Chevrolet TrailBlazer

Chevrolet added the TrailBlazer to its line of SUVs in 1999 to build on the popular though troubled Blazer. The TrailBlazer is roomier and more luxurious than its little (though older) brother, with six more inches in the wheelbase and five inches added to the width.  Sitting on the same body-on-frame platform as the GMC Envoy, in 2002 it became its own model and promptly won the North American Truck of the Year award.

Initially powered by a 4.2 I6 and 5.3 V8 featuring cylinder deactivation for better fuel economy (the first V8 in an SUV), the Trailblazer was offered in rear-wheel and selective all-wheel drive.  Though it only sat five, an EXT version added a third cramped row.  It was dropped in 2007.  Available in LS and LT trims, in 2006 a sports-performance SS line debuted, allegedly hitting 0-60 in six seconds.  With a stiffer suspension, stronger brakes and shocks, and a 300-hp, 6.0-liter V8 taken from the Corvette, its smooth handling and road grip belied its large size.  In 2006, the Trailblazer also won a much needed redesign, particularly to its front end and bland interior.    

All trims were well equipped with safety features and interior conveniences, with the LT being the most popular blend of performance and luxury for owners. The Chevrolet Trailblazer quickly gained fans among families looking for a solid, if somewhat plain SUV.  Its roomy interior was ideal for cargo and passenger comfort.  Downsides included the unsurprisingly low fuel economy and some harshness from the truck-like platform.