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.


Blazing through the boondocks: 2017 Chevrolet Trailblazer 2.8 LTZ 4x4 a/t

Truly no contest

Posted: 20 November 2016

The numbers
Base price: R613 200
Engine: 2776 cc, DOHC 16-valve, four-cylinder diesel with VGT
Power: 144 kW at 3600 rpm
Torque: 500 Nm at 2000 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 10.4 seconds
Top speed (governed): 180 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 10.2 l/100 km
Tank: 76 litres
Luggage: 205 – 1229 -1830 litres
Ground clearance: 221 mm
Approach and departure angles: 29.1 and 25.5 degrees
Warranty: 5 years / 120 000 km with roadside assistance
Service plan: 5 years / 90 000 km at annual- or 15 000 km intervals

A recent survey found that just under 24-percent of South Africans choose Toyota, across all models and styles, while scarcely considering other makes. Such dogged brand loyalty is worth gold to the manufacturer concerned. But is it wise? Are we so afraid of change?

Chevrolet Trailblazer sells in the 30s and 40s each month in South Africa, while Brand T’s Fortuner moves into new homes at a rate of 1300 to 1400. In other words, there’s no contest.

Without trying to wean anybody off his or her favourite security blanket, let’s compare two closely priced rivals; the latest top-spec’ Trailblazer LTZ 2.8 diesel 4x4 with six-speed automatic and the new Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 4x4 a/t.

Today’s price difference is only R1600. Both have 2.8-litre turbodiesel engines, seat seven if needed and offer high levels of feel-good equipment. Consider seven airbags, automatic locking, one-touch operation for every window, cruise control, ISOFix anchors, child-proof locks, sophisticated suspension at both ends, disc brakes front and rear with ABS, BA, EBD, VSC, hill hold, traction control, trailer anti-sway and even downhill crawl for getting down and dirty.

Trailblazer offers more power and torque, 144 kW and 500 Nm, vs. 130 kW and 450 Nm. Both perform similarly through the zero to 100 km/h dash and are governed to 180 km/h. Overall fuel consumption is much the same. Both have selectable 4x4 with the usual 2h, 4h, 4l switch. Both default to rear-wheel drive in 2high. Fortuner has a locking rear differential as standard while the Chevrolet’s automatic limited slip aids handling and helps on slippery surfaces.

Fortuner offers off-road advantage by way of greater ground clearance - 279 mm vs. 221 - although both vehicles’ approach and departure angles are essentially the same. It also boasts marginally more towing capacity – 3000 kg vs. 2965. Trailblazer’s body and wheelbase are both about 100 mm longer but the Toyota boasts gear change paddles, keyless entry and push-button starting.

Trailblazer’s response to that last point is that the car can be started remotely; should you want to pre-chill the interior or defog the rear screen. Other bragging points include full, rather than partial, leather upholstery; a more sophisticated infotainment system with connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; electronic power steering with Active Pull (making it easier to stay on course) and Smooth Road Shake Compensation that alleviates vibration caused by out-of-balance wheels; built-in satnav; reversing camera and front parking assistance.

Bonus safety kit comprises panic braking assistance, hydraulic brake fade assist, lane keeping aid, forward collision- and blind spot alerts, rear cross traffic warning and tyre pressure monitoring.

Gradient braking is a neat feature of Trailblazer’s automatic ‘box - helping drivers maintain speed on difficult downhills – a useful safety benefit when towing. What happens is that, when running against compression and you need to slow down a bit, a dab on the brake pedal gears the ‘box down automatically to increase engine braking. Grandpa’s old rule of thumb still makes sense: “Go down the hill in the same gear you would use to go up.” Accelerating, when you reach flat land again, defaults the gears back upward.

It’s a comfortable and easy drive, if not lightning-quick, and the autobox works well; changing and kicking down easily. The engine is not particularly quiet but it doesn’t claim to be the last word in luxury. Range Rovers cost three times as much for a reason. Like any good solid 4x4, Trailblazer is calm, steady and competent. And that’s what it’s about.

Finally, and we didn’t want to rub it in, Trailblazer still has the nicer third row of seats. They don’t steal load space when packed away, are easier to use and look tidier. And that R1600 price difference we mentioned above? The prize goes to Trailblazer – again – so there’s truly no contest.

Test unit from GMSA press fleet

Our report on the 4x2 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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