2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer vs 2008 Ford Explorer

2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer

2008 Ford Explorer

Select style

2WD 4-Door LT w/1LT

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
TrailBlazer 2WD 4-Door LT w/1LT	14	20	$27,259	$29,155
TrailBlazer 2WD 4-Door LT w/2LT	14	20	$29,242	$31,275
TrailBlazer 2WD 4-Door LT w/3LT	14	20	$31,411	$33,595
TrailBlazer 2WD 4-Door SS	12	16	$34,777	$37,195
TrailBlazer 4WD 4-Door LT w/1LT	14	20	$29,293	$31,330
TrailBlazer 4WD 4-Door LT w/2LT	14	20	$31,271	$33,445
TrailBlazer 4WD 4-Door LT w/3LT	14	20	$33,444	$35,770
TrailBlazer 4WD 4-Door SS	12	16	$36,773	$39,330

Select style

4WD 4-Door V6 Eddie Bauer

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
Explorer 4WD 4-Door V6 Eddie Bauer	13	19	$29,384	$31,565
Explorer 4WD 4-Door V6 Limited	13	19	$32,851	$35,375
Explorer 4WD 4-Door V6 XLT	13	19	$26,881	$28,815
Explorer 4WD 4-Door V8 Eddie Bauer	13	19	$30,576	$32,875
Explorer 4WD 4-Door V8 Limited	13	19	$34,048	$36,690
Explorer 4WD 4-Door V8 XLT	13	19	$28,074	$30,125
Explorer AWD 4-Door V6 Eddie Bauer	13	19	$29,384	$31,565
Explorer AWD 4-Door V6 Limited	13	19	$32,851	$35,375
Explorer AWD 4-Door V8 Eddie Bauer	13	19	$30,576	$32,875
Explorer AWD 4-Door V8 Limited	13	19	$34,048	$36,690
Explorer RWD 4-Door V6 Eddie Bauer	14	20	$27,273	$29,245
Explorer RWD 4-Door V6 Limited	14	20	$30,740	$33,055
Explorer RWD 4-Door V6 XLT	14	20	$24,771	$26,495
Explorer RWD 4-Door V8 Eddie Bauer	13	20	$28,465	$30,555
Explorer RWD 4-Door V8 Limited	13	20	$31,932	$34,365
Explorer RWD 4-Door V8 XLT	13	20	$25,958	$27,800
Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 4-Door V6 Limited	13	19	$27,903	$30,015
Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 4-Door V6 XLT	13	19	$26,002	$27,925
Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 4-Door V8 Limited	13	19	$29,092	$31,320
Explorer Sport Trac 4WD 4-Door V8 XLT	13	19	$27,194	$29,235
Explorer Sport Trac AWD 4-Door V6 Adrenaline	13	19	$27,903	$30,015
Explorer Sport Trac AWD 4-Door V8 Adrenaline	13	19	$29,092	$31,320
Explorer Sport Trac RWD 4-Door V6 Limited	14	20	$25,606	$27,490
Explorer Sport Trac RWD 4-Door V6 XLT	14	20	$23,704	$25,400
Explorer Sport Trac RWD 4-Door V8 Limited	13	20	$26,798	$28,800
Explorer Sport Trac RWD 4-Door V8 XLT	13	20	$24,896	$26,710

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$27,259

$29,384

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$29,155

$31,565

Monthly Payment Estimate

$486 / month

$526 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

6.6

Read Our Full Review

8.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

Families can do much better with any of the more modern crossover SUV designs—including Chevy’s own Traverse—but the 2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer is still a good vehicle for towing purposes.

As the perennial best-selling truck-based SUV, the Ford Explorer is still the one to beat.

TCC Likes

Comfortable ride
Easier entry/exit compared to big SUVs

Independent rear suspension
Interior styling
Stable handling

TCC Dislikes

Out-of-date design
Behind the curve in safety
Noisy interior

Ride isn't as smooth as car-based crossovers
V-6 engine noise

Fuel Economy

City

14 mpg

13 mpg

Highway

20 mpg

19 mpg

Vehicle

Rear Door Type

Liftgate

Interior Dimensions

Second Head Room (in)

39.6

38.7

Second Shoulder Room (in)

58.5

58.9

Front Leg Room (in)

46.9

42.4

Front Hip Room (in)

56.0

55.4

Passenger Capacity

Second Leg Room (in)

37.0

36.9

Front Head Room (in)

40.2

39.8

Second Hip Room (in)

58.2

55.5

Front Shoulder Room (in)

58.5

59.0

Third Hip Room (in)

Third Head Room (in)

Third Shoulder Room (in)

Third Leg Room (in)

Exterior Dimensions

Ground to Top of Load Floor (in)

