2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer Review

The Chevrolet TrailBlazer isn't among the newest mid-size sport-utility vehicles, but recently introduced versions such as the 2006 SS with its Corvette-derived V-8 keep it among the most popular -- and fastest -- such SUVs.

2006 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SS
PRICES: $30,625-$35,705

LIKES: Extremely fast. Good handling. Roomy.

DISLIKES: Stiff ride. Abrupt automatic transmission shifts.

Last year wasn't one of the best ones for fairly large SUVs, but Chevy still produced 244,150 TrailBlazers, which made it one of the best-selling mid-size SUVs. TrailBlazer sales in January rose to 13,479 units from 10,867 in the same month last year.

The 2006 TrailBlazer gets cosmetic upgrades such as revised front and rear styling, an enhanced Quiet Package with an acoustic laminated windshield and additional sound insulation.

The TrailBlazer comes as five-passenger and extended-length seven-passenger models -- and with rear-drive or four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. (Unlike a four-wheel-drive system, all-wheel drive can't be shifted to rear-drive and thus always sends power to all wheels.)

The entry rear-drive TrailBlazer LS, which starts at $24,280, should be fine for many folks. It has a strong 291-horsepower inline six-cylinder engine and a good amount of comfort, convenience and safety equipment, including air conditioning with dual climate controls, AM/FM/CD player and the usual power accessories.

Standard safety items include an anti-skid system and roll-stability control.

Many TrailBlazer buyers are traditional American truck owners who don't quite understand the TrailBlazer's BMW-style inline "six'' and thus opt for its 5.3-liter, 300-horsepower V-8, which has more torque for such jobs as heavy towing.

That V-8 costs $1,000 and has a cylinder deactivation feature for better fuel economy when cruising, although no TrailBlazer is fuel-stingy.

Estimated fuel economy ranges from 15-16 mpg in the city and 19-21 on highways with the six-cylinder providing the slightly higher figures.

The top-line four-wheel drive extended-length LT EXT lists at $32,055 and adds more equipment and a posher interior.

The SS version highlights the 2006 TrailBlazer line, at least for performance buffs. The $5,270 SS package can be added to the regular-length LS and LT trim levels with rear- or all-wheel drive. The TrailBlazer SS list price range thus goes from $30,625 to $35,705.

The SS versions aren't inexpensive, but count on higher resale value and possible future collector-item status for the vehicle.

The high point of the SS package is a 6-lilter, 395-horsepower V-8. It propels the TrailBlazer SS from a standing start to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. Some far less versatile sport sedans don't do much, if any, better.

Chevrolet wasn't able to install a five-speed automatic transmission for the SS version, but did the best it could by beefing up the standard TrailBlazer's four-speed automatic. That transmission is strong and doesn't hinder performance, but delivers very abrupt shifts -- especially second-to-third upshifts.

Fuel economy with the package is an estimated 15 city and 19 highway with rear drive and 14 and 17 with four-wheel drive, which adds about 150 pounds but doesn't affect performance much.

The SS version is the TrailBlazer model that's the most fun -- and not just because of the potent V-8. The SS package also contains items including a sport suspension tuned at the demanding Nurburgring race track in Germany, beefy 50-series tires on giant six-spoke polished 20-inch alloy wheels, higher-performance brakes for impressive stops and faster steering.

While handling is sharp, the quick power steering is rather heavy, although most shouldn't find it objectionably so. The turning radius is tight for easy maneuvering.

The ride is generally OK, but the firm sport suspension causes a jerky ride and mild side-to-side body "toss'' on some rough roads. The brake pedal has a progressive action to allow smooth stops.

Special SS cosmetic touches include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, performance front seats and unique-but-subtle interior and exterior trim that mostly will be noticed by high-performance truck fans.

The TrailBlazer SS has a one-inch ride height reduction, but still is high enough to require above-average effort to get in and out.

The front bucket seats are very supportive, and there was plenty of room to stretch in the front and back seats of my test TrailBlazer SS. This is one of few mid-size SUVs that will allow three adults to sit comfortably in the second row, at least if they're on the slim side.

Sliding and tilting second-row seats make it fairly easy to get to the third-row seat, which comfortably handles two adults but would seem out of place in the sporty TrailBlazer SS.

Gauges can be easily read in the SS, and the ventilation controls are commendably large. Front doors have storage pockets, but the console-mounted gearshift partially blocks the front cupholders near the dash when the transmission is in drive mode.

Loading stuff is a snap with the TrailBlazer SS because the large cargo area has a low, wide opening. The second-row seat easily flips and folds entirely forward, providing a giant cargo area.

The TrailBlazer provides the best of two worlds -- the utilitarian benefits of a hearty truck and much of a sport sedan's driving fun. 

2006 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER SS 

PRICES: $30,625-$35,705

LIKES: Extremely fast. Good handling. Roomy.

DISLIKES: Stiff ride. Abrupt automatic transmission shifts.