Cars Service

2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer

TrailBlazer comes standard with a superbly smooth and modern Vortec 4200 inline six-cylinder engine, which has been upgraded for 2006, and its our first choice unless towing is a big part of the picture. The Vortec 5400 V8, with its Displacement on Demand technology promising improved fuel economy is available as an option on all 2006 TrailBlazer models. Equipped with the V8, a 2WD TrailBlazer EXT can tow up to 7,000 pounds.

The 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer adds the SS powered by a 395-horsepower LS2 6.0-liter V8 engine with 20-inch wheels, sport-tuned suspension, unique exterior styling, specific interior appointments and available with all-wheel drive. StabiliTrak is standard on all TrailBlazer trims levels and the LT receives new front and rear fascias, grille, headlights, rocker panels and side moldings.

The cosmetic changes include revised front and rear styling, and horsepower of the standard 4.2-liter inline 6-cylinder engine jumps to 291 from 275 for the previous model.

An optional 5.3-liter V8 with 300 horsepower has General Motors Active Fuel Management system, which shuts down four cylinders to save fuel under low-effort conditions such as steady cruising.

An enhanced Quiet Package with an acoustic laminated windshield and additional sound insulation adds to the TrailBlazers refinement.


Walkaround

TrailBlazers styling helped blaze the trail for the latest Chevy Truck design. Its an aggressive look with bold headlamps and a split grille. The horizontal bar that splits the grille, headlamps and turn signals is chromed on the LS, body-colored on the LT, and black on the SS. The front bumper features a large opening with two vertical slats, and the optional foglights are mounted down low. The front end of the TrailBlazer makes it look like a scaled-down Suburban or Silverado.

Overall, TrailBlazer looks neat and sturdy, with confident lines that express utility. The pillars and window lines are graceful, while the big fender flares are visually bold. At the rear is a convenient step in the center of the bumper.

The seven-seat TrailBlazer EXT is 16 inches longer between the front and rear wheels than the standard five-seat TrailBlazer and looks disproportionately long and narrow. The easiest way to tell the TrailBlazer from the TrailBlazer EXT is to look at the rear passenger doors; theyre full-size doors on the EXT but the rear wheel wells cut into them on the standard-length model.
For 2006, the antennas for the optional OnStar assistance system and XM Satellite Radio are combined in a single unit.

Safety Features

Standard safety features include an anti-skid system and roll-stability control. Optional are head-protecting side-curtain airbags for the first and second seating rows.

Many TrailBlazers are bought by traditional American truck owners who dont quite understand the TrailBlazers BMW-style inline 6-cylinder and thus opt for its 5.3-liter 300-horsepower V8, which offers more torque for such jobs as heavy towing.

Large Cargo Area

The large cargo area has a low, wide opening and the second-row seat easily flips and folds entirely forward, providing an impressively large cargo area.

The solid TrailBlazer is the most affordable of GMs truck-type midsize sport-utility vehicles. The SS package is fairly costly, but is a bargain—considering what it adds to the standard version. It provides the best of two worlds—the utilitarian benefits of a truck and much of a sports sedans driving kicks.

Firm SS Suspension

The TrailBlazers base suspension provides a good ride but isnt as well-controlled as the firmer SS suspension. On the other hand, the SS suspension occasionally caused a jerky ride and side-to-side head "toss" on some rough roads.

Cosmetic SS touches include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, performance front seats and unique interior and exterior trim.

The TrailBlazer SS has a 1-inch height reduction, but still is high enough to call for above average effort to get in and out.

Pros: Like "das" in another review I too rented one of these Trailblazers. It was very comfortable and easy to drive. It was World Class, IMO.

Cons: I read where Chevy upped the horsepower rating of the 6 cylinder and made other modifications for the 06 that actually improve the gas mileage of the Trailblazer over previous year models. The one I drove ran very strong.

Overall Review: I cant help but think that reviewers that drive "Volvos" have an axe to grind against American cars and trucks. It seems to be an elitist thing on the part of some. The new vehicles from Ford and GM are the best either has ever built. Today both companies use the same robotics and manufacturing processes that every other major manufacturer uses. The perception that American autos arent as good as foreign autos is based on the past. Take a look for yourself. The fit and finish is on a par with anything comparably priced and the profits and taxes stay in America. Maybe I am just confused. Didnt America win WWII. Mercedes now owns Chrysler. Toyota is outselling Chevrolet in America. Maybe I should start learning German or Japanese. Maybe the next time I see someone driving a Volvo or a Toyota I will give them the old American one fingered salute.