2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SL1

Size matters when it comes to sport utility vehicles. Lately midsize SUVs are the ones that have been capturing the heart of the market. General Motors launched three new midsize models by the spring of 2001 as early 2002 models. Chevrolet’s TrailBlazer is one member of the trio which was especially crucial to GM because of the debut of the redesigned Ford Explorer. Oldsmobile offers the luxury-oriented Bravada and GMC has the Envoy and both compare to the TrailBlazer in structure and appearance. Despite the emergence of this all-new TrailBlazer Chevrolet is keeping the smaller prior-generation Blazer in its lineup at least into 2003. Rather than a V-6 or V-8 engine the 2002 TrailBlazer held a 270-horsepower 4.2-liter all-aluminum inline-six-cylinder. GM claimed it was the strongest engine in its class ready to go against the V-8s in some other SUVs. An “inline-six is inherently balanced” said Ron Koctoa chief engineer for GM’s Inline Engines group. GM further claimed that torsional rigidity with the inline engine increased by 260 percent and the rack-and-pinion steering system delivers a tight 36.4-foot turning circle.