2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer

Automotive Industries,  Feb, 2001  by Don Sherman

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Brimming with confidence, General Motors Corp. chose Baja, Mexico, as the venue for introductory test drives of its reconstituted line of mid-size SUVs (code named GMT360s, marketed as the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and Oldsmobile Bravada). It was a bold move because civilization is veneer-thin in Baja. Visible road hazards include gaping potholes and ragged shoulders. Add to that pavement that appears smooth but is in fact course-textured and/or rippled If there's an evil bone in a vehicle's soul, Baja will find it.

To GM'S credit, the new 860s sailed through the south-of-the border launch unruffled. Stiffer frames and more sophisticated suspension systems took the hard knocks out of the bad roads. Bumps serious enough to use up the ample wheel travel were absorbed by the Bilstein gas-pressure dampers and well-tuned urethane jounce bumpers. Rear air springs -- standard in the Bravada, optional in the Envoy -- were noticeably effective at diminishing back seat din. The one chassis shortcoming is a lack of steering feel.

The new 4.2L dohc 6-cylinder powerplant, engineered specifically for this application, is smooth and practically silent, but two factors undermine its performance: wide ratios and occasionally rough shifts provided by the 4L60-E automatic transmission and a curb weight pushing 5,000 pounds. It will be interesting to see if this engine's 270 peak-hp keeps up with the new Ford Explorer, which is lighter by nearly 200 pounds and available with a 240 hp V-8.

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