What is the point of offering two different engines on the Chevy Trailblazer?

[pete6032]

I was looking at the Chevy Trailblazer and Chevy offers multiple drivetrain options. The first is 1.2L turbo with CVT. The second option is 1.3L turbo with 9-speed automatic transmission. The reviews I read say there is no discernable difference between the two configurations, other than the fact that the 1.3L auto is AWD and the 1.2L CVT is FWD. Wouldn't it be more cost effective for Chevy to make all of the Trailblazers on a single drivetrain?

Buick offers a similarly confusing 1.3L or 1.4L turbo FWD AWD set of options on the Encore.

 

[Torn Mind]

CVTs with turbos offer better “official” gas mileage, which is necessary for car manufacturers to satisfy Uncle Sam’s environmental standards. The fleet’s gas mileage has to hit a target.

Since the emissions standards increase every year, pursuing the numbers ultimately does become more and more difficult such that the CVT, which is not a durable design, was implemented at all.

Chasing MPG is getting ever closer to a hard ceiling which is why electric is inevitable for general consumers and why everyone is jumping into the game. MPG standards also does not see the costs of “bricking”, manufacturing metal, replacing a tranny, etc.

 

[pauldun170]

I was looking at the Chevy Trailblazer and Chevy offers multiple drivetrain options. The first is 1.2L turbo with CVT. The second option is 1.3L turbo with 9-speed automatic transmission. The reviews I read say there is no discernable difference between the two configurations, other than the fact that the 1.3L auto is AWD and the 1.2L CVT is FWD. Wouldn't it be more cost effective for Chevy to make all of the Trailblazers on a single drivetrain?

Buick offers a similarly confusing 1.3L or 1.4L turbo FWD AWD set of options on the Encore.

By the looks of it, the 1.3 gets better MPG than the 1.2.
The target audience for these things are for....(shudders)

 

[pauldun170]

Assuming that the Sonic and Malibu are dead ends because they are non CUV, the Trailblazer was probably brought here from overseas to temporarily serve as their entry level vehicle. The 1.2 and 1.3 might be place holders, probably just waiting their turn to be integrated into some PHEV platform.
I don't see this lasting to long between fleet average mandates and EV\PHEV all the things. The 1.3 might be the better gas only powertrain but he 1.2 might be the target state for PHEV version
They need to get most of their offerings either PHEV'd or EV's if they want to hit 40mpg targets.

 

[pete6032]

The target audience for these things are for....(shudders)

Who is the target audience?

 

[heymrdj]

The 1.3L is overall built a bit more aggressive. It's main claim to fame is the active thermal management system and it also makes 100% torque 900 RPM sooner than the 1.2. It has a bit of a different build than the 1.2L as well. Overall, the 1.2L is the cheaper engine to produce, and the 1.3L is the one that provides some sport. The 1.3L definitely has more pickup than the 1.2L when you drive them.

It's important not the conflict the Encore with the Encore GX (in America). Encore GX is the newer VSS-F platform, Encore is the old Gamma II and then GEM platform. Encore's 1.4L engines are much older, the original 1.4L LUJ engine coming from the original Chevrolet Cruze in 2010. In 2016, the much newer and more powerful 1.4L LE2 engine become optional on Sport Touring models only, and now that engine is the only engine model going forward.

I have an Encore GX as a commuter and it's the best car that I've had in it's size bracket when it comes to features and comfort for the price. Much less tinny than a Fit, more powerful than a Fit. The Encore drivetrains, and the entire Encore GX, hail from GM South Korea.

 

[pauldun170]

Who is the target audience?

Based on campaigns I've seen, the generic city dwelling early twenties woman who drives through puddles while arm dancing on their way to a night club

 

[NutBucket]

Don't buy one. They're piles of garbage.

 

[heymrdj]

Don't buy one. They're piles of garbage.

Lol someone that complains about interference engines is hardly someone to listen to. Make a list of non-interference engines and then make a list of interference engines. Now which vehicle can you buy new in 2021?

That being said, avoid anything with the 1.4LUV/LUJ engine simply based on the unfixed PCV issues.

 

[pete6032]

Based on campaigns I've seen, the generic city dwelling early twenties woman who drives through puddles while arm dancing on their way to a night club

I haven't seen any ads for them but I have seen a lot of them in Chicago. They have pretty nice looks. Haven't driven one but I would consider it if it was NA engine, not some 3 cylinder turbo.

I drove an Encore as a rental and it was decent to drive. Front seat was really cramped, vehicle too narrow. I'd be interested in driving the new Encore GX to see how that compares.

 

[NutBucket]

Lol someone that complains about interference engines is hardly someone to listen to. Make a list of non-interference engines and then make a list of interference engines. Now which vehicle can you buy new in 2021?

That being said, avoid anything with the 1.4LUV/LUJ engine simply based on the unfixed PCV issues.

I forgot he mentioned anything about interference design. But a turbo should last 100k or more regardless.

 

[deadlyapp]

I cannot imagine a 1.3L turbo having enough torque for those vehicles but I guess as someone else noted it's perfectly fine for a soccer parent just doing urban driving.

 

[pete6032]

I also don't understand why Chevy would put a 1.2/1.3 turbo engine in these vehicles versus 4 cyl. Other automakers seem to get good gas mileage with NA 4 cyl so what is the rational behind a 3 cyl turbo, is it really for gas mileage or something else?

