Holden TrailBlazer
| Company type | Automobile model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Chevrolet S-10 Blazer (TrailBlazer trim) |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Successor | Chevrolet Traverse (North America) |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | North America, Southeast Asia, India, South Africa, Middle East |
| Products | Mid-size SUVs |
| Owner | General Motors |
| Parent | General Motors |
Blazer trim line (1998)
The TrailBlazer designation was first introduced for the 1999 model year as a premium trim package on the compact 4-door Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. This trim offered enhancements over the highest LT level, such as an AM/FM stereo equipped with a CD player, an optional remote cassette deck, OnStar connectivity, bumpers and side moldings painted to match the body color, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, upgraded alloy wheels, a full-size spare tire, and power-adjustable front bucket seats with improved cloth upholstery. Additional optional features included a high-end Bose audio system, leather seating with heated front seats, a power sunroof, and exterior emblems accented in gold. The TrailBlazer trim was phased out after 2001 when Chevrolet introduced the completely redesigned mid-size TrailBlazer SUV. Meanwhile, production of the S-10 Blazer continued through 2005.
First generation (KC; 2001)
Built on the GMT360 truck chassis, the first-generation TrailBlazer offered an optional four-wheel-drive system with automatic engagement and traditional settings including "Auto," "2-High," "4-High," and "4-Low"; the SS variant utilized an all-wheel-drive configuration. The suspension featured independent front suspension paired with a five-link rear setup. A G80 locking rear differential was available on most trims, while the SS came standard with a G86 limited-slip differential. The LTZ trim level provided leather interiors, upgraded Bose sound equipment, and alloy wheels. Every model was factory-equipped with a removable towing hitch.
For the 2006 model year refresh, all trims except the base received updated front-end styling and revised interior accents; the SS model showcased exclusive front and rear fascias along with body-colored side skirts.
Engines
Standard powertrain for the TrailBlazer was an all-aluminum 4.2L Atlas LL8 inline-six engine generating up to 270 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. An optional aluminum LS 5.3L V8 engine delivered up to 290 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque. At its debut, the inline-six made the TrailBlazer the most powerful six-cylinder SUV in its segment. The LH6 5.3L V8 incorporated Active Fuel Management technology that deactivates four cylinders during steady highway cruising to enhance fuel efficiency. Inline-six variants achieved EPA-estimated highway mileage up to 20 mpg.
The TrailBlazer was honored as North American Truck of the Year in 2002. Its 4.2L engine received recognition on Ward's 10 Best Engines lists from 2002 through 2005, praised for features such as DOHC configuration, variable valve timing on the exhaust camshaft, and GM’s innovative lost-foam casting manufacturing process.
Trim levels
Throughout its production run, the TrailBlazer was available in several trim configurations.
The base LS trim featured aluminum-alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, the standard 4.2L inline-six engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, cloth upholstery, a full-size spare tire mounted on a steel wheel, AM/FM stereo with single-disc CD player and six speakers, power-operated windows, door locks and mirrors, keyless entry system, split-folding rear seats, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, and a Driver's Information Center. Optional equipment included a cassette/CD combination player or six-disc CD changer, power-adjustable driver’s seat, security system, satellite radio on later models, and OnStar services.
The mid-tier LT trim added upgraded alloy wheels, power driver’s seat adjustment, security system enhancements, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel as standard features. Available options comprised a Bose premium sound system, six-disc CD changer, leather-trimmed seating surfaces with dual heated front buckets, power passenger seat adjustment, driver memory settings for seat position/mirrors/radio presets, power moonroof, rear DVD entertainment system by Panasonic, polished alloy wheels finish, OnStar, touchscreen radio equipped with GPS navigation in later years, and a universal garage door opener including travel note recording functionality.
The top-level LTZ trim (offered from 2002 to 2003) built upon the LT by including Bose premium audio system with six-disc CD changer, leather seating surfaces with heated front buckets, OnStar, universal garage door opener featuring travel note recorder capability, power moonroof, enhanced interior trim details, polished alloy wheels finish, touchscreen GPS radio on later models, and Panasonic rear DVD entertainment system.
Launched in 2006, the SS performance-oriented variant was based on either LS or LT trims but distinguished by unique interior appointments and polished alloy wheels bearing "SS" badging. It featured a leather-wrapped steering wheel embossed with an "SS" emblem along with embroidered front bucket seats available in premium cloth or leather upholstery. Power came from a robust 6.0L V8 engine sourced from the Chevrolet Corvette (C6).
EXT
The TrailBlazer EXT was available as a three-row, seven-passenger model, featuring an extended length and a raised rear roofline to facilitate easier access to the third row. Chevrolet concealed the elevated roofline by incorporating roof racks. Built on the GMT370 platform, the EXT shared its underpinnings with the GMC Envoy XL and Isuzu Ascender LWB; however, no long-wheelbase versions were created for the Oldsmobile Bravada, Buick Rainier, or Saab 9-7X.
Manufacturing occurred at the Oklahoma City Assembly facility, which ceased operations in early 2006, marking that year as the final production period for the TrailBlazer EXT. The EXT can be identified by its more angular rear doors that do not curve into the wheel arches at the back.
SS
Launched in 2006, the TrailBlazer SS was Chevrolet’s inaugural SUV to bear the Super Sport emblem. It was equipped with a 6.0L LS2 V8 engine delivering 395 horsepower and 400 lb-ft (540 Nm) of torque—the same powerplant used in the 2005–2007 C6 Corvette, albeit featuring a more restrictive exhaust system and a taller intake manifold designed to optimize torque for a heavier SUV.
The SS model came with a factory-installed lowered and stiffened suspension complemented by rear air-leveling and rode on wheels fitted with wide tires to improve handling characteristics. It featured a 4.10 rear axle ratio to enhance acceleration and was offered in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations. The SS package (RPO code B4U) accounted for roughly 1.7% of total TrailBlazer production.
| Calendar Year | TrailBlazer SS Sales |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 9,361 |
| 2007 | 10,726 |
| 2008 | 5,744 |
| 2009 | 610 |
| Total | 26,441 |
Safety
According to IIHS crash tests conducted in early 2009, early TrailBlazers achieved an overall Acceptable rating in frontal offset assessments; models from 2005 to 2009 also earned Acceptable scores. Side-curtain airbags became standard equipment starting with the 2008 model year, which then received a Marginal rating in side-impact tests when equipped with optional side airbags; however, torso-type side airbags were not offered at that time.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash test results for 2007 models were as follows:
- Frontal Driver: 3 out of 5 stars
- Frontal Passenger: 4 out of 5 stars
- Side Driver: 5 out of 5 stars
- Side Rear Passenger: 5 out of 5 stars
- Rollover (2WD): 3 out of 5 stars
- Rollover (4WD): 4 out of 5 stars
Yearly American sales
| Year | U.S. Sales Figures |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 115,103 |
| 2002 | 249,568 |
| 2003 | 261,334 |
| 2004 | 283,484 |
| 2005 | 244,150 |
| 2006 | 178,493 |
| 2007 | 151,985 |
| 2008 | 119,905 |
| 2009 | 22,287 |
| Total | 1,626,309 |
Discontinuation
Plans were initially made for a next-generation TrailBlazer based on an updated GMT360 platform designated GMT361, targeted for release in spring 2007. However, General Motors opted instead to refresh the existing platform as GMT360NG in January 2006 before ultimately canceling this update in June due to prohibitive development expenses. Production of the current TrailBlazer continued through the model year of 2009 (with production ending in Mexico after the 2008 model year).
Following this phase-out, Buick replaced its Rainier with the Lambda-platform Enclave crossover SUV, while GMC introduced the Theta-platform Terrain as a successor to the Envoy. Saab substituted the discontinued 9-7X with the Cadillac SRX-based 9-4X; however, this model was discontinued after only nine months because of Saab’s bankruptcy.
