Overview & Reviews

Model-year 2002 was a defining moment for the TrailBlazer. That year saw the midsize SUV benefiting from a redesign that made it a much more competitive player in its segment. It also saw the launch of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT, an extended-wheelbase version of the popular sport-utility vehicle.

The TrailBlazer EXT gave you everything a TrailBlazer did, plus an extended wheelbase and a third-row seat that enabled it to accommodate up to seven passengers. This means you benefited from all the good things offered by Chevy's best-selling midsize SUV of the time -- most notably, a long list of standard features and a cushy highway ride. Unfortunately, you also got the not-so-good things, like uninspired interior design and dull steering and handling that became restive when the road got twisty.

The breakout stars of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT's lineup were its engines. The SUV's 4.2-liter inline-6 charmed us with 275 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque (power jumped to 291 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque in 2006), giving it more grunt than was offered by many competing V8s. For heavy-duty towing, a 5.3-liter V8 was available that churned out 290 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque (boosted to 300 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque in 2005). With all that power underfoot, we really wanted to love the TrailBlazer EXT, but shortcomings regarding its handling and cabin kept it from fully capturing our hearts. Model-year 2006 marked the end of the line for this king-sized SUV. More information about the TrailBlazer model can be found here.

User Reviews:

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  Now I know why we always bought Toyotas - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By mwermuth - December 3 - 4:39 am

  A complete lemon. We purchased the car in 2005 and have had more problems than we ever had with any other car. Year 1, trips to dealer for repairs 4 Cause, after market DVD player falling off the ceiling and no volume in stereo. Water leaking through window seal. Year 2, trips to dealer 3 Cause, broken belts in two tires, that they denied were a problem. Resulted in complete replacement of tires and wheel hub and bearing assemblies. Year 3, Replaced breaks and rotors Year 4, Replaced tires and exhaust system which had completely rusted out. Year 5, New breaks and idle pulley and serpentine belt. Also new water pump. Cont...

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  TrailBlazer Needs V8 - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Jordan - November 24 - 10:26 am

  We purchased a used 2005 Trailblazer EXT to replace a Chevy Astro. Although the TrailBlazer has almost 70 more horsepower it has worse performance than the old Astro. It also gets worse gas mileage. Duh - we could have had a V8.

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  Poor Persons Suburban - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By John - September 12 - 9:30 pm

  The Trailblazer EXT is a nice cut and paste effort from the General. The exterior styling is decent, yet the interior looks cheap and somewhat tossed together with little care or concern for fit and finish. It drives relatively well although it seems a little dis-connected from the road in the steering department. The brakes are mushy. It feels like the truck is stumbling over itself especially if you need to stop quickly. Dont get me wrong, even with all my criticism, I really do love the truck. Its roomy, the family loves it, its cooler than a minivan, it has 4X4 for our Canadian winters, towing capability and lastly it is a smooth and comfortable ride. A poor mans Suburban.

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  Best SUV driven yet and best stylish - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Nick - August 7 - 3:56 pm

  Having driven the Ford Explorer and Dodge Durango, the Trailblazer was the most powerful and had the most room out of the 3. The truck handles great in the snow with its extra wide tires. Cant wait to by my next Trailblazer when Chevy makes a newly redesign SUV in 2007

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  i love my truck - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By cheinold - July 23 - 10:00 am

  I didnt think i would find a suv that I liked better than my blazer but I love my trailblazer. The ride is great; it is comfortable and roomy. I can separate my granddaughters when they are fighting! One in the middle and one in the back.

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  Better than our minivan! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By D Whitman - July 12 - 10:00 am

  In general, experience has been very positive. Vehicle is very practical for a wide range of family needs. Plenty of room to carry the soccer team AND equipment. Also like flexibility of space for vacation needs. Engine performance is very good - good pickup and plenty of power to pass on the highway. eats are very reasy to fold down and variety of combinations is nice.

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  Not For Keeps - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By skidadil - June 4 - 10:00 am

  Hauling cargo with the third row folded down gets difficult sometimes. The third row does not fold flush with the trunk space and they sit at a slight angle. This makes stacking a big load of things tricky sometimes. There seem to be little things that go wrong with this car from time to time which makes me nervous about what lies ahead once the warranty runs out. For example, off the showroom floor the alignment was off so bad we gained 150 miles out of a tank of gas once it was fixed. Right now our blinkers stay on solid instead of blinking and the rear heat doesnt work. Theres also a strange rattle under the hood. Im selling and going foreign!

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  Great vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Jay - May 31 - 8:06 am

  This is the best SUV in this price range. If you compare it to SUVs in the MSRP range there are others that are better. If you compare it to vehicles in with the average transaction price, you’ll be hard pressed to find another vehicle with the features, power, and even quality. The new GM strategy to reduce the price to levels close to the actual transaction price will put this vehicle in categories that it will win customers when they do side to side comparisons. In the past, most consumers compared the vehicle to others in the same MSRP range and this vehicle didnt compare favorably. For example the one I bought I would have selected another at $31K. But no others compared at $25K

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  It meets our needs - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By jaxncoog - April 2 - 5:26 am

  Once we got the third kid, we knew we had to go bigger. Fact of the matter is, you just cant look cool driving a mini-van. Besides the costs, winter driving , and power for the mini-van just doesnt compare to this SUV. This has been an excellent car for our snowy winters and our many outdoor activities. Fuel Economy is poor but comparable to other vehicles within its size range. The third row seat is roomy and has great sight lines. The front console is weak. You cant put drinks in it and get access to the central console controls.

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  Problems - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By None - February 4 - 1:13 pm

  I bought the 2006 Trailblazer EXT with 20,000 miles. A week after I bought it the emissions light came on. I have had it to the garage 6 times and every time I get it the light is off. After driving it about a week the emissions light comes back on. They have replaced sensors and fuel valves. The vehicle has been to a General Motors dealer but they have not fixed the problem. The fuel gauge drops to empty when there is a quarter tank of gas. When I start the engine the gas gauge goes to where it is suppose to be and then after driving a little distance it again drops to empty and the low full light gauge comes on. Any idea how to fix the problem.