Would you buy a Trailblazer Activ?

4280 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Canada03ZR2, Sep 27, 2021

blazin

Discussion Starter · Aug 1, 2019

If the Trailblazer Activ actually turns out being the off-road tuned model all the publications are saying it will be, would you buy it? I'm a big fan of the Colorado ZR2. So are most people, even those that were never interested in the Colorado prior to a ZR2 being offered. Instead a Tacoma. Now it seems Chevrolet wants to expand its off-road offerings to a more mainstream model.

Personally I know I would. Price it just under $30k, upfitted correctly, maybe not as wild as the ZR2 (being realistic here) and I'll buy one.

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blazin

Discussion Starter · #2 · Aug 26, 2019

For comparison, this is what it will be up against, the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk

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brownactive

· #3 · Jul 30, 2020

The TB in the ACTIVE dress up is not going to cut it if you are wanting to do some REAL off roading. This is basically for snow, dirt roads and VERY mild type of off road things. I mean, look, it has a 3 popper motor. This is a nice looking car that is meant for minimal off road work. IMO

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Quaid

· #4 · Jul 30, 2020

The comparison to the Renegade Trailhawk is no-contest for true off roading, towing, & power. The Activ is more of a facade of off roading, and doesn't really have much more off roading credentials than the other trims.

On a test drive we found that the Renegade felt cramped. The design is covered in little easter eggs, which are fun when you first find them...but they seemed like cheap thrills that would quickly become tiresome/annoying. In Canada, neither Jeep or Chevrolet offer in-house financing, but Chevrolet had better financing through banks than Jeep had. (We got 0.99% on TB, versus 2.99% at Jeep). That drove the purchase decision to the TB, but I did like the Jeep. It felt solid.

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brownactive

· #5 · Jul 30, 2020

My wife REALLY liked the Renegade or whatever that new jeep "with a truck bed" is. We both really liked it. She test drove it before she even knew about the TB. She did not like it surprisingly. She went to the Chevy lot and saw the TB and fell in love with the look. Drove one and then called me, I drove it and thought this is pretty nice and it is cool looking.

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Quaid

· #6 · Jul 30, 2020

brownactive said:
My wife REALLY liked the Renegade or whatever that new jeep "with a truck bed" is.

I believe you're thinking of the Jeep Gladiator.

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brownactive

· #7 · Jul 30, 2020

Correct.

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Ebiker

· #8 · Sep 24, 2021

I like the Activ just for the looks

Its got the bigger engine, higher clearance, and some supension dampening.

Definitely not a rock crawler, but just fine for dirt, gravel roads, probably okay in the snow with some snow tires.

Here's a good review about the Activ on Jalopnik

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer: The Jalopnik Review

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ZR2LIFE

· #9 · Sep 24, 2021

Ebiker said:
I like the Activ just for the looks Its got the bigger engine, higher clearance, and some supension dampening.

Definitely not a rock crawler, but just fine for dirt, gravel roads, probably okay in the snow with some snow tires.

Here's a good review about the Activ on Jalopnik

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer: The Jalopnik Review

Do you already have an Activ? Some of the reviews out there are misleading. For example an AWD Activ does not have more ground clearance than an AWD RS, both have 8" of ground clearance. The 1.3 engine in the Activ is actually the same 1.3 engine found in all trim levels.

The Activ does have different struts and shocks which have better dampening for rough roads. It also has better approach and departure angles due to the higher bumpers and a steel skid plate vs plastic on the other models.

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Ebiker

· #10 · Sep 24, 2021

ZR2LIFE said:
Do you already have an Activ? Some of the reviews out there are misleading. For example an AWD Activ does not have more ground clearance than an AWD RS, both have 8" of ground clearance. The 1.3 engine in the Activ is actually the same 1.3 engine found in all trim levels.

The Activ does have different struts and shocks which have better dampening for rough roads. It also has better approach and departure angles due to the higher bumpers and a steel skid plate vs plastic on the other models.

Relax, I believe this thread is about the Activ. By biggger engine I mean the 1.3 vs the 1.2. I am pretty sure I read that AWD models have higher ground clearances than FWD.

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SawJi

· #11 · Sep 25, 2021

blazin said:
If the Trailblazer Activ actually turns out being the off-road tuned model all the publications are saying it will be, would you buy it?

Are you asking about the currently available Activ trim or a hypothetical future trim with genuine off-road capabilities? As of right now, it is essentially an appearance package as others have already noted-- we don't have to wait to see how it "turns out," there are Activ owners on the forum that can weigh in. So, if you prefer the looks of the Activ to the other trims, I'd say it makes sense. If you're serious about off-roading and need a purpose built vehicle to do so, the Activ is not going to cut it.

As to a hypothetical future Activ (or whatever they choose to call it) that really offers some off-road capabilities? I think that would be pretty cool and would love to see what some off-road enthusiasts could do with one.

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Ebiker

· #12 · Sep 25, 2021

SawJi said:
Are you asking about the currently available Activ trim or a hypothetical future trim with genuine off-road capabilities? As of right now, it is essentially an appearance package as others have already noted-- we don't have to wait to see how it "turns out," there are Activ owners on the forum that can weigh in. So, if you prefer the looks of the Activ to the other trims, I'd say it makes sense. If you're serious about off-roading and need a purpose built vehicle to do so, the Activ is not going to cut it.

As to a hypothetical future Activ (or whatever they choose to call it) that really offers some off-road capabilities? I think that would be pretty cool and would love to see what some off-road enthusiasts could do with one.

I read the jalopnik review that I linked above. I know the Activ is not a serious offroader. I don't know what you mean by the "turns out" comment, I never said anything like that.

Anyway, I am now leaning towards getting a 2021 Mazda CX 5 Carbon Turbo AWD, which has a 250 HP engine and also a larger towing maximum than the Trailblazer. Love the looks of the Trailblazer but for $4000 more I can get the power and towing capacity I need.

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Canada03ZR2

· #13 · Sep 27, 2021

SawJi said:
Are you asking about the currently available Activ trim or a hypothetical future trim with genuine off-road capabilities? As of right now, it is essentially an appearance package as others have already noted-- we don't have to wait to see how it "turns out," there are Activ owners on the forum that can weigh in. So, if you prefer the looks of the Activ to the other trims, I'd say it makes sense. If you're serious about off-roading and need a purpose built vehicle to do so, the Activ is not going to cut it.

As to a hypothetical future Activ (or whatever they choose to call it) that really offers some off-road capabilities? I think that would be pretty cool and would love to see what some off-road enthusiasts could do with one.

You're replying to a 2019 post speculating about the Trailblazer that hadn't had info about it dropped yet.

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