2006 Chevy Trailblazer SS

[HarleyEarl]

Auto reviews TONY SWAN: Muscular SUV sets the tone '06 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS is fast, practical January 5, 2006 BY TONY SWAN FREE PRESS SPECIAL WRITER The base price for a rear-drive SS, not including the $710 destination charge, is $32,890. A loaded SS model is $39,175. (General Motors) Related articles: • Chevrolet's SS (Super Sport) models 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS Front-engine, four-wheel-drive midsize SUV. Rating: *** (out of 4 stars) Reasons to buy: Big V8 punch, big V8 rumble, good all-around work ethic. Shortcomings: Laughable fuel economy, strange vehicle concept. Base price: $32,890 As tested: $39,175 Standard equipment: Antilock brakes, StabiliTrak stability control system, four-speed automatic transmission, eight-speaker AM/FM/CD audio, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, keyless remote entry, cruise control, tilt-telescope steering, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels. SPECIFICATIONS AS TESTED Engine: 395-h.p. 6.0-liter V8 Fuel economy: 14 m.p.g. city, 17 highway Curb weight: 4,842 pounds Wheelbase: 113.0 inches Length: 191.8 inches Width: 74.6 inches Height: 67.8 inches Where assembled: Moraine, Ohio Key competitor: Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 As a child of the muscle car age, I'm indelibly sensitized to the rumbling power pulses of a good ol' American V8 engine -- the bigger the better. The rational me recognizes this as a syndrome, rooted in an automotive era that emphasized big displacement eights as the domestic auto industry worked hard to make torque junkies of us all. The campaign certainly worked on me. And like hearing the voice of an old lover, the sound of one of those engines rekindles old emotions. The Chevy TrailBlazer SS has just such an engine. Light it up, stab the throttle a couple times, and there's that commanding baritone: Whooma! Whooma! Whooma! My my my. Now, you might observe that there's another V8 option in the TrailBlazer inventory, the 5.3-liter edition. But that one doesn't sound like this one, nor does it deliver like this one. The 5.3-liter engine generates 300 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque, which sounds pretty potent -- until you hitch it to about 2.5 tons of SUV. That's when you need real muscle, and that's what the 6.0-liter provides: 395 horsepower, 400 pound-feet. Sound like a Corvette engine? Yes it does, and it's the key distinguishing feature of the TrailBlazer SS. There's lots of precedent for the Chevy SS tradition, dating to the days of my torque-addicted youth. The initials stand for Super Sport, and the script first appeared on a handful of Chevrolet Impala coupes back in 1961. There were several V8 engine options-- no six-cylinders, please-- but the real zinger was the new 360-horsepower 6.7-liter 409. Though there have been hiccups and hiatuses over the years, the SS tradition has persisted and is experiencing something of a renaissance at Chevrolet. There are eight SS models in the 2006 Chevy lineup, and the notion of high performance has been expanded beyond the eight-cylinder class. But the TrailBlazer SS is clearly the big kahuna. Perspective: This is certainly not the first hot rod pickup or SUV to emerge from Detroit. Chevy offered a 454 SS pickup in the early '90s, a tire-shredder in the most extravagant SS tradition, capable of spinning its rear wheels until air showed through the tread. The same could be said for the recently discontinued Ford Lightning and the current Dodge Ram SRT-10. And if the new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 isn't quite a tire-shredder -- as with my test subject, that trait is inhibited by mass and four-wheel drive -- it marches to the same beat. The commonality among all these trucks is go-power, at the expense of utility. Despite all their muscle -- in fact, probably because of it -- super-truck towing capabilities and load ratings tend to be generally lower than more conventional editions of the same vehicles. That's where the TrailBlazer SS differs. Its load ratings are consistent with the other V8-powered versions of this same vehicle (besides the TrailBlazer, there's also the GMC Envoy and Buick Rainier), as is its towing capacity, a robust 6,700 pounds. And of course the extra muscle equals plenty of hustle. The TrailBlazer SS rumbles to 60 m.p.h. in 5.5 seconds and covers a quarter-mile in just about 14 seconds. Pretty spry for a vehicle that weighs in north of 4,800 pounds. Consistent with the SS formula, there's more than muscle to this package. A little more starch in the suspension, to sharpen responses, though not enough to render ride quality unpleasant, and a little more grip. Aside from that basso profundo exhaust note, 20-inch polished aluminum alloy wheels, three very modest SS badges, and a few other minor trim details, the TrailBlazer SS is hard to distinguish from one of its less muscular cousins, until you check the window sticker. The base price for a rear-drive SS, not including the $710 destination charge, is $32,890, a sum that would put you in a top-of-the-line long-wheelbase TrailBlazer EXT with four-wheel drive. If you go for a loaded SS with four-wheel drive, like my test vehicle, you're looking at $39,175. That's a tougher number to digest, for sure. And while we're discussing digestion, I have to say I find the whole notion of high-performance sport-utility vehicles very tough to swallow. The idea of trying to achieve brisk acceleration and athletic reflexes in vehicles such as this is like getting ready to run the 400-meter high hurdles by putting on cowboy boots and strapping about 50 pounds of rocks in your backpack. If your prime objective is speed and agility, there are all kinds of cars that will do a better job, delivering distinctly better fuel economy and a distinctly higher fun-to-drive factor. That said, even at top dollar the TrailBlazer SS stands out among the muscle SUVs, primarily because its bag of tricks is more comprehensive than the more overtly macho machines, making it far more useful as an everyday proposition. Unlike others, Chevy product planners haven't forgotten the utility part of the sport-utility equation. So if you must have one of these illogical brutes, get one the one that has function, as well as ferocity. As little as I like to admit it, in this day and age, man does not live by whooma alone. TONY SWAN is executive editor of Car and Driver magazine. He was Free Press auto critic from 1993 to 2000 and remains a regular contributor. Edited January 5, 2006 by HarleyEarl

