Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer

small SUV / 4-door SUV

2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4-door SUV

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2021-24 models built after July 2020

Tested vehicle: 2021 Buick Encore GX Select 4-door 4wd

The Buick Encore GX was introduced in the 2020 model year as a replacement for the Buick Encore, while the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer returns after an 11-year absence from the market as a replacement for the Chevrolet Trax. Two small overlap frontal tests of the Encore GX were conducted, one by the Institute and the other by General Motors . Ratings are based on both tests, but the vehicle specifications shown below are based on the Institute’s test.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to keep the head from coming close to any stiff structure or outside objects that could cause injury.

The driver's space was maintained well, and risk of injuries to the dummy's legs and feet was low.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTN2105 CEN2104
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 6 5
Footrest (cm) 5 2
Left toepan (cm) 2 1
Brake pedal (cm) 3 2
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1 1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 6 4
Upper dash (cm) 6 2
Lower instrument panel (cm) 5 2

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTN2105 CEN2104
Head
HIC-15 154 122
Peak gs at hard contact no contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 19 12
Maximum Nij 0.21 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 20 24
Femur (kN)
Left 1.1 0.1
Right 1.0 0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1 0
Right 1 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0 0
Right 0 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.44 0.66
Right 0.42 0.50
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.8 1.6
Right 1.3 1.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 54 50
Right 112 40

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2021-24 models built after July 2020

Tested vehicle: 2021 Buick Encore GX Essence 4-door 4wd

The Buick Encore GX was introduced in the 2020 model year as a replacement for the Buick Encore, while the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer returns after an 11-year absence from the market as a replacement for the Chevrolet Trax. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Encore GX conducted by General Motors.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP2109
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 8
Footrest (cm) 4
Right toepan (cm) 0
Center toepan (cm) 2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 5
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 7
Upper dash (cm) 7
Right lower dash (cm) 6

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP2109
Head
HIC-15 243
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm) 14
Maximum Nij 0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm) 16
Femur (kN)
Left 1.9
Right 3.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 4
Right 10
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.75
Right 0.86
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.7
Right 2.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 50
Right 38

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP2109
Head
HIC-15 168
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 11
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 22
Femur (kN)
Left 0.0
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.26
Right 0.25
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.5
Right 0.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 40
Right 55

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2021-24 models built after July 2020

Tested vehicle: 2021 Buick Encore GX Select 4-door 4wd

The Buick Encore GX was introduced in the 2020 model year as a replacement for the Buick Encore, while the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer returns after an 11-year absence from the market as a replacement for the Chevrolet Trax. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Encore GX conducted by General Motors.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF2104
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 3
Left (cm) 3
Center (cm) 4
Right (cm) 9
Brake pedal (cm) 10
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) -2
Rearward (cm) 9
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF2104
Head
HIC-15 180
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 9
Maximum Nij 0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.2
Femur force - right (kN) 1.9
Knee displacement - left (mm) 0
Knee displacement - right (mm) 0
Maximum tibia index - left 0.36
Maximum tibia index - right 0.46
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.7
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 5.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 64
Right 129

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2021-24 models built after July 2020

Tested vehicle: 2020 Buick Encore GX Essence 4-door 4wd

The Buick Encore GX was introduced in the 2020 model year as a replacement for the Buick Encore, while the 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer returns after an 11-year absence from the market as a replacement for the Chevrolet Trax. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Encore GX conducted by General Motors.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS2104
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -18.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS2104
Head HIC-15 268
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 35
Lateral force (kN) 1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 36
Average deflection (mm) 32
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 4.59
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.68
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.2
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.7
Combined force (kN) 2.8
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.9
L-M moment (Nm) 171
A-P moment (Nm) 16

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS2104
Head HIC-15 173
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 23
Lateral force (kN) 1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 28
Average deflection (mm) 26
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.28
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.28
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.5
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.6
Combined force (kN) 2.0
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.8
L-M moment (Nm) 70
A-P moment (Nm) 20

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2021-23 models built after July 2020

Tested vehicle: 2021 Buick Encore GX Preferred 4-door 4wd

Ratings apply to the Buick Encore GX (tested) and the structurally similar all new 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,243 lbs
Peak force17,002 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.24

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leatherette seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power leatherette seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 26
Distance below top of head (mm) 3
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 10.7
Head contact time (ms) 64
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 9
Max neck tension (N) 386

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Activ trim equipped with Technology package
  • RS trim equipped with Technology package
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Activ trim equipped with Technology package
  • RS trim equipped with Technology package
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2021-23 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 122.6 m None
Straightaway left edge 75.3 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 84.2 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 85.2 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 64.0 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 62.7 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 192.6 m
Straightaway left edge 162.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 88.0 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 90.2 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 65.7 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 65.6 m

Trim level(s)

  • L trim
  • LS trim
  • LT trim
  • ACTIV trim
  • RS trim
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on the sharp right and sharp left curves and inadequate on the gradual right and gradual left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual left and both right curves and inadequate on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • L trim
  • LS trim
  • LT trim
  • ACTIV trim
  • RS trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2021-23 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 92.2 m None
Straightaway left edge 51.3 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 54.9 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 46.9 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 49.6 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 45.4 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 168.3 m
Straightaway left edge 153.2 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 72.6 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 69.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 56.1 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 53.4 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard Automatic Emergency Braking

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021-23 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 22 mph.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • standard Automatic Emergency Braking

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2021-24 models

Advanced
Advanced

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 22 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 21 mph.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 16 mph. A warning was issued 1.1 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2021-24 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimPreferred
Seat type cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimPreferred
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 6
Clearance angle (degrees) 77
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 22
Clearance angle (degrees) 77
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 18
Clearance angle (degrees) 81
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 15
Clearance angle (degrees) 79
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation