Page 45 - Layout 1

AUTO
REVIEW
Full Size GM SUVs

By Stephen Schutz, MD

GM is hitting their stride with SUVs these days, particularly since reminder that Chevrolet, like most divisions of GM, has an SUV or
they launched their all-new full-size models, the 2021 Chevrolet crossover for almost everyone. What does that mean? In order of de-
Tahoe/Suburban, GMC Yukon/Yukon XL and Cadillac scending size, you can buy these SUVs from Chevy: Suburban,
Escalade/Escalade ESV last year. All of those vehicles have been sell- Tahoe, Traverse, Equinox, Blazer, Trailblazer and Trax.
ing strongly since they were introduced—in fact, many have found The Trailblazer is small and modestly priced—the base MSRP is
happy homes with BCMS members and their families. just under $20,000—and looks like something your medical assis-
Besides the usual evolutionary changes—updated styling, nicer tant might drive. But it’s easy to live with and in some ways quite
interiors and more efficient powertrains—the big news with this luxurious.
generation of GM’s full-size SUVs is that the “smaller” versions are How small is it? It’s even smaller than the Honda CRV, and yet I
now bigger. One complaint about the Tahoe, Yukon and Escalade never felt cramped in it despite my 6’ 2” frame. But that’s because I
was that, for big vehicles, they didn’t provide all that much second didn’t spend much time in the back seat, where things are less com-
or third row seating space. That’s been fixed with the addition of 5 fortable for adults than they are up front.
inches to the wheelbase, which has resulted in much more rear pas- Driving the Trailblazer was pleasant thanks to a low curb weight
senger space. In fact, things are so much better back there that I and short wheelbase, which generally optimize handling. The 155
would imagine many buyers who would have ordinarily purchased HP turbocharged 3-cylinder engine provided sufficient oomph for
longer wheelbase SUVs like the Suburban will get the shorter models my regular driving duties, but I could imagine it struggling with a
and be pleased. family of four and their gear on board, even if two of them were
Another major enhancement for the big GM SUVs is a new in- small children (the 137 HP base engine is not recommended).
dependent rear suspension. Not only does that improve ride quality, Of course, if you frequently need to carry four people and lots of
but it also allows for a lower floor, which further expands storage stuff, the friendly folks at Chevrolet would no doubt suggest that
space. you consider one of their aforementioned larger family haulers.
GM has done an excellent job positioning their full-size SUVs to It’s interesting that many features that were previously available
where they’re almost irresistible to a wide swath of upscale parents only in luxury vehicles have now trickled down to lower end models.
and grandparents. Keyless entry and engine start, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, adap-
And now GM’s going to kill them. Ok not right now, but GM tive cruise control and more are either standard in the Trailblazer or
has vowed to stop making any internal combustion engine (ICE) available as options.
vehicles after 2035, so these terrific family haulers are on the clock. And despite its diminutive size, the Trailblazer has earned a 4-star
What will current (satisfied) owners do then? safety rating from NHTSA. Not only are front and rear passengers
I think we’ve been given a hint of what’s coming from the Hum- surrounded by airbags, but important lessons learned over the years,
mer pickup truck due later this year. It’s big and long, like a Tahoe, such as positioning the seats farther inboard (and away from the
and it’s electric. Not hybrid mind you, fully electric. doors) have also been applied in the Trailblazer.
My sense is that the electric Hummer pickup’s main objective is Most BCMS members are interested in reading about GM’s new
to work the kinks out of a platform that is ultimately meant to un- full-size SUVs, and I promise to review one as soon as possible. But
derpin an upcoming generation of full-size electric SUVs from GM. spending time in one of Chevy’s much smaller crossovers was an eye-
Vehicles that will do what today’s big SUVs do, but without gasoline opening experience. The Trailblazer gives you just about everything
powered engines. Current generation batteries aren’t good enough you want in a family vehicle, except lots of space.
to allow electric SUVs to do what ICE SUVs can do yet, but I would
imagine technological improvements will, at some point, give us As always, call Phil Hornbeak, the Auto Program Manager at
electric family haulers that we’ll need and want. And since GM cur- BCMS (210-301-4367), for your best deal on any new car or truck
rently makes almost all of their profits from ICE-powered full-size brand. Phil can also connect you to preferred financing and lease rates.
SUVs and pickup trucks, the company needs those upcoming elec-
tric SUVs to be money makers. Stephen Schutz, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterol-
Anyway, back to today. Since I wasn’t able to drive one of the 2021 ogist who lived in San Antonio in the 1990s when he was
full-size GM SUVs—I wanted an Escalade but one wasn’t avail- stationed here in the US Air Force. He has been writing
able—I drove a much smaller Trailblazer, which actually serves as a auto reviews for San Antonio Medicine since 1995.

Visit us at www.bcms.org 45