MOTORING NEWS - Chevrolet's big-easy Trailblazer has been given a nifty makeover with a liberal addition of fancy technology, safety features and enough driving aids and cosmetic touches to make it a very serious seven-seater contender.
It will take a magic wand and lots of fancy footwork to shove the Toyota Fortuner from its dominating perch but the big Chev has certainly matured into a very appealing alternative now that its list of fancies include Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, front and rear cameras as well as a class-leading infotainment system.
Attractive added cosmetic touches include a bolder front end and LED daytime running lights on the top models. The range flagship LTZ Z71 model I recently piloted for a week in the Magoebaskloof area has even benefitted from a special dose of blue-beard appeal with black wheel rims, door handles and mirrors, plus a model unique decal on both front doors.
Putting the Trailblazer to the test
As part of a “Trailblazer Adventure” group I recently put the Trailblazer to the test on a challenging off-road route that included steep, and at times slippery, mountain trials, rock-strewn tracks and stream crossings all of which it handled with the ease of a gentle stroll on the beach.
Putting the Trailblazer to the test
As part of a “Trailblazer Adventure” group I recently put the Trailblazer to the test on a challenging off-road route that included steep, and at times slippery, mountain trials, rock-strewn tracks and stream crossings all of which it handled with the ease of a gentle stroll on the beach.
Although the Chev does not have a diff lock it does have a quick-response limited slip differential as well as a “gradient braking” function that maintains speeds on steep downhills. It also benefits from electronic stability/traction control and hill descent control to further enhance its rock-rabbit abilities.
The LTZ variants can also be armed with an optional four-wheel drive with low range which makes changing between two-high, four-high and four-low drive modes just a switch away.
Comfortable, spacious
Trotting along at pace on motorways the large SUV further underlines its appeal with comfortable seats, lots of leg and shoulder space, stepped-up cabin insulation and well-weighted new electronic power steering - but most of all by its willing 2.8 Duramax turbo-diesel that effortlessly kicks out 144kW and a class-leading 500Nm.
The LTZ variants can also be armed with an optional four-wheel drive with low range which makes changing between two-high, four-high and four-low drive modes just a switch away.
Comfortable, spacious
Trotting along at pace on motorways the large SUV further underlines its appeal with comfortable seats, lots of leg and shoulder space, stepped-up cabin insulation and well-weighted new electronic power steering - but most of all by its willing 2.8 Duramax turbo-diesel that effortlessly kicks out 144kW and a class-leading 500Nm.
