Do you know what manufacturer is on the cusp of revigorating its infotainment solutions across its vast lineup? That’s right, it’s none other than Chevy. Automobiles and technology are inextricably entwined in the daily lives of most Americans, and they are two industries that don’t know how to slow down. Is this a bad thing? Absolutely not––innovation is what drives us forward as a species. Nowadays, some of the most prolific software and hardware engineers are the ones who bring technology like infotainment centers to the forefront of the modern-day driving experience, and manufacturers like Chevy sure have acquired a fair number of brilliant engineers. Although technology doesn’t sit still for long, it’s not every year that we see leaps and bounds like what is coming for the 2024 Trailblazer and Trax.
For 2024, the Trailblazer and Trax have been redesigned and treated to a range of upgrades, and to say the infotainment center is at the core of the improvements would be an understatement. When you visit your local Chevy dealer, you will be amazed at what the new infotainment center in these models has to offer. Modern infotainment centers like this can be a defining factor when you are looking to upgrade your current automobile. Chevy dealers are getting the newest models shortly––if not by the time you’re reading this––so there are plenty of reasons to get excited. Are you seated? Have a snack and drink with you? Then good, let’s get going.
The Stuff You Can’t See
The contents of your infotainment center are displayed on the screen, which is positioned in the center between yourself and your passenger. However, behind the scenes are the components that make everything run, such as the processor, memory, etc. When a manufacturer upgrades an infotainment center, it’s more than the screen size increases. Infotainment upgrades usually include upgraded computer hardware that is faster and sometimes more efficient, as newer chips can be smaller and consume less energy. When the underpinnings of the infotainment center are upgraded with more modern components, it won’t be a feature you see as much as it’ll be a feature you feel.
If you purchase a vehicle like the 2024 Trailblazer with its brand-new infotainment center and are upgrading from an older automobile, you should immediately notice a difference. You’ll notice a contrast in how smooth the navigation feels on the menus and how quickly it responds to your actions. This can go a long way. I’ve experienced faulty infotainment centers in the past. The 2014 Cadillac CTS is the worst infotainment center I’ve had the displeasure of using, as its faulty nature resulted in a touchscreen that would no longer register, meaning if it wasn’t on your favorite radio station, CD, or plugged into your phone before it broke, you were out of luck.
This unfortunate tale of an early example of a modern-day infotainment center perfectly illustrates why hardware is equally important as whatever infotainment software the manufacturer implements. If you’re purchasing a brand-new vehicle, it should have brand-new infotainment components. The 2024 Trailblazer and Trax are both receiving a complete infotainment overhaul that adds larger screens and new features for a better infotainment experience.
The main star of the show for both models is a new 11-inch touchscreen display. This display is standard on the 2024 Trailblazer and available on the 2024 Trax. The new infotainment center is snappy, and it also had several upgrades elsewhere, such as Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto coming standard. While most manufacturers reserve their newest infotainment centers for their largest and most expensive models, Chevy has changed things up by debuting this new option on its two smallest and most affordable vehicles, allowing everyone to experience modern technology when behind the wheel.
The Stuff You Can See
What you can see is as you’d expect: the screen and what’s displayed on it. I’ve already told you the 2024 Trailblazer and Trax will be offered with an 11-inch touchscreen. Still, the way it’s implemented into the overall design of the interior reminds me why Chevy’s designers and engineers are among the best in the industry. From the driver’s point of view, the infotainment center is slightly slanted for a better viewing angle, but it’s designed in such a way that’s appealing to the eye. A chrome trim surrounds the top of the infotainment center and extends down the screen’s right side, giving it a sleek and sharp look. On the left, the display stylishly merges the driver’s instrument cluster. However, this cluster isn’t your average set of analog gauges but a separate eight-inch screen.
Other manufacturers have attempted something similar but instead opted for a unified look with two upright screens side by side. Still, many drivers understandably aren’t too fond of that and would rather keep the instrument cluster and media hub as two separate screens. The eight-inch Digital Driver Information Display in the Trailblazer and Trax also has a chrome trim on the top that arches down the sides, with the right side of the screen intersecting with the infotainment center. This may sound like the screen is obstructed, but I assure you, it’s not, and it looks incredible. The screens may be separated, but the unified look of the software remains the same, meaning both screens share a minimalist yet impactful blue-on-black background that looks superb.
More Enjoyment for More People
Chevy’s new infotainment center in the 2024 Trailblazer and Trax serves as a reminder that competing manufacturers don’t seem to have a reasonable excuse for the lack of tech features we have been trained to expect at this price point. Far too many subcompact SUVs are still coming with tiny screens and obsolescent software. Just look at the VW Taos with its standard 6.5-inch touchscreen display, or consider that the Toyota Corolla Cross, Ford Bronco Sport, and Nissan Kicks all still max out at eight-inch infotainment screens.
It also shouldn’t be forgotten that the 2024 Trailblazer and Trax also come standard with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I’ll be honest; I don’t think the wireless version of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are prevalent enough. In fact, it’s becoming bizarre that other manufacturers treat this as a premium feature. Just look at the 2023 Honda Pilot––this three-row SUV won’t give you wireless smartphone integration unless you pay over $42,000 to upgrade to the middle trims in the lineup.
Chevy’s dedication to rolling out modern tech features as standard equipment across its lineup somewhat reminds me of Chevy Safety Assist and how current Chevy vehicles all come with a variety of safety features. If Chevy continues taking the necessary steps to provide class-leading infotainment centers for the price, it will be more ahead than most people think. This is nothing but beneficial to drivers and serves as a great incentive to choose the Chevy brand.
Before You Go…
I want to give you a side note before we conclude. If you’re test-driving a new vehicle, you should always take the time to park somewhere safe and explore the infotainment center. If you notice the software is running too sluggishly or aren’t drawn to its design, these things are equally as important to consider as something like how it feels to drive the car. If you want to future-proof your investment, if you enjoy the feeling of being ahead of most other drivers in enjoying modern features, or maybe even both, then you should consider the infotainment center you’ll get when buying a vehicle. While it shouldn’t dictate the decision as a whole, it’s something to consider all the same.
