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Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Review

by Mark | May 26, 2022 | 0 comments

The Corvette Stingray is a track weapon, a daily driver, and a grand tourer

A horizontal view of the Corvette Stingray at the harbor

The 2022 Corvette Stingray is sold in three trim levels with starting prices of $62,295 to $74,245. (Photography by Mark Maynard or as credited)

Now in its eighth generation, the Corvette Stingray is a complete re-engineering that swapped the traditional front-engine format for a midengine layout. The Stingray continues as rear-wheel drive, but Chevrolet just announced plans for electrified and electric versions. And more on that below, too.

“In terms of comfort and fun, it still looks and feels like a Corvette, but it drives better than any in Corvette history,” General Motors President Mark Reuss said in a statement.

Compared to the Gen-7 Corvette, the new Stingray is 2.5 inches longer on a half-inch longer wheelbase (107.2 inches). It is 2.2 inches wider (76.1 inches) with a roofline lowered by 0.2 inch. The turning circle grew slightly to 38 feet, but the FE4 option for Magnetic Ride Control will trim the arc to 36.4 feet. (And you will want the MR control, $1,895.)

Headroom of 37.9 inches will accommodate 6-feet-plus drivers.

2022 Corvette Stingray Pricing

The 2022 Corvette Stingray is sold in trim levels of LT1, LT2, and LT3.

The LT1 is the garden-variety Corvette Stingray. It has the genuine powertrain but with fewer convenience features and access to options. Stingray LT1 pricing starts at $62,295, including the $1,395 freight charge from Bowling Green, Ky.

LT2 is the sweet spot for standard features and access to desirable extras. Pricing starts at $69,595.

LT3 is the loaded choice, starting at $74,245.

Today’s LT2 tester was $78,425 with options that most’ Vette enthusiasts would want. (Standard and optional features for the test car are in the specs box at the end of the story.)

The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with 8-inch HD color touch screen

The Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system has an 8-inch HD color touch screen for navigation and a rearview camera with a front curb view.

5 Cool Things About Stingray

Hydraulic lift system. This system allows the driver to raise the chin by 2 inches for driveway and speed-bump transitions. The system is GPS-enabled and can remember 1,000 locations to raise automatically. It lifts almost as quickly as the Stingray can launch to 60 mph, in 2.8 seconds.

Two trunks. The 12.6-cubic-foot rear trunk has space for two medium-size golf bags or an airline-spec carry-on and a laptop bag. A “frunk,” front trunk, adds a couple of cubic feet.

Carbon fiber rear bumper beam. An industry first in a production car to save weight, Chevrolet says. The Stingray has a curb weight of 3,535 to 3,637 pounds, depending on trim level.

2 HD front cameras as parking aids to avoid curb rash.

A lightweight glass panel on the rear hatch shows off the 6.2-liter V-8.

A lightweight glass panel on the rear hatch shows off the LT2. An open slot at the base of the glass and side vents evacuates heat.

Stingray Powertrain

The re-engineered and naturally aspirated V-8, known as the LT2, has 490 horsepower and 465 foot-pounds of torque at 5,150 rpm. Opt for the performance exhaust ($1,195) and get 495 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque—a well-spent $1,195.

Every part under the hood, including the exhaust system’s wires, tubes, routing fasteners, coolant hoses, exhaust manifold, and even the bolts and fasteners, was built with appearance in mind, said Corvette Executive Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter in a statement. Even the heat shields are textured. And the lightweight glass panel on the rear hatch allows owners to show off the engine.

The LT2 V-8 has two overhead valves per cylinder and direct injection. Active Fuel Management shuts off a bank of cylinders when the engine is not under acceleration, such as when cruising on the highway.

Fuel economy ratings on the recommended 87 octane are 16 mpg city, 24 highway, and 19 mpg combined. However, it is not uncommon to see 24 to 28 mpg on the highway or 9 to 12 mpg around town.

The 495-hp ‘redhead,’ with the carbon trim package.

DCT Transmission

There is no choice for a manual transmission. And for the first time, there is an eight-speed dual-clutch (automated manual) automatic with six drive modes. A button on the shift console allows manual shifting.

The six drive modes are Weather, Tour, Sport, Track, MyMode (configurable to the driver), and Z mode. The “Z” is for Zora Arkus-Duntov, the father of Corvette, and also the Z06, ZR1, and Z51 Corvette performance packages.

Z mode is activated by a metallic “Z” button on the steering wheel. This mode builds on the MyMode configurations and includes a powertrain setting that controls the gas pedal, transmission, and engine response.

Engineers calibrated the DCT with a low first gear to quickly get the car off the line. The close-ratio, two-through-six gears keep the engine near the power peak on track, Juechter said. Tall seventh and eighth gears make for fuel-efficient long-distance cruising with low mechanical stress.

“The performance shift algorithms are so driver-focused, they can sense when you’re doing spirited driving — regardless of driving mode — and will hold lower gears longer for more throttle response,” Juechter said.

The midengine layout allows the car to “rotate around you in a turn,” he said. “The very short, straight (electric) steering system gives an instant response.”

And the Stingray has better weight distribution.

“The driving dynamics are better than we thought they’d be,” Juechter said.

He calls the new Corvette a track weapon, a daily driver, and a grand tourer.

The flat top and bottom steering wheel helps visibility and thigh room.

Stingray Ride and Handling

Once the driver is belted into position, the Corvette Stingray experience is supercar sublime. It’s the crackle and hack of the 495-hp V-8 as it clears its throat on start-up. And then the siren song of the pipes blaring at 3,000 rpm in third gear.

The optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control ($1,895) is the secret sauce to the suspension. It has a remarkable range to be so effective, from touring to track modes. Ride comfort in Touring mode soaks up more road harshness than a typical family car. Track mode is hard but not hostile.

Suspension engineering, braking, and wide rubber form a united front of car control.

The Stingray’s tires are staggered from front to rear: 245/35ZR 19 inches front and 305/30ZR 20 inches rear. Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 performance run-flat tires provide a supple grip when pushed to the edge without the hardness of some zero-pressure tires.

Front and rear Brembo disc brakes have four-piston two-piece front calipers and four-piston monobloc rear calipers — 12.6 inches front and 13.3 inches rear.

And oh, how fine it feels when downshifting and tucking into a corner — it’s the promise of a good time. The sensation recalls how much fun driving once was.

Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 performance run-flat tires and optional Trident wheels, $1,495.

Interior Function

The supercar cabin is as functional as it can be. There is wide hip and shoulder room of 52/54.4 inches, but the side bucket-seat bolsters might feel narrow for some.

The cockpit interior is a driver-focused command center. A ridge of cabin controls sweeps downward from the instrument panel to the armrest console. The design looks cool (if a little gimmicky) to select temperature controls, fan, and the heated and ventilated seats. But the design also creates a mono-posto effect that isolates the passenger from the experience, with not much of an “oh-shit” grab bar for support.

A low open-door view of the Stingray cockpit

GT1 bucket seats in the Adrenaline Red and Mulan leather.

Electrified Corvettes

General Motors President Mark Reuss announced via LinkedIn.com that there would be news of electrified Corvettes soon.

“Yes, in addition to the amazing new Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and other gas-powered variants coming, we will offer an electrified and a fully electric, Ultium-based Corvette in the future. In fact, we will offer an electrified Corvette as early as next year. Details and names to come at a later date.”

70th Anniversary Edition Corvette

Next year marks the 70th anniversary of Corvette. In tribute, there will be special 70th Anniversary Edition packages for the 2023 model year Corvette Stingray and Corvette Z06.

70th Anniversary Edition Corvettes will be built in one of two exterior colors unique to this package: White Pearl Metallic Tri-coat or Carbon Flash Metallic. Stripes will be available in colors of Satin Gray with the White Pearl Metallic Tri-coat and Satin Black with the Carbon Flash Metallic.

70th Anniversary Corvette crossflags.

