The 2027 Trailblazer Z71 Is Here, and Chevy’s Cheapest SUVs Just Got a Lot Smarter
Chevy’s two most affordable SUVs are getting serious upgrades for 2027, and the biggest surprise is a badge I know well. The 2027 Trailblazer Z71 marks the first time Chevrolet has put its famous off-road trim on its small SUV.
That’s not the only news, though. Both the 2027 Trax and 2027 Trailblazer pick up a refreshed design, more than 20 standard safety and driver assistance features, and bigger screens running Google built-in with Gemini. Here’s what families need to know about Chevy’s updated small SUV pair, including what’s new, what’s standard, and when you can buy one.
Chevy’s Small SUVs Are on a Record Pace
Chevrolet isn’t refreshing these two because they’re struggling. In fact, the Trax and Trailblazer are having their best combined sales year ever, with more than a quarter-million vehicles delivered so far in 2026. We saw that strength in GM’s third-quarter sales results, where small crossovers stayed strong even as overall sales dipped.
“With both these nameplates, Chevrolet sells more vehicles in the small SUV segment than anyone else, and these updates will make them an even stronger option for customers, with more standard safety, improved tech, and a refreshed design,” said Scott Bell, vice president of Global Chevrolet.
The Trax alone accounts for one-fifth of the small SUV segment’s volume. So, these updates matter for a lot of families shopping on a budget.
More Than 20 Standard Safety Features
As a dad, this is the update I care about most. Thanks to an upgraded electrical and software architecture, both SUVs now come with more than 20 standard safety and driver assistance features. Highlights include Adaptive Cruise Control, Front and Rear Park Assist, Safety Alert Seat, and Blind Zone Steering Assist.
Several of those standard features are new to the Trax and Trailblazer for 2027, including:
- Reverse Automatic Braking
- Rear Cross Traffic Braking
- Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking
- Side Bicyclist Alert
- Front Park Assist
- Rear Seat Belt Indicator
That rear seat belt indicator might seem minor. Still, anyone who has driven with kids knows how often a buckle mysteriously comes undone. Meanwhile, features like Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking used to be reserved for far pricier vehicles. We’ve covered how GM safety tech is making family vehicles smarter, and this is that philosophy trickling down to Chevy’s entry-level models.
Bigger Screens and Google Built-In With Gemini
Tech gets a major bump, too. Both SUVs now feature a standard 11-inch-diagonal driver information center paired with an 11.3-inch-diagonal infotainment screen. The interface also includes Google built-in with Gemini, so you can talk to your SUV a lot more naturally.
Additionally, OnStar One is newly available, and Chevy includes it for 12 months. That plan brings the full suite of OnStar services, including in-vehicle Wi-Fi Hotspot capability and video streaming. For road-tripping families with tablets in the back seat, that hotspot could keep the peace for a few hundred miles. However, keeping those services after the included year requires an active plan. We broke down how GM handles connected services in our 2027 Silverado subscriptions myth vs. fact story.
The 2027 Trax Gets a More Premium Look
Chevy streamlined the Chevrolet Trax lineup for 2027, which now includes three trims: the entry-level Trax, RS, and ACTIV. Every version gets a new grille, new wheel designs, all-LED taillamps, and a redesigned liftgate.
Each trim also has its own personality. The base Trax wears wheels with a higher-contrast finish for a more urban look. The RS leans sporty on 19-inch wheels, the largest available across the lineup. Meanwhile, the ACTIV keeps its adventure-inspired styling with a unique front-end design.
Inside, new hexagonal side vents freshen up the instrument panel. Better yet, a power liftgate is available on the Trax for the first time. I called this generation a pleasant, inexpensive surprise when it launched, and I came away impressed after my 2024 Trax ACTIV first drive. Adding a power liftgate makes it even easier to recommend to parents juggling groceries and a toddler.
Both the Trax and Trailblazer also debut Storm Sky Gray, an all-new interior color for Chevrolet with a more natural, earthy tone.