 

[NutBucket]

Ford is doing the same with the Escape Ecosport or whatever they're calling the Fiesta replacement. They also offered the 1.0 turbo in the Focus for a while too I think.

 

[heymrdj]

I also don't understand why Chevy would put a 1.2/1.3 turbo engine in these vehicles versus 4 cyl. Other automakers seem to get good gas mileage with NA 4 cyl so what is the rational behind a 3 cyl turbo, is it really for gas mileage or something else?

Many are using NA 4cyl engines, but outside of the Crosstrek, almost all of them are weaker than the turbo 3 options, and many are lamented for being loud and buzzy. Some of them have a turbo option as an option. Look at the HR-V’s 140hp or the Venue’s 121hp/113tq. Several of those motors are 1.5-1.8L 4cyl naturally aspirated, the move to three cylinders with a turbo isn’t really that surprising. They get just about equal gas mileage to the 4cyl NA engines but with a good bit more power.

When I’ve talked to a lot of people regarding the 3cyl versus 4cyl debate, many times it comes down to where someone believes a vehicle lies on the size scale. These are subcompact SUVs, not even compact. While a lot of compacts get equally good mileage with bigger 4cyl, you’ll find most of the subcompacts are in that 1.5-1.8L range, very small motors.

 

[pete6032]

Ford is doing the same with the Escape Ecosport or whatever they're calling the Fiesta replacement. They also offered the 1.0 turbo in the Focus for a while too I think.

Interestingly enough Ford recently announced they were canceling the Ecosport in the U.S. Reviewers were pretty hard on it.

https://www.kbb.com/car-news/ford-ecosport-canceled-out-of-dealerships-soon/

 

[heymrdj]

I cannot imagine a 1.3L turbo having enough torque for those vehicles but I guess as someone else noted it's perfectly fine for a soccer parent just doing urban driving.

I still had my table from when I was researching the different models. When looking at Torque, the 1.2L places the Trailblazer/Encore GX as the 5th most powerful in class, and the 1.3L would put it in 4th place. Of course, being a turbo, it benefits from 100% torque at 2500RPM (1.2L) or 1600RPM (1.3L). All of the NA optioned vehicles reach peak torque north of 5,000RPM.

Car	HP	TQ	Type
Hyundai Venue	121	113	NA
Nissan Kicks	122	114	NA
Ford Ecosport	123	125	Turbo
Honda HR-V	141	127	NA
Hyundai Kona	147	132	NA
Kia Seltos	147	132	NA
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport	145	145	NA
Subaru Crosstrek	152	145	NA
Chevrolet Trax/Buick Encore	138	148	Turbo
Chevrolet Trailblazer/Buick Encore GX	137	162	Turbo
Jeep Renegade	180	175	NA
Volkswagen Taos	158	184	Turbo
Mazda CX-30	186	186	NA
Fiat 500X	177	210	Turbo

 

[heymrdj]

Interestingly enough Ford recently announced they were canceling the Ecosport in the U.S. Reviewers were pretty hard on it.

https://www.kbb.com/car-news/ford-ecosport-canceled-out-of-dealerships-soon/

I think the issue here was more the Ford India plant that makes and exports the vehicle is closing, and not wanting to compete with the Maverick on the low end sales. The Ecosport US sales have been decentish to good, over 60K units a year. For the subcompact SUV class, that's not bad. But the low profit subcompact class (cars or SUVs) has been getting targeted by suits amongst all the brands, kind of like the Fit and the HR-V.

 

[deadlyapp]

I still had my table from when I was researching the different models. When looking at Torque, the 1.2L places the Trailblazer/Encore GX as the 5th most powerful in class, and the 1.3L would put it in 4th place. Of course, being a turbo, it benefits from 100% torque at 2500RPM (1.2L) or 1600RPM (1.3L). All of the NA optioned vehicles reach peak torque north of 5,000RPM.

Car	HP	TQ	Type
Hyundai Venue	121	113	NA
Nissan Kicks	122	114	NA
Ford Ecosport	123	125	Turbo
Honda HR-V	141	127	NA
Hyundai Kona	147	132	NA
Kia Seltos	147	132	NA
Mitsubishi Outlander Sport	145	145	NA
Subaru Crosstrek	152	145	NA
Chevrolet Trax/Buick Encore	138	148	Turbo
Chevrolet Trailblazer/Buick Encore GX	137	162	Turbo
Jeep Renegade	180	175	NA
Volkswagen Taos	158	184	Turbo
Mazda CX-30	186	186	NA
Fiat 500X	177	210	Turbo

I guess I just put the trailblazer in a size class above the rest (other than possibly the outlander), although after doing a little review of weights of these vehicles, it's actually on the lighter side!

137HP in a 3000lb car just ...just no.

 

[ultimatebob]

Lol someone that complains about interference engines is hardly someone to listen to. Make a list of non-interference engines and then make a list of interference engines. Now which vehicle can you buy new in 2021?

That being said, avoid anything with the 1.4LUV/LUJ engine simply based on the unfixed PCV issues.

If the Car Wizard is telling you not to buy something, it's probably because he's seen dozens of them in his shop with severe engine damage. He seems a lot smarter than your average automotive YouTuber and has the yachts to prove it

 

[heymrdj]

If the Car Wizard is telling you not to buy something, it's probably because he's seen dozens of them in his shop with severe engine damage. He seems a lot smarter than your average automotive YouTuber and has the yachts to prove it

Cool you got that list I requested, right?