2006 Chevy Trailblazer Review
2006 Chevy Trailblazer Review
View more photos
Used Trailblazer for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Strong engine performance, comfortable highway ride, extensive features list, user-friendly controls.
Cons
- Skittish handling around corners, numb steering, generic interior design with mediocre materials.
What’s new
The headlining news for the 2006 Chevy TrailBlazer is the debut of a new SS trim. This is the first time that Chevrolet has applied an SS badge to an SUV. The TrailBlazer SS trim includes a 391-hp, 6.0-liter V8; an available all-wheel-drive system; a sport-tuned suspension; 20-inch wheels; and more powerful brakes. Special SS interior trim pieces and reduced exterior body cladding are also part of this new package. Other changes for the TrailBlazer this year include new front and rear fascias for the LT trim, additional sound insulation and a newly available 300-horsepower, 5.3-liter V8. OnStar, a stability control system and cruise control are also now standard for all trim levels.
Edmunds says
A strong drivetrain, plenty of room inside and a long features list make the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer an attractive family vehicle, but some cheap interior materials and iffy handling keep it from gaining our full recommendation.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A) 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 $3.52 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$263/mo for Trailblazer LS
Trailblazer LS
vs
$204/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
After years of lagging behind the competition with old-tech engines, bouncy suspensions and cramped interiors, Chevrolet revamped its midsize TrailBlazer in 2002 and turned it into a true class contender. Rugged and durable, the TrailBlazer has its roots in Chevy's Blazer line of vehicles, which has long provided transportation to those who take the "climb every mountain" maxim literally.
The Chevrolet TrailBlazer is a direct descendant of the S-10 Blazer, a compact sport-ute that first appeared as a 1983 model. Based on the S-10 pickup truck introduced one year earlier, the S-10 Blazer shared most of its components and some sheet metal with that small pickup. In 1991, a four-door S-10 Blazer appeared, just in time to serve up some competition to the Explorer.
By 1999, SUV fever was burning hot. Chevrolet astutely surmised that buyers would appreciate a dash of luxury with their off-road transportation, and the Chevy TrailBlazer was born. This plush version of the four-door Blazer featured a two-tone leather interior, monotone exterior scheme and unique alloy wheels. Unfortunately, this early TrailBlazer didn't quite measure up to its competition, undermined by cavernous gap tolerances between panels, a dated exterior and decidedly subpar handling.
Things took a turn for the better in 2002, when the Chevrolet TrailBlazer benefited from a top-to-bottom overhaul. There was more power under the hood, more style on the outside and more passenger and cargo room inside. While these improvements have certainly boosted the TrailBlazer's standing, they haven't sent it bolting to the head of its class. The bottom line? If you can put up with the mushy handling (the exception to this being the new SS trim) and don't mind the drab cabin aesthetics, the 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer is a competent vehicle. But from our standpoint, there are even more competent vehicles for the same price or less.
Performance & mpg
The TrailBlazer's standard 4.2-liter inline six puts out 291 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque. Those who tow a trailer will appreciate the added low-end grunt of the optional 5.3-liter V8, which kicks out 300 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. The SS package includes a 6.0-liter V8 with 391 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque. Properly equipped, V8 models can tow up to 6,800 pounds; six-cylinder versions max out at 6,200 pounds. Buyers have a choice between two- and four-wheel drive. Four-wheel-drive TrailBlazers with the SS package gain an upgraded system with a Torsen center differential. The SS is seriously quick and can hit 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and the quarter-mile in 14.4 seconds.
Safety
Four-wheel antilock disc brakes and stability control are standard. Full-length side curtain airbags are optional. If equipped with the optional airbags, the NHTSA gives the Chevy TrailBlazer a perfect five stars for its protection of front and rear occupants in side-impact crashes. Frontal-impact testing resulted in three-star ratings for the driver and four stars for the front passenger. The IIHS rated the TrailBlazer "Marginal" (the second lowest ranking on a four-point scale) in 40-mph frontal offset crash testing.
Driving
The 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer is great for freeway on-ramps and highway passing, but stop-and-go driving reveals a lack of low-end grunt from the standard inline six that keeps it from earning unanimous praise. While the inline six provides adequate power for most driving, either of the V8s are our choice, as they provide loads of torque for easy passing and merging and extra stamina when hauling heavy loads. The sport-ute's suspension is a mixed bag. Its soft tuning results in an extremely comfortable ride around town and on the highway. But push it hard into a corner, or take a bump too fast in the dirt, and the TrailBlazer's soft setup gets out of sorts quickly. The SS is another story. Around town and at normal freeway speeds the ride is firm but comfortable. When pressed on twisty roads, the SS' body motions are extremely well controlled, the steering feel is excellent and there's very little lean during hard cornering.
Interior
The Chevrolet TrailBlazer offers ample interior room, with five adults able to fit comfortably. If you need seven-passenger capacity, you'll want to look at the longer-wheelbase TrailBlazer EXT. Although most of the controls are easy to use, the overall interior design is drab compared to the cabins of competitors, and many of the TrailBlazer's interior materials look and feel cheap. The cargo bay holds 44 cubic feet, and if you fold down the 60/40-split rear seat, you've got 80 cubes at your disposal.
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer models
The Chevrolet TrailBlazer offers two trim levels -- LS and LT. LS models come decently equipped, offering such features as 16-inch aluminum wheels, dual-zone manual air conditioning, cruise control, OnStar, a CD player and power windows and locks. LT models add a power driver seat, premium cloth upholstery, foglamps, keyless entry and 17-inch alloys. The SS package can be added to either model, and includes sport suspension, 20-inch polished wheels, unique interior and exterior trim and the 6.0-liter V8. Major options include leather upholstery, a sunroof, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, a DVD-based navigation system, a Bose sound system, an in-dash CD changer and satellite radio.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer.
