Chevrolet has revamped its once-successful Trailblazer, but this is not a history lesson about Chevrolet’s success in the 2000s. As made evident in the title, we love the new 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer Activ with its capabilities to take on off-road courses. However, it is difficult to put my faith in the Trailblazer’s actual performance in off-road conditions, but the additions on this version of the car are certainly appreciable.
If it hadn’t been for the pandemic in 2020 and the supply chain issues faced throughout the world, the launch of this new Trailblazer would have been a big deal, but it has finally launched and is the newest entrant in the already busting small crossover SUV market. While the Trailblazer has given buyers different choices with RS and Activ models in addition to the base variant. The Trailblazer has received praise since its launch due to its appealing price and decent customization options.
The Trailblazer Activ comes with several additions over the LS and LT variant with a more powerful engine and added rugged look and feel. With some suspension and tire tuning that makes the Activ variant more suited for off-road conditions along with the turbocharged 1.3-liter inline-three engine.
Sportier Exterior With Off-Road Centered Design
For the past few years, Chevrolet has offered its top model variants in RS and Activ versions. This differentiation allowed GM to offer choices for an urban crossover compact SUV and a somewhat off-road crossover compact SUV. The same goes for Chevrolet Trailblazer Activ which is Chevrolet’s way of bringing a rugged off-road look to a well-known and successful crossover compact SUV.
The new 2022 Trailblazer Activ gets an upgraded 1.3-liter turbocharged inline-three engine. On the exterior, the Activ variant gets sport terrain tires that won’t have much use in the Summer but will help increase grip during the winter. Other additions include LED taillights and chrome details on the lower body make up a sportier look which always suits a car of this size. The Trailblazer Activ also has a better ground clearance than the LS and LT variant, it also has off-road suspension tuning that won’t have much effect in real off-road courses but will give you a smooth ride on country roads.
Lackluster Performance Suitable For City Rides
Chevrolet may have given an attractive deal in terms of pricing, but the performance of the Chevrolet Trailblazer Activ is not on par with its competition, with the Mazda CX30 easily taking the lead in performance. With a 1.3L turbocharged inline-six engine that produces 155 HP and 174 pound-feet of torque. Buyers get standard Front-Wheel Drive but can opt for All-Wheel Drive. The Trailblazer Activ gets a CVT transmission in the Front-Wheel Drive version and a 9-speed automatic for the All-Wheel Drive version.
The inline-three engine doesn’t produce any sound that will make it sound, and the Trailblazer doesn’t do much better off the line either. Chevrolet estimates the 0-60 time to be around 8.7 seconds, which seems optimistic for its performance on city roads. To be fair to Chevrolet, the Trailblazer wasn’t made to be a powerful crossover SUV that is quick off-the-line and for a compact SUV, it does a good job in all concerns. One thing to note is that the Trailblazer Activ’s suspension is a bit stiffer and its tires are larger which makes it jitter uncomfortably over small bumps, however, the handling on this car makes an overall fun experience.
High Cargo Space And A Well-Designed Interior
The Trailblazer Activ has one of the highest cargo spaces in a compact crossover SUV. The 2022 Trailblazer has 25.3 cubic feet of cargo space with seats upright and 54.4 cubic feet of space, you can even fold the front passenger seat that gives you space to fit something 8 feet long. Buyers get fabric upholstery as standard while synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and heated steering wheel are also available.
The best part about the new 2022 Trailblazer Activ has to be its interior space, which is amazing for a compact crossover SUV. The rear seats are quite spacious and can easily fit tall adults. While the interior doesn’t have many premium materials and feels cheap, but for the low price, it only seems the obvious choice. Also, the Activ gets several additions from the base variant like an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, USB-C and USB-A ports, a seven-speaker Bose stereo system, panoramic sunroof, push-button start, and remote start.
In the driver assistance package, buyers also get lane-assist and parking assist, which make the Trailblazer Activ an attractive choice for many. Overall, the new 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer Activ is a great choice for city riders who are looking for a car with sporty looks but is also a daily driver.