Special 70th Anniversary Edition features include distinct wheels with commemorative wheel center caps. While Stingray and Z06 have different wheel designs, the wheels share a similar dark finish and Edge Red stripe.

Inside the cockpit are Ceramic leather GT2 or Competition Sport seats, red stitching throughout, red seatbelts, and suede-like microfiber seat inserts and steering wheel.

Additional 70th Anniversary Edition content includes:

Exterior badging, including special Corvette crossflags;
Edge Red brake calipers;
Logo on seats, steering wheel, and sill plates;
Rear bumper protector and trunk cover;
Custom luggage set with red stitching and 70th Anniversary Edition logo;
Edge Red engine cover for the coupes.

The 70th Anniversary Edition package will be available when production starts later this year on 2023 Corvette Stingray 3LT and Z06 3LZ coupe and convertible models. Pricing had not been announced at the time of posting this story. Car and Driver speculates the 2023 Z06 will start at around $90,000.

The 2023 Corvette Z06 visualizer on Chevrolet.com provides details, including the 70th Anniversary Edition package.

And here is the link to my first look at the 2023 Corvette Z06.

2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 70th Anniversary Edition in White Pearl Metallic Tri-coat.

The 2023 Corvette Z06 70th Anniversary Edition in White Pearl Metallic. (Chevrolet)

Also New for the 2023 Corvette

All 2023 Corvettes, including those not equipped with the 70th Anniversary Edition package, will feature a commemorative 70th-anniversary interior plaque on the center speaker grille and a graphic imprinted on the lower rear window.

And there are two new paint colors, raising the choices to 14, with eight interior colors.

Why Buy the Corvette Stingray?

The Stingray LT2 is the sweet spot of the Corvette trim levels. The LT1 has limitations for personalization; the LT3 can be too intense for the enthusiastic fan flirting with Corvette ownership. And the LT2 has supercar potential with open arms for any level of driver.

The tester in Hypersonic Gray Metallic paint and the Trident silver-painted aluminum wheels gave the Stingray a sophisticated presence. Not all Corvettes have to be red.

If you knew the previous Corvette, elements of the new Stingray would be familiar:

The distinct interior smell of the composite fiberglass and plastic body panels.
The V-8 still sounds like a Corvette. And the push of rear-wheel drive is smile-generating.
Seat height and the wide view over the hood and at the side windows.

But no matter how glorious it can be to drive, it also is self-limiting to buyers:

The wide and low body is a workout when trying to park in a small shopping strip;
Low seat drop-in height and the oomph boost when exiting the cabin;
Long doors create a door-ding squeeze for entry in tight parking situations.

The Corvette Enigma

The Chevrolet Corvette is an enigma, an icon, an American all-star, and a hometown hero.

I’ve been testing Corvettes since the fourth generation, or C4, which ran from 1984 to 1996. The public reaction to seeing a Corvette is unlike any other high-performance sports car I’ve tested.

The Corvette generates friendly encounters with fans and the fascinated. Passers-by go out of their way to share their Corvette stories. I’ve been waved through several times at four-way stop signs before it was my turn. That has never happened in a Porsche.

And rather than hot-shoes looking to challenge the big-bad Corvette, I get a thumbs-up.

Perhaps it is respect and honor for the badge.

The tester in Hypersonic Gray Metallic paint had a sticker of $78,425.

2022 Corvette Stingray Coupe 2LT Specifications

Body style: 2-seat, rear-wheel-drive sport coupe with a liftoff roof panel and composite body

Engine: 490-hp, direct-injection, OHV 6.2-liter LT2 V-8; 465 lb.-ft. torque at 5,150 rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch with manual and automatic modes

0-60 mph acceleration: 3 seconds; quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds at 123 mph

Fuel economy: 16/24/19 mpg city/hwy/combined; 87 octane

BY THE NUMBERS

Fuel tank: 18.5 gallons

Trunk space: 12.6 cubic feet

Head/leg room: 37.9/42.8 inches

Length/wheelbase: 182.3/107.2 inches

Width/height: 76.1/48.6 inches

Track, front/rear: 64.9/62.4 inches

Curb weight: 3,535 pounds

Turning circle: 38 feet (or 36.4 feet with the FE4 option for Magnetic Ride Control)

