SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Most, but not all, the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

My most recent drive is on the home page. Archived reviews and opinion pieces are in the active menu down the left side. Hover your cursor over a heading or manufacturer's name and follow the drop-down.


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Big family bus: 2017 Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.8 LTZ 4x2

Smoother, quieter, safer

Posted: 27 November 2016

The numbers
Base price: R552 800
Engine: 2776 cc, DOHC 16-valve, four-cylinder turbodiesel
Power: 144 kW at 3600 rpm
Torque: 500 Nm 2000 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 10.4 seconds
Maximum speed: 180 km/h (governed)
Real life fuel consumption: About 10.1 l/100 km
Tank: 76 litres
Luggage: 205 – 1229 – 1830 litres
Maximum towing capacity (braked): 2965 kg
Warranty and roadside assistance: 5 years / 120 000 km
Service plan: 5 years / 90 000 km at annual or 15 000 km intervals

Where it fits: There are five models in the local lineup, or four if you choose to be pernickety. First up is a pair of 2.5-litre diesels with 4x2 drive and LT trim; one manual and one automatic. The manual version uses a fixed geometry turbo and develops 120 kW with 380 Nm while the automatic is given a variable geometry turbocharger that boosts outputs to 132 kW and 440 Nm.

The other two (or three) variants have 2.8-litre turbodiesels with VGT, giving 144 kilowatts and 500 Newton-metres. They are fitted with six-speed automatics, come in LTZ trim and the only real choice is whether you want 4x2 or 4x4.

The flagship is called Z71 in deference to GM’s performance cars but is really just an LTZ 4x4 with makeup: decals; black-painted door handles, exterior mirrors, wheels and B pillars, and black body mouldings on the sides. Importantly, it looks tough and the R10 000 price premium is possibly worth it.

Our test unit was the middle-priced LTZ with 4x2.

What we haven’t mentioned before: Since the previous upgrade in 2014, the 2.8 engine gained some new parts. These consist of the water-cooled variable-geometry turbocharger mentioned earlier, a new high-pressure common-rail fuel delivery system, new exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, new intake manifold, new cylinder head and block, new balance shaft unit and a new engine control module (ECM).

What else is new:
•    Gradient braking helps you maintain safe speeds downhill by changing to a lower gear as needed, so you don’t have to ride the brakes. It’s useful when towing.
•    Upgraded MyLink 2.0 media interface; now with Apple Carplay and Android Auto capability.
•    Ambient noise reduced by more than half (four dB).
•    Lane departure warning, forward collision alert, rear cross traffic warning, tyre pressure monitoring and blind spot alert.
•    LED daytime running lights.
•    Reshaped nose, bonnet, headlamps and lower valance.
•    New electric power steering with Active Pull and Smooth Road Shake Compensation. The first detects when you might be working hard to keep the car tracking straight and adds power to the steering on the affected side. The second reduces any steering wheel vibration that might be caused by poorly balanced wheels.
•    Remote Vehicle Start lets you turn the engine on in order to either pre-warm, or pre-cool the car. The car has to be locked at the time and you won’t be able to engage gears to pull away until the key is back in its slot. That means there’s no need to be afraid of thieves or little kids going for joyrides.
•    Stabilititrak stability and traction control detects when your lack of cornering talent is trying to overcome the laws of physics. It applies braking force, or withholds power, to individual wheels until you’re back in control again. It works in conjunction with Trailer Sway Control, when needed, in a similar fashion.
•    Rearview camera and parking sensors.
•    Touch screen interface, automatic headlamps and rain-sensitive wipers.

What’s old: Seven airbags, ABS with EBD, EBA, panic braking assistance and fade assist, ISOFix anchors, hill start assist, downhill crawl and a limited-slip differential for extra grip on slippery surfaces.

What it’s like: Its closest competitor is the Fortuner from Japanese Brand T, with many managing to confuse the two at first glance. Construction and purpose are the same although Fortuner offers more model variants and two petrol engines in addition to a rather similar pair of diesels.

Trailblazer is slightly bigger with more luggage space and its third-row seats are more conventional. They fold away into the floor and, when in use, can comfortably be used by passengers up to about 1.75 metres tall. That’s provided they’re young and fit because getting in and out can be awkward. The second row is more luxurious with plenty of head, leg and foot room for taller people. Auxiliary roof vents with a fan speed controller direct air to the back rows.

Ride quality is pleasant with both big-and-slow, and short-and-sharp, irregularities handled comfortably. Being rather large (4882 mm long, 1902 wide and 1844 mm high), you are always aware that this SUV is no kiddies’ toy and its turning circle of 11.8 metres reminds you of that. The view outward is generally quite good although the rather narrow rear glass lets you know how long the car is. But there’s little choice if you need to carry five- to seven grownups, and luggage, safely and comfortably.

Performance is pragmatic rather than electrifying but that’s what buyers in this segment usually prefer. This new Trailblazer is much the same as the old one, just newer and nicer. It’s also rather like that other offering, but provides more safety kit and nice-to-haves; for less money. It should be a no-brainer.

Test unit from GMSA press fleet


Our report on the 4x4 version is here

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What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material. If I ever place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with that vehicle at least once already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. As quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

Comments?
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