Search Consumer Guide Auto and the Web
 

2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer Full Review
Date Published: 7/31/08
2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer Review
Power-adjustable pedals, satellite radio, and a navigation system are newly available for 2004 on Chevrolet's midsize SUV. TrailBlazer is the top-selling version of a basic GM platform that also hosts the Buick Rainier, GMC Envoy, Oldsmobile Bravada, and Isuzu Ascender. TrailBlazer, Envoy, and Ascender come in regular-length 5-passenger form or extended-length 7-seat configuration. Bravada and Rainier are 5-seaters only. The Envoy XUV is an extended-length 5-seater with a unique sliding cargo roof.

TrailBlazers come in LS and LT trim. Extendeds are called EXTs. Standard on all is a 4-speed automatic transmission and inline 6-cyl engine. Optional on EXTs is a V8. TrailBlazers offer rear-wheel drive with available traction control or GM's Autotrac 4WD that can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes are standard. Front side airbags are optional; the driver's bag covers head and torso. Curtain side airbags are unavailable. Seventeen-inch wheels vs. 16s are standard on the LT EXT and optional on the regular-length LT. Options include rear DVD entertainment, OnStar assistance, and a sunroof. The newly available navigation system is part of a combination radio/navigation unit that puts the navigation screen in the audio faceplate.
News
TrailBlazer should keep to mostly minor yearly changes until 2007, when sources expect a makeover, if not a full redesign. For 2005, however, the EXT's available V8 will be one of the first applications for GM's new Displacement on Demand system. DOD is designed to save fuel by shutting down half the cylinders at light throttle loads, such as highway cruising. A new "drive-by-wire" electronic throttle control will be part of the deal.
2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer Road Test
Pros Cons
Passenger and cargo room Steering/handling
Towing ability Fuel economy
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration

LT 4WD LT EXT 4WD, 6 cyl LT EXT 4WD, V8 Class Average
6 5 6 4.8

In regular-length TrailBlazers, 6 cyl provides plenty of power for everyday driving, including highway merging and passing. Extended versions weigh about 350 lb more, and though 6 cyl is still adequate, the V8 adds useful muscle for towing or hauling heavy loads. Otherwise, V8 extendeds don't feel substantially stronger than sixes in everyday driving, and the V8 costs a hefty $1500.
Fuel Economy

LT 4WD LT EXT 4WD, 6 cyl LT EXT 4WD, V8 Class Average
4 3 3 3.8

Test 6-cyl regular-length 4WD TrailBlazers averaged 12.9-17.9 mpg, depending on driving conditions. Extended-use-test 6-cyl 4WD 2003 Envoy XL averaged 15.8 mpg over its 21,677-mi. test. Test V8 TrailBlazer EXTs averaged 15.2-15.7 mpg.
Ride Quality

LT 4WD LT EXT 4WD, 6 cyl LT EXT 4WD, V8 Class Average
5 6 6 4.5

TrailBlazers with base suspension absorb bumps quite well for SUVs, but suffer float and wander at highway speeds. Unavailable on the Chevy (or Isuzu) version of these SUVs is GM's rear load-leveling air-spring suspension, which furnishes a ride more composed on rough roads than TrailBlazer's coil-spring setup. Longer wheelbase of TrailBlazer EXT helps smooth out bumps, but without air suspension, these models also porpoise through dips and swells.
Steering/Handling/Braking

LT 4WD LT EXT 4WD, 6 cyl LT EXT 4WD, V8 Class Average
3 3 3 3.7

Disappointing overall. Lots of body lean in sharp turns. Steering has vague feel and demands lots of correcting at highway speed. Relatively tight turning radius makes close-quarters maneuvering fairly easy. Standard antilock 4-wheel disc brakes deliver adequate stopping power but spongy pedal action, and quick stops trigger marked nosedive and some wander. Traction control, optional on 2WD LT models, helps in snow.
Quietness

