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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  Really Disappointed - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Not Happy - December 1 - 12:10 pm

  MPG= 15 regardless of city/highway. This vehicle has spent more time in the dealers shop than my garage. Trans, rear defr, a/c, engine bearing, brakes have all been serviced, some of them twice. Im not hard to please, but this is the worst vehicle ive ever owned from a maintenance standpoint. (and they keep trying to upsell me some $500 maintenance package everytime i go to the dealer). I never had these issues with the Tahoe I owned prior to this.

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  Average American Vehicle - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Sgt_Coolio - June 2 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle was purchased with a mindset of being paid off and lasting a long time. Well the vehicle has been paid off, but only lasted in top shape a few thousand miles. At the age of 12K miles the seals around the door began to become warped, the underseat plastic panels broke off a few from then. At 42K miles, the speedometer became faulty. At 48K miles, the gas meter became no good as well. Hence I work in the field quite a bit, the vehicle would sit in a parking lot for a few weeks at a time, causing the shocks, and calipers to become rusty. Overall this vehicle is not bad for company/government usage but for a family and a service member,perhaps a better choice is needed.

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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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  2005 Chevy trailblazer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By alex160 - December 26 - 2:06 am

  For the price this SUV is not worth it , Mine only has 64000 miles and I had to replace the transmission at 39000 , TheClusters and now will have to replace the gas gauge again , back lights burned out ,and going on my second water pump. Drivers adjustment knob doesnt stay in , this will be my last chevy anything.

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  Dont buy a 2003 or 2004 model!!!!! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By nomoreGM2day - June 17 - 1:50 am

  Chevy has a problem with the cluster panel in the 2003 and 2004 models. They do not stand behind their work and are not willing to do anything about it. My dealer replaces 1 or 2 a month....this is a serious problem and not just with the Trailblazer, but ALL makes and models of Chevys. GM needs to find a way to keep their loyal customers happy. (GM owner since the early 80s).

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  Worst Vehicle Ever - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By disappointedcustomer - February 28 - 1:16 pm

  The first year of ownership was great...after that it went totally downhill! It has been in the shop more than all of my previous vehicles combined. Air bag problem, emblem fell off, rear wiper went bad, bumper warped and was replaced, steering problem that cant seem to be fixed, fuel tank replaced, three of the doors have had panels replaced (a couple more than twice) and Im sure to suffer from more. Glad I bought an extended warranty since I have used it twice already. Cant get rid of it since the value isnt worth anything.

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  Hate this TrailBlazer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By DJ - January 10 - 6:10 am

  I hate this TrailBlazer that I bought in 2005. I bought it brand new for $32000, and a year later, I hated it. It is slow, with no acceleration, or passing gear, the interior is uncomfortable, and really plain and ugly. I started having problems with it 6 months after I got it, the pully inside the engine had to be replaced, because it sounded like an rc car. Again 2 years later, it is doing the same thing. The plastic along the front and back is getting sun damaged, and it makes it look horrible. I am going to trade it in asap, for one of those new 2009 Tahoes, when they go on sale. Save your money, dont buy the TrailBlazer!

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  Wouldnt buy another one. - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By ajbrumbaugh - October 14 - 11:29 pm

  We bought our 2006 Trailblazer approximately 3 years ago, so the vehicle would have been 3 years old. Since that time we have had to replace the switch for the windows because they quit working. Now the motor acts like it will give out anytime. The heater fan at a cost of $400, the fuel gauge quit, which is quite the production because they have to drop the whole fuel tank. Chevrolet does have a recall since they have had this problem often so they will reimburse you for half. My check engine light comes on every so often along with the "skid" light. When they decide to they dont go off for awhile. Now it is rusting on the doors.

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  Good News & Bad News - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Pch1972 - October 11 - 10:16 pm

  Good News: Has lot of power, and its comfortable for 3 kids, and 2 dogs. Bad News: 1 week after purchase, the air bag light kept coming on. Needed a new sensor. Then the OnStar would not work properly. Had to have that fixed. This winter, the molding on the hatch broke, last month, the starter was stuck. Luckily this was all under warranty. Not too happy with my Blazer being in the shop 4 times since the purchase of it 5 months ago.

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  Nice to look at - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By angela - April 4 - 7:16 pm

  I am very disappointed in this SUV, Chevrolet put cheap paint on that scratches very easily (same with my Impala). I had a Hyundai for 7 years that never scratched like these cars. I have had several minor electrically issues within 6 months of owning the SUV. The drivers seat is very uncomfortable for long trips, which is why I bought a larger vehicle. For a company that is hurting you think they would offer a better warranty on their cars. Do not buy a car that their own maker cant stand behind.