FEATURES

LT2 standard equipment includes: Keyless open and push-button ignition with remote start; leather-trimmed upholstery; 12-inch color driver gauge display; HD front and rear cameras; wireless Apple CarPlay/Wireless Android Auto capability; wireless charging; 8-way power GT1 bucket seats with lumbar and bolster adjustment; performance data and video recorder; memory seat presets for driver and passenger; leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel with power tilt and telescoping; rear camera mirror; Bose Performance Series 14-speaker audio system; head-up display; Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system with navigation and 8-inch HD color touch screen; carpeted floor mats and cargo nets; floor console with covered storage; vehicle health management

LT2 Exterior features: Removable roof panel; Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 performance run-flat tires (245/35ZR19 front and 305/30ZR20 rear); 19-inch front and 20-inch rear 5-open-spoke Bright Silver-painted aluminum wheels; Solar-Ray light-tinted glass; limited-slip rear differential; body-color heated, driver-side auto-dimming power-folding outside mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators; body-color roof panel; Carbon Flash exterior badge and trim package; LED headlights;

Safety features include: 4 air bags, traction and stability controls, rear cross-traffic alert, rear park assist, side blind zone alert; inclination (theft) sensor

PRICING

Base price: $62,295, including $1,395 freight charge; price as tested $78,425

Options on test vehicle:

Front adjustable height lift, with GPS memory, $2,260;
Magnetic Selective Ride Control, $1,895.
19-inch front and 20-inch rear Trident wheels, $1,495.
Performance exhaust, $1,195.
Engine appearance package, $995 (Carbon pieces)
Low rear spoiler and front splitter, $595.
Torch Red seat belts, $395

Where assembled: Bowling Green, Ky.

Warranty: 3-years/36,000-miles bumper to bumper; 5-years/60,000-miles powertrain with roadside assistance; free first maintenance

1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala Sport Coupe

by Mark | Jan 4, 2022 | 0 comments

The 1958 Impala was the top model for the Chevrolet Bel Air line of hardtops and convertibles. (Photos from GM Media Archive)

BY MARK MAYNARD

In the recession year of 1958, GM promoted its 50th year of production. In tribute, the company introduced anniversary models for each brand: Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Chevrolet.

According to the Impala’s Wikipedia page, the 1958 models shared a common appearance on the top models for each brand: the Cadillac Eldorado Seville, Buick Limited Riviera, Oldsmobile Starfire 98, Pontiac Bonneville Catalina, and the Chevrolet Bel Air Impala.

“The 1958 Impala was the top model for the Bel Air line of hardtops and convertibles.

“From the windshield pillars rearward, the 1958 Bel Air Impala differed structurally from the lower-priced Chevrolet models. Hardtops had a slightly shorter greenhouse and a longer rear deck.

“The wheelbase of the Impala was longer than the lower-priced models, although the overall length was identical. Interiors held a two-spoke steering wheel and color-keyed door panels with brushed aluminum trim. No other series included a convertible.

The 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala helped Chevrolet regain the No. 1 production spot in this recession year.

“The 1958 Chevrolet models were longer, lower, and wider than their predecessors. And this was the first model year for dual headlamps.

“Deeply sculptured rear fenders replaced the tailfins of the 1957. In addition, impalas had three taillights on each side, while lesser models had two and wagons just one.

Impalas included crossed-flag insignias above the side moldings, bright rocker moldings, and dummy rear-fender scoops.

The Chevrolet Impala was identified by the image of a leaping African antelope in some form or another since its debut in 1958.

Chevrolet Impala Powertrains

A 283 cubic-inch V-8 was standard. Its power ratings ranged from 185 to 230 horsepower. When upgraded with Rochester Ramjet fuel injection, power output increased to 250 hp.

Two versions of Chevrolet’s first big-block 348-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) V-8 were optional:

A single four-barrel carburetor, producing 250;
Three two-barrel carburetors, 280 hp.

