2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer Pictures

2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer

The Good

Virtually unchanged, Chevrolet’s 2009 TrailBlazer still offers a comfortable ride and capable hauling capacity for the model’s last year.
The Bad

Cheap interior materials and a suspension that never quite got it right will never get a chance to be corrected, as 2009 will be the TrailBlazer’s last year.
The CarGurus View

Choosing the right TrailBlazer is not easy. The only way to get the SS suspension is to also go with the 6.0-liter engine, which is a tremendous powerplant and a lot of fun, but you’ll take a hit in fuel efficiency. Unless that’s the route you’re willing to take, perhaps it’s best to let this model die and wait until 2010.
At a Glance

The Chevrolet TrailBlazer, originally introduced as a top-tier trim for the Blazer, became its own model in 2002. In this, its final year of production, Chevy is sending it off with a bang by losing the option of the 5.3-liter V8 previously available, forcing consumers to choose between the 4.3-liter six cylinder and the 6.0-liter V8.

A traditional midsize SUV in that it still utilizes a full frame, the TrailBlazer seats five and comes in eight trims with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. LT1, 2, and 3 trims are all available with AWD that can be left engaged on dry pavement and have a low-range gear for off-road use, but the SS goes without. This is probably best, as the SS’s lowered clearance and larger wheels make for a poor “trailblazer,” as it were.
Drivetrain Details

Previous TrailBlazers had the option of either a V6 or, for those who wanted extra power, two V8s. Problem was, one of them offered only an extra 15 hp. This is no longer an issue, as the smaller V8 is no longer an option. Standard on LT trims is the same 285-hp, 4.2-liter inline six, but the old 5.3-liter V8 has been dropped, leaving the 6.0-liter, 390-hp monster of a V8 the only other option. That’s almost 100 hp more than the 5.3, and it means you can push your SUV from 0-60 in 5.7 seconds and haul up to 6,800 lbs. Both engines come mated to a four-speed HydraMatic transmission, although the SS receives a beefed-up version.

The 4.2 rarely lacks power, almost making the 6.0 unnecessary, but for serious towing, passing, or climbing, there’s no comparison. Some reviewers have had trouble coaxing the HydraMatic into a downshift, noting the need to lean heavily on the accelerator, but otherwise have been pleased with the transmission for both engines. The 4.2 can feel a little rough around the edges, especially when cold or strained, but the 6.0 is smooth throughout, with a pleasant idle note and an inspiring roar when the needle climbs. EPA estimates peg the engines at 14/20 mpg for the 4.2 and 12/16 for the 6.0, for which Chevrolet recommends premium fuel. You pay to play.

source:cargurus.com