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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  EXT - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Dakota - December 23 - 8:46 am

  I thought I would try GM again after many years of imports....what a mistake!. I have had this Trailblazer for 14 months, bought it with 39,000 miles. I have had over $1000 in repairs- window regulator, O2 sensor, other,various emissions work, interior panels loose, weather stripping loose, leather wears poorly. I am very disappointed with the quality. I do like the space, 3rd row of seats and towing capacity.

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  2005 Trailblazer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By robert - December 6 - 11:50 pm

  The gas mileage is not very good. I get around 11 to 12 mpg around town. The ride is pretty good. The 3rd row seats hard to get to. Cant get the drivers seat in a comfortable position, maybe because I was used to my 2004 Silverado crew cab. Should have used those seats. Hard to get a hold of the seat belts.

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  Workhorse - no glamour - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By nicholas slater - March 2 - 9:23 am

  Guzzles gas (not good right now), no frills, reliable workhorse. I would not buy another one though, as I do not feel it is value for the price.

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  GM Junk - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Upset at my 1st Chev - February 15 - 9:50 pm

  I had never owned a Chevy SUV before and was excited to get a Trailblazer EXT. Great style, good features at a reasonable price. No quality. The 1st 3 months I had 9 problems with 2 trips in for an upshift problem that they claimed they could not find. GM suggested I find a dealer that had a tool to install that would monitor the problem, but I had to reseach and find the dealer that had it and go there. They had no interest or concern of the many problems or required trips to the dealer. If you are thinking of buying one, hopefully you do not get one of the many lemons they have out there.

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  Dont buy one - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By MSA - November 29 - 8:20 pm

  This car needed to a new transmission and 34,000 miles. At 52,000 miles the water pump went, and at 55,000 miles the air-conditioning compressor went. Stay away from this car.

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  Worst Investment Ever - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By missy89 - November 22 - 8:20 am

  I bought the car used 3 years ago with 43,000 miles on it. Since then Ive had to nothing but problems: -Needed a new starter -Drivers side window motor -Heater wires melted and needed to be replaced ($300 fix) -Gas sensor does not work ($700 fix) - 2 wheelbearings - New Battery - Throttle body cleaning (felt like the car would die out when idling) - back emblem fell off - New Transmission at 100,000 Only positive- great in the snow

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  Never Again! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Former GM owner - March 26 - 7:06 am

  Rear air compressor, fan motor, complete brake system (twice!), front wheel bearings and now, the transmission is shot! All at 48,500 miles! Virtually every big ticket repair that could go wrong, did. Awful, awful piece of crap. Tends to slip in even mildly wet weather, overall poor traction anyway. Creature comforts are average at best. Ill never again buy this car and wouldnt recommend it to anyone, no matter what the price!

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  Practical, But Unreliable - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Neal - July 22 - 3:56 am

  This was the first new vehicle we ever purchased. Vehicle was in the shop app. 30 of first 50 days we owned it. 4 separate occasions for leaking differential housing, for bad serp. belt., and for steering out of tow, and once for a broken back window that shattered for no reason whatsoever. Dealer provided a Cavalier for a loaner (Thanks). Getting GM to step up to the plate was a battle. Eventually got two years of oil changes, but would have preferred a swap out of vehicle. Would have needed to go lemon law route to replace, but ended up to be too much trouble to make that happen. For the past 8 months or so, things seem to be OK. Horrible depreciation, so will need to hang on to it

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  Service contract poster child... - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By MTK - March 7 - 2:00 am

  Bought my EXT new in 2002. We had several fit/finish problems which needed to be taken care of (primarily paint related). In addition the air conditioner has been worked on, the windshield wiper motors have been replaced, the fan clutch has been replaced, and the gas tank developed a hairline fracture and needed to be replaced. If you really insist on buying a TB, I strongly recommend buying a extended service contract. It has saved me several times.

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  New rig for the bigger family - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Jeff - October 14 - 12:23 am

  I bought this vehicle used, I am the 2nd owner. I fell in love with it right away, the 3rd row seat is a god send, and I love the styling. The only drawback is the mileage. 12-14mpg at best in city