32.1

31.4

Length, Overall w/rear bumper (in)

191.8

193.4

Side Door Opening Height (in)

Ground Clearance, Rear (in)

7.8

8.3

Height, Overall (in)

72.5

72.8

Step Up Height - Front (in)

- TBD -

Rear Door Opening Height (in)

33.7

Overhang, Rear w/bumper (in)

43.8

44.3

Wheelbase (in)

113.0

113.7

Ground Clearance, Front (in)

7.8

8.3

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

74.7

73.7

Side Door Opening Width (in)

Overhang, Front (in)

35.0

35.4

Step Up Height - Side (in)

- TBD -

Rear Door Opening Width (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Dimensions

Cargo Volume to Seat 4 (ft³)

Cargo Box Width @ Wheelhousings (in)

- TBD -

44.9

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 1 (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 1 (ft³)

80.1

85.8

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 3 (in)

Cargo Volume to Seat 3 (ft³)

Cargo Area Width @ Beltline (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Console (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Box (Area) Height (in)

39.6

- TBD -

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 2 (in)

- TBD -

Cargo Volume to Seat 2 (ft³)

41.0

45.1

Cargo Area Length @ Floor to Seat 4 (in)

Brakes

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System (Second Line)

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.8 x 0.78

11.85 x 0.39

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.0 x 1.1

12.01 x 0.43

Brake Type

Power

Pwr

Fuel Tank

Aux Fuel Tank Location

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

22.0

22.5

Fuel Tank Location

- TBD -

Midship

Aux Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

Steering

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Power Rack & Pinion

Steering Ratio (:1), At Lock

20.4

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

38.4

Steering Ratio (:1), On Center

20.4

18.9

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

36.4

36.8

Tires

Spare Tire Capacity (lbs)

- TBD -

1700

Front Tire Size

P245/65R17

Revolutions/Mile @ 45 mph - Rear

- TBD -

709

Spare Tire Size

P235/75R16

P245/65R17

Front Tire Order Code

QTM

TC2

Rear Tire Capacity (lbs)

1793

1700

Spare Tire Order Code

ZNF

TC2

Revolutions/Mile @ 45 mph - Front

- TBD -

709

Rear Tire Size

P245/65R17

Revolutions/Mile @ 45 mph - Spare

- TBD -

709

Front Tire Capacity (lbs)

1793

1700

Rear Tire Order Code

QTM

TC2

Trailering

Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

5000

3500

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

5400

3500

Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

500

350

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

810

350

Weight Information

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Cap (lbs)

5550

6180

Gross Axle Wt Rating - Front (lbs)

2950

2960

Curb Weight - Front (lbs)

2307

2466

Gross Combined Wt Rating (lbs)

10000

8500

Gross Axle Wt Rating - Rear (lbs)

3200

3400

Curb Weight - Rear (lbs)

2024

2140

Wheels

Rear Wheel Size (in)

17 x 7

17 x 7.5

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

Front Wheel Size (in)

17 x 7

17 x 7.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

16 x - TBD -

17 x 7.5

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

13.8

7.8

Electrical

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

150

130

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (2nd)

Maximum Alternator Watts

1950

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

650

Engine

Engine Type

Gas I6

Gas V6

Fuel System

SFI

SMPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

276 @ 4600

254 @ 3700

Engine Order Code

LL8

- TBD -

Displacement

4.2L/254

4.0L/245

Engine Oil Cooler

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

285 @ 6000

210 @ 5100

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High

1.00

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.29

3.07

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

1.63

2.29

Trans Order Code

M30

- TBD -

Transfer Case Power Take Off

Trans Power Take Off

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.70

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Transfer Case Model

BW-4411

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.06

3.22

Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low

2.48

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

1.54

Trans Type

Trans PTO Access

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

4-Wheel Drive

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.71

Trans Description Cont. Again

Summary

Vehicle Name

Chevrolet TrailBlazer

Ford Explorer

Body Code

Body Style

4 Door

Suspension

Suspension Type - Front

Independent

Independent SLA

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

1.33

1.34

Axle Capacity - Rear (lbs)

3200

3600

Spring Capacity - Front (lbs)

3100

2470

Axle Ratio (:1) - Rear

3.42

3.55

Axle Type - Front

Independent

Ford SLA

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

32.0

Axle Capacity - Front (lbs)

2950

3240

Suspension Type - Rear

Coil

Independent SLA

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

0.82

0.77

Axle Ratio (:1) - Front

3.55

Spring Capacity - Rear (lbs)

3200

2200

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

32.0

Axle Type - Rear

Semi-Floating

Ford SLA

Frame

Frame Type

- TBD -

Ladder

Doors

Side Door Type

Swing-out

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

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