2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer is one of the smallest and most affordable SUV offerings in the Chevy lineup. It’s a competitive subcompact SUV because of its generous list of standard features, a spacious interior, and perks like wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It gets a mid-cycle refresh for the 2024 model year with updated styling, new paint and wheel options, and new tech features like an 11-inch infotainment system. Some of the top rivals of the Trailblazer include the Honda HR-V, Kia Seltos, and Mazda CX-30.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of subcompact SUVs, including the Chevy Trailblazer.

The Chevrolet Trailblazer gets a mid-cycle refresh for 2024. The updated look has new front-end styling, new wheel designs, and two new paint colors: Cacti Green and Copper Harbor Metallic.

A few new standard features this year include cruise control, push-button start, and an HD backup camera. The interior also gets a new 11-inch infotainment system and an 8-inch digital gauge cluster as standard equipment.

The pricing of the Trailblazer is about average for its class and priced similarly to the Honda HR-V, Kia Seltos, and Mazda CX-30.

Before buying a Trailblazer, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Chevrolet Trailblazer resale value is about average for the segment.

The Chevy Trailblazer is a small SUV that prioritizes efficiency over performance. With few exceptions, subcompact SUVs aren’t particularly thrilling to drive, but we found the base 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine in the Trailblazer underwhelming. Performance is improved by the optional 1.3-liter engine. It’s only slightly more powerful and more efficient than the base engine, but it’s much easier for us to recommend. The ride of the Trailblazer is compliant on smooth pavement, but it can get jittery on rough roads. The 19-inch wheels on the RS model look cool, but they don’t help with the ride quality. For long trips, we prefer the 17-inch wheels on the other trims.

Fuel Economy

With the base engine, the Trailblazer gets 31 mpg in city-and-highway driving (29 city/33 highway), which is better than average for the segment. Moving up to the turbo 3-cylinder with AWD, the mileage drops to 27 mpg in mixed driving. Find out more about the Trailblazer’s mileage at the EPA website.

We’re impressed with the interior space of the Chevy Trailblazer. For such a small SUV, it offers up plentiful seating space in both rows. It also has one of the biggest cargo holds in this class, adding to its practicality.

Yes, there’s a lot of black plastic in this interior, but it’s textured nicely, helping it avoid feeling cheap. It’s a functional interior with plenty of standard features like a digital gauge cluster, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and push-button start.

The cabin gets a bit more stylish in the two upper trims, which both have Evotex faux leather seating. The RS has a sportier feel with red accents and a flat-bottom steering wheel, while the outdoorsy Activ trim has what Chevy calls “Artemis” accents and “Activ” embroidery on the headrests. The two top trims also come with niceties like heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power driver’s seat.

The exterior styling of the Trailblazer is one of its strong suits. Its look changes a bit through the model range, with each trim having a slightly different front end and different wheel designs. The two top trims have an available contrast roof, further adding to the Trailblazer’s personality. In terms of size, the Trailblazer is right in line with the subcompact SUV segment. Its dimensions are similar to the Mazda CX-30, Volkswagen Taos, and Kia Seltos.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
The Trailblazer’s standard equipment list now boasts an 11-inch touchscreen plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This makes it easy to bring your maps, music, and more to the screen in the car without taking your phone out of your purse or pocket.

Digital gauge cluster
Also standard in the 2024 Trailblazer is a new customizable 8-inch digital gauge cluster.

Chevy Safety Assist
This standard safety tech suite bundles driver assistance features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, a following distance indicator, forward collision alert, and automatic high beams.

Available contrast roof
An optional two-tone contrast roof accentuates the boxy profile of the Trailblazer. It’s available on the RS and Activ trims with eye-catching paint colors like Copper Harbor and Cacti Green.

Rugged Activ trim
The Activ trim adds a rugged look to the Trailblazer, but it’s more than just an appearance package. It also adds more adventurous tires and a special off-road suspension system for added capability, especially with all-wheel drive.

Sporty RS model
The stylish Trailblazer RS has black exterior trim, red interior accents, a unique mesh grille, dual-exit exhaust with chrome tips, and distinct 19-inch wheels to add a sporty aesthetic.

The 2024 Chevy Trailblazer offers a choice of two engines.

The base turbocharged 3-cylinder engine in the Trailblazer is adequate for around-town driving, but struggles a bit at highway speeds. We don’t expect rip-roaring performance in this class, but many rivals to the Trailblazer have a stronger base engine at a similar price point.

You can only get this engine with front-wheel drive (FWD); if you want all-wheel drive (AWD), you’ll have to upgrade to the other engine. Every Trailblazer with the base engine has a CVT continuously variable automatic transmission.

On paper, there isn’t a big difference between the two available engines. However, the 1.3-liter unit is the one we recommend if it works for your budget. The modest upgrade in power and torque combined with slightly better fuel economy make it an easy choice.

If you get the 1.3-liter engine with FWD it uses the same CVT transmission as the base engine. If you add AWD, you get a 9-speed automatic.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

The 2024 Chevrolet Trailblazer is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, which is typical among mainstream automakers. Additionally, you get complimentary maintenance on your first visit for service at the Chevy dealer.

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Trailblazer its highest overall 5-Star rating for its safety worthiness.