2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT LT 4x2

You'll also sacrifice some fuel economy: EPA ratings are 15 city/20 highway for the 2WD EXT compared to 16/22 for the standard TrailBlazer. We saw a fairly respectable 16.7 mpg around town on the TrailBlazer's excellent trip computer before doing our performance testing, and 16.1 mpg after.

The 4200's 6-cylinder puts out a healthy 270 hp (more than competing V-8s) and 275 lb.-ft. of torque.

That testing yielded 0-60 mph performance of roughly 11 seconds on a hand-held stopwatch. The 4200 six-cylinder's healthy 270 hp (more than competing V-8s) and 275 lb.-ft. of torque also feels that extra weight. As I said, you have to really want that third seat.


Good news on the power front is that the six gets five more horses (275) for 2003, and a 290-hp 5.3-liter aluminum-block V-8 with a hefty 325 lb.-ft. of torque (vs. the '03 six's 275 lb.-ft.) becomes available soon in the stretch EXT version. That boosts the towing capacity to 7,200 pounds in the 4x2 (7,000 for the 4x4 EXT) compared to the standard model's 6,300 (4x2)/6,200 (4x4) ratings.


Otherwise, the longer TrailBlazer retains the many virtues of its shorter stablemate. Our test truck was a mid-range 2WD LT, base priced at $31,035 and optioned to $34,510. Its extensive standard equipment list included dual-zone air conditioning (a wonderful feature for passengers who are always too hot or cold at the driver's favorite setting), meaty P245/65R17 tires on 17-inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels, dual-stage front and front side-impact air bags, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, AM/FM/CD sound system, 25-gallon fuel tank, keyless-remote and theft-deterrent systems, rear heat and AC, power heated outside mirrors, power venting rear windows, GM's OnStar safety and convenience system and much more—even an electronic travel note recorder and a trio of garage-door opener buttons in the overhead console.

Unlike many competitive 7-passenger SUVs, the EXT's third-seat passengers are very well accommodated.

One major option was a $1,860 Preferred Equipment Group: leather front and center seats, 8-way power driver and passenger front seats with power lumbar, driver message center, automatic climate control, rear-seat radio and HVAC controls and a very handy set of steering-wheels controls for radio, HVAC and message center. Others were a $800 power sunroof, a $270 rear-axle locking differential and $195 Traction Assist.