[Guest Josh]

Shortcomings: Laughable fuel economy, strange vehicle concept.

So, let me get this right. A big, hawking V8 gets bad fuel economy? It's not meant to be a Prius! What a laughable reason for a shortcoming.

And, "strange vehicle concept" is noted as the other? Are you kidding me? When Honda rolls out the Element it's praised and is a segment buster, when GM drops a hot rod V8 into an SUV it's a shortcoming?

Man the media needs a "rule" book to keep things consistent at least.

[boblutzfan]

In the most recent issue of Car and Driver the complain that the new Tahoe gets poor gas mileage yet it is best of all current full size SUVs. People don't buy SUV's to save gas - this is a terrible shortcoming. If the next Malibu gets poor fuel economy - then it is a real issue. Not in the new Tahoe or this SS.

[David]

<_< No we just need to shoot all these stupid Neo Conservative Asian Loving Fuggly's that have no real concept of auto's or any real understanding of a vehicle. These are the same idiots that could not turn a screw to save their life. BASTERED! :angry: This baby rocks and way better than any honda Element or any other Honda, Toyota or asian trash. If they made a real auto with real size for real americans, they would realize none of their auto's make any sense and would have to start over. Let the people that want to die young and be cramped have the Asian trash, I stay with supporting my US made Auto's. B)

[sciguy_0504]

Weird because in studies done during the '04 electon I thought liberals were more likely to drive a foreign-made car. Talk about not making sense, dfelt.

[johnnyb]

So, let me get this right. A big, hawking V8 gets bad fuel economy? It's not meant to be a Prius! What a laughable reason for a shortcoming.

And, "strange vehicle concept" is noted as the other? Are you kidding me? When Honda rolls out the Element it's praised and is a segment buster, when GM drops a hot rod V8 into an SUV it's a shortcoming?

Man the media needs a "rule" book to keep things consistent at least.

[post="68051"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

You can't entirely dismiss fuel economy. Only supercars get that treatment, the SS is still an SUV meant to haul kids, go to work, go to the mall, ect.

And personally, I think this SS is a vehicle nobody asked for.

[caddycruiser]

You can't entirely dismiss fuel economy. Only supercars get that treatment, the SS is still an SUV meant to haul kids, go to work, go to the mall, ect.

And personally, I think this SS is a vehicle nobody asked for.

[post="68068"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

I kinda agree. Too bad they couldn't put that kind of effort and time into revamping the mushy and sloppy entire line of GMT-360's, from fixing their 70's Caddy ride and handling, to pumping up the Cavalier-grade interiors, exterior fit & finish, etc.

The TB SS is really cool, no doubt, and from what I've read, a major step up in driving quality over the typical TB, but I think they would have done better overall just to spend the time and money and focus more on getting the entire GMT-360 line up to date and into this decade, so they had more of a potential "across the board" success and not just one nice model out of a bunch of mediocre. Edited January 5, 2006 by caddycruiser

[Newbiewar]

You can't entirely dismiss fuel economy. Only supercars get that treatment, the SS is still an SUV meant to haul kids, go to work, go to the mall, ect.