Trailblazer Z71: Chevy’s Entry-Level Adventure SUV
Now for the big news. The 2027 Chevrolet Trailblazer lineup includes an entry-level Trailblazer, RS, and the all-new Z71. The 2027 Trailblazer Z71 comes with standard all-wheel drive (AWD), an off-road-tuned suspension, an underbody skid plate, and sport-terrain tires.
That badge carries some history. Chevy has used the “Z” identifier since 1963 to signal added capability, and Z71 debuted on its full-size pickups in 1988. Today, you’ll find it on the Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, and Silverado, which just brought Z71 back as its own trim for 2027.
It’s personal for me, too. My first brand-new vehicle was a 2007 Chevy Silverado, back when you could get a Z71 on a 2WD truck. So, seeing the badge land on a small SUV makes me smile. Chevrolet pitches it as capability for when the pavement ends, and for most families, that means gravel roads to campsites and trailheads.
“By bringing that proven Z71 attitude to Trailblazer, we’re giving more customers an authentic way to embrace everyday exploration,” said Megan Liebrock, assistant marketing manager for Trax and Trailblazer.
A Smarter Trailblazer Cabin for Families
The Trailblazer’s interior gets a driver-focused redesign. A new column-mounted shifter frees up room for a redesigned center console with more flexible storage. Even better, the cupholders retract to open up more storage space when you don’t need them.
The change I like most for families is in the back seat, though. The updated design makes room for rear HVAC vents, so back-seat passengers finally get direct airflow. If you live somewhere like East Texas, where August feels like the surface of the sun, rear vents aren’t a luxury. They’re a must, especially with kids in car seats.
On top of that, the Z71 adds debossed front-row headrests and a new Jet Black and Storm Sky Gray interior with Orange accents. Plus, the AutoSense power liftgate is now available on the Trailblazer. It’s a big step up from the 2023 Trailblazer RS I reviewed a few years ago.
2027 Trax and Trailblazer at a Glance
Here’s a quick rundown of everything Chevrolet has confirmed so far.
Trims
- Trax: Trax, RS, and ACTIV
- Trailblazer: Trailblazer, RS, and Z71 (new)
New Standard Safety Features
- Reverse Automatic Braking
- Rear Cross Traffic Braking
- Intersection Automatic Emergency Braking
- Side Bicyclist Alert
- Front Park Assist
- Rear Seat Belt Indicator
Technology
- Standard 11-Inch-Diagonal Driver Information Center
- Standard 11.3-Inch-Diagonal Infotainment Screen
- Google Built-In With Gemini
- OnStar One Available (Included for 12 Months)
Design Updates
- Trax: New Grille, New Wheel Designs, All-LED Taillamps, Redesigned Liftgate
- Trax: Available Power Liftgate (First Time)
- Trailblazer: Column-Mounted Shifter, Retractable Cupholders, Rear HVAC Vents
- Trailblazer: Available AutoSense Power Liftgate
- New Storm Sky Gray Interior Color
Trailblazer Z71 Hardware
- Standard AWD
- Off-Road-Tuned Suspension
- Underbody Skid Plate
- Sport-Terrain Tires
- Debossed Front-Row Headrests
- Jet Black and Storm Sky Gray Interior With Orange Accents
Availability
- On Sale: Spring 2027
- Pricing: Not Yet Announced
- Assembly: Domestically and Globally Sourced Parts
When Can You Buy the 2027 Trax and Trailblazer?
Both SUVs arrive at Chevrolet dealers in spring 2027. Chevy hasn’t announced pricing or powertrain details yet, so we’ll update you as soon as those numbers are available.
Value has always been the calling card for the Trax and Trailblazer. With more standard safety, better tech, rear vents, and now a Z71, Chevy is making a strong case to families who want a lot of SUV without a big monthly payment. Which one would you pick? Let us know on social media, and stay tuned to GT: Garage Talk® for first drives once these hit the road.
