The Chevy Trailblazer ships in four trims - LS, LT, ACTIV, and RS - and picking the wrong one is an easy mistake to make when each looks similar from the outside. The differences in AWD availability, ride height, engine, and technology add up fast once you start driving Bergen County roads and New Jersey winters.
Bottom Line: The LT is the sweet spot for most Paramus-area commuters, while the ACTIV earns its keep for anyone who needs all-wheel drive standard and a higher stance for snow-season confidence.
- LS starts around $22,500 - solid basics, front-wheel drive only
- LT adds wireless CarPlay, remote start, and available AWD for $24,000-$26,000
- ACTIV comes with AWD as standard, higher ride height, and a skid plate
- RS delivers the 1.3L turbo and sport styling but sits lower than the ACTIV
LS and LT: The Foundation Trims
The LS is where every Trailblazer story starts, and it is more complete than you might expect at its price. Standard features include a 7-inch infotainment screen, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, and a rearview camera - everything you actually use on a daily commute from Paramus to Hackensack.
The LT is where the real value lives. It upgrades the display to an 8-inch screen, adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and includes remote start. These additions cost roughly $1,500-$2,000 over LS and are impossible to add afterward, making the LT a much better resale play.
The key difference to understand between LS and LT: AWD is not available on the LS. If you ever want all-wheel drive - and with Bergen County winters, many drivers do - the LT is the minimum entry point for that option. See our complete Chevy Trailblazer guide for full spec comparisons across every configuration.
LT Engine and Fuel Economy
The LS and FWD-configured LT use the 1.2L turbocharged three-cylinder producing 155 horsepower. Fuel economy lands around 28 mpg combined - a strong number for a small SUV doing Bergen County highway miles.
When you add AWD to the LT, the powertrain steps up to the 1.3L turbo (also 155 hp, but with better torque delivery at lower revs). That engine change is paired with an automatic transmission replacing the CVT found in FWD models, which most drivers find more satisfying in everyday driving.
ACTIV: Built for Bergen County Winters
The ACTIV trim is Chevy’s answer to a simple question: what if AWD was standard and the truck had actual ground clearance? With 8.4 inches of ride height (versus 6.6 on the LS/LT), a standard skid plate, and all-terrain-style 18-inch tires, the ACTIV handles New Jersey’s pothole-ridden post-storm roads better than any other Trailblazer trim.
AWD activates automatically when sensors detect wheel slip, distributing torque to whichever tire has the most grip. For families in Ridgewood and Fair Lawn who deal with school drop-offs during nor’easters, this is not a luxury - it is a practical choice. You can browse ACTIV inventory at Paramus Chevrolet to see current availability.
The ACTIV pricing starts around $27,500 and includes the 1.3L engine, making the price-to-content ratio better than it first appears. You are not just paying for looks - you are getting a fundamentally more capable vehicle for Bergen County’s mixed conditions.
"The ACTIV is hands-down the trim I recommend most for Bergen County customers. All-wheel drive and the added ground clearance make it a completely different driving experience from November through March - and it holds its value better too."
General Manager, Paramus Chevrolet
RS: Sport Styling with Substance
The RS is for buyers who want the 1.3L engine and AWD capability but prefer a more aggressive, street-tuned appearance over outdoor capability. Where the ACTIV rides taller with knobby tires, the RS sits lower and features blacked-out exterior trim, a sport front fascia, and 18-inch gloss black wheels.
Trade-off to know upfront: the RS’s lower ride height (6.3 inches versus the ACTIV’s 8.4) means it is not the right pick if winter traction is your primary concern. On cleared roads and dry pavement, the RS feels sharper. In six inches of Hackensack snow, the ACTIV wins every time.
AWD pricing on the RS lands around $29,000-$30,000 with popular options. That puts it in genuine crossover competition territory - worth comparing against the Honda HR-V and Kia Seltos before committing. Our Trailblazer vs HR-V vs Seltos comparison breaks down exactly how those competitors stack up against every Trailblazer trim.
Use our calculator below to estimate your monthly payment at any trim level:
Which Trim Makes Sense for Bergen County Drivers?
Choosing the right Trailblazer trim comes down to three questions: Do you need AWD? Are you prioritizing outdoor capability or urban style? And what is your honest monthly budget?
For most daily commuters in Paramus, Hackensack, or Ridgewood who want reliability and connectivity, the LT with AWD hits every practical requirement. It avoids the entry-level compromises of the LS while stopping short of the ACTIV’s premium pricing.
The ACTIV is worth every dollar if you drive unpredictably snowy or uneven Bergen County roads regularly. The ride height, AWD standard-fit, and all-terrain tires are genuine improvements over the LT - not cosmetic upgrades. Check current Trailblazer specials at Paramus Chevrolet for pricing on both.
Ready to compare Trailblazer trims in person? Browse new Trailblazer inventory at Paramus Chevrolet or schedule a side-by-side test drive to feel the difference between trims on real Bergen County roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Chevy Trailblazer trim include AWD?
No. AWD is not available on the LS and requires an additional package on the LT. The ACTIV includes AWD as standard. The RS also offers AWD as an option. If AWD is important to you - and for Bergen County winters it usually is - budget for LT AWD at minimum or choose the ACTIV.
What engine does the Chevy Trailblazer use?
The LS and FWD LT use a 1.2L turbocharged three-cylinder engine paired with a CVT. The LT with AWD, the ACTIV, and the RS use a 1.3L turbocharged three-cylinder with a conventional automatic transmission. Both produce 155 horsepower, but the 1.3L delivers more usable low-end torque for merging on the Garden State Parkway.
Is the Trailblazer RS or ACTIV better for snowy Bergen County winters?
For winter driving confidence, the ACTIV is the better choice. Its higher ride height (8.4 inches versus 6.3 on the RS) provides more clearance over packed snow and ice. The ACTIV also uses all-terrain-style tires better suited to mixed winter conditions. The RS is sportier but sits lower and prioritizes style over snow capability.
How does the Trailblazer LT compare to the LS on daily features?
The LT adds wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, remote start, a larger 8-inch infotainment display, and rear USB ports. It also opens the door to AWD, which the LS does not offer. For most Bergen County commuters who rely on smartphone integration every day, the LT’s upgrades justify the price difference.
What is the Chevy Trailblazer ACTIV ride height?
The ACTIV rides at 8.4 inches of ground clearance compared to 6.6 inches on the LS/LT and 6.3 inches on the RS. That two-inch advantage over the LT is meaningful on unplowed suburban streets in Ridgewood and Fair Lawn - enough to prevent the bottom scraping on rutted snow that plagues lower trims.
Visit Paramus Chevrolet - serving Paramus, Hackensack, Ridgewood, and Fair Lawn - to see all four Trailblazer trims side by side. View new inventory or call to confirm today’s availability in Bergen County, NJ.