The 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer slots between the subcompact and compact SUV segment, competing with the likes of the Nissan Rogue Sport, Hyundai Kona, and Ford EcoSport.
For those old enough to remember the old Trailblazer, this ain’t that. There’s no rugged body-on-frame construction, V8 engine, or actual off-road ability. Instead, the new Trailblazer excels at zipping in and out of tight traffic, making trips to the beach, and occasionally venturing out over a dusty unpaved road.
Chevrolet offers the Trailblazer in four unique trims, each with its own personality and feature set. Power comes from a choice of two 3-cylinder engines, both with turbochargers. Both engines share the same continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), a design that deviates from a traditional geared transmission like the 9-speed unit found on Trailblazers with all-wheel drive. The bottom line is the CVT delivers better fuel economy but less performance and more engine noise. We suggest you test-drive both versions to see which suits you best.
2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS (Starting at $21,600)
The LS is the trim best suited for the minimalist on a budget. It’s not stripped to the bone, but its feature set is pretty pedestrian. Then again, the sub-$22,000 price tag isn’t something to ignore and includes an excellent roster of standard safety and driver assists.
Powering the LS is a 137-horsepower 1.2-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine that is not all that big on power but is pretty fuel-efficient. It includes GM’s start/stop technology to kill the engine when stopped at a stoplight or stuck in traffic. A button on the console disables the system but must be depressed every time the car starts.
The Trailblazer LS looks sharp, with 17-inch painted wheels, black and dark gray lower body trim and fascias, and body-colored door handles. The power mirrors have black caps, and the headlights turn on and off automatically.
Inside, a durable cloth fabric covers the Trailblazer’s manual seats, with the driver’s seat gaining manual height adjustment. The passenger seat can fold flat, elongating the Trailblazer’s cargo capacity when laying flat the 60/40 split rear seats.
Power windows and door locks come standard, with the driver getting a one-touch express up/down window, and all others get one-touch express-down capability.
Other features found on the LS include single-zone electronic air conditioning with rear vents and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with controls for audio and Bluetooth.
The LS rearview mirror is manual (no auto-dimming feature), the 3.5-inch information display is monochromatic (no color), and the steering wheel a simple polyurethane three-spoke design.
As simple as the LS appears, it does offer a few surprises, starting with the standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. These features are part of the LS’ 7-inch color touchscreen infotainment system that includes 6-speakers, a rearview monitor, SiriusXM satellite radio, and 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot capability (requires OnStar subscription). The front console contains one Type-A and one Type-C USB port, and an auxiliary audio input jack.
Finally, we come to the LS safety and driver-assist features, which, to be honest, are pretty impressive. They include forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist with lane departure warning, and a following distance indicator that warns when getting too close to another vehicle.
Automatic high-beam headlights are also standard, as are ten airbags, including driver and passenger knee airbags. GM Teen Driver technology allows users to set specific limits on speed and audio volume and deliver a report card on a teen’s driving habits. Rear Seat Reminder alerts the driver to check the back seat before locking and leaving the vehicle, another helpful feature in a sometimes hectic-paced world.
The LS includes a tire pressure monitor and GM’s Tire Fill Alert that honks the horn and flashes the turn signal when achieving the proper tire pressure.
The LS Driver Confidence and Cruise Package adds a mere $500 to the bottom line and includes such highly desirable features as cruise control, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors.
Notable standalone options include a keyless entry pad, all-weather floor mats, and various cargo bay upgrades.
Ordering the Trailblazer with all-wheel drive adds a 9-speed automatic transmission, the larger 1.3-liter engine, and an additional $2,000 to the price.
With the $1,195 destination fee, the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS costs $22,795. On a zero-down loan for 60-months at 3% financing, the monthly payment comes to $410. See the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS models for sale
2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer LS includes:
- Wireless Apple CarPlay – along with wireless Android Auto, allows streaming music, maps, and message from your phone without needing to plug into a USB port.
- Automatic emergency braking – working at speeds below 50 mph, this camera-based technology can slow or stop the vehicle when it detects a possible collision is unavoidable.
- Rearview monitor – shows the driver an image of what’s behind the vehicle when backing up.
- Express up/down power window – Uncommon in base model SUVs, this feature applies to the driver’s window only, making it easy to quickly raise or lower the window without having to hold down the button.
2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT ($23,800)
The LT is the trim we would pick if still budget-oriented but willing to pay a bit more to get a lot more content. The LT also opens the door to several optional upgrades, including the ability to get the more powerful 155-hp 1.3-liter engine with either front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
The LT builds off the LS standard equipment list by adding proximity keyless entry that allows the doors to unlock and the vehicle to start simply by having the key fob in a pocket or purse. The proximity key can also remotely start the Trailblazer.
Other features that make the LT a more desirable trim include cruise control, a 10-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, LED fog lights, deep-tinted rear window privacy glass, heated side mirrors, and heated front seats.
The LT’s exterior gets a bit more bling with silver-painted fascias and roof rails plus 17-inch high-gloss aluminum alloy wheels.
Options for the LT are numerous and mostly bundled into packages.
The Sun and Liftgate Package adds a panoramic sunroof and hands-free programmable power liftgate.
The Adaptive Cruise Control Package brings adaptive cruise control that continually maintains a safe distance between the Trailblazer and the vehicle ahead when cruise control is engaged. The package also contains a 4.2-inch color information screen, leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, and a rear center armrest.
The Convenience Package adds an 8-inch color touchscreen for the infotainment system, automatic climate control, rear-seat USB charging ports, a 120-volt outlet, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and sliding sun visors with lighted vanity mirrors.
The Driver’s Confidence Package brings a blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors.
The Premium Seating Package adds leatherette seats, a heated steering wheel, a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel, and a rear center armrest.
There are additional stying and appearance packages as well as a new Trailering Package with hitch and wiring. The Trailblazer’s tow rating maxes out at 1,000 pounds.
Notable standalone options include 18-inch allow wheels, roof rail crossbars, and a keyless entry pad.
As with the LS, all-wheel drive costs an additional $2,000 and includes the 1.3-liter engine.
With destination, the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT costs $24,995. With $0 down on a 60-month loan at 3% financing, the LT’s monthly payment comes to $449, or just $30 more each month than the LS. See the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT models for sale
2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer LT includes:
- Cruise control – allows you to set and maintain a constant speed. The system disengages once the brake is touched or the cruise gets switched off.
- 10-way power driver’s seat – makes it possible for drivers of all sizes to find the perfect driving position.
- Heated side mirrors – work in conjunction with the rear defroster, helping to clear ice and snow from the side view mirrors.
- LED fog lights – provide bright light lower to the road surface, especially helpful when driving in dense fog or rain.
2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer Activ ($25,700)
As its name implies, the Activ (apparently Chevy thinks the letter E is superfluous) brings a more outdoorsy appearance to the Trailblazer, with a revised suspension, functional skid plates, and available all-wheel drive. The Activ includes the larger 155-hp 1.3-liter turbocharged engine but retains the CVT transmission on front-drive models.
Separating the Activ from the LT is a more expressive exterior, with 17-inch Sport Terrain tires, Titanium chrome-plated front and rear fascias, black roof rails, and an available two-tone roof paint scheme in white or bronze.
The Activ’s standard content builds off the LT, adding LED taillights, a heated steering wheel, rear center armrest, leatherette seating, and dual-outlet exhaust with polished trapezoidal tips.
Beyond the optional packages for the LT trim, the Activ offers one all its own. The Technology Package adds adaptive cruise control, an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless charging pad, Bose Premium audio, SiriusXM 360L, an SD card reader, HD radio, LED headlights, and a high-definition rearview camera.
Because the Activ already comes equipped with a 1.3-liter engine, the optional all-wheel-drive only adds $1,500 to the bottom line.
With the $1,195 destination charge, the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer Active comes to $26,895. With no money down, the payment on a 60-month loan at 3% financing comes to $483. That’s just $34 more each month over the LT. See the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer Activ models for sale
2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer Activ includes:
- 1.3-liter turbocharged engine – with 155 hp, this engine gives the Trailblazer a bit more zip for passing and merging.
- Off-road suspension tuning – allows for less sway and bounce, giving a more controlled ride over bumpy off-road trails.
- Heated steering wheel – warms the steering wheel, so it’s easier to grip on cold winter mornings.
- Available Bose audio – a must-have for music lovers, the system has more power than the standard audio and seven speakers, including a powered subwoofer.
2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer RS ($25,700)
With the same price as the Activ, you can imagine the two trims are pretty similar, and you’d be right.
The RS replaces the Activ’s off-road look with a sportier exterior appearance, touting more blackout trim and a painted roof option in black or crimson. The Activ’s all-terrain 18-inch tires get replaced with all-season radials.
Inside, the RS’ seats are a combination of cloth and leatherette, and the leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel is heated. Red accents litter the dash, mimicked with the red stitching on the steering wheel and dash.
Options and packages are the same for the RS as for the Activ, including the $1,500 all-wheel-drive option.
The monthly payment for the RS is the same for the Activ. See the 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer RS models for sale
2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer RS includes:
- Cloth and leatherette seating – comfortable and attractive, the seats fit perfectly with the RS’s sporty nature.
- Available blind-spot monitor – warns the driver of traffic in the vehicle’s blind spots.
- Available wireless charging pad – allows a compatible smartphone to charge without the need for wires or a USB port.
- Available panoramic sunroof – makes the Trailblazer’s rather dark interior a bit brighter and can be opened to allow fresh air to flow through the cabin.