And personally, I think this SS is a vehicle nobody asked for.

[post="68068"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

they are asking now...

everyone wants an ss trail blazer.. they almost as good fuel ecconomy as the tahoes with the great performance, the feel of a hotrod at your tippie toes nice brakes awesome acceloration and a suspension worthy of driving fast :) Edited January 5, 2006 by Newbiewar

[mjd1001]

In the most recent issue of Car and Driver the complain that the new Tahoe gets poor gas mileage yet it is best of all current full size SUVs.  People don't buy SUV's to save gas - this is a terrible shortcoming.  If the next Malibu gets poor fuel economy - then it is a real issue.  Not in the new Tahoe or this SS.

[post="68057"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

There are some people who would like to buy an SUV but gas mileage is an issue for them.

Take a look at how well the Saturn Vue is selling lately (250hp suv with 28mpg highway).

Look at how well the Rav4 sells with gas mileage even better than the Saturn Vue.

I don't expect something like the trailblazer to get 30mpg highway...but if the SS could get in the low 20's highway, I would probably buy one...where right now it's nto even being considered.

When you drive 30,000+ miles per year for a job like I do...the $1000+ in fuel savings adds up.

[BuickEight]

Weird because in studies done during the '04 electon I thought liberals were more likely to drive a foreign-made car.

Talk about not making sense, dfelt.

[post="68067"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Al Gore had a Mercury Sable and an Olds Alero during the 2000 election. Rove has a Jaguar, and the indicted Scotter Libby drives an older Saab convertible. Wisconsin senator Russ Feingold drives a Park Avenue Ultra. Wisconsin(my state) governor Doyle(D) also has a Park Avenue. I'm not sure what any of the other politicians drive. And studies don't mean jack shit! I'm a liberal, as is my whole family, and we all drive Domestic. Old people are usually liberal too, and they drive their Buicks. I'll admit that liberals in California probably drive mostly imports, but California is a different story. And lastly, I worked at a dealer that sold Mercedes, BMW and Porsche. All those greedy rich bastards were republicans. So, stop watching so much Faux News.

[FAPTurbo]

Weird because in studies done during the '04 electon I thought liberals were more likely to drive a foreign-made car.

Talk about not making sense, dfelt.

I think it's useless trying to define a person's political view just by the car they drive... My family are memebers of the Conservative's (Canada) and we drive domestic and my buddy is also a conservative but he drives a Mazda.

There is only one vehicle I know of that scream's "liberal" and that's Volvo! :rolleyes:

Let's all agree on this: if a dude is driving a Scion xB-ox he's neither a liberal or a conservative but instead just an ill-informed moron... that or he's a Ralph Nader (pinko-commie) kind of guy. <_<

[pow]

I think it's useless trying to define a person's political view just by the car they drive... My family are memebers of the Conservative's (Canada) and we drive domestic and my buddy is also a conservative but he drives a Mazda.

There is only one vehicle I know of that scream's "liberal" and that's Volvo! :rolleyes:

Let's all agree on this: if a dude is driving a Scion xB-ox he's neither a liberal or a conservative but instead just an ill-informed moron... that or he's a Ralph Nader (pinko-commie) kind of guy.  <_<

[post="68179"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Strange... around here, most Volvo drivers are conservative, safety, family-types who want an unassuming station wagon to transport their 2.5 kids from Suburbia to the local church or school.

[Imaj]

Shortcomings: Laughable fuel economy, strange vehicle concept.

Porsche Cayanne turbo anyone??

[sciguy_0504]

I think it's useless trying to define a person's political view just by the car they drive... My family are memebers of the Conservative's (Canada) and we drive domestic and my buddy is also a conservative but he drives a Mazda.

There is only one vehicle I know of that scream's "liberal" and that's Volvo! :rolleyes:

Let's all agree on this: if a dude is driving a Scion xB-ox he's neither a liberal or a conservative but instead just an ill-informed moron... that or he's a Ralph Nader (pinko-commie) kind of guy.  <_<

[post="68179"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Well, I guess I'm a moron, then. I'm far from a pink-commie, thank God.

[ponchoman49]

So, let me get this right. A big, hawking V8 gets bad fuel economy? It's not meant to be a Prius! What a laughable reason for a shortcoming.

And, "strange vehicle concept" is noted as the other? Are you kidding me? When Honda rolls out the Element it's praised and is a segment buster, when GM drops a hot rod V8 into an SUV it's a shortcoming?