55,989 Impala convertibles and 125,480 coupes were built, representing 15 percent of Chevrolet production. In addition, the 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air Impala helped Chevrolet regain the number-one production spot in this recession year.

2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Reveal

by Mark | Nov 2, 2021 | 0 comments

Race-bred 2023 Corvette Z06 will be the most capable ever, powered by a new 670-hp LT6 V-8

Chevrolet says it is putting the world on notice with its 2023 Corvette Z06, a global supercar made in America. (Photography courtesy of Chevrolet)

BY MARK MAYNARD

Chevrolet has just shown the 2023 Corvette Z06 with its new 5.5-liter LT6 naturally-aspirated V-8. The 670-horsepower engine is “the highest horsepower, naturally-aspirated V-8 to hit the market in any production car, ever,” Chevrolet said in a statement.

The engineers spent two years crafting a distinctive, rich exhaust tone unlike anything ever heard from a Corvette.

The Z06 chassis has underpinned Corvette Racing’s C8.R since it began competing in 2020. Using a shared chassis, similar engine architecture, and exterior proportions, the C8.R has been referred to internally as the Z06 hiding in plain sight, Chevrolet said in a statement.

Learn more at the Chevrolet website. And watch the release video narrated by Justin Bell.

The 2023 Corvette Z06 is powered by the 5.5-liter LT6 V-8. The engine makes 670 hp at 8,400 rpm with 460 foot-pounds of torque at 6,300 rpm.

Corvette Z06 Development

The Corvette Z06 was born in 1963 as an optional Special Equipment Package intended for racers. It included a stiffer suspension, heavy-duty brakes, a thicker front stabilizer bar, and a large, 36-gallon fuel tank that reduced the number of necessary pit stops in longer races. A fuel-injected 5.4-liter engine (327 cubic inches) and a close-ratio four-speed manual transmission were required with the package.

“Racing was the reason the Z06 was developed in 1963, and it continues to support the development of the road models that make them better on the street and the track,” said Tadge Juechter, chief executive engineer, Corvette. “It also means we’ve tested the Z06 on the best tracks around the world, from Circuit of the Americas here in the United States, to the Nürburgring in Germany.”

According to Chevrolet testing, the LT6 has 670 hp at 8,400 rpm and 460 foot-pounds of torque at 6,300 rpm. And the tachometer is set at a lofty 8,600 rpm. Chevrolet cites

The quad outlet of center exhaust tips on the Z06

The rear fascia houses centered floating exhaust bezels.

The LT6 is hand-assembled at the Performance Build Center in Kentucky’s Bowling Green Assembly Plant. Each engine features a plaque on the intake manifold with the technician’s signature, who crafted it from start to finish.

The new Z06 will be available in hardtop and convertible body styles in left- and right-hand drive. Production is set to begin in summer 2022.

The cockpit of the 2023 Z06 with a lot of carbon-fiber trim

The cockpit has been “elevated,” Chevrolet says, with rich materials and textures, including more carbon fiber trim.

Highlights of the 2023 Corvette Z06

A stance 3.6 inches wider than the Stingray, which gives room for its massive 345-series rear tires and more airflow through side air vents;
Unique front and rear fascias, a first for Z06. The front fascia is designed to optimize engine cooling. Special features include channeling air to a center heat exchanger, which is one of five for maximum cooling performance;
The reconfigurable rear spoiler, unique to Z06, has height-adjustable “wickerbill” elements. Subtle adjustments can improve high-speed stability and cornering capability on a racetrack;
The reconfigurable rear spoiler, unique to Z06, has height-adjustable “wickerbill” elements.
Standard 20-inch front and 21-inch rear forged aluminum “spider” wheels — the largest wheels ever available on a production Corvette. There also are optional carbon fiber wheels (shown in the photo) that provide a 41-pound reduction in unsprung mass;
Specific suspension tuning includes Magnetic Ride Control 4.0. And the six-piston front disc brakes are larger than on the Stingray.
Brembo brake rotors are 14.6 inches in diameter at the front with six-piston calipers (compared to four-piston on the Stingray). Rear discs are 15 inches.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ZP tires are standard, with Sport Cup 2 R ZP tires included with the available Z07 package.
Eight-speed dual-clutch transmission has a “shorter” 5.56 final drive ratio compared to the Corvette Stingray, which boosts acceleration performance’
The driver area has been “elevated” with “rich materials and textures, including more carbon fiber trim and new options”;
Unique rear fascia houses centered floating exhaust bezels.