LT 4WD LT EXT 4WD, 6 cyl LT EXT 4WD, V8 Class Average
4 4 4 4.4

Tire noise pleasingly low, but wind rush can be considerable at highway speeds; there's roar even around a closed sunroof. The 6-cyl engine cruises quietly enough, but sounds gruff when cold and a touch ragged at full throttle. V8 is quieter overall.
Controls

LT 4WD LT EXT 4WD, 6 cyl LT EXT 4WD, V8 Class Average
6 6 6 6.2

Clear and handy. Switchgear works smoothly, but adjusting low-mounted climate controls forces a long look away from road. New navigation/audio combo a sensible mating of map screen, navigation functions, and radio controls for relative ease of use. Envoy, Bravada, Rainier, Ascender have a more upscale dashboard design than TrailBlazer, but interiors on all these SUVs suffer GM's generic fabrics and unappealing molded plastics, which don't match the look and feel of most competitors' materials.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

LT 4WD LT EXT 4WD, 6 cyl LT EXT 4WD, V8 Class Average
7 7 7 6.4

Good head and leg room, even for taller folks. Seats too soft for optimal support, but not uncomfortable. Visibility good to front and sides, though headrests and thick pillars can block over-the-shoulder and aft sightlines--particularly on 7-seat models. Available power-adjustable pedals may be helpful, especially to shorter drivers.
Room/Comfort (rear)

LT 4WD LT EXT 4WD, 6 cyl LT EXT 4WD, V8 Class Average
6 7 7 5.6

Six-footers have ample 2nd-row head and knee room, plus adequate under-seat foot space despite uneven floorboard. Split bench seat comfortable, fairly supportive, and wide enough for three adults with a little squeezing. On 7-seat models, the 2nd-row seats slide forward and tilt up for entry/exit to the 3rd-row seat, which is roomy enough for two adults and more comfortable than those in most midsize SUVs.
Cargo Room

LT 4WD LT EXT 4WD, 6 cyl LT EXT 4WD, V8 Class Average
8 9 9 7.8

Generous in regular-length versions, even better in longer 7-passenger models. The 60/40 split 2nd-row seat folds easily, helped by automatic-folding headrests. However, 3rd-row seatbacks rest several inches above the cargo floor when folded, denying the convenience of a flat load surface. Liftgate's opening glass is relatively high, making it difficult to use as a loading or unloading portal. Cabins have good array of pockets and compartments for small items.
Value within Class

LT 4WD LT EXT 4WD, 6 cyl LT EXT 4WD, V8 Class Average
6 6 6 5.1

Lack of curtain side airbags is a minus in today's SUV market, and making front side airbags optional seems ill-advised. Otherwise, TrailBlazer matches most rivals for pace and space. It's the price and sales leader among this GM-built family, too. But we pick Envoy as the better overall value. It tops TrailBlazer in interior decor and its optional rear load-leveling air suspension delivers needed improvements in ride and handling.
Total Score

