Trailblazing Ahead: The 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Pros and Cons
Pros: Sophisticated interior, robust standard infotainment system, affordable pricing, spacious rear legroom.
Cons: Lacks in acceleration, disappointing CVT, uninspiring driving dynamics. Better value found in the Chevy Trax.
Introduction
Entering its second year after a significant refresh, the 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer maintains the updates from the 2024 model while introducing a key addition: flex-fuel capability for its 1.2-liter engine.
As a compelling subcompact SUV, the Trailblazer holds its own against rivals like the Subaru Crosstrek, Kia Seltos, VW Taos, and the pricier Ford Bronco Sport. Interestingly, its toughest competition comes from within Chevrolet’s lineup — the Chevy Trax, with its single engine option and front-wheel drive configuration, but it offers a more competitive package, superior cargo and passenger space utilization, a more engaging driving experience, and a price that’s nearly $3,000 lower.
The Trailblazer is practical and offers great value with two efficient three-cylinder engines and an all-wheel-drive option (something the Trax lacks). While it might not thrill driving enthusiasts, it provides comfort, ample rear seat space, and a user-friendly Google-based infotainment system. Despite its perks, there are likely better choices within its segment, even within Chevrolet’s own offerings.
Interior & Technology
How is the Trailblazer’s Interior and Tech?
Following its 2024 revamp, the Trailblazer’s interior now showcases a modernized dashboard with a larger display akin to other Chevrolet crossovers. Despite prevalent black plastic switches, they do not feel particularly cheap, thanks to interesting textures and colorful trims that brighten the cabin. The Active trim stands out with yellow stitching and standard heated front seats and steering wheel. The RS trim similarly enhances comfort and style with a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel and red accents for a sporty touch. The optional eight-way power driver’s seat offers extensive adjustment, catering well to taller drivers.
Tech Highlight: The 2025 model comes equipped with digital displays across its lineup, featuring an 11-inch central infotainment touchscreen and an 8-inch digital instrument panel. This system, familiar to users of other GM vehicles, utilizes GM’s Android-based interface, delivering crisp graphics and intuitive menus. Additionally, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a standard digital rearview mirror enhance the tech suite.
Size & Space
How Big is the Trailblazer?
Externally, the Trailblazer is on the larger end of the subcompact SUV range, but this size doesn’t entirely reflect in its interior capacity, especially in the cargo area. The rear seating offers a comfortable 39.4 inches of legroom, almost matching the larger 2024 Equinox. However, the rear abandons much of the front’s stylish trim, and the optional panoramic sunroof significantly reduces headroom.
Official cargo measurements cite 25.3 cubic feet behind the second row and 54.3 cubic feet with the seats folded down. These figures fall just short of the 2024 Equinox and suggest less cargo capacity than the numbers imply. The Trax, by comparison, offers more cargo space with seats folded. Nevertheless, the Trailblazer’s unique folding passenger seat enhances its versatility, a feature matched only by its mechanical sibling, the Buick Encore GX.
Performance & Fuel Economy
How Does the Trailblazer Perform?
The 2025 Trailblazer’s base engine is a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive exclusively. It achieves 30 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. The new E85-ready capability adjusts these figures to 22/23/22 mpg, reducing the EPA-estimated range from 396 miles to 290 miles per tank.
An upgrade option, the turbocharged 1.3-liter three-cylinder, delivers 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive variants achieve 29 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined, while the all-wheel-drive version slightly lags at 26/29/27 mpg.
Driving Experience
What is the Trailblazer’s Driving Feel?
The Trailblazer’s driving feel might leave some wanting more, given its basic and somewhat uninspiring powertrain. The base engine combined with the CVT offers a lackluster performance, even when upgraded to the 1.3-liter engine paired with the nine-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. A 0-60 mph time of about nine seconds is standard for this segment, though the Mazda CX-30 and turbocharged Kia Seltos perform better.
While handling and ride quality can be assessed more reliably in the Active trim due to its unique damper tuning, overall, the Trailblazer prioritizes comfort over performance. The steering remains slow and unresponsive, and the body movements don’t inspire confidence on winding roads, especially when compared to sharper rivals like the Trax and the Mazda CX-30. However, driving comfort is significantly higher, absorbing rough road impacts effectively, which is a plus for city driving and mild off-road conditions.
Reviews & Pricing
Chevrolet Trailblazer Reviews
-
2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer First Test Drive: A look at the initial impressions of the all-new Chevrolet Trailblazer, highlighting engineering and design aspects that retain relevance despite the updated interiors.
- 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer Luggage Test: This review analyzes the Trailblazer’s cargo capacity, pointing out that while space might be limited, the unique folding passenger seat adds a layer of practicality.
Pricing
The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer starts at $24,395 for the base LS FWD with the 1.2-liter engine and CVT. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
- LS: $24,395 (FWD 1.2) / $24,790 (FWD 1.3) / $26,395 (AWD 1.3)
- LT: $25,595 (FWD 1.2) / $25,990 (FWD 1.3) / $27,595 (AWD 1.3)
- Activ: $28,995 (FWD 1.3) / $30,595 (AWD 1.3)
- RS: $28,995 (FWD 1.3) / $30,595 (AWD 1.3)
Safety Ratings and Features
How Safe is the Trailblazer?
The 2025 Trailblazer comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, following distance display, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, a teen driver system, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors.
While the IIHS has not yet updated crash test scores specifically for the 2025 model, the 2024 Trailblazer received top scores in all crashworthiness categories and satisfactory ratings for headlights and daytime vehicle-to-pedestrian crash avoidance. NHTSA ratings for the 2024 Trailblazer gave it the highest possible five-star overall crash rating, which is expected to remain consistent for the 2025 model.
Conclusion
The 2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer caters to those seeking a stylish, practical, and comfortable subcompact SUV without breaking the bank. While it excels in interior design and tech features, its performance may not impress thrill-seekers. If comfort and technology are your priorities, the Trailblazer deserves a look — just be sure to explore other options within Chevrolet’s lineup and its competitors.
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Lawrence Jacobs, Editor of Automotive.fyi
