Does the all-new 2019 Chevy Blazer live up to its legendary name? We take it on a first drive review to let you know everything you need to know about the newest midsize crossover from Chevrolet.
2019 Chevy Blazer
The new Blazer is nothing like the truck-based SUV of old. It’s a five-seat crossover that is wide, low, and styled with a good dose of the Chevy Camaro. The Blazer is nearly as wide as the full-size Traverse and as low as the compact Equinox.
Under the hood are two power options:
- 2.5L I4 : 193 hp & 188 lb-ft of torque, 9-speed automatic, FWD
- 3.6L V6 : 308 hp & 270 lb-ft of torque, 9-speed automatic, FWD or AWD
The Blazer comes in three trim levels: base Blazer, sporty RS, and luxurious Premier. The pricing starts at $29,995 for the base FWD with the 2.5L four-cylinder. A fully-options Blazer RS AWD or a Premier AWD model will cross into the $51,000 range.
The Blazer RS you see in this review is riding on 21-inch rims. The RS has a quicker steering ratio and specially tuned suspension. You may think it would make for a harsh ride around town, but it strikes a nice balance between sporty feel and a comfortable ride.
The RS all-wheel-drive system uses a twin-clutch rear differential that can operate in a torque-vectoring mode (where the system sends more power to the outside rear wheel during a turn). It’s a sophisticated AWD system that can quickly shift power front to rear depending on the traction needs. You can also put the system into a 2WD (or front-wheel-drive) only mode for increased efficiency.
The Blazer AWD comes with several driving modes. There is a Towing mode that adjusts the transmission for trailering up to 4,000 lbs, if equipped with a towing package. There is a Sport mode that relaxes the traction & stability control systems, changes steering effort, and transmission shift points for a more spirited drive. Chevrolet engineers refer to the Off-road mode, “rally mode”. It’s not really meant to crawling over rocks, as it is meant for driving quickly over dirt, sand, or other loose terrain. It further relaxes the stability and traction control systems to allow for more wheel spin and sliding. Interestingly, the anti-lock brake system is also relaxed to allow more lockup and ensure shorter stops as the Blazer digs in with all four tires.
I was not able to notice the significant difference between the Normal and Sport modes during my limited driving opportunity around San Diego, CA. The steering effort does change, and the transmission holds gear longer (especially through a corner). There was no opportunity to try the Off-Road mode yet.
The Blazer competes against the likes of the Ford Edge and the Nissan Murano. The Blazer’s starting price is the same as the Edge, but less than the Murano V6. Although, the Blazer’s fully-loaded price can go higher than either one of these competitors. The Blazer’s V6 fuel economy is lower than the Ford and the Nissan.
Pricing
The 2019 Chevy Blazer starts off at $29,995 for the base L model. From there, you can spec the car up through the 2.5L Cloth and 3.6L Cloth or Leather trims. From there, you can get the RS from $41,795 or the Premier for $43,895 and up.
All trims are available in front-wheel drive with either the 2.5-liter four-cylinder or 3.6-liter V6. However, only the 3.6-liter V6 is available on all-wheel drive trims – the 3.6L Cloth/Leather, RS or Premier.
Check out the full video review below:
