The engineers at Chevy clearly have spent some time watching Overhaulin' and Pimp My Ride. How else to explain the makeover of the ho-hum Trailblazer? For starters, Chevy decided to drop the Corvette LS2 V-8 engine under the hood, then dressed up the ride with sharp 20-inch rims and subtle, yet distinctive body moldings that make for a clean, aggressively styled exterior. The blacked-out mesh grille lets you know something wicked this way comes, while the chromed exhaust tips scream eat my dust. Xzibit would be impressed.
The cabin sports prominent performance gauges, with the tachometer taking center stage. Supportive yet cushy front bucket seats -- embroidered with the SS insignia -- are sporty yet luxurious. Our model surprisingly lacked the full leather treatment but we were pleasantly surprised by the fabric quality. Tasteful chrome and aluminum accents work well, adding up to a cool cruiser that draws stares without trying too hard.
Our maroon tester had as much "go" as "show," thanks to Chevyís delightfully torque-y small-block 6-liter V-8, also used in their C6 Corvette and SSR models. At nearly 400 hp, the V-8 bends the laws of physics, propelling the 4,800-pound sled from 0-60 in less than six seconds. The SS pulls instantly and aggressively at any speed, and -- thanks to a beefed-up suspension -- the Trailblazer corners remarkably well for an SUV. The SS comes in rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive models, and while it may be easier to smoke the tires with the rear-wheel model, there is a certain security in having four tires on your side. It is an SUV after all, even though it doesnít act like one.
Sophisticated, dangerously fast, and lots of room in the back seat. If you can't close that deal, it must be your shoes.
