Car Throttle

Welcome to the Car Throttle Parting Shot, where we take a look at a production vehicle that has been recently discontinued, and ask “Was it really that bad?”. Introduced in the Spring of 2001 as a 2002 model, General Motors introduced a totally brand new mid sized Sport Utility Vehicle, with a brand new inline six cylinder engine. But remember, this is the General Motors of the new millennium, so not only was there a Chevrolet version, but soon, there was one for GMC, Oldsmobile, Buick, Isuzu, and even one with a Saab badge. Why was there 6 different versions of what was essentially the same vehicle? Let’s take a parting shot at the Chevrolet Trailblazer (and it’s 5 little clones!).

Since its 2002 introduction, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer has been one of the most popular SUVs in America in terms of sales. Qualities like a smooth ride, a roomy cabin, plentiful features and an inexpensive price made it so, however the TrailBlazer leaves much to be desired as a competent vehicle. The handling dynamics are more state-of-the-past than state-of-the-art. The standard version’s unresponsive suspension and imprecise steering don’t inspire confidence on back road detours or during quick transitions on the expressway. In past years, traditional body-on-frame SUVs, like the TrailBlazer, weren’t expected to handle well in these situations. But times have changed and virtually all of the domestic- and import-brand rivals now offer superior road manners. Another major drawback is the TrailBlazer’s cabin design. It looked out of date soon after this vehicles debut, and the quality of the materials and construction has always been suspect.

Almost a year later, the 7 Passenger Trailblazer EXT version debuted. The EXT received an extended wheelbase and a third-row seat that enabled it to accommodate up to seven passengers. It had a long list of standard features and a cushy (some would say nauseating) highway ride. Unfortunately, there was still the uninspired interior design and dull steering and handling that became restive when the road got twisty. Worst of all, the EXT was ungainly, morphing into a wallowing giant that was actually longer than the Full Size Tahoe, saddled with an underpowered inline 6 as standard equipment.

As if this wasn’t enough, There were other clones offered. The GMC Envoy is essentially a Trailblazer, with the same powertrain, chassis, and componentry. However, it was marketed as an upscale version of the Trailblazer, with more chrome trim, and a little better interior furnishings. Both the short version and the extra long XT version were offered. There was one notable exception, and that was the Envoy XUV. This creation was built on the long XL chassis, but without the 7 passenger capability. Instead of passengers, this XUV carried cargo in a washable cargo bay. And if you had to carry something tall, the roof slides forward, so that the cargo can stand upright. This version was introduced in 2004, as discontinued only 2 years later.

The two near luxury divisions had to have an SUV at this time, and Oldsmobile was one of the early players with their version of the Trailblazer. It’s was called the Bravada, and it had a different front end, and slightly different rear glass and tail lamp features, but under the skin, it was the same as the Trailblazer. Oldsmobile only had this for 2 years until GM closed the division. However, with new front sheet metal, and a new grill, it came back as the Buick Rainier in 2004 and lasted only until 2007.

At one time, Isuzu was tied in with General Motors, and the Isuzu Light Duty car and truck dealers in the US needed a new vehicle to supplement their tired product line, then consisting of the Isuzu Rodeo, the discontinued Trooper, and the oddly styled Axiom. Thanks to some magic reconstructive surgery, the Isuzu Ascender was born in 2003. Originally, Isuzu was only granted access to the seven passenger model, but by 2005, they also received the smaller version. There were minor trim changes on the outside, and it received the same interior as the GMC Envoy, with different identification. The extended version went out of production in 2006, while the standard version was discontinued in 2008, about the same time that Isuzu gave up on the US market for light trucks and cars.

If that wasn’t enough, GM even made a Saab version of the Trailblazer, and called it the 97x. Because this was a Saab, the traditional GM interior had to be reworked. The Dash had the Saab egg crate air vents, and the rest of the interior used a better grade of plastic. The ignition key had to be relocated to the center console, in keeping with the one quirky Saab trait. Other than new front and rear fascias, different wheels, and nicer materials in the cabin, it was still a Trailblazer. It even received a nick name of “Trollblazer”, though no one will fess up to it.

Thankfully, the Trailblazer, Envoy, and the “Trollblazer” were recently euthanized when GM closed the Moraine Ohio assembly plant this past December. None of the Trailblazer clones were really good at anything they were suppose to have offered in the way of advantages. They never excelled off road, they were never good in fuel mileage, dependability ratings were abysmal, they rode much too softly, the interiors (even the Saab version) were third world at best, and they were very poor handlers. They were relatively inexpensive when new, and are really cheap now. Would I own one? No, and I would never recommend one to anyone I know either. They really didn’t deserve to be built, for as long as they were, in as many varieties as they were offered. I feel that this model is the poster child for all the problems that General Motors is experiencing now. And that’s my parting shot.