You might remember the Blazer from Chevrolet. It started life as a large two-door SUV then it shrunk to a smaller SUV before going away nearly 20 years ago.
Now, the Chevy Blazer is back as a five-seat crossover. A sleek and modern styling has the new Blazer looking sporty and less utilitarian than the last time the Blazer was on the market.
The top-of-the-line Chevrolet Blazer RS model plays up the sporty moniker with a blacked-out grill and trim pieces with funky 20-inch wheels that play nicely with bright “Red Hot” paint. The V-6 engine helps the Blazer live up to that sporty body. It accelerates easily and even the handling is better than I expected on twisty roads. The AWD system can remain in two-wheel drive so you can get better mies per gallon.
Even the interior carries on the sporty theme. The dash looks like it was lifted from the Camaro. You get slick-looking round air vents that double as the climate controls, left for cool and right for warmth. You might find that some of the buttons are a bit small; I often hit the wrong one at times. The seats are comfortable for long-range driving with heated/ventilated front seats. Plus the 4G LTE hotspot allows you to work while on the go. The back seat treats passengers nicely with tilt and sliding heated rear seats. No third row means a bunch of cargo space.
Cost: $37,145; as tested $47,075
MPG: 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway; I managed 23.2 mpg in 670 miles of mixed driving.
Safety: Adaptive cruise control, rear park assist, lane change alert with side blind zone alert, forward collision alert/automatic brake, front-pedestrian braking, lane keep assist/lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, following distance indicator, safety alert seat, rear camera mirror.
Options: $3,575 Enhanced Convenience & Driver Confidence II package
Things to know: The Blazer returns as a premium five-seat crossover. Now with a modern look, luxury and technology, the new Chevy Blazer stands out in a crowded market.
Pros:
- Styling that’s not like most crossovers
- Plenty of power with V-6
- Premium interior with plenty of space
Cons:
- Pricey when you choose RS trim
- Fuel economy with V-6 isn’t at the top of its class
- Smaller buttons on dash can be tough for navigate.