LT 4WD LT EXT 4WD, 6 cyl LT EXT 4WD, V8 Class Average
55 56 57 52.3
Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score
39
Average Score
52
High Score
66
2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 06/24/2004
Trim Name Retail Price Dealer Invoice Destination Charge
LS regular length 4-door wagon, 2WD $27,520 $24,906 $685
LS regular length 4-door wagon, 4WD $29,770 $26,942 $685
LS EXT extended length 4-door wagon, 2WD $30,070 $27,213 $685
LS EXT extended length 4-door wagon, 4WD $32,320 $29,250 $685
LT regular length 4-door wagon, 2WD $30,020 $27,168 $685
LT regular length 4-door wagon, 4WD $32,270 $29,204 $685
LT EXT extended length 4-door wagon, 2WD $31,970 $28,933 $685
LT EXT extended length 4-door wagon, 4WD $34,220 $30,969 $685
Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.
NA = price note available, NC = no charge.
Rebates and Incentives
There are no rebates or incentives at this time.
Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.
Standard Equipment
LS regular
Powertrain
4.2-liter 6-cylinder engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.
Safety
Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning w/dual-zone manual controls, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats w/lumbar adjustment, center console, cupholders, 2nd-row split folding seat, power windows, power door locks, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, power rear-window release, rear intermittent wiper/washer, visor mirrors, map lights, automatic headlights.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, rear liftgate, roof rails.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Trailer-hitch platform, full-size spare tire, 245/70R16 tires, alloy wheels, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.
LS EXT adds to LS regular:
Comfort and Convenience Features
3rd-row split folding seat, universal garage-door opener, digital memo recorder.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Fog lights, rear privacy glass.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
245/65R17 tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case.
LT regular adds to LS regular:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Cruise control, 8-way power driver seat, heated power mirrors, remote keyless entry, rear defogger, overhead console, universal garage-door opener, digital memo recorder, illuminated visor mirrors, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear privacy glass, roof rack, fog lights.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
7-lead trailer harness, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, front tow hooks.
LT EXT adds to LT regular:
Comfort and Convenience Features
Rear air conditioning and heater w/rear controls, 3rd-row split folding seat.
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
245/65R17 on/off-road tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, front tow hooks.
Optional Equipment
Major Packages
Retail Price
Invoice Price
Preferred Equipment Group 1SB
2WD LS regular
$1,185
$1,019
4WD LS regular
$1,225
$1,054
2WD LS EXT
$1,035
$890
4WD LS EXT
$1,075
$925
Cruise control, heated power mirrors, remote keyless entry, rear defogger, floormats, rear privacy glass (regular length), roof rack, bodyside moldings, front tow hooks (4WD), 7-lead trailer harness.
Preferred Equipment Group 1SE
LT
$2,050
$1,763
OnStar telematics system w/one-year service, leather upholstery, 8-way power passenger seat, driver-seat memory, leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator.
LT Pkg. 1 PDF
LT regular
$1,350
$1,161
LT EXT
$1,310
$1,126
LT regular w/1SE
$625
$538
LT EXT w/1SE
$585
$503
OnStar telematics system w/one-year service, dual-zone automatic climate controls, rear climate controls (regular length), leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio and climate controls, rear radio controls, trip computer, driver message center, trip computer, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, cargo mat (EXT).
LT Pkg. 2 YC6
LT regular
$1,605
$1,380
LT EXT
$1,360
$1,170
LT Pkg. 1 plus heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, heated power mirrors w/turn signals, AM/FM/cassette/CD player. Requires Preferred Equipment Group 1SE.
The North Face Edition Pkg.
LT regular
$1,525
$1,312
LT EXT
$1,725
$1,484
LT Pkg. 2 plus unique interior and exterior trim, mesh seatback pockets, rain-sensing wipers, under-floor storage liner, cargo shelf and table, 2 duffel bags, blanket, heavy-duty floormats and cargo mat, roof clearance lights, headlight washers, 245/65R17 on/off-road tires, bright alloy wheels. Requires Preferred Equipment Group 1SE, locking rear differential, 2-tone paint. 4WD requires skid plates.
Powertrain
5.3-liter V8 engine
LS/LT EXT
$1,500
$1,290
Traction control
2WD LT
$195
$168
Requires locking rear differential.
Locking rear differential
LS EXT, LS regular, LT EXT, LT regular
$270
$232
Optional axle ratio
LS EXT, LS regular, LT EXT, LT regular
$50
$43
Safety
Front side airbags
LS EXT, LS regular, LT EXT, LT regular
$350
$301
Comfort and Convenience Features
OnStar telematics system
LS regular
$1,235
$1,062
LS EXT, LT
$870
$748
Includes one-year service, universal garage-door opener (LS regular), digital memo recorder (LS regular), automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator.
Navigation system
LT
$1,995
$1,716
Requires Bose sound system.
Rear-seat entertainment system
LT
$1,295
$1,114
DVD player, screen, headphones. NA w/power sunroof. LT EXT requires OnStar telematics system.
Power sunroof
LS/LT w/OnStar, LT w/1SE
$800
$688
LS regular
$1,340
$1,152
LS EXT, LT
$975
$839
LS regular includes universal garage-door opener, automatic day/night rearview mirror, digital memo recorder. LS EXT, LT EXT require OnStar telematics system.
AM/FM/cassette/CD player
LS EXT, LS regular, LT EXT, LT regular
$150
$129
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer
LT
$395
$340
LT w/LT Pkg. 2 or North Face
$245
$211
Bose sound system
LT
$495
$426
Requires navigation system or optional radio.
Satellite radio
LS EXT, LS regular, LT EXT, LT regular
$325
$280
Requires monthly fee.
Rear defogger
LS
$200
$172
Rain-sensing wipers
LT
$70
$60
Requires Preferred Equipment Group 1SE.
8-way power driver seat
LS
$300
$258
Requires Preferred Equipment Group 1SB.
Power-adjustable pedals
LT
$150
$129
Third-row floormats
LS/LT EXT
$30
$26
Cargo-management system
LS/LT regular
$165
$142
Cargo cover
LS/LT regular
$70
$60
Cargo net
LT regular
$30
$26
Smoker's Pkg.
LS EXT, LS regular, LT EXT, LT regular
$30
$26
Ashtray, lighter.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Running boards
LS EXT, LS regular, LT EXT, LT regular
$375
$323
Roof rack
LS
$45
$39
Two-tone paint
LT
$150
$129
Requires LT Pkg. 2 or The North Face Edition Pkg.
Special paint
LS EXT, LS regular, LT EXT, LT regular
$165
$142
Engine-block heater
4WD
$35
$30
Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Skid plates
4WD
$130
$112
Front tow hooks
4WD LS
$40
$34
Trailer-wiring harness
LS
$10
$9
245/70R16 white-letter tires
LS/LT regular
$140
$120
245/65R17 on/off-road white-letter tires
LT
$140
$120
Bright alloy wheels
LT regular
$150
$129
2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
Specification Chevrolet TrailBlazer 4-door wagon Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT 4-door wagon
Wheelbase, in. 113.0 129.0
Overall Length, in. 191.8 207.8
Overall Width, in. 74.6 74.7
Overall Height, in. 74.5 77.1
Curb Weight, lbs. 4612 4954
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 80.1 107.0
Standard Payload, lbs. 1138 1446
Fuel Capacity, gals. 22.0 25.0
Seating Capacity 5 7
Front Head Room, in. 40.2 40.2
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 42.9 42.9
Rear Head Room, in. 39.6 39.6
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 37.0 37.0
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
  dohc I6 ohv V8
Size, liters/cu. in. 4.2 /256 5.3 /325
Horsepower @ rpm. 275 @ 6000 290 @ 5200
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. 275 @ 3600 325 @ 4000
Availability Standard Optional
EPA City / highway mpg
   
