History of the Chevrolet Trailblazer

THE TRAILBLAZER LEGACY

With the launch of the all-new Chevy Blazer, folks are thinking back more and more on an aptly-named SUV that blazed trails the moment it hit the market. Though it was only available in the United States for seven years, the Chevrolet Trailblazer left behind a legacy that begged to be continued.

The Chevrolet TrailBlazer debuted in 1999 as a high-end variant of the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer, and it remained in that form until the 2002 model year when it became a standalone vehicle. The 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer launched on its own platform and featured a burly 4.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine. The inaugural TrailBlazer would go on to win the 2002 North American Truck of the Year award, and the base 4.2-liter V6 would find a spot on Ward’s 10 Best Engines from 2002 to 2005.

To make the Trailblazer more accommodating for more passengers, Chevrolet introduced the Trailblazer EXT. This extended-length version featured three rows of spacious seating for up to seven passengers. It was discontinued for the 2006 model year. Perhaps the most impressive variant of the Trailblazer was the Trailblazer SS, which replaced the Trailblazer EXT for the 2006 model year and featured the same 395-horsepower 6.0-liter V8 engine found in the Chevrolet Corvette. This enabled the Chevrolet Trailblazer SS to go from 0-60 mph in under six seconds and exemplified the idea of the performance SUV before it was en vogue.

THE TRAVERSE STEPS IN

After an all-too-short time on the market, the Chevrolet Trailblazer left North America and was replaced by the Traverse. The last Trailblazer was built at GM’s Moraine, Ohio, plant in 2008, and though the Traverse has filled in quite capably, there has been something of a void in our hearts ever since. But no longer. The 2019 Chevrolet Blazer carries on the legacy of the S-10 Blazer and Trailblazer with dynamic styling, impressive performance, and cutting-edge technology. Experience the exciting new Blazer for yourself at Terryville Chevrolet.