A closeup of the Z06 gauge array showing an 8,600 rpm redline.

The tachometer redlines at 8,600 rpm, 2,000 rpm more than the Stingray.

Z07 Performance Package

The optional Z07 performance package provides 734 pounds of downforce at 186 mph, more than any Corvette ever. The package includes a carbon fiber high rear wing and ground effects, specific chassis tuning, specific Magnetic Ride Control calibration, and unique Michelin Cup 2 R ZP tires, along with Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes and optional carbon fiber wheels.

The Corvette Z06 is set to begin production next summer 2022. As for all Corvettes, the Z06 will be built at the Bowling Green Assembly in left- and right-hand drive.

“Virtually every component that distinguishes the Z06 was developed to support or enhance its capability,” said Juechter. “By leveraging the mid-engine architecture’s inherent advantages, we are able to achieve 6 percent more downforce than a seventh-gen ZR1 at 8 percent lower drag.”

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer Activ Review

by Mark | Sep 14, 2020 | 0 comments

Subcompact 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV done right for North America

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer ACTIV The Trailblazer feels robust and durable with a trail pass for light-duty excursions. (Chevrolet)

BY MARK MAYNARD

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer is a social climber in a steep segment of small SUVs. The new Trailblazer expands the perception and function of a subcompact vehicle. It makes the most of a small space and scoots around on a choice of two turbocharged three-cylinder engines.

The new model revives the nameplate previously applied to the midsize model discontinued in 2009. However, the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer is a fresh start throughout. It fits in the lineup between the slightly smaller Chevy Trax and compact-class Equinox. It also shares much with the Buick Encore GX. While the Encore is a more “premium” choice, the Trailblazer is “sporty” with optional all-wheel drive and an Activ trim level that is toughened up for some trail driving.

Competitors include the Honda HR-V, Hyundai Kona, Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX30, Nissan Kicks, and Toyota C-HR.

The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer is sold in five trim levels in front- or all-wheel drive: L, LS, LT, Activ and RS. The RS has street-sporty features of black trim elements, a black mesh grille and dual exhaust outlets with chrome tips. The Activ is burlier with 17-inch all-terrain-styled tires, a raised lower section for ground clearance, and underbody skid shields.

All front-drive models have a continuously variable transmission and 137-hp, turbocharged and direct-injected 1.2-liter Ecotec three-cylinder engine. Upgrading to AWD adds the nine-speed automatic and the 155-hp, 1.3-liter engine.

The driver area is well presented for easy access to controls

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer Pricing

Starting prices for front-drive Trailblazer models range from $19,995 to $24,695, including the $995 freight charge from Incheon, South Korea. The L and LS models are basic runabouts and couriers but ideal for the task with a large cargo area, a tall 40 inches of headroom, and a folding back seat; the L is available only in white paint with a black interior and 16-inch wheels with wheel covers.

At the time of this posting, there was a customer-cash incentive of $550 applied when building the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer online. Find current pricing incentives here for all Chevy models.

Standard Trailblazer Features

The LT, RS, and Activ will have the desirable convenience and audio features expected of a car costing $26,000 and up. The RS and Activ with AWD and 1.3-liter engine start at $27,445. The Activ AWD tester was $32,995 with all three of the major packages, plus $645 for Iridescent Pearl Tricoat paint and Zeus Bronze metallic roof. (There are six other no-charge paint colors, including a non-metallic white and five metallic hues, including Blue, Dark Copper, and Zeus Metallic.

