SUVs have emerged as the dominant force for most American families when it comes to purchasing a dependable and practical family servant. In a market once controlled by the sedan, SUVs have taken over due to providing more practicality thanks to their hatchback-style tailgates and higher rooflines that improve interior comfort and space, while also being more convenient due to their higher ride heights. Not only does this make them generally safer in the event of a crash, but it also means parents don’t have to lean down to tend to their children in the back seat.
Plus, due to the advancement in suspension and other mechanical components over the years, SUVs now drive like actual cars, rather than top-heavy cruise liners. Still, despite all this, car enthusiasts don’t tend to get too excited about them due to the vast majority being pretty dull. If this has proven a sticking point for you so far, then perhaps this 2000s Chevy can help you become unstuck.
The Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS Has A Hidden Secret
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer SS Exterior Posed On BeachChevrolet
2006-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer SS
Engine
6.0L NA V8
Transmission
4-Speed Auto
Power
390-395 hp
Torque
400 lb-ft
0-60 mph
5.5-5.8 seconds
Average Used Value
$17,990
It’s fair to say the original Chevrolet TrailBlazer fits the whole ‘boring’ SUV persona perfectly, with its rather forgettable styling and functional inline-six engine getting the job done, but not much else. Wanting to appeal to family drivers after a fun drive from their family bus, the American marque elected to slap some SS badges on the model. Chevy’s SS trim is reserved for its performance-focused offerings, and it didn’t mess about when it came to giving this treatment to the TrailBlazer.
It started by ditching the 4.2-liter inline-six from the standard TrailBlazer with the naturally aspirated 6.0-liter LS2 V8 normally found lurking beneath the hood of the C5 Corvette, or the Pontiac GTO. This saw power rise to 395 horsepower, while the angrier-sounding powerplant brought some much-needed drama to the mid-size SUV. Some changes were made to the unit due to being slotted into the heavy TrailBlazer, with the main one being a taller intake to help the engine get more airflow, and thus make use of its full potential. It does lack five horsepower versus its performance car siblings, primarily due to a more wasteful belt-driven fan being used rather than an electric component. The result was an SUV that could blast past the 60 mph barrier in around 5.5 seconds in all-wheel drive trim, and just shy of six in rear-wheel drive form.
The grunt was shared to the driven wheels through a beefed-up four-speed automatic gearbox, which is the main weak point of the whole setup. It’s pretty sloppy when shifting between the lower gears, which takes away from the feeling of rapid and smooth progress.
The TrailBlazer SS Is A Different Beast From Standard Variants
2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SSBring a Trailer
Aside from producing well over 100 hp more than the normal TrailBlazer, the SS is also a different animal when things get twisty. The cars’ upgraded Bilstein shocks were tuned at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife to ensure it was genuinely fun to throw about, while a stiffer front stabilizer bar was brought to the party to sharpen up the front end. The brakes were also revised, with the more effective pads from a Corvette incorporated to improve performance and feel as you jumped on the brake pedal.
It even looked vastly different from the standard car, with a racier body kit being joined by large 20-inch aluminum wheels. The TrailBlazer SS wasn’t merely a badging exercise, this thing was the real deal.
You Don’t Have To Compromise On The Practical Stuff
Black 2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS trunkBring a Trailer
Despite having a huge V8 shoved out front, you won’t have to worry about dealing with any form of compromised cabin space with the SS. It retains the same amount of cockpit and trunk space as the lower-end models, primarily because the engine bay of the machine is large enough to swallow it up without too much trouble. You get a handy 41 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, a figure that rises to an impressive 80.1 cubic feet when they’re lowered.
The TrailBlazer’s roofline also provides plenty of headroom for passengers front and rear, with around 40 inches provided wherever you elect to sit. That said, while you don’t have to forego any space within the SS, your wallet will get hit harder. While the base TrailBlazer isn’t exactly a Prius, thanks to its 16 combined MPG fuel efficiency figure, the SS can only muster up 14 MPG thanks to its thirstier powerplant. Then again, it’s doubtful you really care about fuel economy if you’re considering buying a 4,500-pound SUV with a Corvette V8 under the hood.
It’s Also Well-Equipped
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer SS interiorChevrolet
Being the range-topping version of the breed, there is also plenty of equipment onboard to help keep you and the family happy. The SS comes with premium leather seats, rather than the cloth chairs that the normal vehicle is afforded, which are also heated and electrically-adjustable. At least in the front. There’s also an automatic climate control system as opposed to the manually-adjustable setup found in the cheaper TrailBlazers, while power-adjustable mirrors are also thrown in.
Shop around, and you should be able to find examples equipped with options like a Bose audio system, a rear-seat entertainment setup, as well as satellite navigation.
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Chevy’s 2000s Muscle SUV Is A Used Bargain
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer SS Exterior Finished In SilverChevrolet
Then we come to the best bit; the price. Whereas a brand-new equivalent muscle SUV, such as a Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat, will set you back north of $75,000, a used TrailBlazer SS demands less than a third of that. The CarBuzz Marketplace reports that the average used value for the model sits at just $17,990. This will net you a TrailBlazer SS with north of 100,000 miles on the clock with a revered clean title, and in good condition.
Given the mileage, make sure to thoroughly inspect the service history of each car you consider, as that V8 can be costly to maintain if it hasn’t been cherished over the years.
Finding a low-mileage example is quite tricky these days, given its age and family-focused design, so these are worth quite a lot more. Budget for around $25k, and you’ll be able to pick up SS’ with closer to 60,000 miles on the odometer, whereas sub-50k mile specimens will demand in excess of $30k.
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The TrailBlazer SS Can Prove Problematic
2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer SS Exterior Finished In BlackChevrolet
Aside from being pretty thirsty, it’s worth noting that the TrailBlazer SS’s mighty powertrain is known to suffer from various problems that could leave you cursing it. While Chevy’s engineers reinforced the engine to deal with the larger platform, it didn’t go quite far enough. One of the most common issues is spun bearings, which will lead to total engine destruction. The cause relates to the oil pickup location within the engine, as its place more towards the front of the pan. Under hard acceleration, the oil sloshes to the rear of the pan, away from the pickup point. As a result, the engine briefly runs dry, which causes issues with the internals over time. The bearings usually go first, which will force you to invest in a new engine.
Make sure to listen out for any knocking noises when you switch on the engine, as this could be a sign that the bearings are letting go. Alongside this, the auto transmission is known to go pop over time, as it struggles to deal with the extreme grunt provided by the V8. When looking at a used example, be wary that the unit is shifting cleanly and without hesitation, as if not, it could be on its way out. Both problems will cost you thousands of dollars to escape, and leave the vehicle out of action for several days at least. The AWD versions are also known to munch through their front transfer cases, again due to the components not being strong enough to deal with the force of the V8 over longer periods.
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Seeing as the very newest TrailBlazer SS’ are nearly 20 years old, you’ll also have to be prepared for various parts being broken or beyond their best due to years of wear and tear. Do your research though, and you should be able to track down a well-looked-after and solid TrailBlazer SS to add to your collection. After all, it’s not easy to net yourself such a thrilling, rapid, and practical muscle SUV for this sort of outlay. Leave some money aside for keeping it fueled up and for general maintenance, and you’ll have a riot.
Sources: Chevrolet.