5 star(44%)
4 star(31%)
3 star(19%)
2 star(5%)
1 star(1%)
99 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
My heavy chevy
tiffany, 10/02/2015
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS 4dr SUV (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
I have had this truck since 07. I bought it for myself as a birthday gift. It sits at 198,000 miles and it runs like I just drove it off the lot. I keep up the necessary maintanace on it. I have been threw a few battiers, much to my own fault for having my system hooked up to it. A fuel tank sensor (recalled so I got my money back), tires, water pump two times, an altanator, rear hatch … shocks, and some front end stuff (struts, control arms, bearings, etc. ) I love this truck and I wouldn't trade it for anything else. I'm not looking forward to the day I have to replace it...
4 out of 5 stars
Solid Engine, Good value vehicle
Brad M., 12/20/2015
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS 4dr SUV 4WD (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
My parents bought a 2006 4WD LS Trailblazer from a used car lot in 2007/2008 with about 20K-30K miles on it. We have since owned the vehicle since 2010. This SUV was the first one I've ever owned. It took a little getting used to the low gas mileage, but living in Pennsylvania with sometimes heavy snow and icy conditions, it was great having a vehicle with 4WD and good ground … clearance. This vehicle will hit 200,000 miles within the next month and I hope to keep the vehicle for at least another 20K miles (unless some costly major repair is needed). The vehicle is on its 3rd or 4th set of tires, I replaced the engine belt at 187K miles, I've replaced the front struts, all 4 rotors recently, and the belt tensioner twice ($15 part). The O2 sensor has been replaced once and I am online now ordering a thermostat for the engine (and a rear tail-light, my wife backed into a car yesterday while out shopping). The Inline 6 engine is highly rated and I've never had any issue with it. The rear struts need to be replaced, but it still passes state inspection and each time the mechanics mention how great of condition this vehicle is in. My only complaints with this vehicle are that the interior is cheap looking on our LS model. The dash is cheap feeling hard plastic and the rear speakers have been out for over a year. Overall I love this vehicle and would consider buying another even though they are pretty old. There is a fantastic website forum called TrailVoy.com with tons of discussions for any problem you could have with this vehicle and helpful tips on DIY fixes, or advice on paying for repairs.
5 out of 5 stars
Energizer Bunny
Anon, 10/20/2016
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT 4dr SUV 4WD (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
The lady I bought my Trailblazer from had kept up oil changes, but had never tuned it up or changed the transmission fluid. I had these taken care of, and at 156xxx miles, it still runs and shifts like a new one, and is still going and going. I like everything about the Trailblazer, and the 4.2 straight six has a surprising amount of power. I have a bass boat, and with the 6200 pound … towing capacity of this SUV, it pulls the 19 ft boat like a dream. The only down side of this car, some of the interior panels aren't as sturdy as they should be. The plastic panel that covers the power seat controls has two snap in tabs. One of them broke. I just shot a screw through it, but it is rather flimsily made. The latch on the center console is sprung or something, so the lady I bought it from put velcro on it to keep it closed. My Trailblazer doesn't have 3rd row seating, but the rear headrests block a little of my vision looking through the rear view mirror. The headrests are coming out, no one rides back there anyway. If I know we will have extra passengers, I'll put them back in. Our mechanic speaks very highly of Trailblazers, says he very rarely sees any major problems with them. He also said he sees much fewer drive train issues than with any other domestic vehicles. Mine is a 2006, made before the bailout making GM "government motors"! Love this vehicle. I haven't had it off road yet, but I have been assured that it won't disappoint me there either.
3.38 out of 5 stars
Fuel Sensor issue
aschilling, 03/24/2012
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS 4dr SUV 4WD (4.2L 6cyl 4A)
We had a fuel sensor issue with the Trailblazer.
The gas gague always read empty when the sensor went out.
There is a "hidden assistance recall" that GM has that you have to go thru a dealer.
We were quoted $340 just to replace the sensor and not the pump.
We found the sensor on e-bay for $25.00 and did it ourselves.
2006 Trailblazer Highlights
LS
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $24,430 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 16 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $263/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 43.7 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Trailblazer include:
- Alarm
- Stability Control
- Post-collision safety system
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalMarginal
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
People who viewed this also viewed
4.3 average Rating out of 79 reviews. |
Starting at $20,400 |
4.0 average Rating out of 9 reviews. |
Starting at $24,995 |
4.3 average Rating out of 104 reviews. |
Starting at $29,500 |
Related Used 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer info
Vehicle reviews of used models
Shop similar models
Shop used vehicles in your area
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 Ford F-250 Super Duty
- Escalade Iq
- 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid
- 2024 i5
- 2023 Sierra 1500
- Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class 2024
- 2024 BMW i4
- 2025 Mazda Protege News
- 2024 BMW X6 M
- 2023 G-Class
Research other models of Chevrolet
- Camaro For Sell
- Chevy Colorado Pickup
- Chevrolet Car Trailblazer
- Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2024
- Chevrolet Tahoe V8
- Chevy Equinox SUV
- Chevy SUV Trax
- Chevrolet Suburban V8
- Chevy 2500 For Sale
Other models
- Used Ford Escape in Metairie, LA
- Used BMW Ix in Reidsville, NC
- New Dodge Charger for Sale in Lawton, OK
- New Nissan Pathfinder for Sale in Saint George, UT
- Used Aston-Martin V8-Vantage in Saint George, UT
- New Infiniti QX55 for Sale in Simi Valley, CA
- New GMC Yukon-Xl for Sale in Torrington, CT
- Used Ford Edge in Brownwood, TX
- Used Kia Optima in Merced, CA
- Used Saab 9-3 in Griffin, GA