The Chevrolet Traverse took over from the TrailBlazer in 2009. GM shut down its Moraine assembly plant on December 23, 2008, ending all GMT360 vehicle production; the final TrailBlazer was produced on December 16, 2008. This plant closure was documented in HBO’s 2009 film The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant.
Recall
In 2012, General Motors and Isuzu initiated a recall affecting more than 258,000 SUVs across the U.S. and Canada. This included models such as the TrailBlazer, Envoy, Rainier, Ascender, and 9-7X from the 2006–2007 production years. The recall addressed issues related to short circuits in power window and door lock switches that posed a fire hazard. Vehicles registered or sold in areas where road salt is commonly applied during winter were specifically targeted.
Second generation (RG; 2011)
The second-generation Trailblazer—presented initially as a concept at the 2011 Dubai Motor Show and officially launched at the Bangkok Motor Show in March 2012—is constructed on a truck chassis shared with the second-generation Chevrolet Colorado. Unlike the Colorado pickup, this SUV features enclosed bodywork extending from the A-pillar rearwards, including a fixed roof, tailgate, and three rows of seating. Its rear suspension system utilizes a five-link coil spring setup while maintaining a live axle.
Produced in Thailand and Brazil, this generation caters to markets such as Southeast Asia, India, South Africa, and the Middle East. Between 2012 and 2016, it was sold in Australia and New Zealand under the name Holden Colorado 7 before being rebranded as the Holden Trailblazer from 2017 through 2020. The platform of this Trailblazer is also shared with the first-generation Isuzu MU-X.
Available engine configurations comprise gasoline V6 units and Duramax turbo-diesel four-cylinder engines, delivering power outputs ranging roughly from 110 kW up to over 200 kW. Transmission options include both six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes.
The third facelift update for this generation was rolled out on April 17, 2024.
Engines
This generation of the Trailblazer provides three engine variants: two diesel options and one gasoline choice. The Duramax 2.5 L diesel produces power and torque figures of , while an optional Duramax 2.8 L diesel delivers enhanced output of and . In regions such as Brazil, South Africa, and the Middle East, a 3.6 L V6 gasoline engine is offered, generating up to (notably reaching in Brazil's 2015 model) and torque.
The 2.8 L diesel engine incorporates several upgrades including a water-cooled variable-geometry turbocharger, a high-pressure common-rail fuel injection system, an EGR system, along with improvements to the intake manifold, cylinder head and block design, balance shaft assembly, and an updated Engine Control Module (ECM).
Holden Colorado 7/Trailblazer
Since 2012 in Australia, the Trailblazer has been marketed as the Holden Colorado 7, available in LT and LTZ trim levels. Standard equipment includes cruise control, body-colored bumpers, side steps, fog lamps, aluminum roof rails, rear parking sensors coupled with a camera system, Bluetooth connectivity, USB ports, rear air vents for climate control, and a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel. The LTZ trim adds features such as 18-inch alloy wheels, projector-style headlights, chrome detailing, leather upholstery, premium sound system, adjustable driver’s seat, upgraded interior finishes, and LED tail-lights. It is powered by the same VM Motori 2.8 L turbo-diesel engine found in the Colorado pickup.
In its first update during 2016, the Colorado 7 was renamed to Trailblazer.
Sales
| Year | Brazil | Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 283 | |
| 2013 | 3,285 | |
| 2014 | 2,285 | 2,855 |
| 2015 | 1,790 | 1,592 |
| 2016 | 1,943 | 1,185 |
| 2017 | 3,281 | 1,150 |
| 2018 | 3,854 | 2,196 |
| 2019 | 3,363 | 3,091 |
| 2020 | 2,823 | 672 |
| 2021 | 3,324 | |
| 2022 | 3,210 | |
| 2023 | 1,659 | |
| 2024 | 2,061 |