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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  Our 05 Trailblazer - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Ray Plaag - February 22 - 7:29 pm

  I see some of the complaints about the trailblazer...Mostly from people who bought them used...You never how they were broke in and taken care of..We bought ours new and took reasonable care of it over the years ...Best truck I ever owned!.and the 4 wheel drive is awesome.!.We have newer vehicles but I wouldnt trade the ole gal in with 256 thousand miles on it ..They wont give me anything for it anyway..a few issues for sure ..two fuel pumps two water pumps...struts,brakes stuff like that...IOur kids when they were young nicknamed it the fun mobile ..:) ...They are grown up now with there own lives....My point being ...We will just keep..her...she has a few little quirks but its 13 years old...and still dependable ...

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  Enjoying new TrailBlazer EXT - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By rishemre - December 18 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed my new truck, I have had it about a month. Traded a 98 Blazer. The straight 6 has surprising power and plenty of passing power. The interior is very nice, however, on the basic LS, Chevy got cheap on items like no cover on the visor mirrors and manual adjustment on the rear view mirror. When you get into this price range, these should be a standard feature. I hope I am as happy in one year because as of right now, I think it is a great truck.

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  Wish I could keep it - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By lauramary - September 10 - 2:40 am

  I absolutely loved this SUV. Very comfortable. Got lots of extras ~ DVD player ~ Bose stereo, but the poor gas mileage was too much to bear. I had to trade this vehicle in because I was only averaging 12 miles per gallon combined city/hwy. My daily work commute is city driving. I realize that I took a loss when I traded her in, but every time I drove it, I pictured cash burning in the gas tank. A valuable lesson learned.

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  Shouldve Bought the Tahoe - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Jim - September 9 - 7:53 am

  I was looking for an SUV that was less than $50,000 and I was looking at the Tahoe and TrailBlazer. I thought I wouldve got better gas mileage than if I were driving a Tahoe but not true. My wifes 03 Tahoe gets better mileage than my 06 TrailBlazer This car has to go out of my garage and back onto the car lot.

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  2005 Whistler - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Jim - June 28 - 6:06 am

  The first problem I had was the XM radio cable was broken and had to be replaced. Next I have a LOT of wind noise around the dash. The dealer pulled the windshield and found the sealant had dripped away from the windshied. Next they found a clip broke on the door seal. All this and I still have a lot of wind noise. I guess now that the radio works I can turn it up to hide the wind noise I feel that the qualitity is NOT UP to GM Standards

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  I like this SUV - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Chris Richgels - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Super good highway cruiser.

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  Trailblazer - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Davidy1965 - April 5 - 10:00 am

  So far its been a great vehicle. Very roomy. It has a nice ride (better that our Buick Century) The drawback is the gas mileage, but with the size and weight of the vehicle, thats to be expected. Also, at highway speeds there is some wind noise.

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  Drove It Through 15 States - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By David Duffer - March 22 - 9:16 am

  Just got back May 23rd after leaving on the 14th of May to Memphis TN,and out west to Arizonia to the Grand Canyon, and over to Nevada to Las Vegas,Hoover Dam, then to Wyoming to Yellow Stone National Park,before heading back to Bowling Green KY.... While pulling a 2,000 lbs of a Pop-up Camper. I only got 16 miles to the gallon while towing camper trailer... But can honestly say that mechanically,driving,and the ride was excellent,didnt have any problems drove 4,995 miles including the trip back to Bowling Green KY... And I will add that we didnt let any grass grow at speed at 70-73 miles an hour even when we went through light rain showers.. It went right through the wet roads just fine..

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  Trailblazin with LOTS of room - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By pofolks - March 17 - 10:00 am

  This SUV was made with the middle man in mind. Finally a SUV that has all the comforts and performances of the "bigger brother" at a lower cost. Excellent truck for the price

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  Not enough room!! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Sytek5 - February 22 - 10:00 am

  We bought this vehicle when we found out that we were expecting our third child. We thought with the third row seat we would have plenty of room inside, Wrong! With all the kids in car seats and then having to take the stroller for the baby, we are unable to get anything else in the back of the car. We like the way it drives and I think it is comfortable. It may look like a station wagon, but it lacks the cargo space inside. Also it is very hard to buckle up the child in the third row, the way that the floor is (knee killer).