Chevrolet Blazer Review

The latest member of the Chevrolet SUV family is a midsize two-row SUV with space for five, bold styling, and an available 3.6-liter V6 engine. It’s the all-new Blazer and it comes in a number of trim levels: Blazer (offered with a few variations), RS, and Premier. The RS model looks incredibly cool, it’s street-inspired and features a custom black mesh grille, performance-inspired front air dam, and black Chevy bowtie emblems. Inside, the Blazer packs plenty of technology. An 8-inch diagonal touchscreen comes standard on all trims. You can even order a coffee through Marketplace on it! The Blazer also offers advanced safety technologies to help keep you and your passengers safe. Continue reading below for more on this all-new Blazer!

The base front-wheel drive Blazer model with the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine has a starting price of $29,995. Upgrading to all-wheel drive with the 3.6L V6 engine will cost you around $5,000 more. The sporty RS trim, with its cool blacked-out look, starts at $40,600. A Blazer could easily cost you around $50,000, though, if you opt for the range-topping Premier. It has a starting price of $42,700.

The base Blazer model comes standard with a 2.5-liter I-4 engine. It churns out 193 horsepower and 188 lb.-ft. of torque. A 3.6-liter V-6 is also available. That engine comes standard on RS and Premier trims. It produces 305 hp and 269 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines are paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission and feature intelligent stop/start technology. Traction Select is standard on all models and and allows the driver to make quick adjustments to the vehicle’s driving mode to account for various driving conditions.

While all-wheel drive is available on all Blazer 3.6L V6 models, RS and Premier trims offer an Advanced AWD system. The more sophisticated twin-clutch AWD technology helps optimize traction for every condition, even snow and ice.

With the 3.6L engine offering, you can tow up to 4,500 pounds. There’s also Hitch Guidance technology available on those models. It aids in aligning the Blazer’s hitch to a trailer by showing the center line on the rear-vision camera. Hitch View, meanwhile, complements Hitch Guidance by showing a top-down view, making it easier to hitch a trailer without a second person there to help.

The 2.5L engine offers an EPA-estimated 27 miles per gallon highway. The available 3.6L gets slightly less. It offers an EPA-estimated 26 mpg.

The interior of the 2019 Chevrolet Blazer has a sporty look like the SUV’s exterior. The design emphasizes space, craftsmanship, and customer personalization. With three different trims to choose from, there’s plenty of variety offered. Five passengers can comfortably fit inside this SUV.

With the base Blazer trim, there’s available perforated leather-appointed seating. The blacked-out RS model, meanwhile, gets that leather seating material with sueded microfiber inserts and red accents throughout. The range-topping Premier trim gets the perforated leather-appointed seating in Jet Black/Maple Sugar.

As for technology, there’s a beautiful 8-inch touchscreen that comes standard on all models. It comes with the latest Chevrolet Infotainment 3 System technology. On the RS trim, you get Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Plus with Navigation. The range-topping Premier model gets the most sophisticated system, Chevrolet Infotainment 3 Premium with Navigation.

This 2019 Chevrolet Blazer also offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, which is nice. Chevrolet says you can even order a coffee through Marketplace on your touchscreen! That’d definitely help make a morning coffee run even easier! There’s also an available 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot to help keep you and your passengers’ devices connected. Plus, six USB ports are available to help with that as well.

Other exciting aspects of the 2019 Blazer’s interior include an available panoramic dual-pane power sunroof, an adjustable sliding rear seat, and available cargo management system.

As for cargo space, there’s a max volume of 64.2 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded flat. Whether you’re a traveler, commuter, weekend warrior, DIY-er, or shopper, Chevrolet says there’s sufficient room for your items in the back. Some critics have pointed out, though, that competitor models do seem to offer more cargo space. So, you might want to keep that in mind if you know you’ll be putting a lot of items in the back!

The available floor-mounted rail system that helps keep your cargo secure while driving is a first for Chevy! The available Flexible Cargo Partition and Horizontal Cargo Net can help prevent items like groceries and gardening materials from shifting in transit. Because who wants spilled milk in the back of their SUV, right? If you opt for the RS or Premier trims, you’ll also get a hands-free power liftgate with Bowtie logo projection as standard. It’ll help make loading cargo even easier! 

The Chevrolet Blazer features bold styling inside and out. While we find the sporty RS trim to be the most exciting, the base Blazer and range-topping Premier trims are also attractive. The Blazer has a wide stance, tight proportions, a high beltline, and dramatic sculpting.

“The Blazer has attitude,” said John Cafaro, executive director of global design for Chevrolet. “It looks commanding on the road, while fulfilling the promise of versatility at the heart of every Chevy crossover and SUV.”

The 2019 Blazer looks powerful from the front, thanks to its strong grille and ultra-thin daytime running lamps. Long, lean, and sculpted body sides lead to the rear of the vehicle, which is highlighted by LED-illuminated Chevy-signature dual-element taillamps, dual exhaust outlets, and an integrated tailgate spoiler. 18-inch wheels come as standard, but you’ll find 21-inch wheels on RS and Premier trims.

We feel the RS trim has the most exciting look because it’s blacked-out, with black exterior accents, black Chevy bowties, and a black grille. The range-topping Premier model, though, features a beautiful chrome-trimmed horizontal grille, with roof rails, and chrome accents throughout.

The Blazer offers advanced safety technologies to help you detect and prevent potential hazards. They also give you added confidence behind the wheel. One of the many available safety features to highlight is Adaptive Cruise Control - Advanced. It enhances regular cruise control. Other available safety systems include Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Alert, and Forward Automatic Braking.

An HD Rear Vision Camera comes standard on all models. The added HD Surround Vision13 and Rear Camera Mirror are available on trims equipped with the 3.6L.

What’s great is the Blazer comes standard with Chevrolet’s Teen Driver feature. It helps guide and monitor your teen’s driving. That way, you can help instill safe driving habits. Since research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that the risk of vehicle crashes is highest among drivers who are between 16 and 19 years old, this technology could be lifesaving.

While a Premier trim Blazer might be out of your price range, all trims offered with this SUV are nice. If you opt for the base model, upgrading to the more powerful 3.6L engine won’t set you back too much. Our favorite trim, though, has to be the RS. We love the edgy, street-inspired look of it. We’re also fans of the large 8-inch touchscreen you’ll find inside all Blazer models. It’s also nice that you’re able to stay well connected through an available WiFi hotspot. While competitor models may offer more cargo space than the Blazer, the SUV’s cargo management system seems incredibly helpful. The hands-free power liftgate on RS and Premier models is a nice touch, too. Overall, the Blazer is a solid SUV option. As always, make sure to test drive any SUV you might be interested in and also check out the competition, like the Hyundai Santa Fe or Ford Edge.