Subcompact SUVs are great for commuters who want more ride height and interior space than a sedan can offer. In the past, the downside to these vehicles was that they only offered the bare minimum regarding safety technology features, especially at the base level. That’s starting to change, and the 2023 Chevy Trailblazer is part of this new reality. We love the new Trailblazer because it’s fuel-efficient, offers a low MSRP, and is spacious despite its small stature. But we especially love that in addition to all these perks, it includes several standard and optional safety features.
The new Trailblazer is loaded with standard safety features, which are included in the model no matter what. Chevy also provides some additional safety options on top of these standard features for drivers who want even more protection. These additional safety features come at an added cost, but the standard features are cost-free. Let’s take a closer look at what’s standard and what’s optional so you can see just how safety-friendly the 2023 Chevy Trailblazer can be.
Standard Chevy Safety Assist Suite
The 2023 Trailblazer comes in four available trim levels, but no matter which trim you choose, Chevy Safety Assist is included at no additional cost. Even the base-level LS model has this standard safety suite. So, what exactly is Chevy Safety Assist, you ask? It’s a driver assistance safety suite with six driver assist features designed to help make your travels safer. It includes the following technologies:
- Forward Collision Alert & Automatic Emergency Braking – These features monitor the distance between you and the vehicle ahead and can send a warning when a front-end collision is possible. Automatic Emergency Braking kicks in when necessary and is aided by camera technologies. A “tailgating alert” is included with this feature.
- Front Pedestrian Braking – This feature works like Automatic Emergency Braking but is centered on pedestrians. It can send alerts and automatically stop the vehicle when you are traveling at 50 mph or under.
- Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning – Use this technology to stay centered in the appropriate lane. It will gently but accurately realign you when you start to “lane drift.” You can opt-in for Lane Departure Warning alerts that notify you before Lane Keep Assist kicks in.
- Following Distance Indicator – This feature monitors the distance between you and another vehicle. This “gap time” is measured in seconds and can help you decide if you need to slow down.
- Intellibeam High Beam Assist – Bright-lighting is in the past, thanks to High Beam Assist. This technology automatically dims your high beams when there’s oncoming traffic. Once the vehicle has passed, your high beams are reactivated.
You don’t always have to use these safety features simply because they are standard. These safety features are user-friendly and have optional off settings. Lane Keep Assist, for example, can be deactivated simply by pressing the Lane Keep Assist button. Other features, like the Following Distance Indicator, have selectable sensitivity settings so you can choose your preferred level of intervention. That said, drivers typically find these features helpful and prefer to leave them activated.
Standard Teen Driver Mode
Teen Driver Mode is a GM-exclusive feature that monitors your teen’s driving skills and allows you to place restrictions on specific features. It includes a “report card” that lets you review your teen’s driving, including their maximum speed and how often they’ve activated safety features. For example, you can see how many times Forward Collision Alert was triggered within the report card’s time period.
You can also set a max volume limit so the vehicle audio cannot surpass a certain level. This is important for your teen’s overall safety, especially when emergency vehicles are approaching. The seat belt audio mute feature and Buckle-to-Drive make it difficult for your teenager to drive without a seatbelt. Audio stays muted until the driver and front passenger are buckled up. Drivers cannot shift out of park for 20 seconds if their seatbelt isn’t on. Even after those 20 seconds pass, persistent audio and visual “buckle up” alerts will plague the driver until their seatbelt is buckled.
Optional Safety Features
A few safety features are available as add-ons or as you go higher up the trim ladder. These include the following:
- Lane Change Alert with Side Blind Zone Alert – Notifies you when it’s unsafe to switch lanes by using a flashing light on each side mirror. The left mirror’s monitor is for the left lane, and the right mirror covers the right lane.
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert – Monitors traffic when you’re in reverse. It can detect parking lot aisle traffic and notifies you when another vehicle is approaching.
- Adaptive Cruise Control – Uses distance monitoring to maintain an appropriate space between you and the vehicle ahead. You no longer have to set, cancel, and reset your cruise control.
- HD Rear Vision Camera – Just like your standard rear vision camera, but with high definition quality.
- OnStar Safety & Security – At the push of a button, you can access 24/7 emergency assistance, whether it is crash-related or not.
These technologies are optional and require additional costs. If you’re custom ordering your Trailblazer, you can choose which ones you want to add. Dealerships may add any combination of these features to their on-site models. OnStar is a subscription service that you can add to any vehicle, whether it is already on the lot or custom ordered.
Wireless Device Connectivity & Amazon Alexa Built-In
Sometimes convenience and safety overlap. This is the case for wireless device connectivity. When you can use “talk to text” or voice commands, you can focus more on the road and less on your infotainment center or phone. The 2023 Trailblazer comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for hands-free music, podcasts, and phone calls. In addition to these features, the Trailblazer offers available Amazon Alexa Built-In, allowing you to send voice commands to your vehicle and your home (if you own compatible Amazon Alexa devices). Like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa Built-In can stream music and podcasts via voice commands.
Access Safety at an Affordable Price
Other models that don’t offer standard safety features can quickly become costly as package add-ons can cost thousands of dollars. You may be tempted to cut corners by choosing an older model, but thanks to Chevy, you can purchase a newer and more reliable vehicle with built-in safety technologies. While safety features are becoming more normalized, they can still cost a pretty penny when you have to add them with optional packages, which is why it’s best to search for vehicles with standard safety features.
The 2023 Chevy Trailblazer allows drivers to purchase an entry-level vehicle without sacrificing quality or, most importantly, safety. No matter which trim level you choose, you will experience Chevy Safety Assist, Teen Driver Mode, and wireless device connectivity. You can also add additional safety features such as OnStar or Rear Cross Traffic Alert to all of the Trailblazer’s four trims. While safe driving is ultimately up to the driver, these additional safety technologies can make the commute even safer––especially when a teenager is in the driver’s seat. Owning a 2023 Trailblazer can help you save money while still protecting you and yours.
