2024 Chevy Trailblazer vs. Blazer: What’s the Difference?

Despite having similar names, the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer and Trailblazer crossovers have significant differences. Each vehicle offers unique benefits that may fit with your lifestyle. While the Blazer offers more room and power under the hood, the Trailblazer is a great choice for busy city driving. Our team of Chevrolet experts here at Monument Chevrolet in Pasadena took a closer look at both SUVs to help you decide which one is right for you. Feel free to contact us to arrange a test drive or ask any questions.

Engine and Performance

The 2024 Trailblazer offers a 1.2-liter or 1.3-liter turbocharged engine. The smaller of the two puts out 137 horsepower and is available with front-wheel drive (FWD) only. If you opt for the larger engine, you get a little more acceleration under the hood with an output of 155 horsepower and the choice of FWD or all-wheel drive (AWD). The 1.3-liter engine achieves 33 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg on city roads, or 29 mpg and 26 mpg respectively if you opt for AWD.

The engines on offer in the Blazer are substantially larger. The base unit is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine capable of generating 228 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. For more power, you can choose the 3.6-liter V-6 upgrade that can churn out 308 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. When it comes to fuel economy, the turbocharged engine manages 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg at highway speeds, while the V-6 gets 19 mpg and 26 mpg, respectively. Both engines are available with AWD. With the V-6 engine, the Blazer has a towing capacity of 4,500 pounds.

The powertrain numbers show that the Trailblazer is a great choice if you prioritize fuel economy and do most of your driving in the city. You still get the advantage of an SUV body style while saving money at the pump. On the other hand, if you regularly spend time on the highway or want to tow a trailer at the rear, you’ll probably prefer the Blazer’s powertrain.

Which Is Bigger?

The Trailblazer is smaller than the Blazer. Although both crossovers can seat five people, the Trailblazer’s cargo area is not as large. Behind the second row of seats, you’ll find about 25 cubic feet of space, giving you enough room for a decent-sized load of groceries or your family’s day-to-day baggage. The Trailblazer allows you to fold down the second row and the front passenger’s seat to create more space for longer pieces of cargo. With the second row flat, you get about 54 cubic feet of cargo room.

Behind the second row of the Blazer, you get over 30 cubic feet of storage space. When you fold down the second row, you can make use of around 64 cubic feet of space. You can always load up a trailer with bulkier items if you don’t find enough space in the Blazer’s cabin thanks to its solid towing capacity.

Infotainment and Safety Tech

The infotainment systems in these crossovers are comparable, although there are a few features that are standard in the Blazer and optional in the Trailblazer. The Blazer has a 10.2-inch infotainment screen and a six-speaker stereo, which the Trailblazer surpasses with an 11-inch display. Both vehicles come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone compatibility. A Wi-Fi hotspot comes standard in the Blazer, but you’ll need to move up the trim ladder to get it in the Trailblazer. The Blazer also offers an optional navigation system and eight-speaker stereo.

Both vehicles offer similar safety features. Regardless of your choice, you’ll get forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking to help you avoid accidents. On the highway, you can benefit from lane departure warning and lane-keep assist. Adaptive cruise control, which can adjust your speed to ensure you keep a safe distance between your vehicle and other motorists, is offered as an option on most trims. There’s also a rear-seat alert that reminds you to check behind you before getting out of your Blazer or Trailblazer so that you don’t leave kids or pets behind.

Another helpful safety feature is Chevy’s Teen Driver, which allows you to control how secondary drivers use your crossover. You can set speed limits and other restrictions to encourage safe driving habits.

Trims and Pricing

The Trailblazer has a starting MSRP of just $23,100, making it a very affordable crossover. Even the range-topping RS trim starts at less than $30k. The Blazer has a significantly higher starting price of $35,400. The top Premier trim comes in at $44,195. Your choice here will come down to whether you’re focused on sticking to a modest budget or don’t mind paying extra for the additional capabilities provided by the Blazer.

The four trims offered in the Blazer are the 2LT, 3LT, RS, and Premier. The 3LT adds leather upholstery, a power-adjustable passenger seat, and a power liftgate. The RS trim gets you the more powerful V-6 engine, 20-inch wheels, and the navigation system. With the Premier, you get all the available infotainment features.

The Trailblazer also has four trims: the LS, LT, Activ, and RS. The lower two trims come standard with the smaller engine, while the top two get the 1.3-liter unit. If you opt for the Activ trim, you get a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, and heated front seats.

Find Your New Chevrolet Crossover at Monument Chevrolet in Pasadena

You should be in a better position now to determine which of these two Chevrolet crossovers is right for you. Larger families or drivers who need a vehicle with more performance capabilities are probably going to opt for the Blazer. Those of you who want an excellent vehicle for the daily commute with an impressive range of infotainment technology will be happy with the Trailblazer. If we can help here at Monument Chevrolet in Pasadena with anything surrounding your vehicle purchase, including auto financing or leasing, don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Tags: 2024 chevy blazer, 2024 chevy trailblazer, comparison, midsize suvs
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