with either city driving nor highway driving. Roomy interior, perception of openness …

See all 30 reviews of the Chevrolet Trailblazer

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2022 Trailblazer Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$21,600
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$149/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	25.3 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Trailblazer models:

Automatic Emergency Braking: Detects if a collision is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time.
Following Distance Indicator: Displays the distance to the car in front and warns if you're following too closely.
Lane Keep Assist: Warns you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane and nudges the car back in line if you don't respond.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover18.5%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2022 Chevy Trailblazer Review

2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS 4dr SUV (1.2L 3cyl Turbo CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Trailblazer does Edmunds recommend?

2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Thoroughly impressed

The greatest car ever!

2022 Trailblazer LT

As Expected 😊

2022 Trailblazer Highlights

Safety

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Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS 4dr SUV (1.2L 3cyl Turbo CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}