4-speed automatic 15/21 14/18
Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Safety Features
Antilock Brakes
Traction Control
Antiskid System
Front Side Airbags
Curtain Side Airbags
Rear Side Airbags
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Test Chevrolet TrailBlazer 4-door wagon Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT 4-door wagon
Front Impact, Driver 3 NA
Front Impact, Passenger 3 NA
Rollover Resistance 4 4
Side Impact, Driver 5 NA
Side Impact, Rear Passenger 5 NA
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Class Years/Miles Comments
Powertrain 5/60,000 Aveo only.
Bumper-to-bumper 3/36,000 --
Corrosion 6/100,000 --
Free roadside assistance 3/36,000 --
Free scheduled maintenance None/-- --
Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.
Built in: USA
Drivewheels: 4-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive
Car Buying Resources

Trade-In Calculator

Research how much your car is truly worth

Trade-In Calculator



Used Cars

Search online classifieds and find a local dealer
Search Local Listings

Vehicle History Report

Get a CARFAX Vehicle History... the first step to protecting yourself from costly hidden problems.



What's Under the Hood?

Learn about how cars work.

Learn things



Insurance

We're dedicated to making insurance easier.

Get Insurance



Sell Your Car

Reach over 8 million buyers
Sell Your Car



    Sell Your Car
Powered by: