What's in a name?

The Trailblazer nameplate started life as a variant of the Chevrolet Blazer, a '90s SUV that was sold North America. In the 2000s, the Trailblazer became a separate model altogether, an SUV possessing the large exterior dimensions and engine size, typical qualities of American cars. That "Yank tank" was even sold briefly here in the Philippines, too. 

So, when the Trailblazer returned locally in 2012—in the form of a pickup based SUV that's tailored for Southeast Asia and Australian markets—some were already familiar with the bowtie-badged SUV. 

Because of that familiarity, you may also be wondering why the 2022 Trailblazer now takes the shape of a subcompact SUV. General Motors (GM) in Thailand, the producer of the previous generation Trailblazer, recently shut down, which forced the phase-out of the pickup-based SUV. 

But the Trailblazer name is here to stay, as the latest version is manufactured at the GM Incheon plant in South Korea, according to local Chevrolet distributor The Covenant Car Company, Inc. (TCCCI). Aside from South Korea and the Philippines, the 2022 Trailblazer is sold in China and USA. 

So, aside from country of origin, what are the other differences between the old and 2022 Trailblazer?

Exterior

Because the old Trailblazer belonged to the midsize SUV category, its exterior is obviously larger than the new car. The previous model measured at 4,887 millimeters long, 2,132mm wide, and 1,852mm tall. It has a ground clearance of 219mm. 

For the 2022 Trailblazer, the tape measures says it is 4,408mm long, 1,808mm wide, and 1,660mm tall. It clears the ground at 178mm. 

Features

Since the previous Trailblazer was phased out at the time when carmakers started to fit more advanced features, it shares a few pieces of equipment with the 2022 model. 

These gadgets are Android Auto- and Apple CarPlay- compatible infotainment, automatic climate control, and leather seats. 

Perhaps the most noteworthy tech advantage of the 2022 Trailblazer is the Mini Spare Detection. The safety system automatically detects if an emergency or spare wheel is in use, and adjusts the brakeforce, torque, and power applied on the spare wheel accordingly. 

Tech specs

The previous model was powered by a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine, which made 200hp and 500Nm of torque. Depending on the variant, it was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. 

Under the hood of the 2022 Trailblazer is a 1.3-liter inline three-cylinder turbocharged powerplant, which delivers 155hp and 236Nm of torque. The mill is fitted with an engine start/stop system that helps to save fuel and reduce emissions.

Power is delivered to the 2022 Trailblazer's front driven wheels via a Hydramatic VT40 Continuously Variable Transmission. This new-generation CVT comes equipped with a multi-drive-mode system to match road conditions, Chevrolet says. 

The Trailblazer may have downsized in terms of size, but it certainly upgraded in specifications. 

Photos from Chevrolet