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2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer Quality Review

July 14, 2008

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

seats are somewhat firm
Cars.com

offers a good amount of space
Car and Driver

Good headroom and legroom, even for taller folks
ConsumerGuide

quality of the materials and construction has always been suspect
Edmunds

The 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer has plentiful interior room, but the dismal look of some interior plastics causes reviewers to take strong notice.

Oddly, this 2008 Chevrolet offers limited seating for its size; Edmunds notices that "there's no way to get a third-row seat, and maximum passenger capacity is down to five." Cars.com reports that "two-row seating is standard...the seats are somewhat firm." The seating arrangement offers "good headroom and legroom, even for taller folks," according to ConsumerGuide, which nonetheless points out that "the seats are too soft for best support, but not uncomfortable...the [second row] split bench seat is comfortable, fairly supportive, and wide enough for three adults with a little squeezing."

TheCarConnection.com notes little to complain about cargo space in the 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer. Cars.com reports that "interior space is ample...the backseat folds for additional storage. With the rear seat down, maximum cargo volume measures 80 cubic feet." ConsumerGuide describes the interior as "generous," noting that the "60/40 split 2nd-row seat converts easily, helped by automatic-folding headrests," and "cabin has a good array of pockets and compartments for small items." However, "the tailgate's opening glass sits too high up for easy routine loading/unloading" in the 2008 Chevrolet.

This Chevrolet 2008 model's interior materials leave something to be desired, according to Cars.com, which says that "cabin lacks a quality feel...the interior...place(s) it at the bottom of its class." Edmunds adds that the "quality of the materials and construction has always been suspect." Car and Driver says it has “one of the cheapest-looking interiors in the automotive world.”

Noise levels aboard the Chevrolet 2008 TrailBlazer are acceptable; "engine sound [is] barely discernible (except when pushed really hard), but road noise is also virtually absent," according to Cars.com. ConsumerGuide notes that "tire noise is pleasingly low, but wind rush rises sharply at highway speeds."

Conclusion

The 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer is above average in terms of comfort, but the quality feel found in competitors isn’t here.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:seats are somewhat firmCars.comoffers a good amount of spaceCar and DriverGood headroom and legroom, even for taller folksConsumerGuidequality of the materials and construction has always been suspectEdmunds The 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer has plentiful interior room, but the dismal look of some interior plastics causes reviewers to take strong notice. Oddly, this 2008 Chevrolet offers limited seating for its size; Edmunds notices that "there's no way to get a third-row seat, and maximum passenger capacity is down to five." Cars.com reports that "two-row seating is standard...the seats are somewhat firm." The seating arrangement offers "good headroom and legroom, even for taller folks," according to ConsumerGuide, which nonetheless points out that "the seats are too soft for best support, but not uncomfortable...the [second row] split bench seat is comfortable, fairly supportive, and wide enough for three adults with a little squeezing." TheCarConnection.com notes little to complain about cargo space in the 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer. Cars.com reports that "interior space is ample...the backseat folds for additional storage. With the rear seat down, maximum cargo volume measures 80 cubic feet." ConsumerGuide describes the interior as "generous," noting that the "60/40 split 2nd-row seat converts easily, helped by automatic-folding headrests," and "cabin has a good array of pockets and compartments for small items." However, "the tailgate's opening glass sits too high up for easy routine loading/unloading" in the 2008 Chevrolet. This Chevrolet 2008 model's interior materials leave something to be desired, according to Cars.com, which says that "cabin lacks a quality feel...the interior...place(s) it at the bottom of its class." Edmunds adds that the "quality of the materials and construction has always been suspect." Car and Driver says it has “one of the cheapest-looking interiors in the automotive world.” Noise levels aboard the Chevrolet 2008 TrailBlazer are acceptable; "engine sound [is] barely discernible (except when pushed really hard), but road noise is also virtually absent," according to Cars.com. ConsumerGuide notes that "tire noise is pleasingly low, but wind rush rises sharply at highway speeds." ConclusionThe 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer is above average in terms of comfort, but the quality feel found in competitors isn’t here. 2008 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER STYLING | [6 out of 10] Cars.com: "similarities with Chevrolet's larger Tahoe and Suburban" Car and Driver: "one of the cheapest-looking interiors in the automotive world" ConsumerGuide: "generic fabrics and unappealing hard, molded plastics" Edmunds: "Aging ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer is mechanically similar and nearly identical to the GMC Envoy, which sells at a similar price. Otherwise, the TrailBlazer is part of what once was the heart of the SUV market, but these best sellers are gradually being replaced by carlike crossovers. The TrailBlazer is one of the worst-handling and most trucklike of the lot. Only the Durango feels as cumbersome and uncomfortable, but it's a bit more of a workhorse. The Liberty, Pathfinder, and 4Runner all have better off-road ability--or off-road-worthy models--with which to redeem themselves. The Liberty is smaller and more maneuverable, and the Pathfinder especially stands out for having a good ride and more luxurious interior. Then there's the formerly best-selling Ford Explorer, which is still perhaps the most direct competitor to the TrailBlazer. Ford has done a much better job keeping the Explorer updated in recent years, and though it also has trucklike underpinnings, the Explorer rides and handles far better than the TrailBlazer.

Next Steps:

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See the Chevrolet TrailBlazer in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002

Comments (1 total)

  1. By john #1, Posted: 8/3/2009

    Drives great, gets the job done. We test drove all brands before we settled on the Trailblazer. This is my wife's, she chose it for ride and room. This replaced a vw golf, we needed something bigger for kids and road trips. 285 hp, more power than needed, drives like a car, not like a truck, I drive a truck. We saved about $10k compared to like models of foreign brands.

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