Summing Up an Abundance of Space: The 2021 Chevy Trailblazer Cargo Management System

The small crossover segment is one that we have been watching explode in popularity here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis, as so many are searching for a vehicle that is compact, practical, and economical. Fresh and well-honed for a new year's release, the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer slots perfectly between the Trax and the Equinox within our current lineup. Customers frequently ask us about the issue of space and are curious about how much will be inside to accommodate their daily to-do list. 

The Trailblazer's very unique Cargo Management System was the featured topic of a video on GM Authority displaying its multiple features. It allows customers to fit multiple different carry-on items into the cabin space, and the rear bench comes equipped with a 40/60 fold-down split. When coupled up with the available fold-flat front seat, it allows items up to eight-and-a-half feet to fit inside the cabin. As seen in the video, you could even fit gear like a kayak straight through the hatch, rendering you ready for all types of outdoor action and activity. 

The 2021 Trailblazer also comes with a two-level load floor, which can be customized in detail and prevents items from sliding around during the drive. The rear load floor can easily flip over, yielding a hard surface that is dirt and stain-resistant for simple clean-up. With the rear seats up, the Trailblazer boasts 25.3 cubic feet of cargo room, and once down that number rises to 54.4 cubic feet. The management system is built using high-density polyethylene construction with a treated steel subframe, and aluminum and stainless steel hardware. Achieving a custom fit requires no drilling or modification of the truck bed, and includes GM-exclusive 1 D-Box and 2 dividers. 

The all-new Trailblazer offers six trims, each now refined to help you find your optimum blend of eye-catching design and premium comfort. From the top-of-the-line luxury essence of the High Country to the street-themed feel of the RST, each offers its own unique character and potential. The Premier trim offers Magnetic Ride Control, Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert, and Front and Rear Park Assist as well as standard Bose Audio system with 10-speaker surround sound. 

Choosing the Z71 trim provides red tow hooks and a skid plate, 20-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and available four-corner air ride adaptive suspension. This cabin has been ranked as superb at the job of keeping out annoying wind and traffic noise during the ride. The panoramic sunroof, as well as automatic climate control, are both huge bonuses for visual and temperate comfort during long trips, which you'll be excited to take frequently in this spacious and pleasant to drive crossover!   

C8 Corvette Hybrid Option Reportedly In the Works For 3-Year Arrival Plan

The arrival of the C8 mid-engine Corvette was such a monumental event last year that scores of auto fans are still reeling from the mark it made on the present and future of the industry! The 2020 model was certainly a drastic departure from any 'Vette that existed previously because it abandoned the front-engined layout and dropped the power source right in the middle. This had been a on the list for engineers for nearly 50 years, and now the time had finally come to unleash the goods for the general public to enjoy. 

Engineers are dutifully combining their efforts for the task of improving the car even more, and a new report directly from GM claims that the Corvette will soon see an all-wheel-drive option during the 2023 or 2024 model year. There were already numerous hints regarding this during the car's launch when engineers were asked if the C8 had the ability to accommodate a hybrid AWD system. These documents in the report do suggest that this option will soon be available for models in the years to come. 

Within them is a reference to the feature as “eAWD”, and they depict future availability for both the Stingray Coupe and convertible models. Instead of the traditional means of sending power from the V8 engine to the front wheels through a differential, the Corvette's eAWD system will most likely forego the front trunk to make necessary room for an electric motor. Independently driven front wheels would be driven separately without the V8's power, paving the way for torque vectoring. Yet other rumors claim that Chevy could be hard at work for development stages of an EV version called the E-Ray, which may very well be the 200 mph electric Corvette mentioned by a few of the current political candidates. 

This revolutionary and exciting eAWD system may also see placement into high-performance models such as the upcoming C8 ZR1, ushering in a cleaner power source of the future for even more autos in the very-high-octane club. While we are still in suspense and waiting to see just what exactly the blueprint for electrification will bring, the 2021 Stingray has added wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, new options for the digital gauge display, and the “Buckle-to-Drive” safety feature. 

For the current model, choosing to upgrade to the 2LT version adds a head-up display, a wireless smartphone charging pad, heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, 14-speaker Bose stereo system, and blind-spot monitoring. The Z51 option adds more aggressive brakes, summer tires, and electronic limited-slip differential. Even in its base form, the Corvette delivers thrilling performance on both road and track, and handling that has all of us here at Jim Butler Chevy of St Louis beaming with pride and heart-pounding anticipation for every drive! 

2021 Chevy Trailblazer Offers "Undeniable Style, Competitive Price, Loads-of-Fun Driving Personality"

It seems like just a few years ago it was hard to come by a vehicle that had a preferred sense of style, day-to-day functionality, amazing technological features and a satisfyingly low price. As soon as the crossover SUV category roared to life, there were some not-so-good renditions and some that nailed the bullseye right off the bat. One of our vehicles here at Jim Butler Chevy of St. Louis that just keeps getting better is the Trailblazer, and the 2021 model has been met with massive praise while living up to its previous potential.

The Trailblazer sees its spot right in between the Trax and the larger, family-oriented Equinox. Leaving the showroom as the original model in 2009, the Trailblazer was then a mid-size, body-on-frame, very traditional rear-wheel-drive SUV. The all-new 2021 Chevy Trailblazer is a much smaller, front-wheel-drive number that does battle with competitors such as the Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade, Toyota CH-R and Nissan Rogue Sport.

In the looks department everything is satisfyingly above par, with a floating roof panel, slim headlights, and cladding on the wheels taking cues from other great SUVs in the running. The RS trim is the best choice for those looking for a sporty and aggressive vibe, boasting blacked-out trim and dual exhaust outlets with rectangular chrome tips. The Activ trim is geared towards those who are getting ready to conquer the wilderness off-road and was the one that the testing staff from Cars.com eagerly got their hands on first to "write home" about. It features uniquely fine-tuned shocks made for rougher roads, heightened ground clearance, shielded underbody and sport-terrain 17-inch all-season tires.

Lurching off-road to explore, camp and climb has become more popular than ever, and customers have been excited to see that the Trailblazer is prepared to go the distance. The testing team then ranked the Activ trim as excellent for its quick steering response, well-dampened ride, and peppy engine. The choices for said engine power are a 1.2-liter, making 127 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque if you want front-wheel-drive, or a 1.3-liter cranking out 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque if you opt for all-wheel drive. The body control and chassis dynamics both were ranked as stellar, and rapid transitions on twisty roads proved to be executed simply. 

During extensive testing, the braking was determined to be a high-quality trait: they proved to be firm and very strong, without being aggressive or overly grippy. There is ample legroom for those in both the front and back seat, with plenty of knee room to spare. The new Mazda CX-30 does not rank nearly as well in this category, and the Trailblazer also has all of the latest electronic goodies such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on some trim levels, as well as a 7-inch touchscreen with an available one-inch upgrade. Now offered as standard equipment are forward automatic emergency braking with front pedestrian detection, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, forward collision alert, follow distance indicator, and automatic high-beam headlamps.