Chevrolet Trailblazer returning to PH as a crossover

Chevrolet Trailblazer to make a comeback this month

When General Motors shuttered Chevrolet operations in Thailand, it resulted in the demise of the brand's two best-selling models in the Philippines, the Colorado and the Trailblazer SUV. Once the remaining stock was bought and sold, Chevrolet PH quietly removed them from their website.

Despite the discontinuation of the Trailblazer SUV, Chevy distributor The Covenant Car Company Inc (TCCCI) announced that the Trailblazer will be making a comeback this month. But unlike the Thai-made model which was based on the previous-generation Isuzu mu-X, this one will be a crossover that will hail from China.

First revealed in mid-2019, the upcoming crossover that carries the same name is not related to the Trailblazer SUV we used to have. It's actually the successor to the TrailBlazer that Chevrolet China used to offer back from 2001 to 2009. So what can we expect once the Trailblazer arrives in PH?

For starters, it could slot above the subcompact Tracker as Chevy's compact crossover. And like the Tracker, the Trailblazer will feature a similar exterior design that consists of a dual-port front grille and a sporty front bumper.

Unique to the Trailblazer is a two-tier headlight design. This means the top portion serves as the LED daytime running lights, while the bottom segment features the LED headlights. Giving the crossover a sportier appearance comes courtesy of black body cladding, stylish black alloy wheels, muscular wheel arches, and red highlights on the Redline variant.

Inside, the Trailblazer comes equipped with a high-tech MyLink+ 8-inch touchscreen infotainment. Not only does it support the usual AM/FM radio, USB, and Bluetooth, it also comes with Apple CarPlay, USB-C ports, SD card slots, and a navigation system. Other features that could make their way to the PH-spec Trailblazer are leather-wrapped seats, automatic climate control, an engine start/stop button, smart keyless entry, and power-adjustable front seats.

Powering the Trailblazer is a 1.3-liter turbocharged EcoTec four-cylinder engine. It makes 164 PS along with 240 Nm of torque. The inline-four is then connected to a CVT on the front-wheel drive models. Should we get an all-wheel drive version, the engine will instead be mated to a nine-speed automatic.

With Chevrolet looking to make a comeback with all-new models, can the Trailblazer crossover succeed in the Philippine market?