On April 25, 2024, the Beijing International Auto Show officially kicked off. At the SAIC-GM Chevrolet booth in Hall E2, the brand showcased a variety of popular models, including the best-selling SUV, the Trailblazer. However, this Trailblazer is a bit different this time. It not only looks more handsome, but also follows the trend of new energy vehicles by using plug-in hybrid power. Who is it? It’s the Trailblazer Plus.
Explorer Plus is positioned as a mid-size SUV, featuring the latest exterior design language and a plug-in hybrid system with a 1.5T engine and electric motor. The new car has officially debuted at this auto show, with a starting price of 14.99-17.99 million yuan. Explorer Plus has launched four models this time, including RS and Activ with different interior and exterior design styles.
The main focus of this test drive is the Explorer Plus ACTIV Ultimate Edition, the top-of-the-line model. The new car features the latest family design language, combining classic American style with deconstructivist elements, showcasing its powerful presence and muscular appearance.
The front design highlights a three-dimensional feel, with rich angular lines that are not dull. The thick trim, along with the black grille, creates a contrasting beauty, showcasing the ruggedness of American SUVs to the fullest. The ACTIV style grille uses bright trim, while the RS style uses classic black paint, with slight differences in the grille style.
The new car features a split-style headlight design with slim LED daytime running lights that appeal to young users. The RS version is marked in red on the left side of the grille, while the ACTIV version is in black.
The Explorer Plus looks sleek and sporty with its muscular lines. The black mirrors, luggage rack, and roof add a cool touch. Bright accents line the side skirts. The English logo is displayed near the front door. The dimensions are 4653*1902*1714mm, with a wheelbase of 2730mm.
The rear end is square, with widened sides for stability. The bumper is rugged, painted silver, with “Y” shaped taillights and blue PHEV badge.
The ACTIV-style wheels and tires are more focused on off-road and cross-country properties. The five-spoke wheels look very sturdy, paired with all-terrain tires from Goodyear, sized 235/65R17, full of wildness. In addition, the ACTIV-exclusive Rock Black off-road kit: focusing on sports exploration, the ACTIV-exclusive Rock Black front bumper, ACTIV-exclusive Rock Black exterior mirrors, ACTIV-exclusive Rock Black window trim, Rock Black trend front grille with ACTIV-exclusive logo, ACTIV-exclusive Rock Black nameplate, also make this car more personalized.
In terms of interior design, the traditional style of the brand is still evident in the Explorer Plus. However, the Explorer Plus is making efforts to move towards mainstream intelligent models while maintaining its own style. The craftsmanship and materials of the interior are of high quality, with a 11+11.3 inch high-definition floating dual screen that supports 10 billion colors. The built-in apps meet the daily driving needs.
The car system can also connect to controllers to play games, greatly expanding its use cases. Play a game while waiting for someone, and you won’t feel bored.
The new car still uses physical buttons for common functions. There is a flat storage space in front of the passenger side dashboard, with a wireless charging panel for phones in the middle. The slanted design makes it easier to grab the phone. The hidden compartment makes the dashboard cleaner. There is also a storage space below for shoes or bags.
The American-style large sofa-like seats are wide and comfortable. I am 180cm tall and weigh 200 pounds. Whether sitting in the front or rear seats, my body is well supported. The front seats also support ventilation and heating functions. In the actual shooting of the ACTIV version, the seat headrest is embroidered with the “ACTIV” logo, reflecting its uniqueness.
The rear seats can be folded in a 4/6 ratio, expanding the trunk volume to 1619L. Even without folding the rear seats, the trunk still offers 648L of space for storing commonly used items.
The new car is equipped with a new generation 1.5T plug-in hybrid system from GM, with a maximum power of 132kW and maximum torque of 250N·m. The car accelerates from 0-100km/h in 6.8 seconds, with a top speed of 180km/h and pure electric acceleration from 0-60km/h in 3.7 seconds. The car has a comprehensive range of over 1000km, pure electric range of 155km, and a comprehensive fuel consumption of only 1.05L/100km. The car offers two driving modes: pure electric priority and intelligent hybrid.
Summary: As the best-selling SUV model of the Chevrolet brand, the Trailblazer has been upgraded in terms of power, configuration, and appearance to enhance its market competitiveness and gradually transition towards electrification. With a price of 149,900 yuan (20690$) and joint venture quality, I personally think it’s worth a shot.