2026 Chevy Trailblazer Review: How It Handles Connecticut Back Roads

The back roads of Connecticut are not kind to cars since they are narrow and have a lot of curves, with sections that go up and down without warning, and by March half of them are affected by frost heaves and potholes; a car which seems satisfactory on I-84 may feel quite different when traveling along Route 179 through Canton or Route 219 in Barkhamsted.

How does the 2026 Chevy Trailblazer perform on roads of this type? The review focuses on the aspects that are important for everyday driving such as the engines, the all-wheel drive system, ground clearance, dimensions, and the winter features. It also examines which trim level is the most appropriate in this situation. If you'd like to find out for yourself, O'Neill's Chevrolet is located on Route 44 in Avon, right at the border of some of the best back roads in the state.

The Quick Take

The Trailblazer is a small SUV designed with everyday driving in mind, not for rock crawling; it is easy to park, offers good fuel economy, and suits narrow roads. Together with the appropriate engine and all-wheel drive, it is a reliable choice for dealing with Connecticut's winter conditions. However, it isn't fast, so you should be aware of that beforehand.

Here's the short version:

• Good at: tight roads, tight parking spots, fuel economy, and low running costs
• Just okay at: passing on two-lane roads and climbing long hills with a full load
• For the back roads choose the one with the 1.3L engine and AWD.

Two Engines, and the Choice Matters

Many articles state that the Trailblazer has one engine, but that is not the case in 2026. Chevrolet is providing two engines, and both of them are turbocharged three-cylinder engines.

• The 1.2-liter turbo engine produces 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque and comes on the LS and LT models; it also has front-wheel drive and is equipped with a CVT (a continuously variable transmission) only.
• The 1.3-liter turbo engine produces 155 horsepower and 174 lb-ft of torque and is standard on the ACTIV and RS models while being available on the LS and LT.

This decision is more important than any of the others on the build sheet: if you want all-wheel drive you must select the 1.3L model, since the 1.2L cannot be ordered with it.

The figures involved are quite small. A Trailblazer will not cause you to be jolted back in your seat. When climbing Avon Mountain on Route 44 or overtaking a slow truck on a two-lane road, some planning is required. The turbo does make a difference because it reaches its peak torque at a low engine speed. However, if you frequently drive with four adults and a full cargo area, it would be a good idea to take a test drive with that situation in mind.

AWD and the 9-Speed Automatic

Adding AWD causes Chevrolet to replace the CVT with a 9-speed automatic. On winding roads this is an advantage since an ordinary automatic with fixed gears provides a more natural feeling when going down steep slopes and gives you better control while descending hills.

An all-wheel-drive system doesn't make a car stop more quickly on ice since it's the tires that enable that, but it does help when you're starting from a stop on a snowy hill, when pulling out of a driveway that hasn't been cleared, and when maintaining traction on wet leaves in the fall. In Litchfield County or in the hills of the Farmington Valley, it's worth paying for. Just remember that in Normal mode the Trailblazer runs in front-wheel drive, so press the AWD button before you head out on a slippery day.

The EPA gives the 1.3L AWD Trailblazer a rating of 26 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway; the 1.3L with front-wheel drive, however, achieves 31 mpg combined.

Ground Clearance and Rough Roads

Ground clearance ranges from approximately 7 inches on the LS and LT models to about 8 inches on the ACTIV when it has all-wheel drive. That difference may seem minor in theory. Yet on a rough dirt road leading to a trailhead, or after a heavy snowstorm before the plows pass through, an extra inch makes a difference.

The ACTIV model also has its suspension adjusted for use on off-road surfaces. You shouldn't place too much emphasis on that point since it's still just a small crossover, not a truck designed for trails. However, the suspension setup is better at coping with broken pavement and gravel than that of the base trims.

The decision about the tires is just as important as the choice of trim. Although larger wheels look better, they have thinner tire sidewalls. When driving on roads full of potholes, a taller sidewall is more tolerant. The ACTIV comes with 17-inch wheels while the RS has 19-inch ones.

Size: A Real Plus on Narrow Roads

The Trailblazer has a length of around 174 inches, which is fairly small even when compared to other small SUVs. On a narrow road with no shoulder and stone walls on each side, a smaller car is easier to position. It is also simpler to park in a crowded town lot in Collinsville or West Hartford Center.

It still carries a lot for its size:

• About 25 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats
• About 54 cubic feet with the rear seats folded
• The front passenger seat can be folded flat to accommodate items that are up to about 8.5 feet in length.

The fold-flat seat is useful; a kayak paddle, a pair of skis, or a long box from a hardware store will fit.

With the optional trailering package the Trailblazer is capable of towing up to 1,000 pounds, which is enough for a small utility trailer, nothing more.

Winter Features

In Connecticut the winters result in cold mornings, salty roads, and a lot of time having the heat on. The Trailblazer provides the following:

• Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel: available, and standard on the ACTIV and RS
• Remote start: standard starting on the LT, per Chevy dealer trim guides
• An 11-inch touchscreen: standard on every 2026 trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, the Forward Collision Alert, and automatic high beams are all included as standard equipment on each trim. Automatic high beams are useful on dark roads without street lighting, a situation that applies to much of northwest Connecticut after 5 p.m. in December.

Which Trim Makes Sense Here?

For the majority of drivers in Connecticut who use the byways, the ACTIV is the most suitable choice. It comes with the 1.3L engine, has a suspension that has been tuned for off-road use, offers the greatest ground clearance when equipped with AWD, includes heated seats and wheels, and has 17-inch wheels with more tire sidewall. If you also choose AWD then you end up with a small SUV that is ready for most of the conditions the state presents.

For those who wish to reduce their costs, the LT with the 1.3-liter engine and all-wheel drive is a good middle option. However, if your main type of driving is in the town and on the highways, then the LS or LT with the 1.2-liter engine will save you money at the beginning.

Why Buy Your Trailblazer From O'Neill's Chevrolet

The test drive is just outside the door; O'Neill's is located at 5 West Main Street on Route 44 in Avon and, within a short time, you'll be able to drive on actual hills and curves, something which tells you a lot more than a loop on a flat highway. You'll have one person to assist you at all stages, with the same salesperson dealing with you from the moment you ask your first question until you receive the keys.

The inventory is available online, so before you go, you can check the current inventory and pricing. They've been carrying on with this for a long time; O'Neill's has been operating since 1920 and the dealership considers it to be one of the oldest Chevrolet dealers in Connecticut.

The service is provided on-site, with oil changes, tune-ups, and repairs all carried out at the same address.

The Bottom Line

The 2026 Trailblazer isn't going to win a drag race and was never intended for use on off-road trails. However, it handles narrow streets, tight parking spaces, snow-covered hills, and long commutes adequately and is not expensive to operate. If you want the model with the 1.3L engine and all-wheel drive, go for the ACTIV and drive it on the types of roads you use every day before making your decision.

It's easy to do this at O'Neill's Chevrolet in Avon: just go to 5 West Main Street, ask for a Trailblazer with AWD and drive it along Route 44 and back; after twenty minutes you'll know whether it's the right one for you.