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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  Fun to drive - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Frank - November 28 - 6:53 pm

  Very comfortable, with a roomy back. A must with leather and XM Radio. Lots of storage, however bad on gas.

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  very happy - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Bigtshipp - November 28 - 10:00 am

  It really has a lot of room. I love the way it rides on the highway.

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  I love my Trailblazer EXT! - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By klb - October 27 - 10:00 am

  I just took a long road trip with my family and was really enjoyed my Trailblazer. Not only was it roomy when we visited others, the handling with lots of stuff in it was great. I also really like the sporty look of the vehicle and get compliments on it.

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  mikep - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By map80128 - September 15 - 10:00 am

  I originally bought the car because it had third row seating. But its too small to go on driving vacations - not enough storage space and back seat space. Also a bit wierd is the way the second and third row seating lays down to form a "flat" serface. Its almost like GM made this car into and extended version at the last minute. This car is too small to be a big SUV and too big to be a smaller SUV.

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  Better than the Tahoe - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By imadad2 - September 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought the extended Trailblazer because I liked the look of it better than the Tahoe. The LS version has more goodies than the base Ford SUVs, and the incentives are better than Toyota. I bought the bigger 5.3 liter V-8, and I love it. It gets only 15 MPG, but what do you expect from a SUV? My kids love the interior, and my wife can get in and out of it without needing running boards. This SUV feels like a large SUV, but it is considered a midsize. I love the handling, and love the standard features Chevrolet has put in it. Now lets see if I have any problems. It is to early yet to tell. I am a loyal Chevrolet buyer, and will continue to be.

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  Serious accident - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By keith carr - June 5 - 7:06 pm

  Had a serious accident. I was hit on drivers side front tire full length of drivers side. $12000 in damage, but the good news is no injuries. No jarring inside. Nobody got a scrape or scratch or even a bruise, This thing totally protected us and there was no damage inside. I would definetly buy another one. They are fixing this one, but it gave us total protection in the accident. You cant beat that, and the damage was all cosmetic. The other car was totalled.

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  Poor Seat Configuration - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Demers Family - April 11 - 4:53 pm

  I hate the configuration of the second row seats. The latch system is only on the second row on the middle seat and behind the passenger seat. If you latch the infant seat behind the passenger seat you are forced to vacate the whole 3/4 bench in order to flip the seat forward to let the back seat passengers in and out of the vehicle. Also since it is a 3/4 seat that flips forward the carseat gets caught by the large seat and if the toddler has their hand in the path it gets caught by the seat flipping forward. We have only owned the vehicle two weeks and this has happened to our baby four times already. The second row needs to be redesigned for better access and easier use.

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  Trail Blazing in the 925 - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By Jack West - December 31 - 2:00 am

  Great Buy for 1% over invoice for a XLT LS with the LS Group2 package, and even more extras.

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  Not much to change on this one - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By h2jwatson - October 1 - 2:00 am

  My family and I love this thing. All the room you could possibly ever need for passengers and enough cargo space when you need it. We got the V8 model, didnt feel like the I6 had enough tesicles for such a large vehicle. Awesome road machine.

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  TRAILBLAZER EXT - 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By MIKE POWER - August 30 - 6:40 am

  The Chevy Trailblazer EXT is the best SUV we have ever purchased. Plenty of pick up and go, plenty of room, and the third row seating is very comfortable. Gas mileage is a bit worse than the regular sized Trailblazer. With rear heat and a/c everyone is comfortable all the time. We also have XM satellite radio and OnStar that are wonderful additions. I will never buy any other SUVs than Chevys again!!!