Chevrolet Trailblazer: Hit or miss?

Yet another car model launched together with a dealership. Jonathan Adengo examines the salient features and pros and cons.

In any class room, there is always that aloof kid who feels cool. In most cases, they are not recognised and prefer to keep to themselves. This kid is also selective with what they do. But towards the end of the school year, they will come off their high horse and try to impress.

If this was a classroom, the Chevrolet Trailblazer will be that kid. Chevrolet, as a car model, is new to Uganda. It has been left as a reserve for those who can afford the higher price tag, given the popularity of the relatively lesser priced Toyota equivalents.

Good for use
The most common model is the Chevrolet Cruze, a saloon car, which that is used by organisations such as Uganda Revenue Authority. The other Chevrolets are the Equinox and Malibu models, though they are less common. The Trailblazer is therefore new for Chevrolet lovers in Uganda.

The car, which was unveiled in Kenya last year, was recently launched in Uganda at an event held at Kampala Serena Hotel. It has a ground clearance of 218mm which makes it good for use on our pothole riddled roads.

The car comes with leather seats and plastic interior. It is spacious and can accommodate seven passengers all seated comfortably in three rows of seats.
The ones at the back are adjustable. These can also be folded to provide additional room for storage.

Performance
For in-car entertainment, it has a seven-inch crystal display screen and accompanying system that allows you to bring in your own media from a smartphone. So, you can play music and also make or receive calls while driving.
With a 2.8 litre diesel engine, it “burns” eight litres for every 100 kilometres. It has a turbo charger that ensures that the engine performs optimally at all times, at low or high speed. The turbo is able to moderate the amount of boost that it sending to the engine.

The Trailblazer comes with a four wheel drive with two options: 4WD lower or 4WD higher, depending on the conditions in which you are driving in. This makes it a comfortable car to be used off-road. Though it is a six-speed automatic transmission, it allows you to shift gears. This function gives the feel of driving a manual car.

Safety is key
The car is ideal for use as a family vehicle and also as a company car. Mr Daniel Gitau, who owns a similar model, says the car is comfortable on the road and saves one a lot in terms of fuel consumption.

As one who has driven the car in both Kenya and Uganda, he adds that the car can take a beating from the bad roads. “It is a very safe vehicle fitted with both active and passive safety,” explains Gitau. “Active safety has brakes which come with [anti-lock braking system] and brake assist which applies more brake pressure when you are in an emergency.”