For several months I have been looking for a used minivan in the size catagory of the Uplander. Not having much luck in my area and began considering the smaller SUV like the Trailblazer or Envoy. I have not driven and Uplander in the snow but our past and present Chrysler minivans have done very well for us with regular all season tires.

Would a 2WD Trailblazer be a poor choice for winters in Ohio? As I understand it, the MPG is better then the 4WD. However I might have to make a major driving adjustment with either of them. Anyone here with experience in these differing models in snow?

 

I recently bought a 2003 Chevy Trailblazer after owning a small Hyundai car.
It recently snowed and when I got home the drifts in my driveway were up to my hip.
Never owning an SUV before I put it in 4 high and went 90 feet to my garage without missing a beat.
Get a slightly used one and you wont be sorry.

 

I would expect 4WD to be good in the snow. I was curious about the 2WD Trailblazers since they are supposed to get better MPG.

 

The Trailblazer fuel economy is as good or better than the v6 Hyundai car I used to drive.
It's a great truck, easy to fix when things go wrong. Get one, you won't regret it.

 

Regarding the fuel economy of the Trailblazer: is there a difference between the 2WD and the 4WD with 2 wheels only engaged? What about the different year models?

The government fuel economy ratings show 3 MPG better on the uplander and no difference between 4WD and 2WD on the Trailblazer. My problem is that I know for a fact that my 1991 Plymouth Grand Voyager got 27 MPG on the highway, but they report much less.

 

Depends on how much snow you get or if you routinely try to drive in deep snow . I have 2WD and i just take my time getting to where I have to go .I live in upstate NY . 2Wd is more reliant on having good tires on it . that being said in the 8 years I have had this i have never gotten stuck . If the snow is that deep then you probably shouldn't be driving anyway . 2WD is probably 2-3 mpg better on the highway , usually get 22-23 mpg highway at about 65 mph . Anything over 70 and mpg's start to go down . the 2007-2009 had traction control on them which basically applies the brakes to the wheel that is spinning and cuts power . you can shut it off if you don't like it .