What Is the Cheapest Chevrolet?
The Chevrolet Trailblazer is now the cheapest Chevrolet, following the discontinuation of the Spark in 2021. Here’s what you need to know.
Written by Bonnie Stinson
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
The Chevy brand is synonymous with rugged power—but in recent years, Chevrolet has also prioritized luxury and convenience. The cheapest Chevrolet, the 2023 Trailblazer, is a small SUV that packs a real punch. For less than $22,000, it could be yours!
You can boast a Chevy nameplate without dropping a ton of cash. You don’t even have to sacrifice power, towing capability, or cargo space. Meet the Trailblazer, the cheapest Chevrolet and an appealing option among small SUVs in 2023. Here’s what you need to know.
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The Trailblazer is the cheapest Chevrolet you can buy
The Chevrolet Trailblazer subcompact SUV was reintroduced in 2021. With a base MSRP of $21,800, it's one of the most affordable subcompact SUVs out there—and it’s certainly the cheapest Chevrolet on the market.
The Chevy Trailblazer is incredibly spacious. With the seats folded, the Trailblazer offers 54 cubic feet of cargo space or 25 cubic feet of space with the seats up, giving it a larger cargo capacity than most other subcompact SUVs.
There are two engine options for the Trailblazer: a 137-horsepower turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine and a bigger 155-horsepower turbocharged 1.3-liter engine. Its towing capacity is relatively low at 1,000 pounds, but the Trailblazer still offers a higher tow capacity than most other subcompact SUVs (which have no towing capabilities at all).
The Trailblazer comes standard with front-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). For a subcompact SUV, the Trailblazer gets relatively good fuel economy with 31 highway mpg.
The Trailblazer comes in four trim levels:
- Trailblazer (base) MSRP: $21,800
- Trailblazer LT MSRP: $24,000
- Trailblazer Activ MSRP: $25,900
- Trailblazer RS MSRP: $25,900
How much cheaper is the Chevrolet Trailblazer?
Within the Chevrolet line-up, you can find just about any type of vehicle including cars, trucks, and swanky convertibles.
Here are the prices from some of the other models currently offered by Chevy. You can see that the next-cheapest Chevrolet is several thousand dollars more expensive than the Trailblazer:
- 2023 Suburban LS MSRP: $56,900
For your extra four thousand dollars, you can enjoy more room, a quieter engine, and a higher towing capacity than the Trailblazer offers.
Another option is the Bolt EV, which is a fully electric car. Currently, the Bolt EV is the cheapest electric car available in the US. Electric cars get better every year, and a Chevy Bolt could provide you with lasting value.
MORE: Are Chevrolets expensive to maintain?
How to find an affordable Chevrolet
There are many ways to keep costs low, and planning ahead will make a big difference. Here are some ways to keep more money in your pocket and not invested in unnecessary features:
- Stick to the base model. Do you really need the heated seats that come with the LT trim level? Chances are once the heat kicks in, you’ll be just fine.
- Avoid unnecessary upgrades. Leave the automatic climate control and the proximity keyless entry and opt for their standard systems. These upgrades will only make a minor difference to your driving experience, but the price difference could be major.
- Go used. The now-discontinued Chevrolet Spark is a great alternative if you are looking for a low price point and a zippy car that is still backed by the Chevy name. The 2022 models can be found for as low as $13,600. The newly designed Trailblazer model didn’t hit the market until 2021, so your options for used Trailblazers are a bit more limited. Either look for a 2009 or earlier model and enjoy an average retail price of about $5,000 or see if you can find a used 2021 model for about $20,000.
- Look for dealer incentives. You could be eligible for lots of different deals and incentives from your Chevrolet dealership. Make sure to do your research and look for any that apply to you and your new Chevy Trailblazer.
The best Chevrolet Trailblazer competitors you can buy for under $30,000
The Chevrolet Trailblazer isn’t the only subcompact SUV on the market. Many of these models could also fit your needs:
- Kia Seltos: With a base MSRP of $23,000, the Seltos costs slightly more than the Chevy Trailblazer. However, you’ll enjoy standard all-wheel drive, better gas mileage, more horsepower, and a longer warranty with the Seltos.
- Nissan Kicks: Comparable in many ways to the Trailblazer, the Nissan Kicks’ price starts at $20,290. The Kicks has slightly better fuel economy, but it does not offer the same towing capability that the Trailblazer boasts.
- Hyundai Kona: The Hyundai Kona has a base price point of $21,900. The Kona doesn’t measure up to the large cargo area in the Chevy Trailblazer. It does hold its own with good handling and a variety of driver-assistance features, though.
- Toyota Corolla Cross: New in 2022, the 2023 Corolla Cross is priced at $23,060. The Cross is a simple and cost-effective vehicle, with the added benefit of a hybrid powertrain and a towing capacity at least 500 pounds higher than the Trailblazer.
- Mazda CX-30: The Mazda CX-30’s luxurious interior is impressive, but the cargo space is slightly smaller compared to the Trailblazer. With a starting price of $22,950, the CX-30 comes standard with a Skyactiv-Drive-G automatic transmission that includes a manual-shift mode. So, if that classic feeling of driving a manual car sounds up your alley, the Mazda CX-30 may be your solution to get that feeling while driving an inexpensive new car.
MORE: How to test drive a car
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