2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer

Remember your grandfather's big, roomy, comfortable, powerful sedan? The all-new Chevrolet TrailBlazer feels much like that car, although it's a capable sport-utility truck.

The ruggedly handsome midsize TrailBlazer has a soft feel, like a grand old American sedan. Even the brake pedal feels a bit mushy, although stopping distance are OK with the standard anti-lock system.

The slow-ratio steering feels a little vague, but the carlike suspension provides a cushy ride on smooth roads. Handling is average, although rigid construction and a wide track help make this model feel secure. Acceleration is strong, and the engine loafs at 1,900 rpm at 65 mph. But fuel economy is nothing to phone home about.

The four-door TrailBlazer has gone on sale as an early 2002 model. It has the same design, size, powertrain and body-on-frame platform as General Motors' new Oldsmobile Bravada and GMC Envoy, which are costlier than the $25,155-$33,730 TrailBlazer. More than 70 percent of exterior body panels are unique to the TrailBlazer, including the grille, front fenders, hood, rear doors and rear quarter panels. Curiously, the taillights look as if they were borrowed from a 1960s Aston Martin.

The Bravada succeeds the old model of the same name and the Envoy replaces the GMC Jimmy. Chevy says the TrailBlazer doesn't replace the mid-size Chevy Blazer, which has a 1995 design and uses the chassis and running gear of a pickup truck. It has recast the $19,170-$29,125 Blazer as a lower-cost alternative to the TrailBlazer. But the TrailBlazer makes the harder-edged Blazer look obsolete, although the later will be offered as a 2002 model.

The TrailBlazer comes in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels and is nicely equipped. It offers rear-wheel-drive with available traction control or a four-wheel-drive system, which can be left engaged on dry roads and has low-range gearing for off-road use.

The TrailBlazer is more competitive with modern midsize sport-utes. Compared to the Blazer, it's 8.3 inches longer at 191.6 inches, 6.9 inches wider and noticeably higher. The wheelbase is six inches longer at 113 inches for a more comfortable ride, but it has a tighter turning circle--partly because the narrower engine makes room for the front wheels to turn more.

Occupants sit high, but a low floor makes it fairly easy to get in and out, although the running boards aren't for large shoes. There's good room for four 6-footers in the quiet, efficiently designed interior. Rear door openings are too narrow, but door handles are easily grasped and doors open wide.

However, the TrailBlazer is at a disadvantage because it has no third-row seat, offered by rivals such as the Ford Explorer. A stretched version with a third seat is planned.

The big cargo area gets impressively larger for more than 80 cubic feet of storage space when the rear seatbacks are flipped forward. But the hatch has a flip-up glass area with a high sill that can make it difficult to load items. And the big, rather cumbersome hatch has a rather high opening.

Most thought the TrailBlazer would have a V-8. But it's got an inline (not V-shaped) six-cylinder engine with a best-in-class 270 horsepower rating and lots of torque. It has good off-the-line snap and can tow 6,200-6,400 pounds.

The 4.2-liter engine is designed to provide V-8 performance and six-cylinder fuel economy. It's reminiscent of a sophisticated BMW inline six because it's a light, high-revving unit with dual overhead camshafts (a first in a GM truck), four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing.

The engine works with a four-speed automatic transmission that upshifts smoothly but is a little slow to downshift during passing maneuvers because it wasn't built to work with such a high-reve engine.

Fuel economy is an estimated 15-16 mpg in the city and 21 on highways. That's about right for a fairly big, powerful sport-ute that weighs 4,442 pounds with rear-drive and 4,628 pounds with four-wheel drive.

While ruggedly handsome, the TrailBlazer isn't as innovative as some expected it would be for an all-new vehicle. But it's still plenty good.