New Car Overview of the 2005 Chevrolet TrailBlazer Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle

Description: Mid-Size Sport Utility Vehicle
Base MSRP Range: $22,720 - $34,270
Invoice Price Range: $25,087 - $31,014
Where built: USA

Chevy's truck-based SUV in the mid-size class comes in regular-length and stretched editions. The larger version -- TrailBlazer EXT -- measures 16 inches longer with extra space inside for a third tier of seats to boost the passenger capacity to seven. A standard-length TrailBlazer has seats for five.

Both TrailBlazer and EXT use as the standard powertrain a 4.2-liter, in-line-six which delivers 275-hp with a Hydra-Matic 4-speed automatic transmission. For more muscle, EXT also offers a new Vortec 5.3-liter, V8 rated at 290-hp. The all-aluminum plant applies innovative Displacement on Demand (DOD) technology which automatically pares the number of cylinders engaged in the combustion process when boosted power is not needed, and the process improves fuel economy numbers by as much as eight percent.

These SUVs continue with trims of LS and LT and choices for rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and four-wheel-drive (4WD) traction. With the 4WD equipment aboard, TrailBlazer employs the smart Autotrac system with push-button selections and automatic switching from standard RWD traction to a mode that distributes engine torque equally between front and rear wheels.