Coworker is still looking at new cars. Typical youngish couple with 2 kids. Moderate budget.
They asked about the new Trailblazer but it is a car - a whole type of car - I don't really know much about. So what's the Cliff's Notes on them?
Thanks.
From what I've read they're...fine. But there's better cars in the segment.
CX5, Crosstrek, etc
K5 Blazer
S10 Blazer
Blazer
Trailblazer
Blazer
Trailblazer
I think it's a decent crossover car but not a decent ORV.
An average car for average people. If they fit the description then it'll probably fit them well.
My wife has the 2020 Buick Encore GX, essentially the same thing. So far it's been a very nice CUV. No regrets (so far).
Ours has the 1.3l with the 9 speed transmission. My wife tried the CVT version and said it was terrible.
John Welsh (Moderate Supporter) said:An average car for average people. If they fit the description then it'll probably fit them well.
That's what I was thinking. It will absolutely never get used on anything worse than typical Midatlantic pot holes. They need some space, they need reliability, and they'd like connectivity.
It's replacing a 2006 Cobalt LT if that tells you anything.
I just wondered if there were any danger signs since it's a new model. Thanks.
In reply to eastpark :
Thanks!
They literally just came out the past couple months, so no clue what issues they have/will have. The fact that this is the first couple months out would be enough to avoid them.
If they want modern connectivity, the Korean twins offer a lot of bang for the buck and better than GM build quality. Tucson/Sportage would fit their needs nicely and get good fuel economy and anything newer than a 2016 will have as good of connectivity as a base model 2020 GM line.
They should go check out a Mazda, Ford, or Volkswagen.
Inexpensive. Looks kinda butch. Extremely popular. Fine.
In reply to NickD :
Well, that's kind of where I figured I'd go with it, but I wasn't sure if the drivetrain was new or proven.
His brothers both have CL5s. I've recommended that too. They have a Kia already and I almost got him to buy a low miles Hertz Kia last year. It sure what is prompting this particular direction.
I didn't even know this was a thing. My mind assumed you meant the Blazer in the title. Good? Maybe, but not great. Bad? Too soon to tell. Ugly? Definitely.
We (very briefly) considered this size class when looking for a new primary family hauler earlier this year. I like small vehicles, but they're simply not great for primary 4 person family use. If one or both kids have a while to go rear facing (under 3) this entire size class should be a hard pass for anything but occasional/secondary family use. Personally, I don't think they would ever regret going up to the CX-5, RAV4, Forester, CR-V, Tucson, Escape, etc size class.
And if they have any thoughts of having a 3rd kid, they'll be dollars and sense ahead to go another step (or two) larger yet.
Rogue, CX-5, Forester, Outback, CR-V, Rav 4. Any should fit the bill.
eastpark said:My wife has the 2020 Buick Encore GX, essentially the same thing. So far it's been a very nice CUV. No regrets (so far).
Ours has the 1.3l with the 9 speed transmission. My wife tried the CVT version and said it was terrible.
Just got one for the wife 3 months ago. We got the AWD, 1.3t, 9 speed auto version. I liked the Mazda CX-5 much better, but she was SOLD on the (admittedly beautiful) blue paint color the Buick Encore GX offered. In her "A car is an appliance, nothing more" hands, she loves it and it has been getting 31 MPG in town and 30-31 Hwy.
Duke said:In reply to NickD :
Well, that's kind of where I figured I'd go with it, but I wasn't sure if the drivetrain was new or proven.
Drivetrain is all new. I know early on there was a stop-sale recall on the engine that engineering didn't have a fix for. Our loaner Encore GX also tossed an AWD light that I was told engineering is aware of the issue but doesn't have a fix yet, so just clear the code and it "shouldn't come back on."
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