Man the media needs a "rule" book to keep things consistent at least.

[post="68051"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

I had to laugh when Toyota & Driver pitted the xBox to the Element to the PT Cruiser to the HHR and gave the xBox first place. If there ever was a vehicle that could claim the title "strange vehicle concept" this would be it.

[Angry Dad]

There are some people who would like to buy an SUV but gas mileage is an issue for them.

Take a look at how well the Saturn Vue is selling lately (250hp suv with 28mpg highway).

Look at how well the Rav4 sells with gas mileage even better than the Saturn Vue.

I don't expect something like the trailblazer to get 30mpg highway...but if the SS could get in the low 20's highway, I would probably buy one...where right now it's nto even being considered.

When you drive 30,000+ miles per year for a job like I do...the $1000+ in fuel savings adds up.

[post="68114"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

For some reason the new larger Rav 4 with V6 power, well that statement is baloney. That from the same company that went hybrid on the Lexus 400 and got no improvement in mileage. Guess the image doesn't match the facts but as PT Barnum said.....

[sciguy_0504]

Toyota has said time and time again that the hybrid Highlander and 400H were always towards the more power-end of the hybrid scale, even specifically mentioning "V8 power with V6 mileage" numerous times. What, so Toyota should only have I4's in its cars? I'll remember that when GM puts out hybrids.

[funkypunnk]

Old people are usually liberal too, and they drive their Buicks.  I'll admit that liberals in California probably drive mostly imports, but California is a different story.  And lastly, I worked at a dealer that sold Mercedes, BMW and Porsche.  All those greedy rich bastards were republicans.  So, stop watching so much Faux News.

[post="68122"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

EVERY Old person I know of is a Republican. After spending their lives supporting the self-entitled welfare class in this country, they got tired of it and decided that although republicans want to pay alot less in taxes, it tends to be because they earned their money and feel it should help them and not a bunch of lazy good for nothing bums who just want to collect checks and eat steak on food stamps! I want the whole welfare system to stop, and all of the people on it can fall back to the golden rule of survival, Only the fit shall survive! Work, or starve!! No free handouts, no free lunch!!! You want free, find a communist or socialist country and move, but don't ask for a free plane ticket. I know I have extreme views, but then again I WORK for a living and don't like standing in line behind some idiot with a food stamp card who is buying better steaks than I am when I paid for her friggin meal! I always hope that they get robbed of their food in the parking lot. Maybe then they'll have to actually work for some food, no, they would probably just sue the supermarket and get rich and become Republican so they could try to keep more of their ill-gotten gains!!!

Darn Liberals, get me worked up every time!

[BuddyP]

I drove a new TB SS today!!! A white one. There was a black one on the lot but already sold. I like the leather/swade seats, and the brushed chrome accents on the dash and shifter dressed up the interior nicely. Found the traction control button that's hidden on the side of the shifter but didn't make a difference on dry pavement. I thought it'd be a little more spunky down low when you first jump on the gas but the motor needs to wind, after that it moves along pretty good. I didn't get all crazy with it but did make a couple WOT runs up to around 70mph, then the g/f started complaining about how uncomfortable all the g-forces were LMAO! Oh well, I still had fun. Edited January 11, 2006 by BuddyP

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

I'm sure the Trailblazer SS would've been the "answer to everyones prayers" had it been a 4Runner SS. These "journalists" (The very same people who LAUGHED AT and PROTESTED the first hybrids) are just living the GREAT AMERICAN DREAM of CONFORMING to what's popular. Partially because it's trendy, partially to stick it to Detroit and partially to gain those "kiddies" that read the magazines. LOL.... "IF you just MUST have one of these illogical things" (Like 54% of car buying America) LOL

[Jtirwin24]

Im getting as Trailblazer SS... putting in an order soon. - black, rwd but gonna get the leather SS seats. Lots of oppions here. Personally i thought it was pretty amazing but of corse i want more... anyone got anyideas beside the normals.... too bad pct flash doesn't make chips for chevys. Wondering what i can get out of it althoguht it pretty sick as it is. yall might ask why i wouldn't sjut a get a sports car if i wanna go fast.... becuase its differnt and i like it... so any replys bout it would be sweet

[BuddyP]

Supercharger!!

[mphmag]

I'm in an ss right now actually. It's pretty nice ride. I just can't believe anyone could live with this interior for another five years since it already seems like it's ten years out of date. Otherwise It handles and drives pretty great. Huge f'in engine. good lookin on the outside etc. I don't like the cloth seats. good idea to go leather.