Standard equipment on the Activ includes smart-key locking and push-button ignition, 10-way power driver’s seat with lumbar, leatherette upholstery and leather-wrapped steering wheel, flat-folding front passenger seat, power (manually folding) side mirrors, LED taillights-foglights-running lights, IntelliBeam (auto-dimming) headlights, power windows, 60/40 folding back seat, rear center armrest, 17-inch sport-terrain tires and alloy wheels and underbody skid plates.

The Sun and Liftgate package, $1,770, includes a dual-pane panoramic sunroof. (Mark Maynard)

Safety features include 10 air bags with advanced technologies for Automatic Emergency Braking, Front Pedestrian Braking, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator.

It is the option packages that run up the price, and the tester’s $33,000 sticker seemed plenty — but it created a car to enjoy for the long term.

The interior materials are of appealing quality, the design is contemporary, and so are the infotainment options. Among its clever features is a fold-flat front passenger seat, which will allow boards and gear up to 8.5 feet long. The four-wheel-disc brakes, 12.6-inch front, and 11.3-inches rear should be adequate for its 1,000-pound tow rating. And the Trailblazer can be dolly-towed behind a motor home.

Powertrain

I have not driven a 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer with the 1.2-liter engine, but pulling around a 3,030-pound SUV with a 135-hp three-cylinder and CVT could be an experience of underpowered frustration of turbo spooling and CVT rubber-banding.

There’s not much of a fuel economy advantage, either. Front-drive models are rated for 28 mpg city, 31 highway, and 29 mpg combined on the recommended 87 octane. The 1.3-liter has mileage ratings of 29/33/31 mpg or 26/30/28 mpg with AWD.

The “big” engine has more force than you might imagine from a 1.3-liter, and the nine-speed automatic easily manipulates the engine’s 174 foot-pounds of torque from a reasonably low 1,600 rpm. Using sport mode can sharpen launch force and shift points, but I zipped around in the standard mode. My average fuel economy ranged from 21.3 to 34.3 mpg.

Compared to a four-cylinder, there is a little more engine vibration at idle, but it’s not concerning. And there is a more abrupt start-up after a stop-start at idle.

The 1.3-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine

Interior Function

The Trailblazer is a small SUV and will limit access to some drivers of the big-and-tall club, but front headroom of 38 inches, with the sunroof and legroom of almost 41 inches, will accommodate many in the height range of 6 feet.

Back seat legroom in the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Sightlines are unobstructed over the hood, at the side mirrors, and over the shoulder. The turning circle of 37.3 feet is a little wide but not unwieldy in tight parking —and the wide rearview camera is empowering in tight parking situations.

The driver area is well-designed for the modern driver. The controls are large and easily viewed, and there are several areas for small-item storage. The shift console integrates a handy e-bin with wireless charging and two USB charging ports, one Type C.

Cargo space in the Chevrolet Trailblazer Activ is loaded with gear.

Ride and Handling

The Hankook tires look the part for off-roading but feel hard on the highway. (Mark Maynard)

The Trailblazer feels robust and durable, not dainty, with a trail pass for light-duty excursions. On road, the ride quality is sporty-firm but not rough, though there is head-toss when transitioning driveways or speed bumps.

The Hankook Dynapro AT2 (225/60) tires, with their all-terrain sidewall blocks and a hard 660 treadwear rating, can be noisy on concrete highways and you will feel every little seam. But a hard tire benefits fuel economy and the tires have a tread-life warranty of six years or 60,000 miles.

Why Buy the Chevrolet Trailblazer?

The Trailblazer is a puddle-jumper of fun, whether whomping along busted American streets or scrambling to a trailhead. It might be marketed to young drivers, but mature drivers will value the ride height, roomy cabin and range of conveniences and comfort features.

I liked the fold-flat front seat, two-level cargo floor, and the latest in device-charging ports.

Several of the subcompact SUVs sold in the U.S. have been sourced from global or Asian markets. And some of them aren’t always well retrofitted or redesigned for how American drivers prefer their vehicles. The 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer was developed by GM Korea, and it seems to be a pure translation for an American audience, at least on the higher trim levels.

A rear three-quarter view of the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer